Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

Shu Chang looked up and saw her, paused for a moment, then smiled and walked over: "Yi Fei? You're back in China?"

"I just got back today!" Liu Yifei said happily. "Sister Shu Chang, you're even prettier than on TV!"

Shu Chang was amused by her: "You too, you've grown so tall, almost taller than me." She looked at Zhang Yu, "Director Zhang, Yifei is here to..."

“I’m going to attend a training camp,” Zhang Yu said. “I played the young Shen Qingqiu in ‘Awakening of Insects,’ so I’ll be training for a week first.”

"That's great!" Shu Chang took Liu Yifei's hand. "Then I'll show you around. Director Zhang, you can go ahead and do your work. I'll take care of Yifei."

Zhang Yu nodded: "Alright. Yifei, stay with Sister Shu Chang and listen to her. Be back in the dorm before nine o'clock tonight. Your mother is arriving tomorrow, so don't let her worry."

"Okay," Liu Yifei said obediently.

Watching Zhang Yu's departing figure, Shu Chang winked at Liu Yifei: "Director Zhang is so good to you, personally picking you up from the airport."

"He's probably worried I'll get lost," Liu Yifei said, sticking out her tongue. "Sister Shu Chang, is the training camp fun?"

"It's fun, but also tiring." Shu Chang led her to get food and found a place to sit down. "I get up at six every morning, go for a run, practice martial arts, and attend classes until nine at night. I can only rest for half a day on weekends."

Liu Yifei stuck out her tongue: "So tiring..."

“If you want to be an actor, you have to endure this hardship,” Shu Chang said earnestly. “But Director Zhang is very good at teaching. As long as you are willing to learn, you will improve very quickly. Look at Jing Tian, ​​she has only been here for a little over a month, and she has made great progress.”

Mentioning Jing Tian, ​​Liu Yifei's eyes lit up: "Is Sister Jing Tian here? I want to see her!"

"She's on set; she has a night shoot tonight," Shu Chang said. "I should be able to see her tomorrow. By the way, there are a few new trainees in the training camp: Meng Ziyi, Zhang Zilin, and Zhang Hanyun. They're all very easy-going girls; I'll introduce you to them later."

Just then, Meng Ziyi came skipping over with a lunchbox in her hand: "Sister Shu Chang, I heard there's a new girl? Wow, what a pretty young lady!"

Liu Yifei was embarrassed by her straightforward praise: "Hello, my name is Liu Yifei."

"Meng Ziyi!" Meng Ziyi sat down opposite her, her eyes sparkling. "How old are you? You look so young."

"fifteen."

"Wow, so young!" Meng Ziyi said enviously. "I'm twenty-two, I'm getting old."

Shu Chang laughed: "You call yourself old at twenty-two? Then wouldn't I be even older at twenty-four?"

"Sister Shu Chang is ageless, Sister Shu Chang is a fairy!" Meng Ziyi said sweetly.

The three girls chatted and laughed, creating a harmonious atmosphere. Liu Yifei quickly integrated into the group and was filled with anticipation for life in the training camp.

8 PM, Zhang Yu's office.

Wang Ou knocked on the door and came in right on time. Today she was wearing a smart white shirt and black suit pants, her hair was tied in a low ponytail, her makeup was exquisite, and she exuded the charm of a mature woman.

"Director Zhang," she greeted him, and sat down on the sofa.

"Wang Ou, welcome to 'Huayu'." Zhang Yu stood up from behind his desk and poured her a cup of tea. "What do you think about the position of Artist Director?"

Wang Ou took the teacup and smiled, "I've thought it over. I'm willing to join."

“Very good.” Zhang Yu sat down opposite her. “Starting tomorrow, you will be the artist director of ‘Hua Yu’. You will be mainly responsible for the daily management, development planning, and crisis public relations of the artists. Wang Jinghua will be responsible for external resources and project coordination, while you will be responsible for internal management and artist training. Any questions?”

“No.” Wang Ou shook his head. “But Director Zhang, I have a question—why did you choose me? I’ve always been an actor and have no management experience.”

“Because you need to transform, and I need your vision.” Zhang Yu said directly, “You’ve been in this industry for twelve years, seen too many ups and downs, and know what actors need and what they fear. You also have your own connections and resources. Most importantly—you know how to do the right thing at the right time.”

Wang Ou looked at him and suddenly asked, "Director Zhang, are you praising me or reminding me?"

“Yes, all of them.” Zhang Yu smiled. “Wang Ou, you’re a smart man, you should know why I’m looking for you. ‘Hua Yu’ has a lot of female artists now, and they’re all young and beautiful girls. I need an experienced and tactful female manager to help me manage the relationships between these girls, and their relationships with me.”

That was too blunt. Wang Ou paused for a moment, then smiled wryly: "Director Zhang, you've given me a difficult problem."

“That’s why we need someone as smart as you to solve this.” Zhang Yu picked up his teacup. “I believe you can strike the right balance—neither too lenient nor too harsh; protecting them as well as me.”

Wang Ou was silent for a few seconds, then nodded: "I understand. I will do my best."

“Okay.” Zhang Yu took out a document from the drawer. “This is your employment contract. The annual salary is 500,000 yuan, and bonuses are separate. In addition, ‘Hua Yu’ will tailor-make a TV series for you, and you will play the female lead. Your salary will be based on market rates.”

Wang Ou took the contract, his eyes slightly red: "Director Zhang, thank you."

"No need to thank me." Zhang Yu looked at her. "You earned this yourself. Keep up the good work, I have faith in you."

After Wang Ou left, Zhang Yu stood by the window, watching the trainees strolling in the training camp courtyard. Liu Yifei was among them, walking with Shu Chang and Meng Ziyi, their laughter as clear and crisp as wind chimes.

The birthmark under my left eye felt slightly warm.

Liu Yifei's mark has begun. This girl will be the most special of all the marks—not only because of her talent and potential, but also because of her purity and innocence.

My phone rang; it was Chen Chen calling.

"Zhang Yu, I've arrived in Hengdian, just got off the plane." Chen Chen's voice sounded tired. "Where are you?"

"At the training camp," Zhang Yu said. "Shall I come pick you up?"

“No need, I’ll take a taxi myself.” Chen Chen paused. “Is Yifei here? I saw the news.”

"Just arrived today, at the training camp."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone: "Zhang Yu, Yi Fei is still young, she's only fifteen..."

“I know,” Zhang Yu interrupted her. “Chen Chen, what kind of person do you take me for?”

Chen Chen sighed: "That's not what I meant. I'm just... worried. This industry is too complicated, and Yi Fei is too naive. I'm afraid she'll get hurt."

“I will protect her,” Zhang Yu said, “just like I would protect you.”

“You’ve protected too many people.” Chen Chen’s voice was soft. “Zhang Yu, sometimes I feel like you’re collecting something. Collecting actresses, collecting their emotions, collecting their lives.”

Zhang Yu's heart skipped a beat, but his voice remained calm: "You're overthinking it. I'm just doing what a director should do—discovering talent, nurturing talent, and protecting talent."

"I hope so," Chen Chen said. "I'll be there in half an hour, and we can talk when we meet."

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Yu lit a cigarette. Chen Chen was too clever; she had already sensed something. But there were some things he couldn't say, at least not now.