In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

September 5th, 11:30 a.m.

Zuo Xiaoqing took Yang Guangming's arm, and the two walked side by side into the courtyard.

Today is Chen Hong's last day before leaving Beijing; she will fly back to Hong Kong Island tomorrow morning. Zuo Xiaoqing specially returned from school to see Chen Hong off.

Actually, she was thinking something else entirely—Chen Hong was gone, and Guangming would belong to her again.

For more than a week, Zuo Xiaoqing lived in the dormitory of Beijing Film Academy, attending classes during the day and practicing and rehearsing skits with her classmates at night, leading a fulfilling and regular life.

Only when she occasionally saw the bright sunshine on campus would she remember that there was another woman at home.

The feeling was strange. She should have been feeling terrible, but because she couldn't see Chen Hong, the discomfort was lessened considerably. Plus, Yang Guangming continued to care for her, frequently visiting her in class, taking her out to eat, and asking about her studies. Gradually, Zuo Xiaoqing's grievances subsided.

Since we can't get rid of Chen Hong, we should learn to accept her. At least Brother Guangming treats her well, and that's enough.

Moreover, Chen Hong is leaving tomorrow.

Thinking of this, Zuo Xiaoqing's steps became lighter.

"Xiaoqing is back." Wu Fang came out of the kitchen and greeted her with a smile. "Miss Chen is packing her luggage in her room. I'll go and call her now."

"Thank you, Sister Wu." Zuo Xiaoqing let go of Yang Guangming's hand. "I'll go help Sister Wu set the table."

She behaved very generously, like a sensible little sister. Yang Guangming looked at her, feeling a sense of relief. This girl was slowly growing up, even though the process was painful.

Ten minutes later, Chen Hong came out of the room.

She was wearing loungewear, a light gray cotton-linen suit, her hair loosely tied back. Seeing Zuo Xiaoqing, she smiled and greeted her, "Xiaoqing's back! Is school busy?"

"It's alright, it's only the beginning of military training, so it's not too tough yet." Zuo Xiaoqing smiled back. "Sister Chen Hong is leaving tomorrow, so I came back especially to see you off."

That was said sincerely, at least on the surface.

Chen Hong glanced at her, her eyes filled with gentle understanding: "Thank you, Xiaoqing. I haven't seen you much this past week, and I've missed you quite a bit."

“I miss you too.” After a pause, Zuo Xiaoqing said, “Next time you come to Beijing, let me know in advance, and I’ll come back to see you.”

The conversation between the two women was polite and restrained, with a subtle sense of balance.

Yang Guangming sat to the side without saying a word. He knew that this superficial harmony was already the best possible outcome.

Lunch was sumptuous.

The kitchen prepared six dishes and a soup: sweet and sour pork ribs, steamed sea bass, lettuce with oyster sauce, broccoli with garlic, mapo tofu, and a pot of old duck soup. They were all home-style dishes, but they tasted excellent.

The three of them sat around the dining table, and the atmosphere was more harmonious than expected.

"Sister Chen Hong, what time is your flight tomorrow?" Zuo Xiaoqing asked, placing a piece of pork rib on Chen Hong's plate.

"11 a.m.," Chen Hong said, taking the document. "Thank you. How are you adjusting to school? Military training must have been tough."

"It was indeed quite tough, but very interesting."

“Everyone’s like this at the beginning. You’ll get used to it, and it will pass quickly. Once the military training is over and you start taking acting classes, you’ll definitely like it even more,” Chen Hong encouraged. “Acting is a process of gradual accumulation. When I was at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, I was always criticized by my teachers in my first year, but I studied with great enthusiasm, mainly because I genuinely liked it.”

"Really?" Zuo Xiaoqing was a little surprised. "Sister Chen Hong, you are so beautiful and have such good acting skills. I thought you had always been excellent."

