Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

When she said "charm," she glanced at Zhang Yu with a suggestive look. The reporters in the audience immediately noticed this detail, and the sound of camera shutters clicking intensified.

"Director Zhang, there have been many reports about your love life lately." The reporter from Entertainment Weekly finally got to the point. "There are rumors that you and Ms. Chen Chen have broken up and that you are dating Ms. Zeng Li. Is that true?"

This question was too direct. The air in the pavilion seemed to freeze instantly. Chen Chen's smile froze on his face, while Zeng Li raised an eyebrow, looking at Zhang Yu with a half-smile.

Zhang Yu remained calm: "My private life is unrelated to my work. I hope everyone will focus more on the film itself."

"But what if your private life affects your work?" the reporter persisted. "For example, if actors have conflicts due to relationship issues, will it affect filming?"

“Our actors are all very professional,” Zhang Yu said, his tone turning colder. “They won’t let personal matters affect their work.”

"What does Ms. Chen Chen think?" The reporter turned to Chen Chen, "Do you mind that Director Zhang is getting too close to the other actresses in the crew?"

All the cameras were focused on Chen Chen. Her fingers, which were gripping the microphone, turned slightly white, but she still maintained a polite smile: "Director Zhang is a director, and communicating with actors is part of his job. I respect his work and believe in his professionalism."

She spoke politely, but anyone could hear the reluctance in her voice. Looking at the tense lines of her profile, Zhang Yu felt a surge of guilt—he had embarrassed her in public again.

"Alright, alright, let's ask some questions related to the movie," Li Xiaoming interjected, trying to smooth things over. "Our movie has many innovative aspects, such as the costume design..."

The interview continued in an awkward atmosphere. But Zhang Yu knew that the main event of the day was yet to come.

Sure enough, half an hour later, an unexpected person appeared on the set—President Wang, the investor he had rejected.

Mr. Wang didn't come alone. He was accompanied by a girl in her early twenties, wearing a pink dress, with long, slightly wavy hair and delicate features like a porcelain doll, but her eyes held a shrewdness and ambition beyond her years. She was Mr. Wang's "god-daughter" and a signed artist with his newly established cultural company, named Lin Xiaoxiao.

"Director Zhang, it's been a long time!" President Wang walked over warmly and shook Zhang Yu's hand. "I heard you were filming, so I brought Xiaoxiao here to learn from you. Xiaoxiao, this is Director Zhang Yu, whom I've often told you about. He's young, promising, and incredibly talented!"

Lin Xiaoxiao stepped forward and smiled sweetly: "Hello Director Zhang, I am Lin Xiaoxiao, a third-year student at Beijing Film Academy. I admire you very much, and it is my honor to be able to learn from you."

Her hands were soft, and her handshake was light, but it lingered for a while. Zhang Yu politely withdrew his hand: "Ms. Lin, you're too kind."

"Director Zhang, there's something I'd like to discuss with you." President Wang lowered his voice. "Xiaoxiao is very talented. I've seen her perform in a school play, and she's incredibly gifted. In your play... is there a suitable role for her? Even a cameo would be fine, so she can learn a thing or two."

This was blatant blatant attempt to force someone into a relationship. Looking at President Wang's smiling face, Zhang Yu knew this was revenge—revenge for his previous refusal to let Zeng Li act in President Wang's movie.

“Mr. Wang, the roles have already been cast,” Zhang Yu said calmly. “Besides, we’ve already been filming for a month, and adding roles at the last minute would disrupt the overall pace.”

"Hey, it's just adding a few scenes." President Wang patted him on the shoulder. "Director Zhang, you're a smart man. You should know that in this industry, it's better to have one more friend than one more enemy. I heard... you've been having some minor trouble lately? I do know a few people in the media who can put in a good word for you."

This was both a threat and a deal. Zhang Yu looked at President Wang, then at Lin Xiaoxiao beside him, who looked on expectantly. This girl was beautiful, but her beauty lacked soul; she was like a meticulously packaged commodity.

"I appreciate Mr. Wang's kindness," Zhang Yu finally said, "but filmmaking has its own rules and cannot be changed arbitrarily. I'm sorry."

Mr. Wang's smile faded. He stared at Zhang Yu for a few seconds, then nodded: "Good, you have principles. Director Zhang, I admire you. However... young people who are too principled sometimes suffer losses."

After he finished speaking, he turned and left with Lin Xiaoxiao. But Zhang Yu knew that this matter was not over.

Sure enough, at 4:30 p.m. that day, an explosive news story spread online—an anonymous post alleged that the production team of "The Scholarly Family" had financial problems, and that director Zhang Yu had inflated the budget and embezzled funds. The post also included several blurry photos of financial documents with Zhang Yu's signature on them.

Although the receipts are blurry and their authenticity is hard to discern, in the public sphere, such revelations are like a match thrown into an oil drum, instantly igniting an explosion.

Li Xiaoming's phone was ringing off the hook. Investors were questioning him, the media were seeking confirmation, and even teachers from the Beijing Film Academy were calling to inquire about the situation. Zhang Yu sat behind the monitor, watching the constant stream of news notifications on his phone, the mole under his left eye burning as if it were about to burst into flames.

He knew that this war had finally moved from the shadows into the open.

---

It was 6 PM, and dusk was falling. Due to breaking news, the afternoon's filming ended early. Zhang Yu told everyone to go back to the hotel to rest, while he stayed on set to handle the crisis.

In the dressing room, Chen Chen was removing her makeup. Huang Ying was helping her pack her things, and neither of them spoke; the atmosphere was tense.

The door was pushed open, and Zhang Yu walked in. He looked very tired, with bloodshot eyes and fresh stubble on his chin.

“Chen Chen,” he began, “can we talk?”

Chen Chen glanced at him in the mirror: "Director Zhang, is there something you need?"

Her way of addressing him caused Zhang Yu a pang of pain. She used to call him "Zhang Yu," and when she was angry, she would call him "Director Zhang Yu," but she had never called him "Director Zhang" in such a distant way.

“Today’s news is fake.” Zhang Yu walked to her side. “Someone is deliberately trying to frame me.”

"I know." Chen Chen continued removing her makeup, her movements unhurried. "Director Zhang is a big name, so it's normal for some people to be jealous."

Her tone was as calm as if she were talking about someone else. Zhang Yu looked at her, then suddenly reached out and pressed down on her hand as she removed her makeup: "Chen Chen, don't do this."

Chen Chen's hand froze. She looked at Zhang Yu in the mirror, her eyes filled with complex emotions: "So what do you want me to do? Like before, foolishly believe in you, support you, and then watch you flirt with other women, watch the media write about our scandals, and watch you embarrass me time and time again?"

As she spoke, tears suddenly streamed down her face, but she quickly wiped them away and continued in a calm tone, "Zhang Yu, I'm tired. I'm really tired."

The dressing room was quiet, with only the faint sounds of equipment being packed up on set in the distance. Huang Ying tactfully withdrew and closed the door.

"I'm sorry," Zhang Yu said softly. "I know I hurt you. But some things... I had no choice."

“That’s the same thing again.” Chen Chen smiled bitterly. “Zhang Yu, you always have an excuse. You have no choice, you have no other option, there’s nothing you can do… But these excuses can’t change the fact that you’ve changed. You’re no longer the Zhang Yu from Xitang who would be happy just because of my smile.”