Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

Everyone took their seats, and the meal began.

Li Xiaoming was good at livening up the atmosphere, and after a few drinks, everyone relaxed a bit. But Zhang Yu could feel the women's gazes frequently falling on him—Zeng Li's allure, Gulinaza's admiration, Meng Ziyi's curiosity... Each woman was evaluating him in her own way.

“Director Zhang,” Gulnazar suddenly spoke up, her eyes large and deep, like two clear springs, “I heard there’s a role for a Xinjiang dancer in ‘The Scholarly Family,’ I wonder… could I give it a try?”

She was referring to a very small role in the script—a dancer from Xinjiang who came to Shanghai to make a living. She only had a few scenes, but she had a very exotic charm. It was indeed very suitable for Gulnazar.

“We can give it a try,” Zhang Yu said. “But the role requires the ability to dance Xinjiang dance.”

“I can!” Gulnazar’s eyes lit up. “I’ve been dancing since I was a student, especially Xinjiang dance, and I’m really good at it! How about… I dance a piece for you now?”

She spoke enthusiastically and directly. Li Xiaoming immediately clapped his hands: "Great! Great! Let's see her dance! Let's broaden our horizons!"

Gulnazar didn't hesitate. She stood up and walked to the center of the private room. She took off her fur shawl, revealing her curves under a burgundy velvet halter dress—slender shoulders, delicate collarbones, full breasts, a slim waist, and a pert bottom. She looked like a meticulously sculpted work of art.

Music began to play—a Xinjiang folk song. Gulnazar started to dance. Her dance was passionate and unrestrained, every movement full of power and beauty, especially when she spun, her long skirt billowing like a blooming red rose. Her long, slender legs appeared and disappeared in the dance, their lines as graceful as a sculpture.

Zhang Yu watched quietly. He had to admit that Gulnazar was indeed very beautiful, dazzlingly beautiful, so beautiful that it was impossible to look away. Moreover, her dance was very infectious; that passion and energy was something many mainland actresses lacked.

As the music ended, thunderous applause erupted. Gulinaza, slightly out of breath, her cheeks flushed, looked even more alluring. She walked up to Zhang Yu, her eyes sparkling: "Director Zhang, how did I dance?"

“Very good.” Zhang Yu nodded. “Very infectious.”

"Can I play that role?" Gulnazar asked directly.

Zhang Yu looked at her. This girl was enthusiastic, direct, and didn't know how to hide her feelings. This kind of personality is a disadvantage in this circle, but it's also rare.

"Okay," he said. "Come for the audition tomorrow."

"That's wonderful!" Gulnazar smiled happily, her smile as bright as the sunshine. "Thank you, Director Zhang!"

She returned to her seat, Zeng Li's expression not good—she had gained another competitor, and one so young and beautiful at that. She raised her glass to Zhang Yu and said, "Director Zhang, let me toast you again. You really are...very lucky with women."

When she said "I'm quite lucky with women," her tone was ambiguous. Zhang Yu raised his glass, but only took a small sip.

Meng Ziyi sat quietly to the side, eating her food in small bites, occasionally glancing up at Zhang Yu with gentle, reserved eyes. Her beauty was understated, requiring slow appreciation. Zhang Yu could sense that this woman was completely different from Gulinaza—she was quieter, more composed, and more observant.

Halfway through the dinner, Li Xiaoming received a phone call, then walked over with a strange expression: "Director Zhang, there's some unexpected news."

"what?"

“Zhao Liying is here. She said she wants to see you,” Li Xiaoming said.

Zhao Liying? Zhang Yu remembered her—a girl from Langfang, Hebei, nineteen years old this year, who had been working as an extra in Hengdian for a year. Li Xiaoming had mentioned her before, saying she was very talented, but because she had no connections, she hadn't had any opportunities.

"What is she doing here?" Zhang Yu asked.

"She said she wants to audition, even for a maid role," Li Xiaoming said in a low voice. "I've seen her as an extra; she's definitely talented. How about... we meet her?"

Zhang Yu thought for a moment and said, "Let her in."

A few minutes later, the door to the private room opened, and a girl walked in timidly. She was about eighteen or nineteen years old, wearing a simple white shirt and black pants, her long hair tied in a ponytail, and she had no makeup on, but her eyes were large and bright, like two black grapes. Her features weren't particularly delicate, but together they were very pleasing to the eye, giving her a friendly, girl-next-door feel.

What's most striking about her is her demeanor—that unadorned simplicity and stubbornness, completely different from the impeccably made-up female celebrities in the private room. She stood at the door, nervously twisting her fingers, but her eyes were resolute.

"Hello Director Zhang, hello General Manager Li, hello teachers." Zhao Liying bowed, her voice trembling slightly but clearly, "My name is Zhao Liying, and I'm an extra in Hengdian. I... I'd like to audition for the role of Xiao Cui, the maid, in 'The Scholarly Family'."

She spoke directly, yet humbly. A moment of silence fell over the private room as everyone stared at her. Zeng Li's lips curled into a disdainful smile, Gulinaza scrutinized her curiously, while Meng Ziyi frowned slightly—this girl was so ill-mannered, barging into such a setting.

But as Zhang Yu looked at her, a sense of interest stirred within him. This girl possessed a special resilience, like a blade of grass growing from a crack in a rock—humble yet tenacious.

"Why did you want to play Xiao Cui?" Zhang Yu asked.

Zhao Liying raised her head, her eyes sparkling: "Because I think Xiao Cui is more than just a maid. Although she is of low status, she has backbone and dreams. She secretly loves Gu Jiangnan, but knows she is not good enough for him, so she keeps her feelings to herself and gives silently. This kind of woman is both pitiful and admirable."

Her explanation was very insightful, exceeding Zhang Yu's expectations. Xiao Cui is indeed a very complex character; although her screen time is limited, she possesses a great deal of depth. He hadn't expected an extra to understand her so well.

"Have you read the script?" Zhang Yu asked.

"I...I secretly read it." Zhao Liying lowered her head. "I secretly read the script when I was doing odd jobs on set. I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't have read it, but...I really like this character."

She was honest, and also naive. In this industry, peeking at the script is a major taboo, but she actually admitted it.

Zhang Yu looked at her and suddenly smiled: "You have a lot of courage. Okay, come for the audition at ten o'clock tomorrow morning."

Zhao Liying was stunned, seemingly unable to believe it: "Really...really?"

“Really.” Zhang Yu nodded.

"Thank you, Director Zhang! Thank you, Director Zhang!" Zhao Liying was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes, and she bowed deeply. "I will definitely work hard! I will definitely not let you down!"

After she finished speaking, she turned and ran out of the private room like a startled fawn. The room fell silent again, the atmosphere delicate.

"Director Zhang is really... indiscriminate in his teaching," Zeng Li said with a half-smile, "He even accepts extras."

“Talented people should not be overlooked,” Zhang Yu said calmly.

"Does Director Zhang think that those of us with formal training are not as good as an extra?" Zeng Li's tone was somewhat sharp.

Zhang Yu looked at her, the mole under his left eye clearly visible in the light: "Miss Zeng, talent has nothing to do with education or background. Some people study acting their whole lives and still can't act well. Some people have never studied acting for a day, but they have talent. That's reality."