Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

This question had been on Zhang Yu's mind.

He looked at Chen Chen, and then at everyone present, and slowly said, "Because I'm tired of it."

“I’m tired of being controlled, tired of being held hostage by capital, tired of compromising art to cater to the market.” His voice was calm, but every word was powerful. “I want to film the stories I really want to film, in the right way. I want to give talented people opportunities, regardless of whether they have a background or resources. I want to prove that there is another way to live in this industry—not relying on hype, not relying on scandals, not relying on connections, but only relying on the work itself.”

“Maybe it’s naive, maybe it will fail,” Zhang Yu smiled. “But I want to try. And I believe that everyone here wants to try as well.”

The meeting room remained quiet for a long time.

Then, Chen Chen closed the plan and stood up.

“I’ll join,” she said, her voice not loud but clear. “But Director Zhang, I have one condition.”

"You said."

“The studio’s finances must be open and transparent.” Chen Chen looked at Zhang Yu. “Every income and expenditure must be detailed, and every partner can check the accounts at any time. Moreover, I will be involved in financial management.”

This condition is very demanding. In the entertainment industry, finances are the most sensitive area, and many companies have fallen out due to a lack of financial transparency.

But Zhang Yu nodded without hesitation: "Okay. Not only will the finances be transparent, but the entire process of all major decisions will be made public. The studio will keep meeting minutes, and the discussion process and voting results for each decision will be archived."

Chen Chen looked at him, and a slight fluctuation finally appeared in his eyes—not love, not hate, but a kind of…acknowledgment.

"Then I'm all set." She sat down. "When will the contract be signed?"

“It can be done today.” Zhang Yu took out a stack of contracts from his bag. “The lawyer has already reviewed them, and everyone can provide their own suggestions for revision.”

For the next two hours, the conference room transformed into a signing ceremony. Lawyers answered questions over the phone, everyone carefully read the contract terms, offered suggestions for revision, and then signed.

By the time the last contract was signed, it was already 11:30 a.m.

Looking at the stack of signed contracts on the table, Zhang Yu felt a complex mix of emotions—excitement, trepidation, and a heavy sense of responsibility.

"Zhang Yu Film and Television Studio is officially established today," he said.

Applause rang out in the meeting room. It wasn't enthusiastic, but it was sincere.

---

One p.m.

After the signing ceremony, everyone dispersed. Zhang Yu wanted to talk to Chen Chen alone, but she told Huang Ying that she had to leave first.

He wandered aimlessly through the streets of Hengdian, his mind still preoccupied with matters concerning his studio. Funding, projects, personnel… a multitude of issues lay ahead, but strangely, he felt no anxiety, only a long-lost sense of excitement.

"Director Zhang!"

A familiar voice came from behind him. Zhang Yu turned around and saw Liu Yan standing at the entrance of a coffee shop, waving at him.

She was wearing a beige trench coat over a light blue dress, her long hair was slightly wavy, her makeup was light, and she was carrying a camera bag, so it looked like she had just finished an interview.

“Miss Liu,” Zhang Yu said as he walked over, “What a coincidence.”

"It's not a coincidence, I waited for you here specifically." Liu Yan smiled brightly. "I heard you rejected Huayi and are going to open your own studio?"

"You are very well-informed."

“Well, that’s how it is in this industry.” Liu Yan blinked. “Director Zhang, could I buy you a cup of coffee? I’d like to do an interview—not for the show, but for myself. I want to write an in-depth report about you and your studio.”

Zhang Yu checked the time: "Half an hour."

"That's enough!" Liu Yan happily pulled him into the coffee shop.

The café was quiet, and the two chose a window seat. Liu Yan ordered two lattes, then took out a voice recorder and a notebook from her bag.

"Director Zhang, the first question is—why did you refuse Huayi? The conditions Wang Zhongjun offered have already spread throughout the industry, and many people think you've gone crazy."

Zhang Yu took a sip of coffee: "I'm not crazy, I've just figured out what I want. Huayi is great, and President Wang is great too, but that's not the path I want."

What kind of road do you want?

“The road to freedom,” Zhang Yu said. “The freedom to create, the freedom to choose, the freedom to fail. In a big company, if you succeed, it’s the company’s credit; if you fail, it’s your responsibility. I don’t want that.”

Liu Yan took notes very carefully: "But freedom comes at a price. The studio has just been established, and you will face financial pressure, resource shortages, market competition... Are you mentally prepared for these?"

“Yes.” Zhang Yu nodded. “And I believe that as long as the work is good, these are not problems. Ultimately, the audience is looking at the film itself, not how big the company behind it is.”

"So what's the biggest difference between your studio and other companies?"

“People,” Zhang Yu said firmly, “In my studio, everyone is a partner, not an employee. We share a common dream, a common responsibility, and a common interest. This kind of cohesion cannot be created by any contract.”

Liu Yan looked at him with admiration and emotion in her eyes: "Director Zhang, do you know? I've interviewed many people in this industry, and most of them are very realistic and pragmatic. But you are different. You still believe in dreams and idealism."

Isn't idealism good?

“Okay, but it’s difficult.” Liu Yan put down her pen. “Director Zhang, can I… ask a personal question?”

"Just ask."

"You and Ms. Chen Chen..." Liu Yan paused, "Now that the studio is established, how will your relationship develop? Will it be purely working partnerships, or..."

This is a very sensitive issue. Zhang Yu paused for a few seconds: "We're work partners now. As for the future... let nature take its course."

Do you still love her?

Zhang Yu looked out the window. The sun was shining brightly, and people were bustling about the streets. He remembered the look in Chen Chen's eyes as she gazed at him from underwater the day she jumped into the river, remembered her words when she was discharged from the hospital, "I want to live a happier life than you," and remembered the way she calmly asked questions at the meeting today…

“Love,” he finally said, “but there are many ways to love. Sometimes letting go is also a form of love.”

Liu Yan looked at him and suddenly said, "Director Zhang, can I join your studio?"

Zhang Yu was taken aback: "You? You're the host..."

“I can be a producer, a publicist, or an artist manager,” Liu Yan said earnestly. “I spent three years at Enlight Media, where I built a lot of connections and learned a great deal. And… I also want to try a different path. The job of a host is sometimes too superficial; I want to do something deeper.”

Zhang Yu looked at her. Liu Yan's eyes were bright, filled with ambition, longing, and sincerity.

"Have you thought this through?" Zhang Yu asked. "Enlight Media's compensation package should be good, and you're their leading lady..."

“I’ve thought it through,” Liu Yan interrupted him. “Director Zhang, I think you’re doing something amazing. I want to be a part of it, not just as an observer, but as a builder.”

She spoke with great enthusiasm, like a recent college graduate. But Zhang Yu knew she was serious.