Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

"But can you protect everyone?" Chen Chen asked softly. "Zhang Yu, sometimes I feel like you're a savior, wanting to protect everyone under your wings. But you're not a god, you'll get tired."

Zhang Yu didn't speak, but simply hugged her tighter. Outside the window, Beijing was brightly lit; this city that never sleeps never tires, just like him.

Midnight, the "Hua Yu" training camp in Hengdian.

Although most people had gone to Beijing, the nightlights at the training camp were still on. Wang Ou sat in his office, reviewing the training plans for the second batch of trainees. His desk was piled high with documents, and his coffee had gone cold for the third time.

There was a knock on the door.

"Please come in."

Meng Ziyi poked her head in: "Director Wang, you haven't rested yet?"

"I still have some work to do." Wang Ou rubbed his temples. "Why aren't you asleep either?"

"I can't sleep." Meng Ziyi walked in, holding a script in her hand. "I have a scene tomorrow, and I'm nervous. I want to practice some more."

Looking at her youthful face, Wang Ou thought to himself, "Even first-time actors look like this. Which role are you playing?"

"The female student in the coffee shop only has two lines." Meng Ziyi opened the script, "but I'm afraid I won't act well and embarrass Director Zhang."

"Since Director Zhang chose you, it means you're capable," Wang Ou encouraged. "Relax and just perform at your usual training level."

Meng Ziyi nodded, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Director Wang, what kind of person do you think Director Zhang is?"

Wang Ou was taken aback: "Why do you ask that?"

“I’m just… curious.” Meng Ziyi blushed. “Director Zhang is very nice to all of us, but he seems to… have a very close relationship with every actress. Sister Shu Chang, Sister Jing Tian, ​​and Teacher Li Xiaoran… the way they look at Director Zhang is quite different.”

Wang Ou looked at her; this twenty-two-year-old girl possessed a sensitivity beyond her years.

“Meng Ziyi, there are some things you shouldn’t ask,” Wang Ou said seriously. “In this industry, knowing too much isn’t a good thing. Just remember that Director Zhang is your boss and your mentor, that’s enough. Don’t think about anything else.”

Meng Ziyi nodded as if she understood, "Oh... I understand."

"Go back and rest," Wang Ou said. "Get enough rest so you can perform well tomorrow."

After Meng Ziyi left, Wang Ou leaned back in her chair and let out a long sigh. She had asked herself the same question Meng Ziyi had asked. She wasn't unaware of Zhang Yu's relationships with those actresses. But as the artist director, a manager, some things could only be observed but not spoken of.

My phone rang. It was a text message from Zhang Yu: "It's all over in Beijing. How's the training camp going?"

Wang Ou replied: "Everything is normal. Meng Ziyi has a scene tomorrow and is a little nervous. I just reassured her."

"Thank you for your hard work. I'm going back tomorrow. The parents' meeting for the training camp is scheduled for 3 p.m.

"Okay, I'll arrange it."

Putting down his phone, Wang Ou gazed out the window at the tranquil night view of the training camp. This "dream factory," built single-handedly by Zhang Yu, was nurturing the future of Chinese-language film and television. But behind this glitz and glamour, how many untold stories lay hidden?

She didn't know. All she knew was that she was already on this ship and had to follow the captain down with her.

The next morning at 10:00 AM, on the set of "Awakening of Insects" in Hengdian.

Meng Ziyi's first film scene officially began filming. She arrived at the set two hours early to repeatedly practice her two lines and a few actions.

"Don't be nervous," the assistant director reassured her. "Just do it the way we rehearsed yesterday."

Meng Ziyi nodded, but her palms were sweating. She changed into a school uniform from the Republican era, and the makeup artist gave her light makeup to highlight her youthful innocence.

Filming begins. In the coffee shop, a gramophone plays soothing music. Meng Ziyi carefully places a tray of coffee on a customer's table. Her hands are still trembling slightly, but much better than yesterday.

"Thank you," said the guest (a middle-aged male actor).

"No...you're welcome," Meng Ziyi replied softly, bowing her head as she stepped back.

"Stop!" The assistant director frowned. "Meng Ziyi, you lowered your head too quickly. When a guest says thank you, you should look up at him, smile, and then lower your head. Let's do it again."

We filmed three more takes, and finally, we got it right. Although her performance was still a bit green, her girlish shyness and clumsiness actually suited the character.

When filming wrapped, the assistant director said to Meng Ziyi, "You acted well, quite naturally. Practice your eye acting more in the future, and you'll be even better."

"Thank you, director!" Meng Ziyi said happily.

She was on her way back to the training camp when she ran into Zhang Yu, who had just gotten off the plane, at the entrance of the film set.

"Director Zhang!" Meng Ziyi ran over excitedly, "You're back!"

"Hmm." Zhang Yu looked at her. "How did the filming go today?"

"That's a wrap!" Meng Ziyi's eyes sparkled. "The director said my acting was quite natural."

"That's good." Zhang Yu ruffled her hair. "Keep up the good work."

This intimate gesture made Meng Ziyi blush. Looking at Zhang Yu, she suddenly mustered her courage: "Director Zhang, tonight... can I come to rehearse with you? There are still many things I don't understand..."

Looking into her expectant eyes, Zhang Yu recalled Liu Xiaoli's warning and Chen Chen's worries. He should refuse; he should keep his distance.

But he saw in Meng Ziyi's eyes a pure love for acting and a sincere desire to learn.

"Okay." He finally nodded. "Eight o'clock tonight, in the office."

"Thank you, Director Zhang!" Meng Ziyi ran off happily.

Watching her retreating figure, Zhang Yu felt a slight warmth rise to the star-shaped birthmark under his left eye. Meng Ziyi's mark was rapidly sprouting. This lively and cheerful girl was like a flame, capable of igniting everything around her.

But it's not the right time yet. She needs more experience and to truly understand what acting and emotion are.

3 PM, training camp auditorium.

More than twenty parents of the students gathered together, the atmosphere somewhat somber. Zhang Zilin's mother and Zhang Hanyun's mother sat together, neither of them looking too happy.

Zhang Yu stepped onto the podium and got straight to the point: "Thank you all for coming today. I know you are all a little worried about the intensity of your children's training at the camp, especially about Zhang Zilin's sprained ankle and Zhang Hanyun's sore throat. Today, I'm here to give you an explanation."

He turned on the projector, and the screen displayed the training camp's detailed schedule and training program.

"First of all, I must admit that the training intensity of the camp is indeed very high," Zhang Yu said. "We get up at six o'clock every morning for morning runs, training, and classes, until nine o'clock at night. We can only rest for half a day on weekends. With this kind of intensity, let alone children, even adults may not be able to stand it."

Discussing arose from the audience.

"But—" Zhang Yu changed the subject, "I would like to ask you parents, why do you send your children to this training camp? Is it so they can relax and have fun for a few months, or so they can learn real skills and gain a foothold in this cruel entertainment industry in the future?"