Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

He looked at Zhang Zilin's mother: "Mrs. Zhang, I know you feel sorry for your daughter. I also feel sorry for Zilin because of her sprained ankle. But do you know what? The first thing Zilin said after she got injured was, 'Teacher, can I still practice dancing?' You should know better than me how much this child loves dancing."

Zhang Zilin's mother's eyes reddened.

Zhang Yu then looked at Zhang Hanyun's mother: "Zhang Hanyun has a sore throat because she practices vocal music for two extra hours every day. She said she wants to be a singer and sing her own voice. Shouldn't we support a child like that?"

He looked around the room and said, "Parents, this industry is very cruel. Without ability, beauty is useless; without perseverance, talent is also useless. The training camp is so strict because I want these children to be able to go out into the world in the future without being wronged because they are not good enough, and without giving up their dreams because they can't endure hardship."

His voice was sincere: "Of course, safety is always the top priority. Starting today, the training camp will be equipped with a dedicated doctor to check the trainees' physical condition every day. The training intensity will also be adjusted according to each person's ability to bear it. But I still say the same thing - if you want to be an actor, you have to be able to endure hardship. If you can't even endure this little bit of hardship, go home as soon as possible and don't waste your time and money."

After she finished speaking, the audience fell silent. A few minutes later, Zhang Zilin's mother was the first to stand up: "Director Zhang, I'm sorry, I spoiled my child too much. You're right, Zilin loves dancing, and I shouldn't have let her give up because of a small injury. I support her continuing to train."

Zhang Hanyun's mother also stood up: "I support her too. Hanyun loves to sing, so I should support her in pursuing her dream."

Other parents also expressed their support. The crisis was thus averted.

After the parents' meeting, Wang Ou walked up to Zhang Yu and whispered, "Director Zhang, you spoke really well today. You convinced all the parents."

“It’s not about persuading them, it’s about showing them the truth,” Zhang Yu said. “This industry is inherently cruel. It’s a good thing to let the children understand this sooner rather than later.”

Wang Ou looked at him and suddenly asked, "Director Zhang, are you this dedicated to each and every student?"

“Since we signed with them, we have to be responsible to the end,” Zhang Yu said. “That’s my principle.”

"And what about yourself?" Wang Ou asked softly. "You're responsible for everyone, but who's responsible for you?"

Zhang Yu paused for a moment, then laughed: "I don't need anyone to take responsibility. I chose this path myself, and I'll walk it myself."

Watching his departing figure, Wang Ou felt a complex mix of emotions. This man was so strong that he inspired a sense of security, yet so lonely that he evoked pity.

8 PM, Zhang Yu's office.

Meng Ziyi knocked on the door and came in right on time. She had changed into comfortable sportswear, her hair was tied in a high ponytail, and her face had a rosy glow from showering.

"Director Zhang!" she greeted him happily.

"Sit down." Zhang Yu gestured to the sofa. "Which scene would you like to rehearse today?"

“It’s still the scene in the coffee shop.” Meng Ziyi sat down opposite him. “I think my acting was too stiff. I would like to ask you to teach me again.”

Zhang Yu opened the script and glanced at it: "The key to this scene is not the action, but the state of mind. You are playing a student who works part-time. She is not a professional waitress, so her movements will be clumsy and she will be nervous. But it is precisely this clumsiness and nervousness that fits the character setting."

He stood up: "Come on, let's act it out. You're the female student, and I'm the guest."

The two walked to the center of the office. Meng Ziyi got into character, carefully placing the "coffee" in front of Zhang Yu on the imagined tray.

"You...your coffee." Her voice trembled slightly.

Zhang Yu, acting as a "guest," looked up at her and smiled, saying, "Thank you."

Following the assistant director's instructions, Meng Ziyi looked up at him, smiled, and then looked down. But her smile was stiff, as if she were completing an assignment.

“Stop,” Zhang Yu said. “Your smile is too fake. When a customer says thank you, you should feel happy because your service has been recognized. This happiness should come from the heart, not be forced.”

He thought for a moment and said, "How about this, let's try a different approach. Imagine that the boy you have a crush on suddenly smiles at you. How would you react?"

