Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

In early March, the oriole suddenly visited.

She got straight to the point: "Tang Yan, I have something I'd like to ask you."

"Sister Ying, please speak."

“I’m preparing for a new project, a Sino-US co-production, but the investors suddenly withdrew their funding.” Huang Ying looked exhausted. “Now we have a huge funding gap, and I’d like to ask for your help. Not a loan, but to ask you to act as a go-between. You have a wide network of contacts in China and know many investors; could you introduce me to a few?”

Tang Yan was stunned. Huang Ying was a seasoned producer; how could she also encounter funding problems?

"Sister Ying, what happened?"

Huang Ying smiled bitterly: "The capital games in Hollywood are even more ruthless than in China. The investors I had agreed to work with cut a bunch of projects because of a new CEO. Mine was among them. Now that all the preliminary work has been done, I suddenly have no funds. I was really desperate, so I came to you."

Tang Yan thought for a moment and said, "I'll give it a try, but I can't guarantee anything."

"I'm grateful if you can help," Huang Ying said. "Whether it works out or not, I'll be thankful."

After seeing Huang Ying off, Tang Yan called Zhang Yu. Zhang Yu listened for a moment, then remained silent: "I can help, but be careful. If there are problems with Huang Ying's project, your reputation will also be affected. Take a look at the project information and assess its feasibility first."

Tang Yan nodded. She arranged to meet with several investors and introduced Huang Ying's project to them. Some were interested, while others declined. Ultimately, one investor agreed to invest, on the condition that Huang Ying must provide a more detailed business plan.

Huang Ying was extremely grateful: "Tang Yan, thank you. Please don't hesitate to ask if you ever need my help."

……

In early April, Chen Chen's new script was officially launched.

The film is titled "Them," and it tells the story of four women of different ages and professions who support each other in the city. Tang Yan plays a 30-year-old lawyer, Gao Yuanyuan plays a 40-year-old doctor, Yang Mi plays a designer in her twenties, and a veteran actress plays a 60-year-old retired teacher.

The opening ceremony was held in Shanghai. The four leading actresses stood together, and the media snapped photos frantically. Reporters bombarded them with questions:

"How does it feel to work together as a team of four?"

"Tang Yan, this is your first time acting since winning the Golden Globe Award. What are your feelings?"

"Sister Yuanyuan, what are your expectations for working with Tang Yan again?"

The four women handled the situation with grace and smiles. Gao Yuanyuan and Tang Yan were long-time collaborators, and Yang Mi was a close friend, so their collaboration went smoothly. Veteran actress Chen Jin (pseudonym), however, was working with them for the first time, but she was very kind and offered much guidance to the younger actors.

Filming went smoothly. Chen Chen's script was nuanced, and each character was vividly portrayed. Tang Yan's lawyer role was capable and decisive, yet also soft-hearted, a type she had never tried before.

One day after work, Chen Chen and Tang Yan were chatting on set.

"Tang Yan, do you know that the inspiration for this script came from you?" Chen Chen said.

Tang Yan was taken aback: "Me?"

“Yes.” Chen Chen looked at her. “Your story with Zhang Yu, your friendship with Yang Mi, and your collaboration with Liu Yifei have all inspired me. I want to write about various relationships between women—love, friendship, cooperation, and competition. You have shown me the power and warmth of women.”

Tang Yan felt a warmth in her heart: "Sister Chen, thank you."

……

In May, filming for "Them" was halfway complete. Jing Tian suddenly contacted Tang Yan, saying she had something important to discuss.

The two met at a private restaurant. Jing Tian got straight to the point: "Tang Yan, I want to change my career path."

"Transformation?"

“Yes,” Jing Tian said. “I don’t want to play pretty faces anymore. I want to play roles with depth, like the ones you’ve played. But I’m not as lucky as you, to have a director like Zhang Yu supporting me all the way. So I need your help.”

Tang Yan looked at her: "Sister Tian Tian, ​​how do you want me to help?"

"Please recommend me to director Chen Chen," Jing Tian said. "Are there any suitable roles for me in 'Them'? Even a cameo would be fine. I want the industry to see that Jing Tian can act well too."

Tang Yan thought for a moment and said, "I'll ask Sister Chen. But I can't guarantee it."

"Thank you," Jing Tian said sincerely. "Tang Yan, I've wronged you in the past. I'll remember your willingness to help me this time."

A few days later, Tang Yan brought up the matter with Chen Chen. Chen Chen considered it for a moment: "Jing Tian? Her acting skills are indeed average, but if she's willing to improve, she can give it a try. There's a role in the movie where she plays a coffee shop owner; it's not a big part, but it's quite memorable. Let her audition."

Tang Yan was also present on the day of Jing Tian's audition. She acted very seriously, and although she was still a bit raw, she had clearly put in a lot of effort. After watching, Chen Chen nodded: "Okay, you're the one."

Jing Tian was so moved she almost cried. Afterwards, she held Tang Yan's hand and said, "Tang Yan, thank you. I will act well."

……

In June, filming for "Them" wrapped up. Tang Yan was preparing to take a few days off when she noticed that Zhang Yu had been acting strangely lately.

He often spaced out by himself and became quieter. When Tang Yan asked him, he just said, "Nothing." But she knew something was definitely wrong.

One late night, she finally couldn't hold back any longer: "Zhang Yu, what's wrong with you? Is there something you can't tell me?"

Zhang Yu looked at her, remained silent for a long time, and finally spoke: "My new project has run into problems."

"What's the problem?"

“The investors have withdrawn their funding,” Zhang Yu said. “The three companies that had reached an agreement with us suddenly all withdrew. The reason given was the sluggish market, but I investigated and found that someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes.”

"Who?"

“Although Wang Zhongjun has fallen, his influence remains,” Zhang Yu said. “Some people don’t want to see me succeed and want to suppress me when my new project is launched.”

Tang Yan's heart tightened: "What should we do?"

Zhang Yu smiled wryly: "I'm trying to figure something out. If it really doesn't work, we'll just have to stop."

"No." Tang Yan grasped his hand. "We can't stop. How much is the funding gap? I'll figure something out."

"Tang Yan, this is a matter of tens of millions, you..."

“I’m a Golden Globe winner, a Golden Rooster and Golden Eagle Award-winning actress.” Tang Yan looked at him. “I can negotiate investments, and I can use my reputation to endorse my work. Zhang Yu, you’ve helped me so much, now it’s my turn to help you.”

Zhang Yu looked at her, his eyes slightly red: "Tang Yan..."

"Stop talking." Tang Yan hugged him. "Let's think of a solution together."

In the days that followed, Tang Yan used all her connections. She approached Liu Yifei, who introduced her to several investors; she contacted Yang Mi, who brought in her friends; she sought help from Gao Yuanyuan, who facilitated connections. Even Jing Tian stepped in to help her connect with several potential investors.

A month later, the funding gap was finally filled. Zhang Yu's new project was able to continue.

At the celebration banquet, Zhang Yu raised his glass: "Thank you everyone. Special thanks to Tang Yan, my love. Without you, this project would not exist."

Tang Yan smiled and clinked glasses with him.

……

In September, the Venice Film Festival was held again. This time, Tang Yan brought two films—"Them," which was selected for the screening section, and Zhang Yu's new project, which also held its press conference here.