Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

“One last question,” Liu Yan closed her notebook, her eyes becoming somewhat subtle, “Director Zhang, there’s been a lot of negative news about you lately. As a young director, how do you deal with this pressure? Or rather… how do you find a balance between your artistic pursuits and the rules of the entertainment industry?”

The question seemed neutral, but it actually held a sharp edge. Zhang Yu looked at her and suddenly smiled: "Miss Liu, you really know how to ask questions."

“This is my job,” Liu Yan said with a smile. “Director Zhang doesn’t need to answer.”

“No, that’s a good question.” Zhang Yu looked at Chen Chen, who was touching up her makeup. “In this industry, everyone faces choices. To go with the flow or to stick to your own beliefs; to please the rules or to create them. My choice is—to film the stories I want to film, in the way I think is right. As for those rules, those pressures... if they hinder art, then break them.”

He spoke calmly, but the sharpness in his words caught Liu Yan's eye. She had seen too many smooth and worldly people in the industry, but it was rare to see someone as direct and even arrogant as Zhang Yu.

"Director Zhang, aren't you afraid of offending people?" Liu Yan couldn't help but ask, "Like... someone like President Wang?"

"I'm afraid," Zhang Yu frankly admitted. "But I'm even more afraid of making a bad film, of letting down the audience, and of looking back many years later and finding myself becoming the kind of person I used to hate the most."

Liu Yan fell silent. She looked at Zhang Yu, a young director whose eyes held a clarity and determination beyond his years. Such qualities were so rare in this fickle industry.

"Director Zhang, can I...can I get your contact information?" Liu Yan suddenly said, "Not for work, but...personal. I find it very interesting to chat with you."

She spoke naturally, without any deliberate ambiguity, but the implication that "I'm interested in you" was obvious. Zhang Yu looked at her; this smart and bold girl was approaching him in her own way.

“Sure.” Zhang Yu recited a string of numbers, “My phone number. But I’m very busy, so I might not have time to chat often.”

"It's alright." Liu Yan quickly jotted down the number, then looked up with a bright smile. "When you're free. Director Zhang, thank you for the interview. I wish the film great success!"

After she finished speaking, she left with her team. As she walked out of the film set, she looked back and met Zhang Yu's gaze. She blinked, a knowing look in her eyes.

---

at noon.

The crew's lunch was arranged in a temporary canteen in the Ming and Qing Palace Garden—a large courtyard with a shed, dozens of round tables, where staff and actors sat together to eat.

Zhang Yu, carrying his tray, found a corner seat. Just as he sat down, he saw Zeng Li walk over with her plate and naturally sit down opposite him.

"Director Zhang seems to be in a good mood today?" Zeng Li picked up a piece of braised pork and said casually, "That Liu Yan is quite pretty."

"She is quite beautiful." Zhang Yu didn't even look up. "Miss Zeng, is there something you need?"

"Can't I have a meal with you if there's nothing wrong?" Zeng Li laughed. "Zhang Yu, I've noticed you've been particularly cold towards me lately. What, are you just using me and then throwing me away?"

She was very direct. Zhang Yu looked up: "Ms. Zeng, our relationship was a transaction, each of us getting what we needed. Now that the transaction is complete, it's natural to keep our distance. This is better for both of us."

“That’s really cold-blooded.” Zeng Li shook her head. “But I like your directness. Unlike some men who clearly want to take advantage but pretend to be nice.”

As she spoke, she leaned forward and lowered her voice: "Zhang Yu, President Wang has made some new moves. He contacted people at Huayi Brothers, trying to put pressure on the investors to replace you. Although the press conference has temporarily calmed the public opinion, he has considerable influence, so you need to be careful."

"Thanks for the reminder." Zhang Yu nodded. "But I also have acquaintances at Huayi Brothers."

"Oh?" Zeng Li raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

“I can’t tell you that,” Zhang Yu smiled. “Miss Zeng, I’m very grateful for your help. But sometimes, knowing too much can be dangerous.”

Zeng Li stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed: "Zhang Yu, you're a real mystery. Sometimes I think you're as innocent as a student, and other times you seem as shrewd as a seasoned fox who's been in this business for decades. Which side of you is the real one?"

“It’s all true,” Zhang Yu said. “People are inherently complex. Just like you, Miss Zeng, you appear charming and alluring on the surface, but you’re actually more clear-headed than anyone else; you seem to go with the flow, but you’re calculating every step you take. We’re the same kind of people, which is why we can cooperate.”

These words struck a chord with Zeng Li. She paused, then her smile became more genuine: "You're right. Zhang Yu, if we had met a few years earlier... maybe we really could have been together."

“It’s not too late now,” Zhang Yu said, “but not as lovers. Ms. Zeng, you are a good actress and ambitious. We can continue to work together and help each other succeed.”

“Okay.” Zeng Li picked up the soup bowl. “Let’s drink this soup instead of wine and wish each other a pleasant cooperation.”

The two clinked their bowls together. Not far away, Chen Chen and Huang Ying sat at another table and witnessed this scene. Huang Ying frowned, but Chen Chen simply kept his head down and ate, as if he hadn't seen anything.

But her knuckles, the ones gripping the chopsticks, had turned white.

---

The afternoon's shooting schedule was temporarily changed because several new roles required auditions. Li Xiaoming also brought in a few more people with connections, which Zhang Yu disliked but had no choice but to deal with.

The audition was held in a pavilion in the "Imperial Garden". Zhang Yu, Li Xiaoming, and the production manager sat on the judging panel, with seven or eight girls lined up in front of them.

The first person to walk in was a girl of about seventeen or eighteen, wearing a light pink dress, her long hair tied in a high ponytail, with delicate features and a sweet temperament. She was Zhang Hanyun (Zhang Hanyun), who had just participated in a singing competition this year and gained some fame, and was recommended by her company to audition.

"Hello, teachers, I am Zhang Hanyun." She bowed and said in a clear voice, "The role I would like to audition for is... Lin Shuwan's classmate, the girl who loves to sing."

Zhang Yu flipped through the information: "You can sing?"

"Yes!" Zhang Hanyun's eyes lit up. "I've participated in competitions and even won awards. Teacher, I can sing a song right now!"

Without waiting for permission, she cleared her throat and began to sing. It was Teresa Teng's "Tian Mi Mi" (Sweet Honey). Her voice was sweet and clear, and although her technique was still somewhat immature, it was very captivating. Especially her expression while singing, her eyes sparkling as if they were glowing.

After the song ended, Li Xiaoming clapped: "Not bad, not bad, very promising. Director Zhang, what do you think?"

Zhang Yu looked at Zhang Hanyun. This girl was too young, too innocent, like an unripe fruit. Her star quality was pure: a yearning for the stage and a desire for fame.

“You can give it a try,” Zhang Yu nodded. “But acting is different from singing. You’ll need to learn the basics of acting.”