Chapter 451: Chapter 355: Post-Screening Interview
Perhaps everyone has had this illusion, that maybe, one day they could stand at the pinnacle of the world, receiving applause from all around.
Zhou Yun had once thought about it, even giving an "award acceptance speech" alone in the bathroom.
In those ordinary, ambition-filled days, it was only when alone that one could honestly confront their own ambitions and desires.
Normally, one would involuntarily put on a mask, whether it was one of humility, flamboyance, or impassiveness.
To expose one’s ambitions and desires seemed like a very dangerous thing to do.
And no one needed to be taught this—it was instinctively hidden away at the bottom of one’s heart, never to be exposed.
When Zhou Yun stood in the cinema, hearing the applause reverberating throughout the auditorium, she suddenly remembered the little girl she once was.
Did she dare to believe, so many years ago, that she would have a moment like today?
Zhou Yun snapped back to reality, commanding herself to stop thinking. If she continued, she would soon be shedding tears in the cinema.
The host had already taken the stage, waiting for the applause to die down before he began, inviting Wen Bing, Zhou Yun, and Yao Yuanfeng to the stage.
Once again, the applause was thunderous.
Wen Bing and Zhou Yun were both still captured by the emotions of the film, not yet completely detached.
With a delighted expression, Yao Yuanfeng took the lead to ask, "Did everyone like the movie?"
The audience replied in unison: "We loved it!"
Their voices were loud and clear.
Yao Yuanfeng happily said, "Seeing that you all liked it puts my mind at ease."
The host introduced, "President Yao is the producer of this movie, as well as the boss. May I ask President Yao, why did you dare to give the green light to such an innovative way of filmmaking?"
Yao Yuanfeng replied with a chuckle, "Because Wen Bing is a very talented young director. That has always been my style of doing things. As long as you have talent, I trust you completely. Whatever you want to shoot, as long as it is allowed by domestic policy, I will find a way to get you the funds. Also, when I saw Wen Bing’s script, I felt that this movie would definitely be very good. Our domestic films haven’t had any classic romances, and when I read the script, I thought that this is actually a story that resonates most with the younger generation."
The host did his homework on the production of "One Day." He knew that the movie had a budget of only a few million yuan. Normally, an actress of Zhou Yun’s caliber would be unattainable, let alone having to support a whole production crew. In this case, Yao Yuanfeng simply wanted to fulfill Wen Bing’s wish, so that he would willingly help him shoot the commercial films that followed.
The host didn’t want to listen to Yao Yuanfeng showing off, so after giving Yao his due attention, he immediately turned the topic to Zhou Yun.
Zhou Yun was the biggest selling point of the movie—at least on the market that was the case.
"I heard Xiao Yun reduced her pay a lot for this film?" the host asked curiously.
The joyful expression on Yao Yuanfeng’s face immediately froze. He became instantly dissatisfied with the person responsible for today’s premiere. Where did they find this host? Why would he bring this up at this time, letting everyone know that Zhou Yun had voluntarily reduced her pay? Isn’t this indirectly saying that he, Yao Yuanfeng, did not offer enough remuneration in the beginning?
However, this comment reminded him that he would have to send a bonus to Zhou Yun afterward to make up for the reduced pay.
They would need to work together more in the future. Yao Yuanfeng was not truly stingy. His initial willingness to fund the film with only a few million was purely because he thought the movie might not earn a single penny.
If it weren’t for Zhou Yun’s participation, ensuring at least a platform willing to buy broadcasting rights, he might not have provided even that few million; at most, he might have given one to two million.
The only reason he greenlighted the film was to capture Wen Bing’s heart. He had indeed seen potential in Wen Bing.
Even he hadn’t expected the movie to be such a success.
It hadn’t even been released domestically, yet it had already sold the rights for tens of millions.
Yao Yuanfeng was calculating in his mind, while Zhou Yun began to answer the host’s question.
"It was okay, just okay." Zhou Yun actually didn’t want to talk about the pay reduction either. Zhou Lan had instructed that such things should be kept from public knowledge when possible, as it could affect future offers. If someone else approached her for a film, they might use it as an excuse—"You were willing to reduce your pay for ’One Day,’ why can’t you reduce it a bit for my film?"
Zhou Yun said, "Mainly because my agent and I both really liked Director Wen’s style."
"How do you find working with Director Wen? What kind of person do you think he is?" the host asked.
Zhou Yun smiled and said, "He is a man with a very delicate heart, and also very cute. Every time we encountered a bottleneck during shooting, he would invite me for a drink. The two of us would drink and chat on the set, and as we talked, we would figure out how to proceed with the filming. Actually, today is my second time watching ’One Day,’ and the experience is different. I discovered many things that I hadn’t noticed the first time. I realized that although I previously felt that Director Wen was very good at capturing the subtle relationship between men and women, there are still many more detailed parts that only he has a grasp on."
The host nodded repeatedly.
"Director Wen, during your cooperation with Xiao Yun, what impression did she leave on you?"
Wen Bing had recovered by now, and with a smile, he said, "I’m glad she acted in this film. After her performance, I could no longer imagine anyone else in the film."
"Wow," the host exclaimed in surprise, saying, "Director Wen is very satisfied with Xiao Yun. Do you two have any projects you’ll collaborate on next?"
At this point, Yao Yuanfeng interjected, "Xiao Yun will soon be acting in Director Wen’s next movie, produced by our New Shield, ’Two Tigers.’ Everyone can look forward to it!"
Zhou Yun couldn’t help but internally criticize: It’s just a cameo role, don’t make it seem grandiose like it’s a major performance, okay?
Of course, she could only keep this criticism to herself; she couldn’t dismantle Yao Yuanfeng’s facade on the spot.
The interview concluded.
The host asked today’s guests to share their thoughts.
Naturally, media reporters were recording, and cameras were filming.
Song Chi was the first to be called out.
As Zhou Yun’s boyfriend, he was today’s guest who could not be ignored.
Yet Song Chi simply shook his hand, refusing to stand up, indicating that it was better to let others speak.
Others found it strange and didn’t understand why he wouldn’t support Zhou Yun at a time like this.
Only Zhou Yun understood Song Chi’s intention; he did not want his voice to overshadow the attention and praise that the film and her performance deserved.