Chen Hong shook her head: "No, it's all from practice. When I first entered the Central Academy of Drama, my Mandarin was not standard and I had a hometown accent, which made my classmates laugh at me a lot."

The two women started talking about studying acting, and the atmosphere gradually warmed up.

Yang Guangming ate quietly, occasionally chiming in with a word or two, but mostly just listening to them talk.

He looked at Zuo Xiaoqing, this eighteen-year-old girl, who was trying to adapt to her new life and the new rules of the world of relationships. There was still innocence in her eyes, but a hint of resilience that she hadn't had before had appeared.

He looked at Chen Hong again. A twenty-six-year-old woman, beautiful, mature, and rational, she knew what she wanted and how to get it. In this relationship, she chose to compromise, but not in an endless retreat; rather, she achieved a wise balance.

Two women, two kinds of beauty, two kinds of personalities.

He loves them all and cherishes them all.

Lunch took almost an hour. After lunch, the three of them went to the tea room for tea.

The tea room was quiet, with only the sound of boiling water and the light clinking of teaware. Yang Guangming brewed a pot of Tieguanyin tea, its aroma wafting through the air.

Chen Hong held her teacup, gazing out the window at the courtyard. The chrysanthemums planted at the end of August had already bloomed, their golden petals unfurling in the autumn sunlight.

"Time flies," she said softly. "It feels like I just got off the plane yesterday, and I'm leaving tomorrow."

Zuo Xiaoqing sat opposite her, also looking out the window: "It's already very good that Sister Chen Hong was able to stay for so long this time. I heard that she's extremely busy with work in Hong Kong."

"I'm quite busy," Chen Hong nodded. "The box office of 'The Golden Age' is very good, and the company has given me a lot of commercial offers. President Shi said that I am now a key actor being cultivated by Asian cinema, and resources will be allocated to me."

She spoke calmly, but there was a hint of pride in her eyes.

Yang Guangming knew that Chen Hong's career in Hong Kong was indeed going very smoothly. "The Golden Age" grossed over HK$30 million, a result that pleased Shi Nansheng, as it was the first independently produced film in Asia. As the leading actress, Chen Hong's popularity naturally soared.

"Congratulations, Sister Chen Hong," Zuo Xiaoqing said sincerely. "I will definitely go see the movie you're in."

"Thank you." Chen Hong smiled, then turned to Yang Guangming, "Guangming, how's your new movie going? Has post-production started on 'Love'?"

"Editing has already begun," Yang Guangming said. "I check the rough cut once a day. We expect to finish the rough cut by the end of October, and then we'll work on the sound effects and color grading."

"Will you be able to attend Cannes next year?"

"There's still time. The deadline for Cannes to submit applications is next March, so we have plenty of time."

Chen Hong nodded, a hint of longing flashing in her eyes: "Cannes. I really want to go. Your film will be exhibiting next year, will you bring the main creative team again?"

“Of course.” Yang Guangming looked at her. “If you have time, you can go with me. Cannes is a very interesting place.”

"Really?" Chen Hong's eyes lit up. "Then I definitely have to make time for it."

Zuo Xiaoqing listened from the side, feeling a pang of sadness. She also wanted to go to Cannes, to walk the red carpet with Guangming, and to see the place where Guangming won the Palme d'Or.

But she knew she wasn't good enough. She was just a student and hadn't even acted in a proper movie yet.

This sense of disparity made her feel both envious and somewhat inferior.

Chen Hong noticed Zuo Xiaoqing's silence and asked softly, "Xiaoqing, do you want to go to Cannes next year?"

Zuo Xiaoqing paused for a moment, then shook her head: "I...I'm not qualified to go. I'm not one of the main creators of the film."

“Who said that?” Yang Guangming grasped her hand. “If you want to go, I can take you. Cannes isn’t just a festival for filmmakers, it’s also a paradise for film lovers.”

