Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

A moment of silence fell over the room when Zhang Yu stepped onto the stage. He was wearing a dark gray suit and a white shirt, but no tie, and the mole under his left eye was clearly visible under the lights. His expression was calm, so calm that it didn't seem like someone at the center of a media storm.

"Thank you to all the media friends for coming today," Zhang Yu began, his voice carrying throughout the banquet hall through the microphone. "Regarding the various rumors circulating online recently about me and the 'Scholarly Family' production team, I would like to make a formal and comprehensive clarification here today."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the audience. Chen Chen had his eyes downcast, Zeng Li smiled, President Wang sneered, Gao Yuanyuan nervously twisted her fingers, and Zhao Liying nodded vigorously, as if encouraging him.

“First, regarding the financial issues.” Zhang Yu picked up a document. “This is a complete financial statement of the production team from preparation to now, which has been audited by a third-party auditing company. Every expenditure has a receipt, and every signature is verifiable. The so-called ‘evidence’ circulating online has been professionally examined and found to be poor forgeries—the signatures are imprints, the seals are photoshopped, and even the format of the receipts is incorrect.”

A comparison image appeared on the large screen. The real and fake receipts were placed side-by-side, the differences immediately apparent. A commotion arose in the audience as reporters frantically took photos.

“We have already reported the incident to the police and have hired a lawyer to file a lawsuit against these rumor-mongers,” Zhang Yu continued. “The law will give us a fair outcome.”

Mr. Wang's expression was not good. He hadn't expected Zhang Yu to be so well-prepared.

"Secondly, regarding my relationship with the actresses in the crew," Zhang Yu said calmly, "I am the director, and communicating with and guiding the actors' performances is my job. If normal communication that arises because of work is interpreted as 'ambiguity' or 'scandal,' then no one in this industry would dare to work seriously."

He looked at Chen Chen: "Ms. Chen Chen is my classmate and one of my most admired actresses. We've worked together and are friends in private. But friends are not the same as lovers, and I think everyone understands that."

Chen Chen looked up and met his gaze. Her eyes were complex, filled with disappointment, weariness, and a hint of...understanding. She knew that Zhang Yu was protecting her, minimizing the harm he might cause her in this way.

“As for the other actresses—” Zhang Yu’s gaze swept over Zeng Li, Bai Bing, Yang Mi, and Gao Yuanyuan, “they are all excellent actresses. We met through work. If you insist on twisting our working relationship into a romantic one, it is an insult to their professionalism and a disrespect to me.”

He spoke very seriously. The audience was silent for a few seconds.

"Finally, regarding the film *The Scholarly Family*," Zhang Yu's tone softened, "this is a work about the fate of women in the Republican era. Our entire crew of several hundred people worked tirelessly for three months on it. Some people tried to ruin this work with despicable means, to destroy everyone's hard work. But I stand here today to tell those people—"

He paused, then said, word by word, "You can't destroy it."

The entire hall fell silent. Then, applause broke out. At first, it was sporadic, then it grew into a chorus. Zhao Liying clapped the most enthusiastically, her eyes even reddening; Gao Yuanyuan also clapped, her eyes filled with admiration; even Chen Chen clapped a few times lightly.

The Q&A session began. The reporters' questions remained sharp, but Zhang Yu handled them with ease.

"Director Zhang, some people say that the reason you have so many actresses supporting you is because you give them roles. Is this a kind of transaction?"

“I give them roles because they are suitable, not for any other reason,” Zhang Yu replied. “If we follow your logic, then all directors are engaging in casting transactions? What dignity is left in the art of film?”

"Director Zhang, Ms. Chen Chen has barely spoken today. Is it because you two have really broken up?"

Zhang Yu looked at Chen Chen. Chen Chen took a deep breath and picked up the microphone in front of him: "Director Zhang and I have never been together, so how could we have broken up? We are just friends and business partners. Please focus on our work, not these unfounded gossips."

She spoke calmly, but Zhang Yu could see her fingers trembling slightly as she held the microphone. She was lying for him; for the sake of the bigger picture, she had once again chosen to compromise.

"Director Zhang, President Wang is also here today. Is there anything you would like to say to him?" a reporter suddenly asked.

All eyes turned to Mr. Wang. He had a smile on his face, but it was a stiff one.

Zhang Yu looked at him, and after a few seconds, suddenly smiled: "I want to say to President Wang—thank you. Thank you for letting me know how many open and hidden attacks there are in this industry; thank you for helping me grow and teaching me how to protect myself and the people around me; and thank you for making me more determined to make good movies."

He spoke so sincerely that it was impossible to tell whether he was being sarcastic or genuine. Mr. Wang's face flushed red and then paled.

The press conference lasted an hour and a half. At the end, reporters swarmed around, wanting to ask more questions, but were stopped by staff. Zhang Yu stepped down from the stage and stopped as he passed President Wang.

“Mr. Wang, the game has only just begun,” he said softly, in a voice only the two of them could hear. “You’ve made your move; now it’s my turn.”

Mr. Wang stared at him: "Young man, don't be too arrogant."

“I’m not arrogant,” Zhang Yu smiled. “I just… don’t like losing.”

He finished speaking and turned to leave. Chen Chen followed behind him, the two of them walking out of the banquet hall one after the other. The corridor was empty when Chen Chen suddenly spoke: "Zhang Yu."

Zhang Yu stopped and turned to look at her.

"How much of what you just said was true..." Chen Chen bit his lip.

“The financial details are all true,” Zhang Yu said. “The details about our relationship… are only half true.”

Which part is true? Which part is false?

“It’s true that I admire you, and it’s true that you’re an excellent actress,” Zhang Yu said, looking at her. “But it’s also true that we’re more than just friends.”

Chen Chen's eyes reddened: "Zhang Yu, you are really cruel. You said we were just friends in front of so many people, and now you're telling me we're not."

“I’m sorry,” Zhang Yu said softly, “but I have to do this. Chen Chen, there are many eyes watching us now, and I can’t let you get dragged into a deeper vortex. It’s safer for you to stay away from me.”

"So you're protecting me again?" Chen Chen smiled bitterly. "Zhang Yu, you're always like this. You hurt me while saying you're protecting me. Which of your statements should I believe?"

“Believe what you want to believe,” Zhang Yu said. “Chen Chen, after this movie is finished, I will give you an explanation. I will tell you all the truth and all the hardships. Then you can decide whether you want to forgive me.”

He spoke very seriously. Chen Chen looked at him for a long time, and finally nodded gently: "Okay. I'll wait for your explanation."

After she finished speaking, she turned and left. Her figure in the moon-white cheongsam disappeared at the end of the corridor, like a dream from which she could never wake up.