Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

"Scene 137, shot 7, get ready!" Chen Chen shouted into the walkie-talkie.

The set immediately sprang into action. The lighting technician adjusted the lights, the prop master set up the props, and the makeup artist touched up the actors' makeup. Today's reshoot was the scene where Lin Shuwan and Gu Jiangnan had their falling out backstage at the opera house, one of the emotional climaxes of "The Scholarly Family".

Lu Yuan, who plays Gu Jiangnan, is already in place, but Chen Chen herself hasn't changed her clothes yet—she needs to check that all the details are in place behind the monitor before she goes to put on makeup.

"Director Chen," Assistant Director Xiao Wang ran over and whispered, "There's a problem... Zeng Li said she can't come today, she has a fever."

Chen Chen frowned even more deeply. Zeng Li had three scenes to reshoot; although she wasn't the lead, they were very important. If she couldn't come today, the filming schedule would have to be adjusted again.

"Call her agent to confirm the situation." Chen Chen said calmly, "If she really has a fever, postpone her scenes and focus on filming my scenes with Lu Yuan today."

"Yes." Xiao Wang quickly went to make a phone call.

Huang Ying walked over and handed Chen Chen a bottle of water: "Chen Chen, take a break. You've been standing since seven in the morning and haven't even had a sip of water."

Chen Chen took the water and took a sip: "It's okay, I'm not tired. Any news from Zhang Yu?"

"Not yet," Huang Ying shook her head. "But Li Bing just sent a text message saying that the negotiations are progressing smoothly and he should be back soon."

Chen Chen breathed a sigh of relief. Although her relationship with Zhang Yu remained delicate, the success or failure of the studio was related to everyone's interests, and she hoped he could succeed.

Just then, a commotion arose at the entrance of the film set. Chen Chen looked up and saw several people in uniforms walking in, led by a man in his forties carrying documents.

"Who is in charge?" the man asked, his tone unfriendly.

Chen Chen walked over: "Yes, that's me. How can I help you?"

The man sized her up and down: "We're from the Hengdian Management Committee. We received a report that your film crew is using open flames illegally, posing a safety hazard. We're here to inspect your fire safety facilities and filming permit."

Chen Chen's heart sank. Unauthorized use of open flames? "A Scholarly Family" is a period drama set in the Republican era; some scenes do require candles and lanterns, but these are all professional film safety flames. How could it be illegal?

"Comrade, our filming permits are complete, and the fire safety equipment has been inspected." Chen Chen tried to remain calm. "Could you be more specific about your report?"

"Whether it's specific or not, we'll know after the inspection." The man was very assertive. "Right now, all filming is suspended. We need to conduct a comprehensive inspection."

The entire set erupted in uproar. The crew and actors were stunned—filming was halted? They had twelve scenes to reshoot today; if filming was suspended, the entire schedule would be delayed.

"Comrade, could we finish filming today's scenes before the inspection?" Chen Chen tried to negotiate. "Our reshoot time is very tight; every day we miss is a day we lose..."

“No,” the man interrupted her. “Safety first. If the inspection fails, you may be suspended from work for rectification.”

This was clearly someone deliberately causing trouble. Chen Chen bit her lip, her mind racing. She remembered Zhang Yu saying that Wang Zhongjun wouldn't let it go and would use all sorts of means to suppress the studio.

Just then, a cool voice came from the side: "Comrade, I am Bai Bing, legal counsel for Hengdian World Studios. May I see your inspection notice and work ID?"

Bai Bing walked over. Today, she was wearing a light gray business suit, her long hair was tied up in a bun, and her makeup was light, but her eyes were sharp. She had finished filming her scenes earlier and hadn't left the set, but was reading the script when she happened to witness this scene.

The man paused, clearly not expecting to run into a legal advisor. He pulled out his work ID and inspection notice, which Bai Bing took and examined carefully.

“This inspection notice,” Bai Bing said after reading it, “is dated yesterday, but the inspection time stated on it is ‘within three days of receiving the report.’ According to procedure, you should have notified the inspected unit at least 24 hours in advance after the notice was issued. Your sudden arrival today is procedurally problematic.”

The man's expression changed: "We received an urgent report..."

“Even in an emergency report, procedures must be followed.” Bai Bing said calmly, “Comrade, I don’t question your authority, but procedural justice is very important. If you insist on inspecting now, I will record the entire process and reserve the right to appeal to the next higher authority.”

Her tone was calm, but every word carried weight. The man and his colleague exchanged a glance, clearly hesitant.

Just then, another voice came: "Oh, isn't this Section Chief Liu? What brings you here?"

Li Xiaoming rushed over, a smile plastered on his face, holding two packs of cigarettes. He casually slipped them into the man's hands: "Section Chief Liu, this is just a small token of my appreciation, please don't mind. We're filming here, and time is tight and the task is heavy. Could you possibly make an exception and let us finish today's scenes first? Tomorrow, I'll personally accompany you for the inspection, I promise to cooperate!"

As he spoke, he pulled the man aside, whispering something. Chen Chen saw the man's expression gradually soften, and he finally nodded.

“Well… let’s take the photos first,” the man said. “But we have to check it tomorrow; we can’t delay any longer.”

"Definitely!" Li Xiaoming nodded repeatedly.

After the inspectors left, everyone on set breathed a sigh of relief. Chen Chen looked at Bai Bing and Li Xiaoming and said sincerely, "Thank you."

“We’re all on the same side, no need for formalities.” Li Xiaoming wiped the sweat from his forehead. “This must be Wang Zhongjun’s doing. He knows people in the management committee and wants to use administrative means to block us. But it’s okay, I’ve been in Hengdian for so many years, I have some connections. I’ll ask someone to put in a good word for me tomorrow, and I should be able to handle it.”

Bai Bing shook his head: "President Li, this is only treating the symptoms, not the root cause. Since Wang Zhongjun has taken action, he won't just do it once. We need to solve the problem at its source."

"How do we solve this?" Chen Chen asked.

Bai Bing looked out of the film set: "Wait for Director Zhang to come back. I believe he has a solution."

---

Four p.m.

When Zhang Yu returned to the film set, it was already four in the afternoon. He had just finished signing the contract with Wang Jinghua and then met with the boss of Orange Field Culture to confirm that the investment funds would arrive the next day. Everything was going smoothly, but when he walked into the film set and saw Chen Chen's tired face and the tense atmosphere, he knew that something had gone wrong again.

"What's wrong?" He walked over to Chen Chen.

Chen Chen briefly recounted what had just happened. Zhang Yu's face darkened after listening.

"Wang Zhongjun is trying to wipe us out completely," he sneered. "But it doesn't matter, let him do it. I want to see what tricks he can pull."

"Do you have a solution?" Chen Chen asked.

“Yes.” Zhang Yu took out a document from his bag. “This is the joint venture agreement that Wang Jinghua and I signed. With this agreement, we are no longer fighting alone. Wang Jinghua has more connections in the industry than Wang Zhongjun. If he wants to play dirty tricks, we will play along with him.”