Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

Filming went smoothly. Chen Chen was completely immersed in the role, handling every detail perfectly. Zhang Yu watched from behind the monitor, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him—the better she acted, the more guilty he felt. Because he knew how much of her performance at that moment was genuine emotion—that unease, that loneliness, that fear of the unknown—perhaps not just the character's, but also her own.

During halftime, Chen Chen went to the rest area and took the warm water Huang Ying handed him. Huang Ying was wearing a purple dress with a light gray shawl, her makeup simple and elegant, like a caring older sister. She looked at Chen Chen with concern in her eyes: "Chen Chen, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Chen Chen forced a smile. "I'm just a little tired."

“Zhang Yu, he…” Huang Ying hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.

"Don't mention him to me." Chen Chen interrupted her, his voice soft but firm. "Sister Huang Ying, all I want to do right now is focus on filming. As for the rest... we'll talk about it after I finish this project."

Huang Ying looked at her and sighed inwardly. This girl, whom she had watched grow up, was experiencing the most painful moment of her life—falling in love with someone she shouldn't have, knowing full well it was a pit of fire, yet still jumping in, and now she was being burned all over.

“Okay, let’s not talk about him.” Huang Ying held her hand. “But Chenchen, you must remember that no matter what happens, I will be by your side.”

Chen Chen looked at her, his eyes reddening, but he held back his tears: "Thank you, Sister Huang Ying."

Not far away, Zhang Yu watched this scene, a strong urge welling up inside him—he wanted to go over, to hug her, to tell her that everything would be alright. But he couldn't. Because the one causing her pain was himself.

"Director Zhang." A gentle voice interrupted his thoughts.

Zhang Yu turned his head and saw Bai Bing standing behind him. Today, she was wearing a light gray suit skirt with a white silk shirt underneath. Her long hair was tied in a low bun, her makeup was light, and her temperament was aloof. But Zhang Yu noticed that the top two buttons of her shirt were undone, revealing her delicate collarbone and a line of snow-white skin. The kind of restrained sexiness she exuded was more alluring than Zeng Li's straightforwardness.

"Bai Bing, what's wrong?" Zhang Yu asked.

"I'd like to ask you for leave," Bai Bing said calmly. "I have an advertisement to shoot tomorrow, and I need to go to Shanghai for a day."

"Okay." Zhang Yu nodded, "But you have a scene the day after tomorrow, so don't miss it."

"No, I won't." Bai Bing paused, looking at him. "Director Zhang, are you... alright?"

This question came as a surprise. Zhang Yu was taken aback: "Why do you ask that?"

“You look very tired,” Bai Bing said softly. “Your eyes are bloodshot and you have stubble on your chin. You must not have slept well last night.”

She spoke in great detail. Zhang Yu looked at her; this aloof woman had been observing him all along.

"Being busy with work is normal," Zhang Yu said casually.

“It’s not just work, is it?” Bai Bing’s voice was even softer. “There are also… those women. Director Zhang, don’t you feel tired? Navigating between so many women, dealing with their flirtations and schemes.”

She was too direct. Zhang Yu looked at her for a long time, then smiled: "Bai Bing, are you worried about me?"

Bai Bing's face flushed slightly, but his expression remained calm: "I just...don't want to see you get hurt. There are some dangerous women in this industry; they want more than just roles."

"For example, Zeng Li?" Zhang Yu asked.

“Not just her,” Bai Bing said. “Yang Mi is also in danger. She’s too smart and too calculating. And… Song Qian, although she’s young, she’s very persistent and easily goes to extremes.”

She was right about everything. Looking at her, Zhang Yu suddenly realized that this aloof woman might not be as cold as she seemed on the surface—she saw things very clearly and thought things through very thoroughly.

"Thanks for the reminder," Zhang Yu said. "I'll be careful."

Bai Bing nodded, turned to leave, but stopped: "Director Zhang, may I ask you a question?"

"Just ask."

"Do you love Senior Chen Chen?" Bai Bing asked directly.

Zhang Yu was silent for a moment: "Love."

"Then why hurt her?" Bai Bing's voice held confusion, and also... a hint of jealousy that she herself didn't realize.

Zhang Yu looked at her, the mole under his left eye clearly visible in the drizzle: "Some things can't be explained by just saying 'love.' Bai Bing, you're still young, you don't understand."

“I’m not young anymore.” Bai Bing shook his head. “I’m twenty years old. I know what love is, and I also know what hurt is. Director Zhang, if you really love Senior Chen Chen, you should stay away from those women and treat her well.”

She spoke so earnestly, so naively. Zhang Yu smiled, a bitter smile: "Bai Bing, this world isn't black and white. Sometimes, you know it's wrong, but you have no choice but to do it."

"Why?" the soldier asked, puzzled.

“Because…” Zhang Yu paused, “because in the adult world, there are many things we are not in control of.”

After he finished speaking, he turned and walked towards the monitor, leaving Bai Bing standing alone. The drizzle soaked her suit jacket, but she was oblivious, simply watching Zhang Yu's retreating figure with a complex expression in her eyes.

This man is like a profound book; every page turned reveals a new mystery. And she has unknowingly become captivated by him, wanting to understand him, wanting... to possess him.

This realization startled her, but she quickly calmed down—perhaps this was fate. Even knowing it was fire, she still wanted to rush towards it.

The afternoon filming took place on a "Republic of China Street" within the Ming and Qing Palace complex. The scene depicts Lin Shuwan getting lost on the streets of Shanghai, accidentally entering a bookstore, and reuniting with Gu Jiangnan.

The set was exquisitely set up—a cobblestone path lined with buildings in the style of the Republic of China era, old books displayed in the bookstore window, and a wooden sign reading "Moxiangzhai" hanging at the entrance. Extras dressed in long gowns and cheongsams walked the streets, and rickshaws occasionally passed by; everything was recreated with extreme realism.

Chen Chen changed into a moon-white cheongsam with a light blue knitted cardigan over it. Holding a map in her hand, her face showed the anxiety and helplessness of a lost girl. She walked back and forth on the street, glancing at the map and street signs from time to time, her bewildered expression very realistic.

"Cut!" Zhang Yu called out, "Very good! Prepare for the scene inside the bookstore!"

The staff began setting up the bookstore interior. Zhang Yu walked over to Chen Chen and said softly, "You acted very well, especially that sense of bewilderment; it was very realistic."

Chen Chen glanced at him, his eyes cold: "Thank you, Director Zhang."

Her aloofness was like a knife, piercing Zhang Yu's heart. But he didn't show it, and just continued to explain the scene: "In the next scene in the bookstore, you need to act out the surprise and relief of 'meeting an old friend in a foreign land.' Lin Shuwan is very lonely and scared at this time. When she suddenly sees Gu Jiangnan, it's like seeing a lifeline."

"I understand." Chen Chen nodded, but his eyes remained indifferent.

Zhang Yu looked at her, then suddenly reached out and grasped her hand: "Chen Chen, can we...?"