Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

Zhang Yu looked at her; she was stunningly beautiful in her burgundy bodycon dress, but there was genuine gratitude in her eyes.

“I’m not doing this for you,” Zhang Yu said. “I just don’t like being threatened.”

Zeng Li smiled, a smile much more genuine than usual: "Anyway, thank you. If you need any help in the future, just let me know."

After she finished speaking, she gave Zhang Yu a deep look, then turned and left. Zhang Yu could sense that this woman's feelings for him had evolved from simple desire and exploitation to a touch of genuine appreciation.

Was this an unexpected bonus? He didn't know.

The dinner continued, the atmosphere growing increasingly lively and chaotic. Some people, drunk, started singing loudly; others whispered secrets to actresses; still others discussed shady deals in a corner. Watching all this, Zhang Yu felt a surge of intense disgust—this was the entertainment industry; beneath its glamorous surface lay filth and decay.

"Director Zhang, may I have a drink with you?" a soft voice asked.

Zhang Yu turned his head and saw Li Xiaoran standing beside him. Today, she was wearing a beige knitted dress with a light gray shawl over it, exuding a gentle and intellectual air. Compared to the other heavily made-up women in the private room, she resembled a pure and elegant lily.

"Of course." Zhang Yu raised his glass.

The two clinked glasses and took a sip of wine. Li Xiaoran said softly, "Director Zhang, you need to be careful about what happened with President Wang earlier. That man is very influential in the industry; offending him could cause trouble later."

“I know,” Zhang Yu nodded, “but some principles cannot be compromised.”

“You’re right,” Li Xiaoran smiled. “But in this industry, sticking to principles often comes at a price. Director Zhang, you’re a talented person, don’t let these things ruin you.”

She spoke very sincerely. Zhang Yu looked at her: "Miss Li seems to know a lot about this industry?"

“I entered the industry a few years earlier than you and have seen too much.” Li Xiaoran’s eyes dimmed. “Some people will do anything to get ahead, some people have their lives ruined by unspoken rules, and some people have lost themselves in fame and fortune… Director Zhang, you are still young, talented, and have ideals. I hope you can go further and last longer.”

She spoke as if she were an older sister giving advice to her younger brother. A warm feeling welled up in Zhang Yu's heart—in this hypocritical setting, someone had finally spoken a word of truth.

"Thank you, Ms. Li," Zhang Yu said sincerely.

"Just call me Xiao Ran." Li Xiao Ran smiled. "Alright, I won't bother you anymore. Miss Chen Chen is watching you over there, you should go over there soon."

Zhang Yu turned his head and saw Chen Chen sitting on the sofa in the corner, looking at him with concern. He nodded to Li Xiaoran and walked towards Chen Chen.

Halfway there, Yang Mi stopped him. She had drunk quite a bit, her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were hazy, and she looked even more alluring than usual.

"Director Zhang, I want to dance with you." She grabbed Zhang Yu's hand, her tone coquettish.

There were indeed people dancing in the private room—several investors, drunk, were swaying on the dance floor with their arms around actresses. The music was languid jazz, and the lighting was dim and ambiguous.

"Miss Yang, you've had too much to drink." Zhang Yu tried to pull his hand away.

"I'm not drunk." Yang Mi didn't let go, but instead pressed herself against him. "Director Zhang, you promised to cooperate with me. Now, I want to dance with you, so everyone can see."

She spoke softly, but firmly. Zhang Yu knew this was part of the deal—she was to flirt with him in public and create buzz.

He glanced at Chen Chen in the corner; she was looking at them with a pained expression. Zhang Yu felt a pang of pain in his heart, but still nodded: "Okay."

The two stepped onto the dance floor. Yang Mi immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her body tightly against his. Beneath her deep red velvet halter dress, her body was soft and warm, and her curves could be felt through the thin fabric. Her breath brushed against his neck, carrying the scent of alcohol and perfume.

"Director Zhang, you smell so good," Yang Mi whispered in his ear, her lips almost touching his ear.

Zhang Yu's body stiffened, but he still cooperated by putting his arm around her waist. He could feel the gazes around him—Zeng Li's jealousy, Bai Bing's coldness, Li Xiaoran's worry, and... Chen Chen's pain.

"Yang Mi, that's enough," he said in a low voice.

“Not enough.” Yang Mi laughed, her laughter as alluring as a fox’s. “Director Zhang, you have to remember—in this scene, I am the pursuer, and you are the pursued. You have to act troubled, but unwilling to push me away. Now, hold me tighter.”

As she spoke, she pressed her body even closer. Zhang Yu could feel the softness of her breasts pressing against his chest, and he could smell her perfume, which was even stronger. At this moment, he was truly troubled—not pretending, but genuinely.

The music changed to a slower love song. Yang Mi buried her face in his shoulder and whispered, "Director Zhang, you know what? Sometimes I feel like we're really alike. We're both struggling in this dirty industry, both living behind masks, both...lonely."

When she said "lonely," there was a genuine vulnerability in her voice. Zhang Yu looked down at her; her profile was breathtakingly beautiful under the lamplight, but there was an indescribable weariness in her eyes.

"Do you feel lonely too?" he asked.

“Of course.” Yang Mi smiled, but the smile was somewhat bitter. “Everyone thinks I’m smart, beautiful, and ambitious. But they don’t know that smart people are the loneliest because they see things too clearly; beautiful people are the loneliest because they don’t know if others like their face or their personality; and ambitious people are the loneliest because they have to calculate all the time and can’t have genuine feelings.”

She spoke very truthfully. Looking at her, Zhang Yu suddenly realized that this woman might not be as cold-blooded as she appeared—she also had her vulnerabilities and her loneliness.

"Then why do you still play this game?" he asked.

“Because I have no choice.” Yang Mi looked up at him. “In this circle, if you don’t play, you’ll be played. I’d rather be a player than a pawn.”

She spoke so directly. Zhang Yu looked at her, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him—perhaps they really were the same kind of people, both playing a game they couldn't control.

As the music ended, Yang Mi stepped back, but her fingers remained on his shoulder. She looked at him, her eyes glazed over: "Director Zhang, tonight...would you like to come to my place? We can continue 'discussing the script'."

When she said "discussing the script," her tone was ambiguous. Zhang Yu knew this was part of the deal—she wanted to create a bigger buzz, to make everyone think they were being ambiguous.

But this time, he hesitated. Because Chen Chen was watching, because... he didn't want to hurt her any further.

"Yang Mi, I..."

"Director Zhang!" A crisp voice interrupted him.

Zhang Yu turned around and saw Song Qian running towards him. She had drunk quite a bit, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were shining like stars: "Director Zhang, I want to dance with you too!"

As she spoke, she pushed her way between the two men and grabbed Zhang Yu's hand. She looked youthful and vibrant in her light pink sweater, but her movements were somewhat clumsy—she was clearly drunk.

"Song Qian, you've had too much to drink." Zhang Yu frowned.

"I'm not drunk!" Song Qian shook her head, then looked at Yang Mi, "Sister Yang Mi, could you lend me Director Zhang for a moment? Just for one dance!"