Writing songs for Liu Yifei is quite simple, based on her vocal characteristics and her average singing skills.

Link copied down several sweet songs, including "You Exist in My Song," "Cotton Candy," "Hello, Tomorrow," "A Heart's Wish," "Love's Offering," "Little Happiness," and a total of 10 songs.

But after he handed the songs over to Song Ke and the team, Zhang Yadong, who was in charge of producing the album, looked at him helplessly. Having heard Liu Yifei sing before, he could only say she was slightly better than an average person. However, Link had written so many high-quality songs for her to sing, which felt like a bit of a waste.

With someone else singing, these songs might sweep the nation like Link's previous two albums. Letting Liu Yifei sing them would be a lot less certain.

Link reassured the team, saying that Liu Yifei was only 18 this year and had a lot of potential in singing. The company could arrange for music teachers to coach her during the recording process so she could improve through practice. The more she practiced, the better she'd sing.

For the album's big sales, Song Ke could only agree.

However, a few days later, Liu Yifei complained to Link over the phone, saying that practicing singing was too difficult. She had to practice for a long time daily, so much that her throat went hoarse, and even then, the teacher said she wasn't up to standard.

Link told her that she wasn't classically trained and lacked foundational vocal skills. If she wanted to sing the songs well and win the fans' love and admiration, she'd have to practice more before recording the album, striving to sing the songs as well as possible.

Liu Yifei agreed, saying the songs he wrote were excellent. When she heard the music teacher sing them, they sounded amazing. She promised she wouldn't waste his great songs and would take practice seriously.

Link told her to keep at it.

"Link, take another look at the script. You're really perfect for the role of the second prince."

Director Zhang Yimou said after seeing him hang up the phone.

Link looked at the younger-looking Director Zhang with some resignation. Last time, out of courtesy, he had personally called the director, apologizing for being too busy to perform and asking for understanding.

But Director Zhang urged him on the phone to reconsider the script, saying that the role of the second prince Yuan Ke was tailor-made for him—even the name matched his.

Link said he genuinely didn't have the time.

He had assumed that Director Zhang had given up and instead sought Jay Chou for the role, changing the name to Yuan Jie.

To his surprise, Director Zhang showed up at Sports University the next day, continuing to discuss the script, saying that after much thought, he still believed Link was the perfect fit for the role of Yuan Ke.

The second prince character was strong, handsome, masculine, highly skilled in martial arts, and radiated an air of dominance—all qualities fitting for Link. No one else could play the part as well.

"Director Zhang, it's not that I don't want to act, I truly don't have the time."

Link ticked off his schedule on his fingers. In May, he had a match for the contender title of Boxing King; if all went well, in July, he'd compete in the World Boxing Champion challenge. In August, it would be the World Athletics Championships, and in October and November, there would be two sporting events.

Director Zhang furrowed his brows into a series of ridges. "Are June and September free? If you agree to play the role, I can adjust the schedule just for you. Besides, this film has a budget of 400 million. We're aiming to use it as a vehicle to break into Hollywood, exporting Huaxia culture abroad. It's a patriotic endeavor, much like your participation in sports events. Think it over."

Link was speechless. Was this gentlemanly coercion?

As for breaking into Hollywood, he had zero interest. When he was in Hollywood back then, half the actors in the industry were struggling under him. Forget breaking into Hollywood; he had once dominated there.

Besides, he recalled that "Curse of the Golden Flower" didn't perform well in foreign box offices, lagging behind Director Zhang's earlier works "Hero" and "Ambush from Ten Sides."

This indicated that Director Zhang's aspirations had fallen short.

In 2009, Director Zhang had invested heavily in "The Flowers of War," aiming to break into Hollywood, only to fail again.

His third attempt, "The Great Wall," was a complete loss.

If the director for these three movies weren't Director Zhang, another person would have been scolded out of the industry by investors long ago.

And now Director Zhang was back.

But Link couldn't advise him, nor did he have the standing to do so. He simply wanted to keep as far away from Director Zhang's projects as possible.

"Director Zhang, I'm sorry, I genuinely don't have the time. Even though June and September are competition-free, I can't afford to slack on training."

"10 million! Link, I'll offer you 10 million as a fee, how about it?"

Director Zhang held up a finger and clenched his cheek as he spoke.

Link shook his head. 10 million yuan might be a fortune for most people, but to him, it was mere seconds of earnings—those seconds wouldn't exchange for a month of his time.

Besides, back in his Hollywood days, his highest per-film fee had reached 120 million US dollars. 10 million wouldn't even secure him as a cameo.

"15 million! Link, even top-tier male actors in the industry can't earn this much right now."

Director Zhang clenched his cheeks tightly, looking like he might devour someone.

"Director Zhang, it's not about the fee..."

"20 million! 20 million, as a favor to me, what do you say?"

Director Zhang pleaded.

Link rubbed his chin, feeling conflicted. The director had resorted to pulling the "personal favor" card. If he didn't accept, it might be seen as disrespectful, closing the door on future collaborations.

"Director Zhang, I don't quite understand your reasoning. I'm just a singer and an athlete. I've never acted before, nor do I have any acting skills. At best, I have some fame. There are plenty of stars like me in the country—take Jay Chou, Wu Yanzu, or Xie Tingfeng, for example. They'd be great choices too. You think I'm worth 20 million?"

Link asked.

"You are worth it! Link, I see great potential in you. I also believe you can master this role. So, what do you say? Would you consider collaborating this once?"

Director Zhang looked at him with earnest hope.