The Movie Emperor Came from the Republic of China

In the autumn of 1937, Yu Qiubai, the leading star of the pear garden, closed his eyes on Shanghai's grandest stage. The cause of death was unknown.

When he opened his eyes again, he had transmigrated into the body of an internet-wide punching bag, a notorious "attention-seeker."

# C-list Yu Qiubai faints for attention yet again # was trending at the top of the hot search list.

Even the director of some no-name assembly-line web drama angrily threw the script down in front of him: "You need eyedrops just to cry? If you can't act, we'll replace you!"

Yu Qiubai, who once drew crowds that emptied the streets whenever he took the stage: ???

He felt his empty wallet, then raised his eyes. The peerlessly elegant Republican-era opera star let his gaze drift, and a trembling tear drew the whole room into silence.

*

Behind-the-scenes footage from the low-budget web drama Dream of the Pear Garden was released.

In the still of night, a young man in a blue robe casually broke off a plum blossom and looked back. Every frown and smile captivated the soul. Netizens called it a textbook example of heart-wrenching vulnerability.

His breathtaking Kunqu singing, like jade shattering on the mountain, moved veteran artists in the industry to tears. They exclaimed that the future of the art was in good hands.

Yu Qiubai became an overnight sensation across the internet.

He loved the prosperity and peace of the new age even more than he loved the fact that actors, once considered the lowest of the low, had finally gained the right to be treated as people.

He had meant to quietly study his scripts, coast through old age on his acting skills (crossed out, get rich ✓), and completely forget his past life.

But at the awards ceremony where he won Best Actor, someone cornered him backstage.

The up-and-coming director Gu Zhizhou, rumored to keep everyone at arm's length, gripped his wrist bone and pressed him step by step, saying something shocking.

"What, Boss Yu? You personally taught me how to get into character at the Paramount back then, and now you're pretending not to recognize me?"

*

Everyone knew Director Gu was exceptionally talented and had an equally exceptional temper, but was terrified of driving.

What they didn't know was that one stormy night, he had driven a hundred miles without stopping, just to bring the great actor Yu back from the set, where he'd stayed up all night studying his role.

Gu Zhizhou had two regrets in life:

First, that he had fallen for an unfeeling, heartless actor.

Second, that he had been on a mission and could only watch helplessly as the man passed away, the sound of his phoenix flute fading into the distance.

Fortunately, Heaven took pity on him and gave him a chance to make things right.

[I want this glittering world of fame and fortune to listen as I sing of all the demons and all the faces of humanity]

-- Yu Qiubai

[Reader's Guide]

1. A long, prominent career storyline. A gentle, beautiful, powerful yet tragic bottom, paired with a cold, abstinent director as the top.

2. Extremely melodramatic, with countless misunderstandings in their past lives, and a rekindled romance.

3. A famous Republican-era opera star transmigrates into the modern entertainment industry. A true actor outshines the idols, and the protagonists are passionate about their work, with plenty of stories within stories.

Theme: The bones of an old Republican-era dream live on in the play; today, the grand stage rises once more.