Zuo Xiaoqing felt a warmth in her heart, but still said, "Never mind, I'll still be a freshman in the first half of next year, and I need to study hard. I'll go with you after I've acted in a movie."

She spoke very seriously, her eyes filled with determination.

Looking at her, Yang Ming suddenly realized that this girl had truly grown up. She was no longer the little girl who only relied on him; she had begun to have her own plans and goals.

Chen Hong nodded approvingly: "Xiaoqing is right, studies are the most important thing. When you are ready, the opportunity will come naturally."

The atmosphere in the tea room was very warm and inviting.

Chen Hong put down her teacup and sighed softly. She took Yang Guangming's arm and rested her head on his shoulder.

"I really don't want to leave." Her voice was soft, filled with reluctance. "It's always like this, the time we spend together is too short, and the time we spend apart is too long."

Yang Guangming put his arm around her shoulder: "Work is important. Come and stay in Beijing for a while after you're done with this."

"I don't know when I'll be able to come again next time." Chen Hong closed her eyes. "I've already started negotiating my next film, and it will be finalized soon."

Her schedule is packed. As a rising actress, she has to seize every opportunity.

Zuo Xiaoqing felt a little uncomfortable looking at the two of them in such an intimate position. But she told herself that Chen Hong was leaving tomorrow, and she could just bear it.

Besides, she knew in her heart how good Guangming had been to her. That was enough.

"Sister Chen Hong, don't be sad," Zuo Xiaoqing said. "Come to Beijing after you finish filming. I might be on vacation by then, and we can go out and have fun together."

Chen Hong opened her eyes, looked at Zuo Xiaoqing, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, followed by a gentle smile.

“Okay,” she said. “Then it’s settled.”

The three chatted for a while longer, and the topic gradually shifted to movies.

Chen Hong suddenly remembered something and said half-jokingly, "Guangming, all the movies you make are art films, which are too demanding on the actors. Why don't you make a commercial film? Something lighthearted, like a romance or something."

She paused, then continued, "If you could make a movie and I could be the lead actress, that would be great. That way, we could spend a lot of time together, from preparation to filming, at least two or three months."

When she said this, her eyes were filled with longing, but her tone was light, as if she were talking about an unrealistic wish.

Zuo Xiaoqing became interested upon hearing this: "Yes, Brother Guangming, if you're making a movie, I'd love to have a role in it too. I don't need to be the lead actress, just a small part would be fine. I'd be happy just to work with you and spend some time with you."

Both women looked at Yang Guangming with expectation in their eyes, but also with understanding.

They knew that Yang Guangming made serious art films, aiming for awards. Chen Hong felt her acting skills weren't up to par, and Zuo Xiaoqing was a complete beginner. Their words were more of a wishful thinking than an expectation that they would actually come true.

But Yang Guangming's heart stirred upon hearing this.

This suggestion actually seems to have a chance of being implemented.

He remembered something.

Since acquiring ATV in Hong Kong, he has established a copyright company in Hong Kong, specializing in acquiring the film and television adaptation rights to various novels and screenplays. Under his direction, this company has quietly purchased the copyrights to numerous works both domestically and internationally.

One of his works is a novel published by Ridao this year, titled "Love Letter".

In the original timeline, this novel would have been adapted into a TV movie by the Japanese this year, and then, due to its immense popularity, it would have been released in theaters and become a classic.

The copyright company acted quickly, acquiring the global film and television adaptation rights through an agent shortly after the novel's publication.

Yang Guangming owns dozens of similar copyrights. He plans to film some himself, resell some at a higher price, and use others as investment projects.

"Love Letter" was not originally in his recent filming plans. He was more focused on serious subjects like "Love," and his goal was to win Cannes again.

But at this moment, after hearing what Chen Hong and Zuo Xiaoqing said, he suddenly felt that making a film called "Love Letter" wouldn't be bad.

This is a pure love story with a refreshing style and sincere emotions. It wasn't difficult to film, and the budget was low. More importantly, it was a perfect fit for Chen Hong and Zuo Xiaoqing.

