Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

She paused, then looked at Zhang Yu: "Director Zhang is a good director, and it's an honor to work with him. But this has nothing to do with personal feelings."

She spoke in a very official and proper manner. But Zhang Yu could hear the distance in her words—she was drawing a line between them in front of everyone.

Zeng Li clearly understood, and she smiled: "Ms. Chen is truly a professional. Come, let me toast you and learn from you."

The two clinked glasses, and the atmosphere became lively again. But Zhang Yu could sense that Chen Chen's eyes dimmed for a moment after he finished his drink.

Halfway through the dinner, Li Xiaoming suggested playing a game—Truth or Dare. This is common at dinners in the entertainment industry, often a good opportunity to build rapport and create ambiguity.

Zhang Yu was the first one to be turned to. Li Xiaoming asked with a smile, "Director Zhang, truth or dare?"

Zhang Yu glanced at Chen Chen, but she kept her head down, playing with her chopsticks, and didn't look at him. "Truth or dare."

"Great!" Li Xiaoming's eyes lit up. "Then I'll ask you something really exciting—among all these beautiful women here, who do you think best matches your ideal partner?"

This question was too harsh. Everyone looked at Zhang Yu, their gazes varied. Zeng Li's eyes were expectant, Li Xiaoran's were gentle, Bai Bing's were complicated, Yang Mi's were playful, Liu Shishi's were concerned... while Chen Chen remained with his head down.

Zhang Yu was silent for a moment, then smiled: "President Li, this is too difficult a question. Everyone here is outstanding, each with their own unique charm. If I had to choose..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the women's faces before finally settling on Chen Chen: "I choose a woman like Shen Qingwan—beautiful on the outside, resilient on the inside, knowing how to persevere and also how to make sacrifices."

He phrased it cleverly, answering the question without offending anyone—he referred to "a woman like Shen Qingwan," not a specific person. But everyone knew that Shen Qingwan was played by Chen Chen, and he was looking at Chen Chen when he said that.

Chen Chen finally raised her head and met his gaze. At that moment, her eyes held surprise, emotion, and... a deeper pain.

"Well said!" Li Xiaoming clapped. "No wonder you're a director, even your answers are so artistic! Come on, let's drink!"

The game continued. Zeng Li was next, and she chose Truth or Dare. Li Xiaoming told her to choose one of the men present and drink a toast together.

Without hesitation, Zeng Li chose Zhang Yu. She stood up, holding her wine glass, walked to Zhang Yu's side, wrapped her arm around his, and pressed her body very close. The neckline of her burgundy suit skirt was slightly open, and from Zhang Yu's angle, the edge of her black lace lingerie could be seen.

"Director Zhang, please give me your guidance." Zeng Li's voice was charming, and her eyes were alluring.

Zhang Yu could feel the gazes of the others at the table—Chen Chen turned his face away, Bai Bing's eyes turned cold, Yang Mi had a half-smile, and Li Xiaoran frowned slightly. But he couldn't refuse; these were the rules of the game.

The two drank a toast together. After finishing her drink, Zeng Li didn't leave immediately. Instead, she leaned down and whispered in his ear, "Director Zhang, my room number is 1806. Tonight... I'll be waiting for you."

She spoke softly, but softly enough for those nearby to hear. Chen Chen's body visibly stiffened.

Zhang Yu didn't respond, only offering a polite smile. Zeng Li didn't seem to mind, smiling as she returned to her seat.

The game continued, the atmosphere growing increasingly lively and ambiguous. The White Soldier was turned and chose truth. Someone asked her, "Of all the men here, who do you like the most?"

Bai Bing remained silent for a long time, then said, "Director Zhang. Because he... understands me."

She spoke simply, but sincerely. Everyone could hear the deeper meaning in her words. Zhang Yu looked at her; she lowered her head, her ears turning red.

When Yang Mi was turned around, she chose the most exciting dare—to kiss anyone in the room for three seconds.

Everyone held their breath. Yang Mi stood up, her gaze sweeping across everyone's faces, and finally... she walked towards Chen Chen.

"Ms. Chen, do you mind?" she asked, her eyes filled with provocation.

Chen Chen was stunned. Everyone was stunned. Actresses kissing was still quite a sensational thing in this day and age.

"Miss Yang, this..." Li Xiaoming tried to smooth things over.

"The rules of the game," Yang Mi smiled, leaning down to look at Chen Chen, "Miss Chen, you dare not?"

Chen Chen looked at her, then glanced at Zhang Yu. Zhang Yu's eyes were complex, containing surprise, worry, and... a hint of indescribable emotion.

“Okay,” Chen Chen suddenly said.

She stood up, and the two stood facing each other. Yang Mi was slightly taller than her, and she lowered her head slightly to kiss her lips. The kiss was light and quick, truly only three seconds. But everyone present was stunned.

As they parted, Yang Mi licked her lips and smiled like a child who had just pulled off a prank: "Miss Chen's lips are very soft."

Chen Chen's cheeks flushed, but her expression remained calm. She sat back down in her seat, not looking at anyone.

Zhang Yu's hand holding the wine glass trembled slightly. At that moment, a strong emotion surged within him—not anger, but... an indescribable restlessness. Watching two beautiful women kiss was too stimulating, too... alluring.

The game continued in an eerie atmosphere. But Zhang Yu could sense that, ever since that kiss, the undercurrents on the table had become even more turbulent.

The dinner didn't end until 10 PM. As everyone gradually left, Zhang Yu offered to take Chen Chen back to school. When the two reached the restaurant entrance, Yang Mi chased after them.

"Director Zhang, Ms. Chen, wait a minute." She had drunk quite a bit today; her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her eyes were a little glazed. "Could I hitch a ride? I live not far from the Beijing Film Academy."

Chen Chen didn't speak, but looked at Zhang Yu. Zhang Yu nodded: "Okay."

The three got into a taxi. Chen Chen sat in the front, while Zhang Yu and Yang Mi sat in the back. After the car started moving, Yang Mi naturally leaned on Zhang Yu's shoulder.

"Director Zhang, I feel so dizzy..." Her voice was soft and weak, tinged with drunkenness.

Zhang Yu could feel the softness and warmth of her body, and smell the perfume mixed with the scent of wine on her. Chen Chen, sitting in the front row, stared out the window, his back stiff.

"Where do you live?" Zhang Yu asked, his voice a little hoarse.

"Shayaoju Residential Area..." Yang Mi gave an address, then practically pressed herself against Zhang Yu, "Director Zhang, you're so warm..."

Her hand had somehow landed on Zhang Yu's leg, and he could feel the warmth of her palm through his pants. Zhang Yu stiffened, but didn't push her away.

In the front row, Chen Chen's phone rang. She answered, "Hello, Huang Ying... um, it's over... on my way back... okay, got it."

Her voice was calm, but the knuckles of her fingers holding the phone were white.

The car first arrived at Shaoyaoju. When Yang Mi got out of the car, she staggered, and Zhang Yu had to help her. She practically clung to Zhang Yu, her red lips close to his ear: "Director Zhang, would you like to... go upstairs and sit for a while?"

Her invitation was obvious. Zhang Yu glanced at Chen Chen in the car; she was still looking out the window, as if she hadn't heard anything.