Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

“Ms. Zeng, I need your explicit support for me at tomorrow’s press conference.” Zhang Yu put down his wine glass. “In return, I can guarantee that your scenes in this film will not be cut, and... I will recommend you for a role in Director Chen Kai’s new film.”

Zeng Li's eyes lit up: "Director Chen's new movie? You know him?"

“We’re fellow students at the Beijing Film Academy, so we have some connection,” Zhang Yu said casually. “That drama is casting for the second female lead, and your image is perfect for it.”

This is the truth. In her past life's memories, Zeng Li did indeed act in one of Chen Kaige's dramas. Although her role was small, it was a significant turning point in her career. Zhang Yu simply brought that point forward.

Zeng Li stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed: "Zhang Yu, you're a devil. You know what I want most, and you use that to tempt me."

“This is a transaction, not a temptation,” Zhang Yu said. “You help me, I help you. It’s fair and reasonable.”

“Okay.” Zeng Li picked up her glass and clinked it with his. “Deal. But Zhang Yu, let me warn you—President Wang is a vindictive man. If you refuse his attempts to send you someone today, he’ll find another way to get back at you tomorrow. You’d better be careful.”

"Thanks for the reminder." Zhang Yu downed his drink in one gulp.

As they were leaving the coffee shop, Zeng Li suddenly grabbed his wrist: "Zhang Yu, if... if none of that messy stuff had happened, would you like me?"

Her eyes were unusually sincere. Zhang Yu looked at her; this woman, who had struggled in the entertainment industry for many years, was actually quite lonely inside and longed to be loved.

"Yes," Zhang Yu said. "You are beautiful, intelligent, and charming. Any man would like you."

"how about you?"

“I…” Zhang Yu paused, “I like you, but I don’t love you enough.”

He spoke very directly. Zeng Li smiled, a smile that held both relief and bitterness: "That's enough. At least you're telling the truth. Zhang Yu, do you know? In this circle, the truth is more precious than gold."

She let go of his hand and turned to leave. Her silhouette in the burgundy dress swayed gracefully in the hotel corridor, like a rose blooming in the night.

Zhang Yu stood still, the star-shaped birthmark under his left eye slightly warm. Zeng Li's star-like mark shone even brighter—it was a complex emotion, a mixture of desire, admiration, resentment, and a trace of sincerity.

---

At 10 PM, on the streets of Hengdian

Zhang Yu didn't return to the hotel immediately, but instead wandered aimlessly along the streets outside the film studio. The March nights in Jiangnan were still a bit chilly, the wind carrying the scent of earth and plants. The streets were lined with various small shops—prop rentals, costume customization, extras agencies, and 24-hour stalls selling spicy hot pot and barbecue.

He saw a familiar figure in front of a barbecue stall.

Zhao Liying sat at a small table in the far corner, with several skewers of grilled chives and a bottle of beer in front of her. She was wearing the same white shirt she had worn during the day, with a gray knitted cardigan over it. Her hair was tied in a low ponytail. She was sipping her beer, her eyes fixed on her phone screen, her brows furrowed.

Zhang Yu walked over and sat down opposite her.

Zhao Liying was startled, and her face immediately turned red when she saw who it was: "Director Zhang... what are you doing here?"

"I couldn't sleep, so I came out for a walk." Zhang Yu glanced at her phone screen, which displayed today's news reports about the financial crisis. "Looking at this?"

“Yes.” Zhao Liying nodded, her eyes serious. “Director Zhang, I believe you. Those reports are all nonsense.”

"Why do you trust me so much?" Zhang Yu asked. "We've only known each other for a few days."

“Because you gave me the opportunity,” Zhao Liying said simply. “I worked as an extra for a year and met dozens of directors, but only you were willing to look at me seriously and give me the opportunity to audition. A person like that can’t be a bad person.”

Her certainty filled Zhang Yu with a strong sense of guilt. This girl was too naive, so naive that she took even the smallest act of kindness as an immense favor.

“Zhao Liying,” Zhang Yu said earnestly, “in this industry, don’t easily trust anyone, including me. Everyone has their own agenda, and behind every act of kindness may lie a scheme. You must learn to protect yourself.”

Zhao Liying looked at him, her eyes sparkling: "Director Zhang, what is your purpose?"

Zhang Yu was stunned. He hadn't expected this seemingly innocent girl to ask such a pointed question.

“My goal…” he paused, “is to make a good movie, to tell the story I want to tell. But in the process, I might hurt some people, or take advantage of others. Zhao Liying, I’m not the kind of good person you think I am.”

“I know.” Zhao Liying actually nodded. “Director Zhang, I’m not a child anymore. I’ve been in Hengdian for a year and seen too much. I know this industry is dirty and complicated. But that’s precisely why the respect you’ve shown me is so precious.”

She took a sip of beer and continued, "Director Zhang, do you know? My hometown is Langfang, Hebei. My parents are ordinary workers. When I came to Hengdian, I only had 500 yuan in my pocket. I lived in the cheapest shared apartment, ate the cheapest boxed meals, and went to the film set at three in the morning every day to wait for work. Sometimes I wouldn't get a single role all day and would just stand in the sun all day."

“Once, I played a palace maid who was killed. I lay on the ground for six hours because the director said we had to wait for the best lighting. When I got up, my body was covered in ant bites, but I only earned fifty yuan that day. That night I hid under the covers and cried, wanting to go home and give up.”

“But I still went the next day. Because I was unwilling to give up.” Zhao Liying’s eyes were filled with tears, but she was smiling. “Director Zhang, you gave me more than just a role. You gave me hope. You let me know that as long as I work hard and don’t give up, I will be seen one day.”

Zhang Yu listened quietly. This girl's story was a microcosm of the countless dream chasers in this industry. Humble, tenacious, like grass growing from a crack in a rock.

"Zhao Liying, you will succeed," Zhang Yu said. "You have talent, resilience, and... the most precious thing: sincerity. Keep going, and one day, everyone will see you."

"Really?" Zhao Liying's eyes lit up.

“Really.” Zhang Yu nodded. “I guarantee it with my director’s eye.”

Zhao Liying smiled happily, a smile as pure as the spring sunshine. Suddenly remembering something, she pulled a small notebook from her bag: "Director Zhang, could I... could I ask you for an autograph? My roommates are all your fans; they know I've spoken to you, and they're so envious."

Zhang Yu took the notebook and signed his name. After thinking for a moment, he wrote another line: "To Zhao Liying—stay sincere and never give up. You will become the best actress."

Zhao Liying took the notebook, looked at the words on it, and tears finally streamed down her face: "Thank you, Director Zhang... I will definitely cherish this."

It was already 11 p.m. when they left the barbecue stall. Zhao Liying insisted on taking Zhang Yu back to his hotel, saying it wasn't safe for a girl to be alone—completely forgetting that she was a girl herself. Zhang Yu couldn't persuade her otherwise, so she let her take him to the hotel entrance.