Chen Hong could play the adult female lead, that quiet, reserved woman with a touch of melancholy.

Zuo Xiaoqing could play the second female lead in a school setting, portraying a lively, innocent, and passionate young girl.

As for the male lead...
Yang Guangming thought about it and realized that he could probably play the role himself.

He's too young, and there are very few roles that suit him, but this role is the perfect age for him. Moreover, if he were to star in it himself, the film would generate even more buzz.

More importantly, if he makes this film, he can work with Chen Hong and Zuo Xiaoqing for a month or two. This would be a precious time for the three of them to spend together.

Once the idea popped into his head, it quickly took shape in Yang Guangming's mind.

The post-production of "Love" will take time, but he doesn't need to be involved in the entire process himself. He has a break from October to December. The main filming of "Love Letter" will only take a month.

The main scenes can be filmed in Beijing, which is very convenient. The snow scenes can be reshot in Northeast China after it gets cold, depending on the situation.

This is a commercial film, and we could consider releasing it throughout Asia. If it's released in Japan, we can use the characters' original names from the novel; if it's released in other regions, we can change them to their Chinese names.

The box office performance should be good. In the original timeline, "Love Letter" had a high box office in Japan and a wide influence throughout Asia.

Moreover, making such a film is also good for his personal image—it proves that he can not only make serious art films, but also popular commercial films.

Yang Guangming's mind raced, but his face remained calm.

"You really want to make a movie with me?" he asked.

Chen Hong and Zuo Xiaoqing exchanged a glance and nodded.

"Of course I want to," Chen Hong said, "but I was just saying it casually, don't take it seriously. I know you're making movies that are aiming for awards, and my acting skills might not be up to par."

Zuo Xiaoqing also said, "I know I'm not qualified yet, but I can try my best to learn. Even if it's just doing odd jobs on set, as long as I can work with you."

Yang Guangming looked at them and smiled.

“What if I told you that I actually have such a script?” he said.

The tea room fell silent for a moment.

Chen Hong and Zuo Xiaoqing were both stunned.

"What?" Chen Hong was the first to react. "You have a suitable script?"

“Yes.” Yang Guangming nodded. “It’s a romance film, with a refreshing style and genuine emotions. There are two female leads, one in her adult form and one in her student days. I think you two are a perfect match.”

Zuo Xiaoqing's eyes widened: "Really? Brother Guangming, you're not kidding, are you?"

“I’m not joking,” Yang Guangming said seriously. “The novel is called ‘Love Letters,’ and it was just published by Ri Dao this year. My copyright company has already bought the adaptation rights. I wasn’t planning to film it anytime soon, but after hearing what you’ve said, I think now is the perfect time to film it.”

Chen Hong's heart started racing.

Working with Yang Guangming on a film was something she had always dreamed of. It wasn't just about spending time with him; it was also because starring in a film directed by Yang Guangming was a precious opportunity for any actor.

Yang Ming is now a Palme d'Or director; his films signify quality, attention, and the potential to win awards.

Although "Love Letter" sounds like a commercial film, not an award-winning film, as long as it's directed by Yang Guangming, it must have its value.

"Can I really play your leading role?" Chen Hong's voice trembled slightly. "Will my acting skills be up to par?"

“Of course you can,” Yang Guangming said confidently. “The female lead as an adult is introverted and quiet, with a lot of inner monologues. You have that quality, and I believe you can play the role well.”

He then looked at Zuo Xiaoqing: "The role of a girl in her student days is lively, innocent, and passionate. Xiaoqing, you have this side to your personality, and you are currently a student, so you are the closest to that character."

Zuo Xiaoqing blushed with excitement: "Brother Guangming, can I really do it? I've only just started learning acting."

“Acting can be taught and practiced,” Yang Guangming said. “The key is temperament and feeling. I think you’re suitable.”

