Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

“Because a studio is more free!” Yang Mi said. “Director Zhang, do you know what’s most popular in the industry right now? Personal studios! Actors set up their own studios after they become famous, becoming their own bosses and taking control. Big companies like Huayi Brothers have too many rules and restrictions; a studio is much more comfortable.”

She's absolutely right. Zhang Yu recalled his past life; Yang Mi did indeed later establish her own studio, and it was doing very well.

“But the studio needs resources, connections, and funding,” Zhang Yu said. “I don’t have any of those right now.”

“Not now, but will be in the future.” Yang Mi said confidently. “Director Zhang, you have talent, that’s your greatest asset. And… if you set up a studio, I can bring resources in.”

Zhang Yu raised an eyebrow: "What resources?"

“I know some people,” Yang Mi said in a low voice, “investors, producers, and… Wang Jinghua.”

Zhang Yu was startled. Wang Jinghua's name had appeared for the second time today.

How do you know Wang Jinghua?

“We met a few years ago when we were shooting an advertisement,” Yang Mi said. “She liked me quite a bit and said I had potential. We’ve kept in touch ever since. She called me a couple of days ago and said that Huayi Brothers was in contact with her, but she hasn’t decided yet. She said… if I want to do something big, I might as well do it myself.”

That statement contained a lot of information. Zhang Yu looked at Yang Mi; this twenty-year-old girl was more shrewd and ambitious than he had imagined.

"Yang Mi, what do you want from all this?" Zhang Yu asked directly.

“I want a promise,” Yang Mi said directly. “If you set up a studio, I want to be the first artist you sign, and… I want shares.”

When she spoke of "shares," her eyes shone—not with greed, but with ambition.

Zhang Yu laughed: "You really dare to ask for it."

“Because I deserve it.” Yang Mi said confidently, “Director Zhang, I’m young, I have potential, I’m hardworking, and… I understand the rules of this industry. I can help you, not just as an actress, but as a partner.”

She's right. Yang Mi is indeed a great partner—smart, ambitious, calculating, but also principled.

“I need to think about it,” Zhang Yu finally said. “I’ll give you an answer after filming for ‘The Scholarly Family’ is finished.”

“Okay.” Yang Mi stood up. “Director Zhang, whatever decision you make, I will support you. But I want to say… sometimes, doing things on your own is more interesting than working for someone else.”

After she finished speaking, she turned and left. As she reached the door, she suddenly turned back: "By the way, Director Zhang, Sister Chen Chen is being discharged from the hospital tomorrow. Do you need me to pick her up?"

"No, I'll go."

“Okay.” Yang Mi smiled, a smile with an indescribable meaning. “Director Zhang, sometimes I feel that you are too cautious with Sister Chen Chen. Women are not actually that fragile. When it’s time to be ruthless, you have to be ruthless. The longer you drag it out, the deeper the damage.”

What she said was cruel, but true. Zhang Yu watched her departing figure, the mole under his left eye feeling slightly warm.

Yang Mi's star-studded mark becomes even more complex at this moment—ambition, scheming, trust, and a hint of... dissatisfaction with his love life?

This girl is becoming increasingly difficult to understand.

---

Eleven o'clock at night.

After Yang Mi left, Zhang Yu stood alone by the window, looking at the night view of Hengdian.

My phone vibrated. It was a text message from Li Bing: "Director Zhang, President Wang just called and said that if you are willing to sign with Huayi Brothers, we can make another concession—three films in three years, with a box office of 120 million yuan. Once the target is met, we will give you shares directly, without having to wait five years."

The conditions are becoming increasingly favorable.

But Zhang Yu already had the answer in his heart.

He opened his laptop and began writing a proposal—"Zhang Yu Studio Establishment Plan".

He doesn't want to sign with Huayi Brothers.

He wants to do it himself.

Set up your own studio, sign your own artists, and make the movies you want to make. It might be difficult at first, but freedom is priceless.

And... he has connections.

Chen Chen, Yang Mi, Bai Bing, Gao Yuanyuan, Zhao Liying, Liu Yifei, Liu Shishi, Zhang Tianai, Song Qian, Wang Likun... and those girls who will appear soon.

He wants to build a kingdom of his own.

In this kingdom, he can protect them, help them succeed, and keep them from being corrupted by this dirty circle.

Perhaps this is naive.

But he wanted to try.

He finished writing the project proposal at 2 a.m. Zhang Yu closed his laptop and walked to the window.

The night sky was clear and the stars were shining brightly.

The birthmark under his left eye shone as brightly as a real star at that moment.

He could feel the starlight imprints within him resonating—Chen Chen's pride, Yang Mi's ambition, Bai Bing's aloofness, Gao Yuanyuan's innocence, Zhao Liying's resilience, Liu Yifei's spirituality, Liu Shishi's elegance, Zhang Tianai's passion, Song Qian's vitality, Wang Likun's gentleness…

Each dish is unique.

Every dish is precious.

What he wanted to collect was not 108 tools.

They are 108 companions, 108 comrades-in-arms, 108... souls who can help each other succeed.

This realization eased some of the heaviness in his heart.

Perhaps this game can be played in a different way.

Instead of harming or exploiting, we should grow together.

Outside the window, Hengdian was still brightly lit at night.

And finally, his nights had a glimmer of light.

Chen Chen will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.

Tomorrow, a new beginning.

---

March 21, 2000, 9:00 AM, Hengdian International Trade Hotel conference room, sunny, 8~18°C.

A dozen or so people sat around the long table in the conference room, the atmosphere subtly tense. Zhang Yu sat at the head of the table, with Li Xiaoming, assistant director Xiao Wang, and production manager Lao Liu to his left, and Chen Chen, Huang Ying, Yang Mi, Bai Bing, Gao Yuanyuan, Zhao Liying, Liu Shishi, Zhang Tian'ai, Song Qian, and Wang Likun to his right. Liu Yifei had been picked up by her mother, Liu Xiaoli, and returned to Beijing yesterday to attend school.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting bright dappled patterns on the deep red conference table. A "Zhang Yu Film and Television Studio Establishment Plan" lay open before Zhang Yu, its cover bearing the studio's philosophy, handwritten by him the previous night: "Based on creation, with talent at its core, we will produce film and television works that are both heartwarming and meaningful."

"I've gathered everyone here today to announce something," Zhang Yu said, his voice calm but firm. "I've decided to establish my own studio to independently manage future film and television projects."

A few seconds of silence filled the conference room. Then, Li Xiaoming spoke first, his tone somewhat urgent: "Director Zhang, you need to think this through! Huayi's terms are so good, Wang Zhongjun personally conceded, and you're just going to refuse like this?"

“I’ve thought it through.” Zhang Yu nodded. “President Li, thank you for your support during this time. But I feel it’s time to go my own way.”

"What about 'The Scholarly Family'?" Li Xiaoming frowned. "Post-production, publicity, and release all require resources! How can a newly established studio like yours deal with those major theater chains and media outlets?"