Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

“The revenue sharing from ‘Scholarly Family’ went through your personal account, not the company’s. Also, some of the tuition fees for the training camp were in cash, and no invoices were issued,” Wang Jinghua said. “These are indeed irregularities, although the amounts are small, but it would be very troublesome if reported.”

Zhang Yu was silent for a few seconds, then laughed: "I thought he could come up with something new. Is that all?"

“Director Zhang, tax issues can be big or small…” Song Qian said worriedly.

“I know.” Zhang Yu took out his phone and dialed a number. “Director Li, it’s me, Zhang Yu. I have something I’d like to ask you… Yes, someone might report our company for tax issues tomorrow… Yes, I know about those accounts, and I’ve already prepared the taxes due, but I haven’t had time to complete the formalities yet… Okay, I’ll have someone send the materials and tax payment over first thing tomorrow morning… Thank you, Director Li.”

After hanging up the phone, he told Wang Jinghua, "Tomorrow morning, have the finance director take all the documents and taxes to the tax bureau, proactively explain the situation, and pay the outstanding taxes and late fees. Remember, be sincere and make sure all the paperwork is complete."

"You were prepared a long time ago?" Wang Jinghua asked in surprise.

“Hmm.” Zhang Yu nodded. “From the very first day of establishing ‘Hua Yu,’ I knew that someone would target the tax authorities. So I had already prepared tax payment plans for those problematic accounts, but I deliberately left them unprocessed, waiting for someone to report them before ‘voluntarily paying’ the taxes. This is called playing along with someone else’s plan.”

Wang Jinghua suddenly realized: "You... deliberately left a flaw?"

“It’s not exactly a flaw, it was indeed my oversight,” Zhang Yu laughed. “But oversights can be remedied, while malicious accusations are a different matter. Once we proactively pay the back taxes tomorrow, Wang Zhongjun’s report will become a ‘false accusation.’ I’ll put in a word with the tax bureau and have them sue him for defamation.”

Song Qian breathed a sigh of relief: "Director Zhang, you really are... perfect in your planning."

"How can you survive in this industry without being a little shrewd?" Zhang Yu glanced at his watch. "Alright, let's go back. Don't keep the guests waiting too long."

Back in the banquet hall, the atmosphere became even more lively. Zhang Yu had just entered when he was stopped by someone—Liu Xiaoli.

She was also invited to the celebration banquet tonight, wearing a well-fitting dark gray suit, her hair neatly combed, and her expression serious.

"Director Zhang, can we talk in private for a moment?"

The two walked to the terrace outside the banquet hall. The Beijing night in July was sweltering, and in the distance, the traffic on Chang'an Avenue flowed like a river of lights.

"Ms. Liu, what's the matter?" Zhang Yu asked.

Liu Xiaoli took a deep breath: "Director Zhang, I've decided to take Yifei back to the United States."

Zhang Yu wasn't surprised: "Because of the feelings she shouldn't have had for me?"

"You noticed?" Liu Xiaoli smiled bitterly. "Yes, I noticed. The way that child looked at you... it was too obvious. She's only fifteen, she doesn't understand, but I'm her mother, I can't let her get caught up in this."

"What do you think I would do to her?" Zhang Yu asked calmly.

“I don’t know,” Liu Xiaoli said honestly, “but I’ve seen too much of what’s going on in this industry. You’re a good person, and you’re good to Yifei, but that’s precisely why it’s more dangerous. If you were a bad person, Yifei would be wary; but since you’re so good to her, she’ll fall into your trap without any defenses.”

Zhang Yu was silent for a moment, then said, "Ms. Liu, I understand your concerns. But I want to ask you a question—do you think taking Yifei away will stop this relationship?"

"At least it will calm her down."

“Sometimes distance can actually intensify longing,” Zhang Yu said. “Besides, Yifei really has acting talent; all the teachers at the training camp say so. By taking her away like this, you are essentially killing her dream.”

Liu Xiaoli's eyes reddened: "I know... I know she's talented, and I hope she can realize her dreams. But I'm her mother, and I have to protect her."

“Protection is not confinement.” Zhang Yu looked at her. “Ms. Liu, you were an actress back then, you should understand this principle. Because you were hurt, you're protecting Yifei so tightly, is that really for her own good?”

His words were like knives, piercing Liu Xiaoli's heart. She fell silent.

“How about this,” Zhang Yu said, “Give me a month. During this month, you will accompany Yifei throughout her training, watch her filming, and observe how I treat her. If after a month you still feel that you should take her away, I will not stop you. Moreover, I will help her contact the best acting schools in the United States to ensure that she can continue her studies there.”

Liu Xiaoli looked at him with a complicated expression: "Why are you so concerned about Yifei?"

"Because I see the future of Chinese-language film and television in her," Zhang Yu said earnestly. "She is pure, talented, and hardworking. Such a talent should not be buried."

Finally, Liu Xiaoli nodded: "Okay, one month. But I have a condition—you and Yifei must keep your distance for this month. No private contact outside of work."

“I promise you,” Zhang Yu said.

Back in the banquet hall, Zhang Yu saw Liu Yifei chatting with Meng Ziyi, Zhang Hanyun, and a few other girls. She was wearing a light blue princess dress that evening, her hair loose, looking like a delicate porcelain doll. When she saw Zhang Yu, her eyes lit up, but remembering her mother's warning, she lowered her head again.

Zhang Yu smiled and nodded at her, then walked towards Chen Chen.

The celebration banquet lasted until 11 p.m. After seeing off the last group of guests, Zhang Yu and Chen Chen returned to their hotel suite.

As soon as she entered the door, Chen Chen kicked off her high heels and collapsed onto the sofa: "I'm exhausted..."

Zhang Yu poured her a glass of warm water and sat down next to her to massage her calves: "You did very well today. You were able to handle such tricky questions from the reporters with ease."

“I learned it from you.” Chen Chen closed his eyes, enjoying the massage. “Zhang Yu, I have a question for you.”

"ask."

"You and Yifei..." Chen Chen opened his eyes and looked at him, "Did Liu Xiaoli come to see you today because Yifei has feelings for you?"

Zhang Yu paused, his hand moving slightly. "When did you become so perceptive?"

“A woman’s intuition.” Chen Chen sat up and looked at him seriously. “The way Yifei looks at you is exactly the same way I looked at you back then. It’s the look of a young girl meeting her sweetheart for the first time, pure, passionate, and reckless.”

Zhang Yu was silent for a few seconds, then said, "She's only fifteen years old; she can't distinguish between admiration and love. Liu Xiaoli has already talked to me, and I will keep my distance from her."

"Can you do that?" Chen Chen asked. "Zhang Yu, I know you're very nice to female artists, but sometimes your kindness can be misunderstood. Especially for a young girl like Yi Fei who's just starting to experience love, a smile from you can make her think about it for ages."

"Then what should I do?" Zhang Yu smiled bitterly. "Ignore her? Scold her? That will only backfire."

Chen Chen sighed and leaned on his shoulder: "I don't know either... I'm just worried. Yi Fei is too naive, and this industry is too complicated. I'm afraid she'll get hurt."

"I will protect her," Zhang Yu said, putting his arm around her, "just like I would protect you."