Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

The two chatted about the play and acting techniques for a while. Gradually, the conversation shifted to more personal topics.

"Director Zhang, when are you and Sister Chen Chen planning to get married?" Li Xiaoran suddenly asked.

Zhang Yu paused for a moment, then said, "Let's wait until we're done with this busy period. There are too many things to deal with right now."

"Do you love her?" Li Xiaoran asked directly.

“Love,” Zhang Yu answered directly, “but there are many kinds of love. My love for Chen Chen is different from my feelings for you.”

Li Xiaoran looked at him: "Then what are your feelings for me?"

Zhang Yu was silent for a few seconds, then said, "It's admiration, it's desire, it's wanting to get close and also wanting to protect. It's complicated, hard to explain, but it's also real."

He paused, then continued, "Xiao Ran, I don't want to lie to you. I can't give you a promise, nor can I give you marriage. All I can give you is my sincerity in the present moment and as much protection as possible. If you feel that's not enough, it's not too late to back out now."

Li Xiaoran looked at him for a long, long time. Then she smiled: "Director Zhang, you're too honest. So honest that it's impossible to hate you."

She stood up, walked to him, bent down and kissed him: "I don't want promises, I don't want marriage. I just want you now, I just want the present moment."

That night, the lights in Zhang Yu's office stayed on very late again.

Outside the window, Hengdian is shrouded in darkness. In this sleepless town, love and hate unfold every day.

And his story continues.

Number of Starshine Marks: 48/108. Sixty more remain.

The road ahead is long, but he will keep going.

Because this is his choice, the path he chose, he will walk it to the end, even if he has to crawl on his knees.

---

July 15, 2000, 7 p.m., banquet hall of Wanda Vista Beijing Hotel.

A dazzling light streamed down from a massive crystal chandelier as the celebration banquet for the premiere of "The Longest Day in Chang'an" was underway. The banquet hall was bustling with activity, filled with elegantly dressed guests, including CCTV leaders, purchasing directors from major satellite TV stations, film and television company owners, and celebrities. A giant LED screen hung at the front of the hall, displaying real-time viewership data from CSM Media Research—within half an hour of the broadcast, the ratings had already surpassed 8%, and the market share reached a remarkable 24%.

"Director Zhang, congratulations!" Mr. Chen from Orange Field came over with a glass of champagne. "The premiere episode broke 8 points, which is the highest premiere record for a TV series this year!"

Zhang Yu clinked glasses with him, his expression calm: "Mr. Chen, you flatter me. This is just the beginning."

That being said, the mole under his left eye was remarkably clear under the light—a subtle change that only occurred when his heart was in turmoil. Eight years had passed since he returned from Berlin, and this was his first television series as director; only he knew the effort he had poured into it.

In another corner of the banquet hall, Chen Chen was surrounded by reporters. Tonight, she wore a burgundy strapless evening gown, her long hair styled in a classic updo, revealing her beautiful neckline; she was stunningly beautiful.

"Chenchen, the character Pei Jinghong is very different from your previous roles. How did you manage to break through that barrier?"

Chen Chen smiled and said, "First of all, I want to thank Director Zhang. He saw the different possibilities in me. During the filming, he practiced swordplay with me every day and analyzed the character. Sometimes he would ponder a single look dozens of times."

"I heard that a scene of chasing a criminal in the rain took two whole days to film?"

“Yes, that was during the coldest days in Hengdian,” Chen Chen recalled. “Director Zhang insisted on shooting on location, without using stunt doubles. I ran in the rain more than thirty times, and my legs cramped up in the end. But seeing the final product, it was all worth it.”

Her gaze swept across the crowd and met Zhang Yu's in the distance. The two exchanged a smile, their unspoken understanding prompting the surrounding reporters to snap photos.

At this moment, a discordant voice rang out: "Ms. Chen Chen, there are rumors that you and Director Zhang are a couple off-screen. Is there any connection between you and that that led to you being cast as the female lead?"

The question was pointed. Chen Chen's smile faded slightly, but she remained composed: "Director Zhang and I have worked together for many years, starting with 'Autumn Day'. We've been great working partners. As for my personal life—" She paused, "that's my private matter, and I can't disclose it."

Zhang Yu walked over unnoticed, casually put his arm around Chen Chen's shoulder, and said to the reporter, "Friend, today is the celebration banquet for 'The Longest Day in Chang'an,' let's talk about the drama, not gossip. If you have any questions about the plot, I'd be happy to answer them."

His tone was gentle, but his eyes held an undeniable authority. The reporter awkwardly withdrew.

"Are you alright?" Zhang Yu asked Chen Chen, looking down at him.

"It's nothing," Chen Chen said softly, leaning on his shoulder. "I'm just a little tired."

"If you're tired, drink less. I'll have my assistant get you some juice."

The couple's intimate behavior, oblivious to everyone else, was captured on camera. In a private room on the second floor of the banquet hall, Wang Zhongjun watched this scene through the glass, his face grim.

"Mr. Wang, the tax authorities have everything ready," the assistant reported in a low voice. "The complaint materials will be sent to the State Administration of Taxation first thing tomorrow morning."

"Is the evidence conclusive?" Wang Zhongjun asked.

“Absolutely certain. Last year, ‘Hua Yu’ made three film and television investment payments totaling 12 million yuan through his personal account without declaring personal income tax. In addition, the tuition fees from the training camp are also suspected of evading business tax.”

Wang Zhongjun nodded in satisfaction: "This time I'm going to make him regret it. No matter how powerful the entertainment industry is, it can't beat the tax bureau."

At 9 p.m., the celebration banquet reached its climax. The host invited the main creative team to the stage, and the big screen began playing exciting clips from "The Longest Day in Chang'an." When the long shot of Pei Jinghong chasing a suspect by leaping across rooftops was shown, the entire audience burst into enthusiastic applause.

"How long did it take to film this scene?" the director of CCTV's drama center asked curiously.

“Seven days,” Zhang Yu replied. “We used three drones to film the scene, and Chen Chen ran on the rooftop forty-three times while suspended by wires before we finally got it right on the last take.”

"Worth it!" the director praised. "This kind of craftsmanship is rare these days. Director Zhang, CCTV has a major project next year, a historical drama, with an investment of 100 million yuan. Are you interested in taking it on?"

“Thank you for your kindness, Director.” Zhang Yu smiled. “However, my schedule is already full next year. After finishing filming ‘Awakening of Insects,’ I need to do post-production and prepare for a new movie. Moreover—” He paused, “‘Hua Yu’ training camp will be expanded next year, and I want to spend more time training new talents.”

The director was somewhat disappointed, but still expressed his understanding: "That's a real shame. However, it's commendable that you have this kind of dedication; there aren't many directors these days who are willing to work diligently to train new talent."

At this moment, Wang Jinghua hurried over and whispered a few words in Zhang Yu's ear. Zhang Yu's expression remained unchanged, but his eyes turned cold.

"Excuse me for a moment." He nodded to the director, then turned and walked with Wang Jinghua toward the lounge.

In the lounge, Song Qian was already waiting, her face anxious: "Director Zhang, I just received news that Wang Zhongjun is going to report our tax issues tomorrow. He has copies of several of the company's accounts from last year."

"Which strokes?" Zhang Yu asked.