Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

But he couldn't let go. Li Xiaoran's mark was complete, but it needed to be solidified. He had to maintain the relationship until she was completely infatuated and unable to extricate herself.

This was his mission, and also his curse.

Nine o'clock at night, in a high-end residential area in Hengdian.

Li Xiaoran rented an apartment here, which was very close to the film set and offered good privacy. Zhang Yu had a key and simply opened the door to go in.

The room was filled with a faint scent of perfume, Li Xiaoran's favorite jasmine fragrance. She wore a burgundy silk robe, her hair was still wet as if she had just taken a shower, and her face was bare of makeup, revealing her fair and delicate skin.

"You're here?" She sat on the sofa, holding a glass of red wine.

"Hmm." Zhang Yu sat down beside her. "What's the important thing?"

Li Xiaoran put down her wine glass and looked at him: "Zhang Yu, I'm pregnant."

Zhang Yu's mind went blank for a few seconds, then went blank again. Looking at her calm face, he asked with difficulty, "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." Li Xiaoran nodded. "I just went to the hospital for a checkup today. I'm six weeks pregnant."

Six weeks, exactly after that night. Zhang Yu closed his eyes and took a deep breath: "What do you plan to do?"

“I want to give birth,” Li Xiaoran said calmly, but her fingers gripped the edge of her robe tightly. “I’m thirty years old, and I want a child. And… this is your child.”

Zhang Yu opened his eyes and looked at her: "What about Chen Chen? What about our engagement?"

"That's your problem." Li Xiaoran's eyes were cold. "Zhang Yu, I won't force you to take responsibility. I'll raise this child myself; it won't affect your life. But I need you to promise me one thing—"

She paused, then said, word by word, "You will be responsible for the child's education and life from now on. I don't need a formal title, but the child cannot be without a father."

Zhang Yu remained silent for a long time. This unexpected child had disrupted all his plans. He couldn't marry Li Xiaoran because he had to marry Chen Chen; but he also couldn't abandon this child, because it was his own flesh and blood.

“I promise you,” he finally said. “I will cover all the expenses for the child, and I will fulfill my responsibilities as a father. But Xiao Ran, I cannot give you a formal title, nor can we make our relationship public.”

“I know.” Li Xiaoran smiled bitterly. “I knew from the beginning. Zhang Yu, I don’t blame you. I chose this path myself, and I will bear the consequences myself.”

She picked up her glass and drank it all in one gulp: "It's just that sometimes I feel really stupid. Knowing there's no future, I still get involved."

A wave of guilt washed over Zhang Yu. He reached out and hugged her, saying, "I'm sorry, Xiao Ran. It's all my fault."

"You don't need to apologize." Li Xiaoran leaned on his shoulder, tears silently streaming down her face. "It was all my own choice. But... Zhang Yu, do you love me? Even just a little bit?"

Zhang Yu couldn't answer that question. He had desire, admiration, and a protective instinct towards Li Xiaoran, but love? He didn't know. His heart was already divided too much—for Chen Chen, for other actresses, and for his unfinished mission.

"Do you love Chen Chen?" Li Xiaoran asked again.

"Love." This time, Zhang Yu answered with certainty.

"And what about me? What am I to you?"

Zhang Yu remained silent for a long time before saying, "You are a special person, a very important person. But I can't give you complete love, I can't give you a promise. I know that's unfair to you."

Li Xiaoran's tears fell even harder. She pushed him away, stood up, walked to the window, and turned her back to him: "Go away. I want to be alone."

Zhang Yu watched her trembling figure, his heart aching as if being cut by a knife. But he knew that saying anything now would be useless. He stood up, walked behind her, and gently hugged her.

"Xiao Ran, if you want this child, then have it. I will take responsibility and take good care of you. If you don't want it... I will respect your decision."

Li Xiaoran turned around and looked at him through teary eyes: "Zhang Yu, I hate you. I hate that you are so honest, I hate that you wouldn't even lie to me once."

“I don’t want to lie to you.” Zhang Yu wiped away her tears. “You deserve better, but I can’t give you that. If you want to leave now, I won’t stop you.”

“I won’t leave.” Li Xiaoran shook her head. “I’m already too deeply involved. I can’t leave. Zhang Yu, I’m doomed for life because of you.”

She hugged him and buried her face in his chest: "I don't ask for titles or promises, I just ask that you don't leave me. Even if you marry Chen Chen, even if you have other women, as long as you are still willing to come and see me and the children occasionally, I will be satisfied."

These words were spoken so humbly, so humbly that they broke Zhang Yu's heart. He held her tightly: "I will not leave you. I will always be there for you whenever you want to see me."

That night, the two slept in each other's arms. But neither could fall asleep, each lost in their own thoughts.

Zhang Yu thought about his unborn child, Chen Chen, and his unfinished mission. Li Xiaoran thought about the uncertain future and this doomed relationship.

The moon outside the window was obscured by clouds, making the night even darker.

July 29, 2000, 7 p.m., Hengdian “Huayu” training camp small auditorium.

The auditorium was packed. The front row held special guests—heads of CCTV and major satellite TV stations, reporters from over thirty media outlets, and several film and television company owners. The middle and back rows held the training camp's participants, teachers, and staff. The atmosphere was both warm and solemn.

Backstage, the trainees were making their final preparations. Meng Ziyi's palms were sweating with nervousness as she kept memorizing her lines; Zhang Hanyun was practicing her voice to ensure her throat was in the best condition; Zhang Zilin was stretching her legs to maintain her flexibility; Gao Yuanyuan sat in a corner, resting with her eyes closed.

Wang Ou weaved through the crowd, checking every detail: "Meng Ziyi, did you change your microphone battery? Zhang Hanyun, is your outfit okay? Gao Yuanyuan, don't be nervous, just treat it like a regular practice..."

Zhang Yu stood behind the curtain, peering at the audience through the gaps. He was wearing a dark gray suit today, a white shirt without a tie, and the top two buttons of his collar undone, giving him a casual yet formal look. The mole under his left eye was clearly visible under the backstage lights.

"Director Zhang, everything is ready," Wang Ou reported as she walked over.

"Okay." Zhang Yu nodded. "Let's begin according to plan."

At 7:30, the lights dimmed and music began. The host walked onto the stage—it was Song Qian, who was wearing a royal blue evening gown, looking elegant and poised.

"Distinguished guests, dear teachers and students, good evening! Welcome to the first public performance of the second batch of trainees from the 'Hua Yu' training camp..."

After the opening remarks, the first performance began. It was a group dance called "Breaking the Cocoon" performed by twelve trainees, symbolizing the transformation from immaturity to maturity. Meng Ziyi stood in the center, her movements powerful, her gaze firm, showing no signs of nervousness.

The dance ended to thunderous applause. Media reporters in the audience snapped photos, and Director Li from CCTV nodded repeatedly.

Next up was Zhang Hanyun's solo performance of "Tian Mi Mi" (Sweet Honey). Her voice was clear and sweet, and her emotions were sincere, giving this classic old song a fresh new flavor. At the climax of the song, many audience members hummed along.