Huayu: Reborn in 97, transferring to the Central Academy of Drama's star-studded class

Yinchuan, the city of Western Xia.

During the Ming Dynasty, a military fortress was built here. It was the closest Ming Great Wall defense system to the Yellow River and was known as "the first city on the Yellow River".

Outside the city lies the vast Gobi Desert. The high temperature of October distorts the air, making the soft sand on the ground shimmer with a hazy golden hue. Even the Helan Mountains stretching across the horizon look like a mirage.

The movie "The Samurai" was filmed here.

Zhang Ziyi was dressed in Hanfu and was sweating profusely. The bright sun made people feel tired, but she forced herself to stay awake and held her small face up.

"I must return to the capital immediately. If you can escort me back, you will be richly rewarded!"

Dressed as a general, with a weathered face, Zhu Zhenmo replied solemnly, "Now that we have rescued the princess, it is our duty to protect you!"

He was speaking very seriously, but his Korean-accented Mandarin was really strange.

The movie is about the early Ming Dynasty. The Ming envoy to South Korea was killed. South Korea was afraid of being attacked, so they sent a group of envoys to the Ming Dynasty to explain. But Zhu Yuanzhang wouldn't listen to their nonsense and exiled them all to the desert.

These South Korean envoys, while in exile in the desert, happened to encounter a Ming Dynasty princess who had been kidnapped by remnants of the Yuan Dynasty. General Joo Jin-mo, a South Korean, devised a plan to rescue the princess and ease tensions between the two countries.

In the end, the princess returned home safely, and the Koreans were almost completely wiped out.

The ending was good. It allowed us, as the suzerain nation, to mourn for the Koreans for a moment—just a moment, that's enough.

"Cut! @#@￥%￥@%#!"

The director rambled on and on, which Zhang Ziyi couldn't understand, but she knew it was time to rest.

Just as she was about to leave, Joo Jin-mo walked over and cautiously said, "Hey~"

Zhang Ziyi frowned and turned around, thinking, "Isn't this hot weather annoying?"

She asked as politely as possible, "Hello, is there anything I can help you with?"

Joo Jin-mo gestured, "I... um, I have ice water, do you want a drink?"

Zhang Ziyi remained expressionless, even slightly a little amused. Although Sister Ying had recently asked her to practice English, saying it would help her go international, what kind of good English could she understand instantly?

She confidently replied, "Thank you, I don't need it!"

After saying that, she turned and left, feeling quite pleased with herself, thinking how fluent her English was.

After walking a few steps, a burly man with a respectable appearance called out from under a parasol not far away, "Little Zhang! Come and have a piece of watermelon!"

Zhang Ziyi glanced at it, then skipped over, "Okay, Brother Yu!"

Eating a slice of watermelon on a hot day is incredibly refreshing, and she picked up a slice without hesitation and started eating it.

This burly man is Yu Rongguang, who plays a Mongolian general in the movie. He pointed to the crew members and asked, "Those Koreans didn't bully you, did they?"

"Don't worry, Brother Yu, no one is bullying me. Besides, if anyone does bully me, I'll beat them up!"

Zhang Ziyi wrinkled her nose and threw a punch with a charming air, as if to say that she was very powerful.

Yu Rongguang smiled kindly, as if looking at his own daughter. It's easy to be ostracized and bullied when filming on foreign film sets. Sometimes, even when filming with people from Hong Kong and Taiwan, it's the same. He knows this all too well.

Fortunately, this little girl has a strong personality, and...

He looked toward a campervan in the distance, and the girl's agent was no pushover either.

I don't know where they pulled some strings to get the title of producer from Beijing Film Studio. Even though it was a Korean-led production team, they managed to fool these people into submission.

"Brother Yu, I'll take two more slices of watermelon."

Yu Rong snapped out of her daze. "Oh, okay, okay! Take it, I have plenty more if it's not enough."

"No need, thank you, Brother Yu!" Zhang Ziyi said, grabbing a piece in each hand and running happily towards the RV.

"Sister Ying! Eat some watermelon..."

Zhang Ziyi pushed open the door of the RV, and tears almost fell down her face.

The air conditioner was blowing gently, providing the most comfortable temperature. Yingjie was lying lazily on the bed, her eyes half-closed, in a sleeping Buddha-like posture.