Chen Hong took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down.

"And what about the male lead?" she asked. "Who plays the male lead?"

Yang Guangming smiled and said, "How about I play the role?"

"You're acting?" Chen Hong and Zuo Xiaoqing asked in unison.

“Yes.” Yang Guangming nodded. “I don’t act often, but this kind of art-house romance film isn’t too difficult. Besides, if I direct and star in it myself, it will generate buzz in terms of publicity.”

Chen Hong's eyes lit up.

If Yang Guangming were to direct and star in the film, it would garner even more attention. Moreover, acting opposite him is an opportunity many actors would dream of.

"When will this movie be filmed?" she asked, her voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement.

Yang Guangming thought for a moment: "The post-production of 'Love' won't take up too much of my energy. I can start preparing for 'Love Letter' now. If all goes well, we can start filming in October. A month should be enough time."

In October, Chen Hong mentally calculated her schedule. "I was originally scheduled to start filming a movie, but I haven't signed a contract yet."

She bit her lip and made a decision: "It's okay, I'll talk to President Shi and ask him to cancel that film. If I can act in your movie, I can put other films on the back burner."

Yang Guangming shook his head: "Don't turn down the role so easily. Talk to President Shi first and see if you can coordinate the schedule. If there's a real conflict, we'll figure something out."

“Okay, I’ll call Mr. Shi tonight.” Chen Hong then asked, “What about Xiaoqing? She still has to go to school.”

Zuo Xiaoqing also looked at Yang Guangming, her eyes filled with both expectation and worry.

Yang Guangming said to Zuo Xiaoqing, "Your scenes are mainly set during your student days, so the filming time won't be too long. I can film your scenes in one go, and it should be finished in about two weeks. Just ask the school for leave, and it shouldn't be a problem."

“I can ask for leave!” Zuo Xiaoqing immediately said. “Our homeroom teacher is very easy to talk to, and this is a movie shoot, a practical learning experience, so the school should support us.”

Yang Guangming nodded: "That's good. But the premise is that it can't interfere with too much of your studies. You need to catch up on them as soon as you finish filming."

"I definitely will!" Zuo Xiaoqing nodded vigorously.

That's how it was settled.

Chen Hong and Zuo Xiaoqing were both immersed in excitement. They never expected that a casual suggestion would actually come true.

Being able to make a movie with Guangming was something they never dared to dream of before.

"Guangming, where's the script?" Chen Hong asked anxiously. "Can I take a look at the script first?"

"I'll adapt the script tonight. I've read the original novel, so it shouldn't be too difficult to adapt. I'll give you a copy before you leave tomorrow."

"That's wonderful!" Chen Hong excitedly grasped his hand. "I will definitely perform well and not let you down."

Zuo Xiaoqing nodded vigorously: "Me too! I will definitely work hard!"

Seeing the two women's excited expressions, Yang Guangming was also very happy.

The decision to make "Love Letter" was not originally in the plan. But sometimes, spontaneous decisions can bring unexpected rewards.

This film should be a pleasant creative experience.

Moreover, working with Chen Hong and Zuo Xiaoqing for a month or two is an important opportunity for the three of them to get to know each other better.

On set, they were director and actor, working partners. This relationship might allow them to find new ways to get along.

"Alright, don't get too excited yet," Yang Guangming said with a smile. "The movie hasn't even started filming yet. You guys focus on your own tasks first. Chen Hong is going back to Hong Kong Island tomorrow to discuss scheduling with Director Shi. Xiao Qing is going back to school to focus on her military training and classes. I'll start making preparations here, and we'll officially begin once everything is ready."

"Yes!" they both replied at the same time.

The atmosphere in the tea room had completely changed. The previous slight sadness had been replaced by excitement and anticipation.

Chen Hong stopped worrying about tomorrow's separation, because she knew they would soon reunite on set.

