Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

As dawn broke over Hengdian, Zhang Yu received his third call from an unknown number in his hotel room. The first two were from reporters from *Entertainment Weekly* and *Film and Television Circle*, attempting to arrange interviews to uncover his "true relationships" with several actresses. He declined all calls, citing his busy filming schedule, but the caller's words before hanging up, "Director Zhang, the truth will out," made the mole under his left eye throb with excitement.

At 7:00 a.m. on March 11, 2000, the thin mist over the Ming and Qing Palace Garden had not yet dissipated.

Zhang Yu stood under the veranda of the "Imperial Garden," watching the props team set up the scene where Lin Shuwan and Gu Jiangnan were appreciating plum blossoms. The red plum blossoms were fake, made of silk, but their realism was extremely high; in the morning light, they were almost indistinguishable from the real thing. He reached out and touched a petal, remembering that Chen Chen had replied to his text message last night with "Get some rest," and then remained silent.

"Director Zhang."

Assistant director Xiao Wang came running up, panting, with a fax in his hand: "It just came from Beijing. They say that 'Film and Television Express' will publish a special feature tomorrow, tentatively titled 'The Emotional Enigma of a New Generation Director - Exploring the Women's War Behind 'The Scholarly Family'."

Zhang Yu took the fax and glanced at it. The content was more incisive than he had expected. It not only listed all the actresses he had interacted with, but also detailed each person's roles, background, and even speculated on the "depth" of their relationships with him. The article concluded: "In this world of fame and fortune, talent is the passport, and emotions are the bargaining chips. The young director Zhang Yu seems to understand this well, but it remains to be seen how this emotional game played in the name of art will ultimately end."

"What did Li Xiaoming say?" Zhang Yu handed the fax back.

"General Manager Li has already contacted the newspaper's editor-in-chief, but the other party is adamant, saying that this is a hot topic of concern to readers and that there is freedom of the press." Xiao Wang lowered his voice, "Moreover...it is said that an insider has provided a lot of details."

An insider. Zhang Yu's lips curled into a cold smile. There were probably quite a few people in this production crew who wanted him to fall—the investors he'd rejected, the actresses who hadn't gotten roles, and even... the male staff members who were jealous of his popularity with women.

"Never mind," Zhang Yu said calmly. "Today we're filming scenes 89 through 95. Tell the actors to be in the dressing room at 8:30 sharp."

"Yes."

After Xiao Wang left, Zhang Yu stood alone under the veranda. A morning breeze blew, and the silk-embroidered red plum blossoms trembled gently, like a beautiful, illusory dream. He suddenly remembered Chen Chen standing under the real plum tree in Xitang—the moon-white cloak, the frost on his eyelashes, and the words, "Is your heart still the same as before?"

Things are different now. There's no going back.

---

nine in the morning.

The dressing room was filled with the smell of foundation and hairspray. Five makeup tables were operating simultaneously, and makeup artists skillfully applied period makeup to the actors' faces.

Chen Chen sat in the innermost seat, her eyes closed as the makeup artist applied her eyebrows. She had three scenes to film today, all crucial, requiring a continuous emotional flow from dawn till dusk. Huang Ying sat on a small stool next to her, softly reciting today's shooting schedule.

"Scene ninety-fifth is a farewell on a rainy night. Director Li said that if the weather cooperates, it might be moved to tonight for location shooting." Huang Ying flipped through the script. "You need to be emotionally prepared for this scene..."

"I know," Chen Chen interrupted her, his eyes still closed. "I'll act well."

Her voice was calm and even, but Huang Ying could hear the weariness in it. Since that press conference, Chen Chen seemed like a different person—still professional and dedicated, but that spark and vitality seemed to have been drained away, leaving only a perfect but empty shell.

The dressing room door opened, and Zeng Li walked in. Today, she was wearing a dark green velvet cheongsam with a white mink shawl, her long hair styled in a retro finger wave, and her red lips were full. She looked like a beauty who had stepped out of a calendar poster. When she saw Chen Chen, she paused for a moment, then naturally walked to the dressing table next to her and sat down.

"Miss Chen looks great today." Zeng Li touched up her lipstick in front of the mirror, her tone as casual as if she were talking about the weather.

Chen Chen opened his eyes and glanced at her in the mirror: "Miss Zeng too."

"I heard we might have to film a rain scene tonight." Zeng Li turned her head, her smile charming. "Director Zhang is really going all out. Filming a real rain scene in this weather must be tough on the actors."

“It’s only right to make sacrifices for art,” Chen Chen said calmly.

The air between them was thick with tension. The makeup artists pretended to be focused on their work, but their ears were perked up. Everyone knew Zeng Li had feelings for Zhang Yu, and everyone knew Chen Chen was Zhang Yu's "official girlfriend"—at least she used to be. This delicate love triangle was the best topic of conversation among the crew during their breaks.

Just then, the dressing room door opened again. A strange girl entered—about seventeen or eighteen years old, wearing a simple white dress, with long, flowing hair and no makeup, but her features were strikingly pure. Especially her eyes, large and clear, like spring water from a mountain stream.

"Excuse me..." the girl asked timidly, "Is Director Zhang Yu here?"

Everyone looked at her. Chen Chen frowned slightly, Zeng Li raised an eyebrow, and Huang Ying looked puzzled.

"You need to see Director Zhang for something?" Zeng Li spoke first, her tone scrutinizing.

"I...I am Gao Yuanyuan." The girl's voice was soft. "Director Zhang asked me to come for an audition today."

Gao Yuanyuan. This name caused a small stir in the dressing room. Recently, the "Qingzui" (a Chinese herbal oral care brand) advertisement has become a hit across the country, and the fresh and beautiful girl in the advertisement is Gao Yuanyuan. She is therefore known as the "Qingzui Girl" and has become an idol in the hearts of many young men and women.

"So it's Miss Gao." Zeng Li smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. "Director Zhang is on set; you can go find him over there. But... isn't Miss Gao famous for her commercials? You want to act too?"

Gao Yuanyuan's face flushed slightly: "I...I want to give it a try. Director Zhang said there's a role that might suit me."

She spoke humbly, but that unadorned innocence made all the heavily made-up actresses present feel threatened—in this industry, natural, unadorned beauty is often the rarest and most deadly.

Chen Chen scrutinized Gao Yuanyuan in the mirror. This girl was too young, too innocent, like a blank sheet of paper. Would she become Zhang Yu's next "target"? This thought stung Chen Chen's heart, but her expression remained calm.

"Xiao Wang," she called to the assistant director, "take Miss Gao to see Director Zhang."

"Thank you, Ms. Chen." Gao Yuanyuan bowed and left the dressing room with Xiao Wang.

After the door closed, Zeng Li chuckled softly, "Young people these days really have guts. Someone who shoots commercials dares to audition for a movie."

"Director Zhang has always been unconventional in his casting choices," Chen Chen said calmly, closing his eyes again to let the makeup artist continue working. "Talent is more important than experience."

Zeng Li glanced at her but didn't say anything more. But the atmosphere in the dressing room became even more subtle because of Gao Yuanyuan's appearance.