Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

Zhang Yu put down his phone and walked to the window.

The rain had stopped, and Hengdian was ablaze with lights at night. He could feel the starlight imprints within him slowly circulating—Chen Chen's pain, Zeng Li's desire, Bai Bing's coldness, Yang Mi's cunning, Gao Yuanyuan's purity, Zhao Liying's resilience, Liu Yifei's clarity, Liu Yan's wisdom, Wang Likun's elegance, Song Qian's passion...

Each dish is unique, and each dish changes him and them.

Progress: 25.

Eighty-three questions remain.

The road ahead is still long.

Outside the window, the night is getting dark.

But his game will continue.

Whatever the cost.

……

March 15, 2000, dawn was breaking.

In the morning mist of Hengdian Ming and Qing Palace, the crew of "A Family of Scholars" had already begun their busy day. Following Liu Yan's interview on "Entertainment Live" yesterday, public opinion began to subtly shift. When Zhang Yu entered the set, several staff members were huddled together watching a replay of last night's program. Upon seeing him, they immediately dispersed, but their eyes held a hint of admiration.

"Good morning, Director Zhang!" Assistant Director Xiao Wang ran over, holding today's shooting schedule. "The interview with Sister Liu Yan was edited really well. This morning I received more than a dozen calls from the media, all wanting to schedule an interview. Several newspapers also published positive reports."

Zhang Yu took the schedule and glanced at it: "Today we're filming scenes 201 to 210, focusing on Chen Chen and Lu Yuan's rain scene. The weather forecast says it will rain this afternoon, so have the props team prepare artificial rain in advance."

"Understood." Xiao Wang nodded, then lowered his voice, "Director Zhang, people from Huayi Brothers are here, they're in President Li's room now. They say... they want to discuss cooperation."

It was bound to happen. Zhang Yu nodded: "Tell them to wait. I'll talk to them after I finish filming this morning."

---

nine in the morning.

The first scene today was filmed by the lotus pond in the "Imperial Garden." Lin Shuwan and Gu Jiangnan bid farewell here, making it one of the most emotionally intense scenes in the entire story. Chen Chen entered the dressing room at five in the morning, currently wearing a moon-white embroidered lotus cheongsam with a light blue shawl over it, her long hair styled in an exquisite bun, adorned with a white jade hairpin. However, her complexion was very pale, with noticeable dark circles under her eyes.

"Sister Chen Chen, you don't look too good," the makeup artist whispered. "Would you like to touch up your blush?"

"No need." Chen Chen shook his head, his voice a little hoarse. "Lin Shuwan should look haggard right now."

Zhang Yu walked over just in time to hear those words. He frowned at Chen Chen and asked, "What's wrong with your voice?"

"I have a bit of a cold," Chen Chen said, avoiding his gaze. "It won't affect filming."

"Do you have a fever?" Zhang Yu reached out to touch her forehead, but Chen Chen took a step back.

"Director Zhang, let's start filming." She turned and walked towards the filming location, her figure in the moon-white cheongsam appearing so frail in the morning light that it was heartbreaking.

Zhang Yu stood there, the star-shaped birthmark under his left eye slightly burning. He could feel Chen Chen's star-like mark fluctuating—pain, exhaustion, and a hint of... resentment.

The morning's filming didn't go smoothly. Chen Chen was indeed not in good condition; she coughed several times, and her voice cracked twice when delivering her lines. But strangely enough, this condition actually suited the character better—she portrayed Lin Shuwan's haggardness, helplessness, and forced strength to the fullest.

"Cut!" Zhang Yu called for the eighth time. "Chen Chen, take a ten-minute break. Stagehand, get her a glass of hot water."

Chen Chen walked to the rest area and sat down. Huang Ying immediately draped a coat over her shoulders and handed her a thermos. Zhang Yu came over and sat down opposite her.

“There’s a scene this afternoon where you jump into the river, and you’re not in the right condition right now,” Zhang Yu said, looking at her. “We’ll reschedule it for tomorrow. You should rest today.”

“I can film it,” Chen Chen insisted. “Lin Shuwan should have been sick and weak when she jumped into the river. I’m in perfect condition right now.”

“This is filming, not risking your life,” Zhang Yu said seriously. “You have a fever, I can tell.”

Chen Chen looked up at him, her eyes suddenly reddening: "Zhang Yu, now you know how to care about me? When I was filming in the rain, why didn't you call for a stop? When I was crying in the dressing room, why didn't you come to see me?"

She spoke softly, but every word felt like a needle piercing Zhang Yu's heart. The staff around her pretended not to hear, but their ears were all perked up.

"I'm sorry," Zhang Yu said softly, "but I'm talking about work. You're not in the right condition to film the river-jumping scene. If something happens, the entire crew will be in a lot of trouble."

“Then let’s not film it.” Chen Chen laughed, but the smile was extremely bitter. “Zhang Yu, when did you become so hesitant? Back when you were filming ‘Autumn Day’ in Xitang, I was filming a rain scene with a fever, and you said, ‘It’s only right for actors to sacrifice for art.’ What, are you afraid now?”

Her words were barbed. Zhang Yu looked at her, this girl who was once as gentle as water, now covered in thorns, and the one who made her like this was himself.

“Chen Chen,” he finally said, “the afternoon’s scenes will be filmed indoors. Go back and rest; this is the director’s order.”

He finished speaking and got up to leave. Chen Chen watched his retreating figure, and tears finally fell, but she quickly wiped them away and took a big gulp of water.

Huang Ying hugged her tightly, her heart aching: "Chenchen, why did you have to do this..."

"I'm fine." Chen Chen shook his head. "Sister Huang Ying, I just... I just don't know how to face him."

---

Half past ten in the morning.

As Zhang Yu was adjusting the afternoon's shooting plan with the photographer, Li Xiaoming walked over with two people. One was a middle-aged man in his early forties, wearing a dark gray suit and gold-rimmed glasses, with a refined and scholarly air; the other was a woman in her late twenties, wearing a beige business suit, her long hair tied in a low bun, her makeup exquisite, and her demeanor capable and efficient.

"Director Zhang, let me introduce you." Li Xiaoming said with a smile, "This is Mr. Wang Zhongjun, General Manager of Huayi Brothers, and this is Ms. Li Bing, their project director."

Wang Zhongjun. In Zhang Yu's past life memories, this founder of Huayi Brothers was a pivotal figure in the Chinese film and television industry. In 2000, Huayi Brothers was just starting out, but it had already shown astonishing ambition.

"Mr. Wang, Ms. Li, it's an honor to meet you." Zhang Yu shook hands politely.

Wang Zhongjun sized up Zhang Yu, his eyes showing both admiration and scrutiny: "Director Zhang looks even younger than he does on TV. I watched yesterday's interview, and he said it well—'If the rules hinder art, then break the rules.' That's bold."

"You flatter me, Mr. Wang." Zhang Yu smiled. "Please come to the lounge to talk."

The lounge was a temporary prefab building, simple but clean. After the four of them sat down, Li Bing took out a document from his briefcase.

“Director Zhang, let’s get straight to the point.” Li Bing’s voice was crisp. “Huayi Brothers admires your talent and is optimistic about the ‘Scholarly Family’ project. We want to collaborate with you, not just on this film, but on a long-term, strategic partnership.”

Zhang Yu took the document and glanced at the title—"Director Agency and Project Cooperation Framework Agreement." He flipped through a few pages and saw the key clauses: Huayi Brothers would represent him on his directorial contract for the next five years, have priority investment rights in all his projects, and... there was a performance-based agreement.