Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

Watching from the side, Song Qian felt a mix of emotions welling up inside her. She could sense that Zhang Yu was treating Meng Ziyi with more gentleness and protectiveness. That difference in treatment made her feel somewhat...uneasy.

But the next second, Zhang Yu turned to her, his eyes becoming deep: "Song Qian too. You are both very promising newcomers, you should learn from each other and make progress together."

His gaze swept between the two women, and the ease with which he seemed to control everything made both young girls' hearts race.

Just then, the sound of Pingtan (a type of storytelling and ballad singing in Suzhou dialect) drifted downstairs. It was "The Scenery of Qinhuai," performed in the soft, melodious Wu dialect. Zhang Yu closed his eyes and listened for a moment, then whispered, "'I have a story to tell you all...' The beauty of Pingtan lies in its lingering, unspoken emotions. Just like a performance, sometimes the unspoken is more captivating."

He opened his eyes and looked at the two girls: "Have you ever heard of Pingtan?"

Both of them shook their heads.

“Then let’s listen.” Zhang Yu smiled. “There are many things worth learning in traditional Chinese culture. The narrative techniques of Pingtan, the performance routines of Peking Opera, the movements of Kunqu Opera… these are all treasures. As a Chinese actor, it would be a great pity if you didn’t even understand your own culture.”

He spoke earnestly, and both girls listened intently. At that moment, the way they looked at Zhang Yu wasn't just admiration for a talented director, but also worship for a learned and erudite man.

At the corner of the balcony, Zhao Liying quietly watched this scene. She was dressed in a white tracksuit today, looking lively and playful, like a curious little deer. Seeing Zhang Yu interacting with the two girls, a mischievous glint flashed in her eyes.

After Song Qian and Meng Ziyi left, she skipped over and said, "Director Zhang, Director Zhang, I also want to ask you some questions!"

Zhang Yu turned to look at her, his eyes playful: "What's wrong with Liying?"

"So many!" Zhao Liying's eyes sparkled. "For example... how to make a character more vibrant? How to create highlights in limited screen time? How to not be stage-frightened when acting alongside veteran actors? And so on..."

Her questions came in rapid succession, like a machine gun. Zhang Yu smiled, a smile that was lazy yet indulgent: "So many questions, I have to answer them one by one. But Liying, your curiosity is a good thing. In this industry, the worst thing isn't not knowing, but not asking."

"Director Zhang, please teach me quickly!" Zhao Liying leaned closer, her bright eyes blinking rapidly.

Zhang Yu looked at her, then suddenly reached out and gently tapped her nose: "The answer to the first question is—authenticity. The vitality of a character comes from genuine emotions. You have to believe that you are that character, how you would think and act in that situation. Instead of thinking 'I'm acting.'"

His actions were very intimate, and Zhao Liying was taken aback for a moment, but quickly smiled: "Then what's the second question?"

"The second question..." Zhang Yu leaned against the railing, his posture languid, "In a limited number of scenes, the highlights come from the details. A glance, a small gesture, a change in tone of a line... these details are often more moving than long performances. You have to learn to design details, but the design should be natural, not deliberate."

"And the third question?"

"Not being intimidated when acting alongside senior actors..." Zhang Yu paused, his eyes deep, "The secret is—don't treat the other person as a senior, but as an opponent. Acting is a two-way exchange, not a one-sided performance. You need to receive the other person's lines, and you also need to give your own. Remember, in front of the camera, you are equals."

He explained it very clearly, and Zhao Liying listened intently: "Director Zhang knows so much!"

"The more you see and the more you think, the more you'll understand," Zhang Yu smiled. "Liying, you have great talent, but you need to hone your skills. Observe life more, think more about human nature, and learn more techniques. In time, you will become a very good actress."

"Thank you, Director Zhang!" Zhao Liying smiled happily, her smile as bright as the sunshine. "Director Zhang... can I often ask you for advice?"

“Of course,” Zhang Yu said gently. “You’re welcome anytime.”

Zhao Liying left happily. The balcony finally quieted down. Zhang Yu leaned against the railing, watching the awning boats slowly gliding along the river, a playful smile curving his lips.

Today, he triggered four more "Starry Marks"—Song Qian, Meng Ziyi, Zhao Liying, and...Liu Shishi, who was quietly watching all of this from afar.

Nine times.

Good progress.

Strangely, he wasn't particularly excited; instead, he felt a peculiar calm. He had completely mastered the rules of this game, playing it with effortless ease. The women's fluttering hearts, their adoring gazes, the subtle, ambiguous feelings... all were under his control.

There was only one exception—Chen Chen.

Recalling the woman in the light purple cheongsam, her eyes clear yet complex, a faint ripple stirred within Zhang Yu. She was special, always had been. But her specialness also made him somewhat...troubled.

Because he couldn't treat her entirely like a game.

The karmic connection from their past lives, their first encounter in this life, and her all-seeing gaze... all made it impossible for him to simply categorize her as "prey."

"Then let's make it even more special," Zhang Yu murmured to himself. "You're the first, and you'll also be... the most special one."

He turned and left the balcony, returning to the set. The afternoon's filming had to continue, and so had the game.

After all, there are still ninety-nine "Starlight Marks" to collect.

This task is arduous and has a long way to go.

The evening banquet and new plans

7 p.m., the banquet hall of Xitang Hotel.

This was another setup arranged by Li Xiaoming, on a larger scale than yesterday's—in addition to core members of the production team such as Zhang Yu, Chen Chen, Huang Ying, and Lu Yuan, all the female stars Li Xiaoming brought were also present: Liu Yan, Gao Yuanyuan, Jing Tian, ​​Liu Shishi, Tang Yan, Zhang Tianai, Gulinana, Zhao Liying, Song Qian, and Meng Ziyi.

Eleven stunningly beautiful women, each with their own distinct style, sat together, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene. The banquet hall was brightly lit and the atmosphere was lively, but undercurrents were still swirling.

Li Xiaoming, as the host, was adept at creating a relaxed atmosphere. After several rounds of drinks, everyone relaxed a bit. Zhang Yu sat in the guest of honor's seat, with Chen Chen to his left and Li Xiaoming to his right. He sat languidly, toying with his wine glass, his eyes darting around the table with a mixture of appreciation and amusement.

Today, Chen Chen wore a moon-white modified cheongsam, her long hair styled into an elegant updo, adorned with a pearl hairpin. She sat quietly, sipping her juice, her eyes clear and calm, but occasionally, when she glanced at Zhang Yu, a complex emotion would flash across her eyes.

She could sense that Zhang Yu was enjoying being the center of attention, basking in the infatuated gazes of these women. And he was doing it more and more naturally, more and more effortlessly.

In his past life at the Star Gate, he would never have done this.

What happened to him in this life?

"Director Zhang," Li Xiaoming raised his glass, "I'd like to toast you again. Today on set, I truly witnessed your talent. Your guidance and insights have benefited me immensely."