On the small table next to me were grapes, each one plump and still covered in frost, and in the wine glass was bubbling Sprite, refreshing and invigorating.

Most importantly, the driver, Xiao Liu, was massaging Ying Jie's shoulders and legs. Don't get me wrong, Xiao Liu is a girl. Who knows how much effort Ying Jie put into finding a girl who could drive a campervan?

"Sister Ying, you're so comfortable." Zhang Ziyi closed the door, pouted, and walked over. "Here, have some watermelon, and Xiao Liu too."

Yingjie lazily raised her eyelids. "Fine, put it there."

The girl, Xiao Liu, also thanked her softly.

After placing the watermelon on the table, Zhang Ziyi picked a grape and ate it with a "miemie" sound.

"Oh, right." Ying opened her eyes, "I've already asked the crew for leave. You'll be coming to Shanghai with me tomorrow."

Zhang Ziyi recalled for a moment, "Was it for shooting the cover of ELLE China?"

"Yes, we contacted them back in April or May, but then something happened, so it's been delayed until now."

"Can I not go?"

"What?!" Sister Ying sat up straight. "Didn't I tell you? With this photo, you'll be the first mainland Chinese actress to grace the cover of a top fashion magazine."

Sister Ying pushed Xiao Liu aside, sat down cross-legged, and counted on her fingers: "Works! Fashion! Endorsements! These three points are the standards for measuring a female star's commercial value and industry status. This system isn't popular in mainland China yet. By the time it becomes popular, it will be too late to compete!"

"You already have the work, all that's left is fashion and endorsement resources. Don't worry, I'll definitely make you the number one female star in the country!" Sister Ying patted her chest confidently.

Zhang Ziyi, propping her chin on her hand and leaning on the table, didn't seem too concerned about that. "Where is Jiang Lai now?"

"What a disappointment!" Yingjie pouted and lay back down. "They're filming in Zhuhai."

"Can I visit him on set?"

"Go wherever you want after the cover shoot," Yingjie waved her hand dismissively. "You don't say a word when you can see me, but you miss me when you can't. How pretentious!"

Zhang Ziyi didn't pay attention to Yingjie's complaints. In the first two dramas, Jiang Lai was by her side, so she didn't feel anything. But now that he's not in the new drama, she feels empty inside.

If the other person stays still, then take a step closer.

......

Magic City.

The Suzhou Creek has been completely transformed.

The dark, sticky, stinking ditch has transformed from stagnant water into flowing water, becoming much clearer. Duckweed floats on the surface, and upon closer inspection, one can even see small fish and shrimp swimming around.

New high-rise buildings have sprung up on both sides of the river, and people walk along the shore laughing.

Compared to before, it seems that the Suzhou Creek is now truly coming back to life.

Zhou Xun followed in the crowd, her petite figure appearing almost inconspicuous.

Humans are strange creatures; we always tell ourselves to look forward, yet we are unconsciously trapped in a certain period of time.

She stood by the river, watching the ripples spreading across the water, and took out her phone to dial a number.

"Feed? Guess where I am right now?"

"How am I supposed to guess that?"

"I'm on this side of the Suzhou River."

What are you doing there?

"Um...promoting my new movie."

"Why is it that every time we contact each other, you're promoting your new movie?"

"Wow, bro? You think everyone comes from a wealthy family like you? Of course, small-time actors like us have to work hard to get roles."

"Don't be like that, you're a big star, not some nobody."

Zhou Xun smiled; it seemed that every time she joked with him, her mood would improve considerably.

"The Suzhou Creek... has changed, but I still prefer it the way it used to be."

There was no sound on the other end of the phone, just a lot of noise.

Are you filming a movie?

"Oh right, they're filming here in Zhuhai."

Zhou Xun thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, "I heard you broke up with her?"

As if startled, the person on the other end of the phone quickly explained, "That's not true! Who told you that?"

"Tch! Rumors have been circulating for ages, saying you two are like strangers and have probably broken up."

"No, no, it's all just a rumor, a rumor."

Zhou Xun twirled a strand of hair with her fingers, a smirk playing on her lips. "I thought I had a chance to rise to the top."

"Ahem... What are you saying?"

"Alright, I'm not teasing you anymore. Bye-bye."

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Xun held the phone and looked out at the river.

Zhuhai...