Meng Ziyi blushed: "Director Zhang, I...I don't have a crush on any boy..."

“Then imagine it,” Zhang Yu said. “Imagine someone you like smiling at you and saying thank you. Your heart will race, your face will turn red, and a smile will involuntarily bloom. That kind of smile is real.”

Meng Ziyi closed her eyes and tried hard to imagine. A few seconds later, she opened her eyes and performed again. This time, her smile was much more natural, and her eyes shone with light.

"That's it, that's the feeling." Zhang Yu nodded approvingly. "Remember it, and act like that next time."

After practice, Meng Ziyi sat on the sofa, panting. Zhang Yu poured her a glass of juice: "You've worked hard."

"It's no trouble at all." Meng Ziyi took the juice. "Director Zhang, thank you. The method you taught me is very useful."

“It’s because you have a knack for understanding.” Zhang Yu sat down next to her. “Meng Ziyi, you have great potential, but you need more practice. Starting next week, I will arrange for you to spend more time with the crew so you can observe and learn more.”

"Really?" Meng Ziyi's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Director Zhang!"

The two chatted about the performance for a while longer. Gradually, the conversation shifted to more personal topics.

"Director Zhang, may I ask you a question?" Meng Ziyi asked softly.

"Just ask."

"What kind of girl do you like?"

This question came as a surprise. Zhang Yu paused for a moment, then laughed: "Why are you suddenly asking this?"

"It's just...curiosity." Meng Ziyi blushed. "The sisters in the training camp are all guessing, but no one knows the answer."

Zhang Yu thought for a moment and said, "I like... genuine girls. No pretense, no affectation, they laugh when they're happy, cry when they're sad, pursue their dreams, and don't give up even when they're hurt. That kind of girl is the most charming."

Meng Ziyi's eyes lit up: "Then... what about me? Am I considered a real girl?"

"Yes," Zhang Yu nodded. "You're one of the most genuine girls I've ever met."

Meng Ziyi's heart raced. Looking at Zhang Yu, this handsome, talented, gentle, and patient man, a surge of emotion welled up within her. She knew she shouldn't have such thoughts, but she couldn't control them.

"Director Zhang, I..." she mustered her courage, "I have something to say to you..."

“Meng Ziyi,” Zhang Yu interrupted her, “Some things, once said, can’t be taken back. Think it through before you speak.”

His gaze was earnest and complex. Looking into his eyes, Meng Ziyi suddenly understood—the way he looked at her was different from how he looked at other actresses. There was appreciation, concern, but more than that, it was… the love of an elder for a younger person.

She suddenly felt very sad.

"I understand." She lowered her head. "Director Zhang, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been thinking like that."

“You did nothing wrong.” Zhang Yu patted her shoulder. “Liking someone isn’t wrong, but sometimes you have to keep your feelings to yourself. You’re still young, you have a long road ahead of you, and you’ll meet someone more suitable for you.”

Tears streamed down Meng Ziyi's face: "But I...I just love you..."

Zhang Yu sighed and reached out to wipe away her tears: "Meng Ziyi, look at me."

Meng Ziyi raised her head, her eyes blurry with tears.

“I’m good to you because you deserve it,” Zhang Yu said earnestly. “But this kindness is the kindness a teacher shows to a student, the kindness a director shows to an actor. If you want more, I can’t give it to you. It’s not that I’m unwilling, it’s that I can’t. Do you understand?”

Meng Ziyi bit her lip and nodded vigorously: "I understand... I'm sorry, Director Zhang, I've put you in a difficult position..."

“You didn’t make things difficult for me,” Zhang Yu said. “You just showed me your sincerity. That’s precious, and I should cherish it. Use it on acting, on pursuing your dreams, and on the person who truly deserves it in the future.”

That night, Meng Ziyi cried for a long time in Zhang Yu's office. Zhang Yu didn't stop her; he just quietly stayed with her, handing her tissues, pouring her water, and occasionally patting her back.

Sometimes, growth requires the baptism of tears.

At 11 p.m., Meng Ziyi finally cried her heart out. She wiped away her tears and bowed deeply to Zhang Yu: "Director Zhang, thank you. I will remember your words, work hard, and pursue my dreams."