Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

"Then why did you do that?" Chen Chen's voice trembled slightly. "Why did you hug Song Qian? Why did you let her kiss you? Why did you let me see it?"

Following Yang Mi's instructions, Zhang Yu lowered his head, revealing a tired and confused expression: "I don't know... Chen Chen, I'm very tired and confused lately. This movie, these actresses, these complicated relationships... I don't know how to handle it."

He looked up at Chen Chen, a rare vulnerability in his eyes: "Sometimes I feel like I've become someone I don't even recognize. I hate it, but I don't know what to do."

He spoke very sincerely because half of what he said was true—he was indeed very tired, very confused, and he really hated himself.

Chen Chen looked at him, her eyes softening: "Zhang Yu..."

“I came to see you today not just to apologize,” Zhang Yu continued. “I also wanted to tell you… I might need some help. I don’t know how to deal with Yang Mi; she seems… to have feelings for me. And Zeng Li, and others… I feel like I’m about to be overwhelmed.”

He spoke like a helpless child. Chen Chen's heart softened completely—the Zhang Yu she loved had always been strong and confident, rarely showing such a vulnerable side. This meant he was truly tired and truly needed her.

"How can I help you?" she asked softly.

"Stay by my side." Zhang Yu held her hand. "Remind me when I'm lost, pull me back when I make mistakes. Chen Chen, I need you."

He was telling the truth. He truly needed her, not just for the Starshine Mark, but also because he genuinely loved her.

Chen Chen looked at him, and tears streamed down her face again. But this time, they weren't tears of sadness, but tears of heartache. She grasped his hand tightly: "I will. Zhang Yu, I will always be by your side."

A wave of intense guilt washed over Zhang Yu. He had taken advantage of her kindness and her love. How despicable!

But he can't stop.

“And…” he continued, “if Yang Mi or any other actresses do anything excessive, don’t be angry. That’s not what I want, it’s them… I don’t know what to do either.”

He was laying the groundwork for his upcoming "pursuit." Chen Chen nodded: "I understand. I won't blame you, Zhang Yu. I know you had no choice."

When she said she had "no choice," her eyes showed deep understanding and heartache. Zhang Yu was shocked—she really believed him, she really forgave him.

This realization filled him with both relief and pain. Relief that the plan had succeeded, and pain that he had deceived her.

“Thank you, Chen Chen,” he said softly.

"You're welcome." Chen Chen wiped away his tears and forced a smile. "We're one, aren't we? Your difficulties are my difficulties, your pain is my pain."

She spoke with such sincerity. Zhang Yu could no longer restrain himself, stood up, walked to her side, and embraced her. Her body beneath the light gray sweater was soft and warm, carrying her unique fragrance.

"I'm sorry..." he whispered in her ear, "I'm sorry..."

He didn't know why he was apologizing—was it for today's deception? Or for more deception in the future? Perhaps both.

"It's okay." Chen Chen hugged him back, her voice soft. "Zhang Yu, I just hope... no matter what happens, you won't forget who you were at the beginning. The Zhang Yu who studied diligently in the library, focused on filming on set, and was happy because of my smile."

She was referring to him last year, before his memories awakened and before the game began. Zhang Yu closed his eyes, a strong longing welling up inside him—how wonderful it would be to go back to that time.

But there's no going back.

He could only keep moving forward, keep playing the game, keep collecting Starshine Marks, keep... hurting the people he loved most.

This is his choice.

The library's closing bell rang. The two packed their things and left. Walking through the campus late at night, Zhang Yu held Chen Chen's hand, like an ordinary couple.

“Zhang Yu,” Chen Chen suddenly said, “I read that letter…”

Zhang Yu's heart tightened: "Which letter?"

"The letter you wrote to me last year, but never sent," Chen Chen said softly. "It's very well written. I love every single word in it."

Zhang Yu remained silent. The man in that letter was sincere and pure. He could no longer write such a letter.

"If I told you that I still think that way now, would you believe me?" he asked.

“I believe you.” Chen Chen nodded. “Because I believe that no matter how you change, deep down you are still Zhang Yu who writes love letters.”

She spoke with such conviction. Zhang Yu looked at her; in the night, her face was as clean as the first snow, and her eyes as clear as a lake under the moonlight.

Perhaps Yang Mi is right—a girl like Chen Chen is someone you'll never find again.

But he had already missed his chance. From the moment he started this game, he was no longer worthy of her purity and sincerity.

He could only continue acting, playing the "helpless" Zhang Yu, the Zhang Yu who needed her to save him.

This is his fate.

When she escorted Chen Chen to his dormitory building, she stood on tiptoe and gently kissed him on the lips.

"Goodnight, Zhang Yu," she whispered. "Tomorrow is another day."

"Good night." Zhang Yu watched her walk into the dormitory building, and only turned and left after her figure disappeared.

As Zhang Yu walked back to his dormitory, the mole under his left eye gleamed faintly in the night.

He could feel that Chen Chen's starlight mark had brightened a little more—her forgiveness, her understanding, her love, made that mark even more dazzling.

But at the same time, he also felt that something within him was dying—perhaps his conscience, perhaps his sincerity, perhaps... his bottom line as a human being.

But he had no choice.

Of the 108 starlight rays, he had only collected less than ten.

The road ahead is long, and he can only keep moving forward.

These are the rules of the game.

This is his choice.

Whatever the cost.

……

On February 21, 2000, Beijing was shrouded in a languid atmosphere following the Lantern Festival. A light rain the previous night had washed away the remnants of snow from the previous days, and the streets were damp, reflecting the morning light. Zhang Yu, holding a cup of black coffee, stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows on the seventeenth floor of the Rongxinda Building, looking down at the streets gradually coming to life.

This afternoon at 2 PM, the press conference and media briefing for the launch of "A Family of Scholars" will be held at the Wangfujing Hotel. Li Xiaoming began building hype a week ago, inviting over thirty media outlets nationwide and proclaiming it "the most anticipated Republican-era drama of the year." What truly attracts attention, however, is the star-studded cast—Chen Chen, Zeng Li, Li Xiaoran, Bai Bing, Yang Mi, Liu Shishi, Shu Chang, Song Qian… almost encompassing all of today's most promising young actresses.