Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

Her tone was calm, but carried an undeniable firmness. Li Xiaoming looked at her, then at Zhang Yu, and smiled: "Miss Chen is right. In that case, Mr. Wang, you two go back to the hotel first. Bai Bing and Shu Chang... how about staying here? The Shen family ancestral home has many rooms; they can learn from the film crew."

These words were spoken very naturally, but Zhang Yu understood the implication—Li Xiaoming was using various methods to place people around him.

"It's inconvenient," Zhang Yu refused directly. "This is the film crew's accommodation; non-staff members are not allowed to stay overnight."

"They're here to learn," Li Xiaoming said dismissively. "Bai Bing is a top student from the Shanghai Theatre Academy, and Shu Chang is an experienced actress. Learning from the crew will be helpful for them. Director Zhang wouldn't be so stingy, would he?"

The atmosphere became somewhat tense. Mr. Wang spoke up at the opportune moment: "Director Zhang, Mr. Li means well. It's a good thing for young people to learn from each other. Besides... we're here today to discuss investment. If 'Old Tales of Jiangnan' is well-made, we can increase our investment and guarantee its theatrical release."

The terms were very tempting. Additional investment and a theatrical release were almost a dream come true for a student director.

Zhang Yu was silent for a moment, then looked at Bai Bing and Shu Chang. Both young girls were looking at him; Bai Bing's eyes were cool and calm, while Shu Chang's eyes were expectant and lively.

"I can only stay for two days," he finally said. "I can't disturb the work during filming."

"No problem!" Li Xiaoming immediately agreed. "Bai Bing, Shu Chang, aren't you going to thank Director Zhang?"

"Thank you, Director Zhang." Bai Bing nodded slightly, displaying impeccable manners.

"Thank you, Director Zhang! I will definitely study hard!" Shu Chang said happily.

The matter was settled. Li Xiaoming left with the investors, and Bai Bing and Shu Chang were arranged to stay in guest rooms on the second floor. The Shen family ancestral home fell silent again, but a subtle tension still lingered in the air.

Standing next to Zhang Yu, Chen Chen said softly, "Li Xiaoming is testing you."

“I know.” Zhang Yu’s voice was cold. “He’s telling me in every way possible—in this industry, capital calls the shots.”

"What are you going to do?"

Zhang Yu turned to look at her, his eyes deep and unfathomable in the night: "Do what needs to be done. The movie needs to be made well, and the principles must be upheld."

He spoke with conviction, but Chen Chen could sense the weariness in his eyes. This industry is too complicated, too exhausting.

"Go and rest," she said softly. "There's a tough battle to fight tomorrow."

They each returned to their rooms. But that night, neither of them was destined to sleep peacefully.

January 30, 2000, 6:00 AM.

The morning mist in Xitang Ancient Town had not yet dissipated, and the sounds of leg stretching and vocal exercises could already be heard from the courtyard of the Shen family ancestral home. Zhang Yu pushed open the door and saw Shu Chang doing her morning exercises in the courtyard.

She changed into a white practice outfit, her long hair tied in a bun, and was practicing basic dance techniques. Backbends, splits, spins... her movements were standard and fluid, clearly showing she had formal training. The practice outfit clung to her body, outlining the slender yet flexible curves of her figure, and every movement was full of youthful energy.

"Good morning, Director Zhang!" Upon seeing Zhang Yu, Shu Chang stopped, her forehead beaded with sweat, and her cheeks flushed like ripe apples.

"Good morning." Zhang Yu nodded. "Your basic skills are very solid."

"I've been dancing since elementary school," Shu Chang said, wiping her sweat, her eyes sparkling. "Director Zhang, can I watch you film? I promise I won't bother you!"

"Yes, but please keep quiet."

"Definitely!" Shu Chang said happily.

At this moment, Bai Bing also came out of the room. She had changed into a light gray tracksuit, her long hair was tied in a low ponytail, and she was without makeup, yet she possessed a cool and refined beauty. Upon seeing Zhang Yu, she nodded slightly: "Good morning, Director Zhang."

Good morning. Did you sleep well?

"Very good, thank you Director Zhang." Bai Bing's voice remained cool, but polite and courteous.

The three stood in the courtyard, the morning mist swirling around them. Zhang Yu looked at the two very different newcomers and a strange feeling welled up inside him—Bai Bing's aloofness was like a winter plum blossom, needing to melt slowly; Shu Chang's liveliness was like a spring stream, crystal clear. Both were excellent prospects, but also... pawns of Li Xiaoming.

“Director Zhang,” Bai Bing suddenly spoke up, “I’ve read the script for ‘Old Tales of Jiangnan’ and I really like the character Shen Qingwan. Senior Chen Chen’s performance was excellent.”

"You've read the script?" Zhang Yu asked, somewhat surprised.

"It was given to me by General Manager Li," Bai Bing said frankly. "He said that if Director Zhang takes on 'A Family of Scholars,' there's a suitable role for me. So I want to learn from him first."

She spoke directly, without concealing her purpose. This frankness, ironically, made people feel uncomfortable.

“Having a goal is a good thing,” Zhang Yu said, “but you can’t rush acting. You need to observe first, do more research, and think more.”

“I will,” the soldier nodded.

At this moment, Chen Chen also came out. Today she was wearing a moon-white cheongsam embroidered with orchids, her long hair was styled into an exquisite snake bun, and she wore a magnolia hairpin. Seeing Bai Bing and Shu Chang, she smiled politely and said, "Good morning."

"Good morning, Senior Chen Chen!" Shu Chang greeted enthusiastically. "You look so beautiful today!"

"Thank you." Chen Chen looked at Bai Bing. "Bai Bing, you're a junior, right? From the Shanghai Theatre Academy? I've heard of you. The teacher said you're the most promising student in this year's class."

"You flatter me, senior." Bai Bing remained aloof, but his tone softened somewhat.

Four women, each with a distinct style, stood in the morning light, creating a pleasing scene. Looking at them, Zhang Yu's long-held thought quietly resurfaced—the Starlight Mark... if he really wanted to collect it, these women would be excellent candidates.

But he immediately suppressed the thought. He'd focus on filming first, and deal with the rest later.

Filming began promptly at 8:00 AM.

Today we're filming one of the most important scenes in "Old Tales of Jiangnan"—Shen Qingwan breaks with her elders in front of the ancestral hall and guards the ancestral home alone. This scene is very emotional, with a lot of dialogue, and it's a great challenge for the actors.

The area in front of the ancestral hall had been cleared. Chen Chen knelt on the bluestone ground, facing several elderly actors playing the roles of clan elders. She wore a moon-white cheongsam, her long hair neatly tied up, but her eyes held an unwavering determination.

"Action!"

"Third Uncle, Fifth Uncle, and all elders," Chen Chen's voice was clear and firm. "Qingwan knows that you are doing this for my own good. The Shanghai Concession is indeed safer, but the Shen family's ancestral home is here, and the Shen family's roots are here. Before my father passed away, he gave me the key and said, 'The Shen family can fall, but its roots cannot be severed.' Qingwan will never forget that."

A tear slid down her cheek, but she didn't wipe it away, letting it run down her face: "So, Qingwan won't leave. Even if I'm all alone, even if the road ahead is difficult, I will protect this house and the roots of the Shen family."

Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was firm and resonant. She perfectly embodied that gentle yet strong temperament, that resilience that burst forth from within her fragility.

Behind the monitor, Zhang Yu watched intently. He could sense that Chen Chen was completely immersed in the role; the emotions were genuine, flowing from the depths of his heart.