Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

She spoke rationally, but Zhang Yu sensed the emotion in her words. This girl had demonstrated remarkable resilience and responsibility at a crucial moment.

“There’s been progress with China Film Group,” Zhang Yu said. “Han Sanping agreed to see the sample film. If the quality is good, China Film Group will handle the distribution and also invest in the next project.”

"Really?" Chen Chen's voice finally held a hint of joy. "That's great... Zhang Yu, this is a turning point."

“Yes, a turning point.” Zhang Yu looked into the distance. “So Chen Chen, hold on for another fifteen days. After fifteen days, when the sample is ready, everything will be different.”

“Okay.” Chen Chen said readily. “Then it’s settled—fifteen days.”

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Yu stood in the March sun in Beijing, the mole under his left eye feeling slightly warm. He could feel that Chen Chen's star-like mark had undergone a qualitative change at this moment—from waiting to the bond of comrades-in-arms fighting side by side.

What he needs is not dependence, but equality.

And Chen Chen is becoming that person.

---

2 PM, Hengdian film set.

The "Imperial Study" at Hengdian Ming and Qing Palace has been transformed into a giant handicraft workshop. A dozen temporary workbenches have been set up in the center of the courtyard, some piled high with fabric, others with wood and tools. About twenty people are scattered around the workbenches, busy but organized.

In the clothing section, Yang Mi, with her hair in a ponytail and wearing arm sleeves, was cutting fabric with a stylist. She wore a simple white T-shirt and jeans, and had no makeup on, but her focused expression gave her a unique charm. Gao Yuanyuan, Zhao Liying, and Zhang Tianai were helping her; all four girls pricked their fingers several times with needles, but none of them complained of pain.

"Sister Mi, how do we cut this piece of silk?" Gao Yuanyuan asked hesitantly, holding the scissors.

“I’ll do it.” Yang Mi took the fabric and skillfully drew lines on it. “Yuanyuan, you’re good with your hands, so you’ll be in charge of the embroidery. Liying, you’re strong, so you’ll be in charge of ironing. Tiannuan, you’re clever, so you’ll be in charge of the accessories.”

She arranged everything meticulously. After the initial chaos, Yang Mi demonstrated outstanding organizational skills—she knew what she was good at, and she knew what everyone was good at, and she could put the right people in the right positions.

In the props area, Bai Bing was equally efficient. She was in charge of restoring the damaged furniture from the Republican era, and was currently squatting in front of a carved chair, carefully studying the mortise and tenon structure. Liu Shishi, Wang Likun, and Dilraba Dilmurat assisted her, handing her tools and polishing the wood.

"Sister Bai Bing, this tenon doesn't fit," Liu Shishi whispered.

Bai Bing took the wood, squinted at it, then picked up a plane and gently trimmed it a few times: "Now let's try it."

Perfect fit.

"Wow..." Dilraba exclaimed, "Sister Bai Bing is amazing!"

"I used to study basic stage design at a drama academy," Bai Bing said casually. "I never expected to use it now."

Chen Chen patrolled the various work areas, notebook in hand, recording progress and issues. Huang Ying, in charge of logistics and external communications, was extremely busy. Song Qian, who had just returned from South Korea yesterday, was also helping out—she had learned makeup and styling there, which came in handy.

Throughout the entire set, no one was idle, and no one complained. Although everyone was exhausted, there was a light in their eyes—a defiant light that shone forth when pushed to the brink.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, Li Xiaoming arrived in a hurry with several people, carrying large and small bags.

"Director Chen, I've found a few friends, all veteran craftsmen from Hengdian," Li Xiaoming said, wiping his sweat. "They'll help, and I'll pay their wages."

This was a timely help. Chen Chen looked at the group of experienced craftsmen—a carpenter, a tailor, and a painter—and his eyes reddened: "Mr. Li, thank you..."

"No need to thank me." Li Xiaoming waved his hand. "I have a share in the studio too. Besides, I've been in this industry for so many years, I can't just stand by and watch Wang Zhongjun bully people like this."

With the help of professional tailors, the progress was much faster. By 8 p.m., the first batch of clothing was completed—five cheongsams and three long gowns. Although it was rushed, the workmanship was exquisite and in no way inferior to the originals.

Chen Chen picked up a moon-white embroidered plum blossom cheongsam—exactly the same as the original, even with finer stitches. The costume designer, her eyes red from working so hard, said, "Director Chen, I made this based on the original photos. Is it alright?"

Chen Chen touched the delicate embroidery on the cheongsam, his throat tightening: "Very good... thank you."

"Of course." The costume designer smiled. "Director Chen, don't worry, we will definitely finish it."

By 10 p.m., most people were so exhausted they could barely stand up straight. Chen Chen forced everyone to rest, leaving only a few craftsmen to finish their work. She herself was also tired but couldn't sleep, so she walked alone to the corridor of the "Imperial Study" and looked at the still-uncleared ruins in the courtyard.

The moonlight was beautiful, shining on the bluestone path like a layer of frost. In the distance came the crisp, rhythmic tapping sounds of craftsmen at work.

"Chen Chen".

Yang Mi walked over, holding two bottles of water, and handed her one: "Have some water."

The two stood side by side, looking at the ruins under the moonlight. After a moment of silence, Yang Mi suddenly said, "Chen Chen, sometimes I envy you."

Chen Chen turned to look at her: "What do you envy about me?"

"I envy the... tacit understanding between you and Director Zhang." Yang Mi said frankly, "I haven't known Director Zhang for long, but I can feel that there is something between you that no one else can interfere with. Even though you are not lovers now, that trust and understanding is deeper than that of many lovers."

Chen Chen smiled, but the smile was somewhat bitter: "Yang Mi, do you know what the biggest problem is between Zhang Yu and me?"

"what?"

“It’s because we know each other too well,” Chen Chen said. “We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. We know what the other person wants and what they are avoiding. This kind of understanding is sometimes a tacit agreement, and sometimes a burden.”

Yang Mi seemed thoughtful: "So now you..."

"So I've chosen to be comrades-in-arms now." Chen Chen looked at the moon. "Lovers may break up, but comrades-in-arms won't. We've fought together, carried guns together, and this kind of bond is stronger than romantic love."

Yang Mi looked at her and suddenly understood something. This seemingly fragile girl was more clear-headed and more resilient than anyone else.

“Chen Chen,” she said, “you will be happy. I promise.”

Chen Chen turned to look at her and smiled: "You too, Yang Mi. We both deserve happiness."

Under the moonlight, the two girls smiled at each other. At that moment, all barriers and competition disappeared, leaving only understanding and resonance as fellow women and dreamers.

---

It's 11 p.m. in a hotel room in Beijing.

In his room at the Kunlun Hotel in Beijing, Zhang Yu was still working. The table was covered with drafts of the script and storyboards for "The Longest Day in Chang'an," and the studio's financial statements were displayed on his computer screen. He rubbed his temples; the mole under his left eye felt slightly warm.

My phone rang. It was a text message from Wang Jinghua: "The joint venture's listing ceremony is scheduled for next Friday at the Beijing Hotel. Han Sanping and Feng Xiaogang will be there, and the media have also been invited. Make sure you get everything arranged in Hengdian and come to Beijing a day early."