Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

At the end of the interview, Zhou Wen asked Zhang Yu, "Director Zhang, so many beautiful women want to work with you, do you feel a lot of pressure?"

Zhang Yu leaned back in his chair, looking relaxed: "Pressure can also be a driving force. As a director, it's a privilege to see so many talented actors. I will carefully select the best people for each role."

He spoke in a very official manner, but when his eyes swept over the women, there was a certain confident air of control. That confidence was captivating.

After the initial interview, Zhou Wen interviewed Zhang Yu separately for a few minutes. She asked him mostly personal questions—what kind of girl he liked, his future plans, his relationship status, etc.

Zhang Yu's answer was clever; he revealed too little while providing the reporter with ample material. Zhou Wen left satisfied, saying the report would air next week.

After the reporter left, the tea room fell silent again. But the atmosphere was completely different—a subtle competition had developed among the women after the interview. They all knew that only a few would get the roles, and the decision rested with Zhang Yu.

"Director Zhang," Zeng Li leaned closer again, this time bolder, and sat down directly next to Zhang Yu, "Are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you to dinner so we can talk about the role alone."

When she said "let's talk alone," she drew out the last syllable, her eyes filled with a suggestive light. She had already taken off her burgundy coat, and a black knitted dress clung to her body, revealing her curves. She was very close; Zhang Yu could smell the rich scent of roses emanating from her and feel the warmth of her body.

"Sorry, I have something to do tonight," Zhang Yu politely declined.

"What could be more important than having dinner with me?" Zeng Li said, half-jokingly and half-seriously, her fingers seemingly touching the back of Zhang Yu's hand.

The touch was warm and soft. Before Zhang Yu could speak, Chen Chen said, "Miss Zeng, Zhang Yu will be rehearsing with me tonight."

Her voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable firmness. She sat ramrod straight beneath her light purple cheongsam, her clear eyes fixed on Zeng Li. The two women's gazes met in mid-air, sparks flying.

Zeng Li smiled, a smile that was both alluring and slightly provocative: "Miss Chen and Director Zhang have such a good relationship. But... work is work, but you still need to have personal time, right?"

“Our work is our life.” Chen Chen said firmly, “This film is very important to Zhang Yu, and he can’t be distracted.”

She spoke with reason and evidence. Zeng Li raised an eyebrow and didn't insist, but her eyes said, "There's plenty of time."

Watching from the side, Li Xiaoran said softly, "Director Zhang and Ms. Chen really have great chemistry, and that chemistry is very helpful for filming."

Her words were gentle, but the meaning was clear—she was siding with Chen Chen.

Bai Bing remained silent, simply observing. Shu Chang and Liu Yifei, being young, didn't fully grasp the undercurrents and merely watched with curiosity. Zhang Hanyun, Wang Ou, and Zhang Zilin stayed with Li Xiaoming, not participating in the exchange.

Watching this scene, Zhang Yu felt a strange sensation welling up inside him. These women, because of his presence, formed a subtle magnetic field. They competed with each other, tested each other, and admired each other.

And he is at the center of this magnetic field.

This feeling is complicated, but also... very interesting.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, Zhang Yu said he needed to go back to the film set to check out the shooting location for tomorrow and left the tea room alone. Chen Chen wanted to follow him, but Huang Ying stopped him—Huang Ying realized that Zhang Yu needed some time alone.

Dusk comes early to Xitang; it begins to darken at 4:30. Zhang Yu walks through the ancient town's alleyways, the cobblestone paths damp, still bearing traces of last night's winter rain. In the distance, the sound of Suzhou storytelling drifts up, the soft, melodious Wu dialect filling the air.

He stopped by a stone bridge, watching the awning boats slowly gliding along the river. The red lanterns on the bows of the boats were already lit, like scattered stars in the darkening sky.

"Director Zhang."

A soft voice came from behind him. Zhang Yu turned around and saw Bai Bing standing at the alley entrance. She wasn't wearing a down jacket, only a light gray turtleneck sweater, which looked like a faint ink stain in the twilight.

"Why are you here?" Zhang Yu asked.

"Come and take a look." Bai Bing walked to his side and stood beside him, looking at the river. "It's so quiet here."

"Ah."

The two remained silent for a while. Dusk deepened, and lights from distant houses gradually came on. Winter twilight is short; soon it was completely dark.

"Director Zhang," Bai Bing suddenly spoke up, "thank you for today."

"Thank you for what?"

"Thank you for giving me this opportunity, and thank you... for your guidance this morning." Her voice was soft. "That exercise... taught me a lot."

Zhang Yu turned to look at her. In the twilight, the lines of her profile softened considerably, no longer so aloof. The light gray sweater accentuated her fair skin and long, slender neck, making her resemble an elegant swan.

“You are very talented,” Zhang Yu said. “But remember, acting is not about piling up techniques, but about the flow of emotions. You need to find the connection between the character and yourself.”

"Like Lin Wanqing and me?" Bai Bing asked.

“Yes.” Zhang Yu looked at her. “Lin Wanqing is charming on the outside but lonely on the inside. What about you? You are aloof on the outside, but inside… you also have a flame. Find that similarity and you can become her.”

The soldier fell silent. After a long while, she whispered, "You're right. I am indeed... very lonely."

She spoke softly, but sincerely. Zhang Yu could sense that this aloof woman was opening her heart to him.

“In this industry, loneliness is the norm,” Zhang Yu’s voice softened. “But loneliness can also be a source of strength. It can make you more focused and clear-headed.”

"Are you lonely too?" The soldier turned to look at him.

Zhang Yu smiled, a smile that was somewhat blurred in the twilight: "Sometimes."

The two fell silent again. A river breeze blew by, carrying the chill of winter. Bai Bing shivered, and Zhang Yu naturally took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.

"No need..." the soldier tried to refuse.

"Wear it," Zhang Yu said firmly. "Don't catch a cold."

The coat still carried his body heat, warm and cozy, along with his faint scent. Bai Bing didn't refuse again, but simply said softly, "Thank you."

It was quiet at that moment, with only the distant sounds of Suzhou storytelling and the flowing river. The two people stood side by side on the stone bridge, like a tranquil painting.

But this tranquility was soon broken.

"Zhang Yu!"

Chen Chen's voice came from the other end of the alley. She walked briskly towards them, holding an oil-paper umbrella; her light purple cheongsam looked like a moving violet in the twilight. When she saw Zhang Yu and Bai Bing standing together, she paused for a moment, but quickly regained her composure.

"I've been looking for you for ages." She walked up to Zhang Yu. "Aunt Shen said dinner is ready and everyone should go home for dinner."

Her tone was calm, but her gaze lingered for a moment on the coat Zhang Yu had draped over Bai Bing's shoulders.

“Okay, I’ll go back now.” Zhang Yu nodded.

Bai Bing returned the coat to Zhang Yu: "Thank you, Director Zhang."

The three walked back side by side. Chen Chen held the umbrella, Zhang Yu walked on her left, and Bai Bing walked on her right. The oil-paper umbrella wasn't very big, and the three of them walked a little cramped. But no one spoke; they just walked quietly.