Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

Her words were insightful. Zhang Yu nodded: "I know. But rules are meant to be broken."

"Are you confident?" Chen Chen asked. "What if the media doesn't buy it at tomorrow's press conference, what if the investors don't approve, what if... it fails?"

“Then let’s try again,” Zhang Yu said, “until we succeed.”

Chen Chen looked at him and suddenly laughed: "Zhang Yu, your blind confidence is sometimes really annoying, but sometimes... it makes people admire you."

Do you admire him?

“I admire you.” Chen Chen nodded honestly. “But I’m more worried. Zhang Yu, the studio doesn’t belong to you alone; it belongs to all of us. You’re betting not just your career, but the future of all of us.”

“I know.” Zhang Yu walked up to her, squatted down, and looked her in the eye. “Chen Chen, I promise you, and I promise everyone—I will do my best not to let you down. But if I really fail, I will take full responsibility and make sure you all have a way out.”

His eyes were sincere. Chen Chen looked into his eyes for a long time.

“I believe you,” she finally said. “I will attend the press conference tomorrow. But Zhang Yu, remember what you said today.”

"I'll remember that."

Chen Chen stood up, walked to his desk, and picked up a document: "This is the financial analysis I did today. The post-production of 'The Scholarly Family' will cost about 800,000, and the publicity and distribution will cost 1.2 million, for a total shortfall of 2 million. I calculated that if we temporarily put aside our respective salaries and invest them in production, we can raise 500,000. For the rest, we need to find investors."

She handed Zhang Yu a detailed financial statement, with every income and expense clearly listed.

Zhang Yu took the document, a warm feeling welling up inside him. Chen Chen was always like this; no matter how harsh his words, he would always support him in his actions.

"Thank you," he said softly.

"You're welcome." Chen Chen turned his back to him. "I'm not doing this for you, but for the studio and for everyone."

But her slightly trembling shoulders betrayed her emotions.

Zhang Yu walked up behind her, intending to hug her, but put his hand down halfway through.

“Chen Chen,” he said, “once the studio is stable, once all of this is over, we… will have a proper talk.”

Chen Chen's shoulders trembled even more violently. She didn't turn around, but simply gave a soft "hmm".

Zhang Yu knew that this was the biggest concession she could make.

He turned to leave, and as he reached the door, he heard Chen Chen whisper, "Tomorrow's press conference... Good luck."

"You too."

After the door closed, Chen Chen leaned against the wall, tears silently streaming down his face.

She hated herself for being so spineless. She kept saying she wanted to be independent and start anew, but when she saw him in trouble, she couldn't help but want to help him.

Perhaps this is what loving someone is like—saying a thousand times that you want to let go, but in your heart you can't bear to part with them a million times over.

---

At 9 PM, unexpected assistance

When Zhang Yu returned to his room, he found someone standing at the door—Li Bing.

She wasn't wearing business attire today, but rather a simple black dress with a beige trench coat. Her long hair was loose, and her makeup was much lighter than during the day, making her look much softer.

"Miss Li?" Zhang Yu was somewhat surprised. "What brings you here?"

"Can we go inside and talk?" Li Bing asked.

Zhang Yu opened the door and let her in. Li Bing sat down on the sofa and took a folder out of her bag.

"Director Zhang, let me state first that I am not here as a lobbyist." She got straight to the point. "President Wang is indeed very angry today, but he sent me to see you not to put pressure on you, but to... pass on a message."

"What?"

“He said that if you change your mind now, Wayi’s doors are still open to you.” Li Bing pushed the folder over. “And the terms can be negotiated again—two movies in three years, a box office target of 100 million, and a 10% share will be given directly if the target is met.”

The conditions are much better than before.

But Zhang Yu shook his head: "Ms. Li, please thank President Wang for me. But my decision will not change."

Li Bing looked at him and suddenly smiled: "I knew you would say that."

She opened the folder, and inside was not a contract from Wayi, but an investment agreement.

“This is…” Zhang Yu asked in confusion.

“This is my personal investment,” Li Bing said. “Five hundred thousand yuan, invested in Zhang Yu’s studio. I don’t want shares or returns; consider it my support for you.”

Zhang Yu was stunned: "Miss Li, this..."

“Director Zhang, I’ve been with Wayi for three years and have seen too many talented people being held hostage by capital and worn down by the rules,” Li Bing said earnestly. “You are different. You are persisting in something very precious. I want to support you, it’s that simple.”

"But 500,000 is no small sum..."

“This is my savings from the past few years,” Li Bing smiled. “Director Zhang, I believe in you. I believe the studio can succeed, and I believe you can change things. Consider this money as my ticket—a ticket to board your ship.”

Looking at her, Zhang Yu felt a complex mix of emotions. Li Bing's starlight mark shone exceptionally bright at that moment—not admiration, but a higher level of recognition and support.

"Thank you." Zhang Yu took the agreement and signed it. "Ms. Li, this money is a loan to the studio. We will repay you with interest once we make a profit."

"Okay." Li Bing stood up. "Then I won't bother you any longer. Director Zhang, good luck at the press conference tomorrow."

She walked to the door, then suddenly turned back: "By the way, I've already spoken to Wang Jinghua about it for you. She's very interested in your studio and said we can talk about collaboration once you're more settled."

Wang Jinghua. This name appeared for the third time today.

Zhang Yu nodded: "Thank you."

After Li Bing left, Zhang Yu stood by the window, looking at the night view of Hengdian.

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 support, Yang Mi's decisiveness, Bai Bing's trust, Gao Yuanyuan's innocence, Zhao Liying's resilience, Liu Shishi's elegance, Zhang Tianai's passion, Song Qian's vitality, Wang Likun's gentleness, Liu Yan's sense of belonging, Li Bing's approval…

Twenty-eight marks, twenty-eight units of power.

not enough.

But that's enough to get started.

Outside the window, the night is getting dark.

But Zhang Yu knew that dawn was approaching.

Tomorrow will be the studio's first battle.

He must win.

For himself, and for all those who believe in him.

---

March 23, 2000, 8:00 AM, Hengdian, cloudy turning overcast, 9~17°C.

The air in the editing room of Hengdian World Studios was so heavy it almost seemed to freeze. Zhang Yu stood in the center of the room, looking at the chaotic scene before him—three editing machines were smashed to pieces, and film reels scattered on the floor looked like dead snakes, soaking in water that had somehow leaked out. Worst of all, the twelve reels of original film containing all the footage from "A Family of Scholars" were completely submerged in water, some of the film's emulsion already beginning to peel off.

Editor Lao Zhou squatted on the ground, his hands trembling as he held up a reel of film, tears streaming down his face: "It's all ruined... more than three months of hard work..."