Zuo Xiaoqing no longer only thought about the two of them after Chen Hong left, because she had something more to look forward to—making a movie with Brother Guangming.

This is a new beginning.

That evening, Yang Guangming locked himself in his study and began revising the script for "Love Letter".

He had read the original novel; the story was simple, but the emotions were very delicate.

Two people with the same name, Fujii Itsuki, one male and one female, developed a subtle connection during their middle school years because of their identical names.

After the boy transferred schools, the girl continued her ordinary life. Years later, the girl, Fujii Itsuki, learned that the boy, Fujii Itsuki, had died in a mountain accident, and that his fiancée, Watanabe Hiroko, was being pursued by him because she resembled the girl, Fujii Itsuki.
The story, told through correspondence, reveals a secret crush from adolescence that was never spoken of.

The film retains the core structure of the story, but moves the setting from Japan to China.

Both the boy and girl are named Su Shu, a simple Chinese name. The story takes place in a small northern town in the early 1990s.

The scenes depicting the high school years can be filmed at a school in Beijing. The scenes depicting the adulthood can be filmed in Beijing and Northeast China.

Yang Guangming portrays the male protagonist as a quiet and introverted boy who loves to draw and secretly draws portraits of girls in the books in the library.

The girl has a lively and cheerful personality, and because of the awkwardness of having the same name as the boy, she is both curious and somewhat resistant to him.

The adult female protagonist has become quiet and reserved, working in a library. She receives a letter from the boy's fiancée, which prompts her to reminisce about the past and slowly uncover a long-buried history.

The boy's fiancée, Hiroko Watanabe, is named Lin Wei in the adapted version; she is a gentle yet persistent woman.

Yang Guangming decided to play the male lead, Su Shu.

The male lead doesn't have many scenes as an adult; he mainly appears in flashbacks and letters. He has more screen time during his middle school years, as the naive high school student Su Shu.

His current age is close to that of high school student Su Shu, and with a little makeup, he could easily play the adult Su Shu.

Chen Hong plays the adult female lead, Su Shu, a quiet and reserved woman who works in a library. Lin Wei, who resembles Su Shu, is also played by Chen Hong.

Zuo Xiaoqing plays Su Shu, the female lead in high school, a lively and cheerful girl.

The script adaptation went very smoothly.

Yang Guangming writes very quickly, completing the first draft in one night. Although it still needs polishing and adjustments, the basic framework is already in place.

The next morning, Yang Guangming handed the printed script to Chen Hong.

"This is the first draft, please take a look," he said. "After returning to Hong Kong Island, have a good talk with Mr. Shi. If the schedule is okay, we will proceed as planned."

Chen Hong took the script with the care of someone handling a precious treasure.

“I’ll definitely watch it carefully,” she said. “I’ll watch it on the plane tonight.”

Zuo Xiaoqing also received a script. She took the day off this morning to stay and deliver it to Chen Hong. She didn't have the ability to ask for leave herself, but Yang Guangming did.

"Sister Chen Hong, have a safe journey. See you on set!" Zuo Xiaoqing said.

"See you on set." Chen Hong hugged her. "Prepare well, and let's work hard together once filming starts."

Yang Guangming escorted Chen Hong to the airport.

On the way, Chen Hong kept reading the script. She read it very carefully, sometimes frowning in thought, sometimes smiling.

“This role is very good.” She looked up at Yang Guangming and said, “I can understand the quiet sadness in Su Shu as an adult. Lin Wei has to portray a different feeling, which is very difficult.”

“I believe you can do a good job,” Yang Guangming said. “It’s quite challenging for you to play two different roles. You need to carefully study the differences between the two characters and bring them to life in your performance. I believe you have the ability.”

"I will definitely prepare well." Chen Hong was determined to play these two roles well.

Upon arriving at the airport and completing the check-in procedures, Chen Hong had to go through security.

She turned and hugged Yang Guangming tightly. (End of Chapter)