I became a movie star at the age of three; Dilraba and I are childhood sweethearts.

A few days later, the crew of "Farewell My Concubine" officially started filming in an old theater on the outskirts of Beijing.

Chen Kaige sat behind the monitor with a furrowed brow.

The staff walked very quietly, as if afraid of disturbing the immersive experience.

Xiao Chen had already changed into his costume.

He wore an old, faded cloth shirt, which made his small face look even more fragile.

At this moment, he was kneeling in front of the ancestral tablet of the opera troupe's founder, his body ramrod straight.

According to the plot, the master was to use a ruler to slap his hand hard, forcing him to recite the line, "I am a delicate woman, not a man."

The clapperboard snapped with a sharp crack, and everyone's hearts leaped into their throats.

"Ready!"

The veteran actor playing the master raised the ruler, his eyes sharp.

Xiao Chen lowered his head, his eyelashes casting a shadow under his eyes.

Snapped--!

The ruler landed firmly in his palm, leaving a red mark instantly.

It hurts.

But Xiao Chen only trembled slightly, his stubbornness almost overflowing in his eyes.

He raised his head, met his master's gaze, and recited it again and again in a muffled child's voice.

"I was born... a man."

Snapped--!

one more time.

"I was originally..."

Snapped--!

Behind the monitor, Chen Kaige's brows furrowed, but he didn't call for a halt.

That's the kind of drive he's looking for.

I'd rather break than bend.

Not far away, Leslie Cheung, dressed in a long gown, quietly watched this scene.

He looked at that small figure and, in a daze, seemed to see the future Cheng Dieyi.

That loneliness and stubbornness were portrayed so vividly by a seven-year-old child.

Xiao Chen is a born drama fanatic.

Just like him.

This scene was filmed seven times before it was approved, and Xiao Chen's palms were already red and swollen.

His assistant rushed over to put an ice pack on him, but Xiao Chen shook his head.

She sat quietly to the side, continuing to immerse herself in the character's emotions.

Several days passed like this, and the crew gradually got used to Xiao Chen's crazy, almost manic, acting style.

That afternoon, Xiao Chen had just finished filming a scene where he was bullied by his senior classmates.

With tear stains still on her face, she sat alone on a small stool, lost in thought.

Suddenly, a figure rushed in.

It's Anita Mui!

She looks completely different from a few days ago.

Gone was that composure and elegance; her face was also stained with tears.

Anita Mui ignored everyone's gaze and walked straight through the crowd.

Just as Chen Kaige was about to ask what was going on, Leslie Cheung quickly went to greet him.

"Amei? What's wrong?"

Mei Yanfang acted as if she hadn't heard him, walked past him, and rushed straight to Xiao Chen.

Before the eyes of the entire crew, this stunningly beautiful pop diva knelt down in front of Xiao Chen and then hugged him tightly.

Xiao Chen was completely stunned.

Mei Yanfang's voice choked with emotion.

"Little friend... no! My benefactor!"

"You are my benefactor for life!"

Everyone on set was stunned.

What's going on?

Leslie Cheung stood to the side, his expression shifting.

"Amei, what exactly happened?"

Mei Yanfang took a deep breath, her gaze towards Xiao Chen filled with unspeakable gratitude.

"Brother, I listened to what Xiaochen said."

"After returning from the film set last time, I felt uneasy, so I turned down two gigs and went to the hospital for a full checkup."

Her voice began to tremble.

"The results...the results are in."

Leslie Cheung's heart was in her throat.

Mei Yanfang closed her eyes briefly, and a tear slid down her cheek.

"It's cancer."

Cervical cancer.

With a loud bang.

Leslie Cheung felt his mind go blank. He instinctively grabbed the wall to keep from collapsing.

His voice was so dry it didn't sound like his own.

"What did you say?"

Mei Yanfang suddenly opened her eyes.

"but!"

She reached out and grasped Leslie Cheung's cold hand.

"The doctor said it's in the very early stages! The cancer cells haven't spread yet!"

"He said I was incredibly lucky; if it had been another month later..."

"No, if it had been just half a month later, the consequences would have been unimaginable!"

"The doctor said that the cure rate is now almost 100%."

As she spoke, Mei Yan turned around and looked at Xiao Chen solemnly.

"Xiao Chen, you saved my life!"

"You gave me a second life!"

Leslie Cheung stared blankly at Xiao Chen.

The pretty child reached out and wiped Mei Yanfang's tears with his sleeve.

"Don't cry, sister."

"As long as you're healthy, that's good."

On the surface, Xiao Chen was still trying to remain calm, but inside he was experiencing a huge uproar.

It worked!

He truly changed Anita Mui's fate!

And... what about my brother?

Seeing the man in front of him with reddened eyes because his best friend had been saved, a flame ignited in Xiao Chen's heart.

perhaps.

This world could truly have fewer regrets because of his arrival.

Leslie Cheung gradually calmed down, walked to Xiao Chen's side, and squatted down.

He didn't ask you how you knew.

He dared not ask, nor did he want to ask.

Some things are miracles, and delving too deeply into them would only desecrate that good fortune.

Leslie Cheung reached out and gently ruffled Xiao Chen's hair, his eyes filled with a complex yet tender expression.

"Every time I see you acting..."

"Seeing you so purely passionate about something."

"I just feel like the world... isn't so bad after all."

Mei Yanfang nodded vigorously, suddenly overwhelmed by a strong impulse.

"elder brother."

"After we finish filming this movie, let's hold a concert together, okay?"

Leslie Cheung paused for a moment, then smiled.

"OK."

Then, the two of them looked at Xiao Chen at the same time.

Anita Mui held his hand, her eyes full of expectation.

"Xiao Chen, would you like to be our guest?"

"My sister wants to introduce my little benefactor to everyone on stage in person."

The rest of the crew held their breath.

To be a guest at a concert by two legendary superstars?

This is something no artist would even dare to dream of!

Their brand awareness will increase many times over!

Xiao Chen didn't agree immediately, but instead calculated the time in his mind.

His role in "Farewell My Concubine" will last for a maximum of two more months.

He will then go to the United States to promote the release of "Home Alone".

The timing should be just right.

After thinking it over, he looked up and gave a bright smile.

"OK!"

"Thank you, brother! Thank you, sister!"

……

Two months passed quickly.

Xiao Chen's last scene in the "Farewell My Concubine" production was when Xiao Douzi and Xiao Laizi escaped from the opera troupe.

After watching a real performance of Farewell My Concubine in the freezing cold, he walked back to the opera troupe on his own.

That was the scene where the character completely resigned himself to his fate.

As Xiao Chen walked barefoot onto the artificial snow, step by step, back to that heavy door.

His face was expressionless, and his eyes were so empty it was heartbreaking.

"Click!"

Chen Kaige stood up, walked over himself, and wrapped Xiao Chen in a thick coat.

"Good job, kid, your scene's wrapped up!"

Everyone in the crew applauded, their faces showing reluctance to part.

In just two months, Xiao Chen has amazed them in many ways.

At Xiao Chen's wrap party, Leslie Cheung gave him a long hug.

"Xiao Chen, until we meet again."

"We're waiting for your concert."

Xiao Chen nodded vigorously.

The day after he finished filming, news arrived from the United States.

Home Alone has completed all post-production and is scheduled for release on Christmas Day, soon to be shown throughout the United States.

The promotional period is about to begin.

Xiao Chen bid farewell to the harsh winter of Beijing and once again boarded a flight to Los Angeles.