Chinese Director, Interstellar Sensation

Yu Jing, a seasoned director from the 21st century, dies and reincarnates into the body of a twenty-two-year-old rookie filmmaker in the year 2669. The new host shares his name but possesses no mental power, leaving him powerless against his father, Yu Sui’an, a celebrated but cold director, and his stepmother, Yao Qing. The original Yu Jing was treated as an outcast in his own home, while his half-brother, Yu Bai, born to Yao Qing, was doted upon as the family’s precious heir. Upon waking at a banquet hosted by the influential Hua Fan, Yu Jing is immediately targeted by Li Mingwan, a wealthy but vulgar man who attempts to force-feed him alcohol while making inappropriate advances. Instead of submitting, Yu Jing violently retaliates, smashing a liquor bottle over Li Mingwan’s head. When his father demands he apologize to protect family connections, Yu Jing exposes the truth in front of the guests, revealing his father’s neglect and the incestuous origins of his family structure, which shocks the attendees and ruins Yu Sui’an’s reputation.

After the incident, Yu Jing realizes he has been disowned and left with nothing but a dilapidated apartment in a demolition zone. He discovers that in this interstellar era, humanity has migrated from the mythical Mother Star, Blue Star, and holds an obsessive fascination with its lost culture. However, modern interpretations of Blue Star history are flawed, mixing ancient traditions with futuristic technology in absurd ways. Recognizing an opportunity, Yu Jing decides to return to his profession by creating authentic short films depicting the true culture of ancient Huaxia. He accesses a system that rewards him with items from the 21st century, including a suona, and uses free image authorizations from debutant actors to produce his content without needing a budget.

His first work, titled "Lovesick Red Beans," is submitted to a popular short video contest on the Tianxuan platform. The story follows a poor beggar named Er Gou who is taken in by a noblewoman, Qinglian, and falls in love with her through poetry and quiet devotion. The film captivates the audience with its authentic depiction of ancient Chinese aesthetics, poetry, and restrained romance, standing in stark contrast to the violent and anachronistic content typically produced in this era. The video goes viral, climbing the rankings rapidly and drawing millions of viewers who are emotionally invested in the tragic romance. The sudden fame attracts the attention of established stars, including Film Empress Song Rong, who notices the lead actress, Meng Xiaofeng, dressed in the period costume from the film.

However, Yu Jing’s success triggers jealousy among his competitors. A rival director, Kang Li, reports Yu Jing’s account to the platform, claiming vote-brushing, which results in a temporary freeze on his backend. Despite this setback, the authenticity and emotional depth of his work continue to resonate with the public. The finale of "Lovesick Red Beans" depicts a devastating tragedy where Qinglian, misled by rumors and pressured by her father, marries another man only to find her true love dead in battle. She hangs herself in the bridal sedan, leaving the audience in shock and despair. The brutal ending sparks intense discussion and emotional breakdowns among viewers, who had grown accustomed to happy endings. The controversy drives the video to the top of the charts, establishing Yu Jing as a rising star in the galaxy’s entertainment industry.

As his influence grows, Yu Jing’s films begin to challenge the societal norms of the Donghua Federation. His depiction of ancient social structures, particularly the oppression of women and the suffocating nature of feudal etiquette, resonates deeply with younger audiences and students at the Yaoguang Academy. Yu Manman, a student, presents an analysis of the film to her professor, interpreting the "man-eating" nature of ancient Huaxia not as literal cannibalism, but as a metaphor for a society that consumed individual freedom and happiness. Yu Jing’s arrival marks a turning point in the galaxy’s cultural landscape, as he introduces narratives that force society to confront its own values and the lost history of its ancestors.