Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

Zhao Liying's performance surprised Zhang Yu. She had no lines; she simply squatted by the "well" washing clothes, but her gaze drifted into the distance, a shy smile playing on her lips. Her washing movements gradually slowed, finally stopping completely, her entire being immersed in a fantasy. She portrayed the shyness and humility of a young girl in the throes of first love very realistically.

Especially at the end, she suddenly woke up, realized she had been daydreaming, and hurriedly sped up her washing of clothes, her cheeks flushed—that detail was handled very well.

"Very good." Zhang Yu rarely showed an approving smile. "You have a good eye for details."

Zhao Liying's eyes lit up: "Really? Thank you, Director Zhang!"

She was as happy as if she had won the lottery, skipping and hopping away. Her simple yet vibrant silhouette, clad in light blue coarse cloth, was striking.

The auditions continued, and the performances of the later newcomers were mediocre. After all the auditions were finished, Li Xiaoming asked, "Director Zhang, which one do you think was the best?"

Zhang Yu thought for a moment: "Gulinaza is suitable for Xinjiang dancers, Tang Yan is suitable for singers, and Zhao Liying... is suitable for the maid Xiao Cui."

"Zhao Liying, that extra?" Li Xiaoming was somewhat surprised. "She does have talent, but she lacks experience and connections. Isn't it risky to use her?"

“Acting is about talent, not background,” Zhang Yu said. “Moreover…this industry should give opportunities to talented people.”

Li Xiaoming glanced at him and smiled: "Director Zhang, you're really... kind-hearted. Okay, I'll go with you. Let's settle on these three people then."

The audition ended at four in the afternoon. Zhang Yu walked out of the theater and saw several actresses taking photos by the Bian River—it was a rare good day, with bright sunshine and a gentle spring breeze.

"Director Zhang!" a clear voice called out to him.

Zhang Yu turned his head and saw Dilraba running towards him. She was wearing a white dress today, her long hair was slightly curled, her makeup was exquisite, and her features were three-dimensional and deep, with the unique beauty of a Xinjiang girl. She was only seventeen years old and a freshman at the Shanghai Theatre Academy. This time, she came to Hengdian with her senior, Gulnazar, to broaden her horizons.

"Reba, is something wrong?" Zhang Yu asked.

"Director Zhang, can I take a picture with you?" Dilraba's eyes were big and bright, like two black grapes. "I really admire you! I want to be an actress in the future and learn from you!"

She spoke very directly and enthusiastically. Zhang Yu nodded: "Of course."

Dilraba happily stood beside him, asking her friends to take photos. While taking the pictures, she naturally linked arms with Zhang Yu, their bodies very close. Her body, beneath the white dress, was young and beautiful, exuding a unique girlish fragrance.

"Director Zhang, you're so handsome!" Dilraba exclaimed, her eyes sparkling, after the photo shoot. "You're even more handsome than on TV!"

Zhang Yu smiled: "You're very pretty too. Study hard, and you'll have opportunities in the future."

"Yes!" Dilraba nodded vigorously. "Director Zhang, after I graduate, can I act in a movie with you? I promise I'll act well!"

"We'll talk about it after you graduate," Zhang Yu said.

Dilraba wanted to say something, but Gulnazar came over and said, "Dilraba, don't bother Director Zhang. Director Zhang, I'm sorry, this child is too enthusiastic."

"It's alright," Zhang Yu said. "It's a good thing that young people are enthusiastic."

Gulnazar pulled Dilraba away. Zhang Yu watched their retreating figures, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him—another new star's mark had been touched: Dilraba's adoration, Dilraba's passion.

The pace of progress was accelerating, but the emptiness in his heart was growing ever larger.

At six o'clock in the evening, work was finished. Zhang Yu returned to the hotel and, as soon as he entered the lobby, saw Wang Likun sitting on the sofa in the lounge area. Today, she was wearing a light blue dress, her long hair was loose, her makeup was light, and her temperament was as fresh as a lotus emerging from water. She was a senior at the Beijing Dance Academy and had already filmed several commercials, and was looking for opportunities to enter the film and television industry.

“Director Zhang.” Wang Likun stood up when she saw him. “I am Wang Likun. President Li asked me to come and see you. He said there is a role he would like me to try out for.”

Zhang Yu remembered—Li Xiaoming had mentioned that morning that a friend's daughter wanted to act and asked him to take a look. He hadn't expected it to be Wang Likun.

"What role?" Zhang Yu asked.

"They say there's a well-bred young lady in 'A Family of Scholars' who can dance," Wang Likun said. "I've been dancing since elementary school, and I've done ballet for over ten years. Director Zhang... could you give me a chance?"

Her eyes were clear and her posture elegant as she spoke; she was clearly a well-educated girl. The light blue dress accentuated her snow-white skin and slender, graceful figure, making her resemble an elegant swan.

"Come for the audition tomorrow morning," Zhang Yu said. "Bring your dance materials."

"Thank you, Director Zhang!" Wang Likun smiled happily. "I definitely won't let you down!"

After she finished speaking, she bowed slightly, turned, and left. Her silhouette in the light blue dress was elegant and captivating under the hotel lights.

Watching her leave, Zhang Yu felt a wave of weariness wash over him—another one. When will this game ever end?

He returned to his room, took a shower, and changed his clothes. Sitting at his desk, he opened the script, but couldn't concentrate on a single word. His mind was filled with the day's events—Chen Chen's indifference, Bai Bing's seriousness, Zhao Liying's naiveté, Dilraba Dilmurat's enthusiasm, Wang Likun's elegance...

Every woman is a unique sight, every woman approaches him in her own way, and every woman... could become his shining mark.

But does he really want these things?

he does not know.

All he knew was that from the moment he awakened those memories, he embarked on a path of no return.

My phone rang. It was a text message from Chen Chen, very brief: "I have something to do tomorrow, please take the day off."

Zhang Yu felt a pang of pain in his heart as he read the text message. She didn't even want to see him anymore.

He replied, "Okay. Get some rest."

After replying to the text message, he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. The star-shaped birthmark under his left eye felt slightly warm; he could feel the starlight imprints flowing within him—Chen Chen's pain, Bai Bing's persistence, Yang Mi's scheming, Zhao Liying's admiration, Dilraba Dilmurat's passion, Wang Likun's elegance...

Every emotion was a fire burning within him, giving him strength while also scorching his conscience.

The progress has reached 108 out of 18. But with each starlight mark he collects, his guilt deepens, and he moves further away from Chen Chen.

Is this game really worth it?

he does not know.

All he knew was that he had no way out.

Outside the window, Hengdian's night scene is ablaze with lights. In the distance, the sounds of a film crew shooting a night scene drift in; the director yells "Cut!" and the actors laugh.

Everything felt so familiar, yet so strange.

Zhang Yu walked to the window, gazing at the city that never sleeps. Everyone here is acting, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. And he is both the director and the protagonist of this grand drama.

I just don't know how this play will end.

All he knew was that he had to keep acting.

Whatever the cost.