Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

Zhang Yu's eyes darkened: "I'll explain to Chen Chen. You don't need to worry about it."

“Zhang Yu,” Li Xiaoran suddenly hugged him, burying her face in his chest, “Why are you so good to me? I’m the one who caused you trouble…”

"Because you are mine." Zhang Yu stroked her hair, his voice softening. "My people, I will protect. Even if the sky falls, I will hold it up for you."

Li Xiaoran's tears fell again. At this moment, she felt like a fool—knowing that this man was poisonous, knowing that he was lying, she was still willing to believe him, willing to jump into the fire pit with him.

“There’s another problem.” Zhang Yu pushed her away and said seriously, “After your pregnancy was exposed, you can’t take on any roles for the time being. The promotional activities for ‘Awakening of Insects’ will also be reduced. I will arrange some light variety shows for you to maintain your exposure. After the baby is born, I will tailor a comeback project for you.”

"I'll do whatever you say," Li Xiaoran nodded.

"Good girl." Zhang Yu kissed her on the lips. "Go take a shower and change your clothes. You need to look beautiful at the press conference this afternoon and let everyone see that you are fine and don't need pity."

Li Xiaoran stood up, her silk nightgown slipping off her shoulders. In the morning light, her body resembled a white jade sculpture, every curve breathtakingly perfect.

Zhang Yu's eyes darkened, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

"What are you looking at..." Li Xiaoran blushed and subconsciously tightened her nightgown.

"Look at my woman." Zhang Yu stood up, walked up to her, and hooked her chin with his finger. "She's pregnant and still so beautiful. She's a real enchantress."

His kiss landed, domineering yet tender. Li Xiaoran's hands pressed against his chest, wanting to push him away, yet unable to let go. This man's words were venomous; they always managed to drive her wild.

"No..." she gasped between kisses, "The doctor said... we need to be careful during the first three months..."

"I know." Zhang Yu let go of her, but then hugged her intimately from behind. "I just want to smell your scent, that's all."

Li Xiaoran's body trembled slightly. After becoming pregnant, her body had become unusually weak; even such a simple touch made her legs go weak.

"Zhang Yu..." she murmured softly, her body involuntarily pressing closer to him.

Zhang Yu's fingers lingered on her beautiful body, feeling a danger more alluring than ever before. His breathing became heavier, and a hidden fire within him began to ignite.

"I really want to devour you right now," he whispered in her ear, his voice hoarse. "But I'll hold back for the sake of the child."

He stepped back, took a deep breath, and calmed his restless desires: "Go take a shower, a cold shower."

Li Xiaoran's face turned as red as a ripe peach, and she ran into the bathroom as if fleeing. As she closed the door, she heard Zhang Yu chuckle softly outside.

That bastard always does this—he makes her burn with desire, then walks away.

The bathroom was filled with steam. Li Xiaoran stood under the showerhead, letting the cold water wash over her burning body. In the mirror, her face was flushed, her eyes were glistening with tears, and her lips were slightly swollen—all traces of the kiss from earlier.

She stroked her lower abdomen, which was still flat, but she could feel the pulse of life.

“Baby,” she whispered, “Isn’t Mommy silly? Knowing he’s fire, I still rushed at him.”

The water splashed, but no one answered.

……

At the same time, the "Hua Yu" training camp in Hengdian.

The morning run had just ended, and the students were walking towards the cafeteria in twos and threes. Gao Yuanyuan was the last runner; her stamina wasn't as good as the younger girls', and she was already panting heavily by the end.

"Sister Yuanyuan, are you alright?" Meng Ziyi ran back to help her.

"It's nothing..." Gao Yuanyuan waved her hand, "It's just that I haven't exercised in a long time. You guys go eat first, I need to rest for a bit."

Meng Ziyi didn't leave; she sat down with her on a bench by the playground. The morning sunlight shone on the two of them, casting long shadows.

"Sister Yuanyuan, have you seen the news?" Meng Ziyi asked softly, "About Teacher Li Xiaoran's pregnancy..."

Gao Yuanyuan's heart tightened: "I saw it."

"Do you think the child is really Director Zhang's?" Meng Ziyi's eyes gleamed with gossip. "The rumors online are so detailed, they even say Director Zhang is going to break up with Sister Chen Chen for her..."

"Don't make wild guesses," Gao Yuanyuan interrupted her. "Nine times out of ten, news in the entertainment industry is fake. Teacher Li Xiaoran is thirty years old this year. It's normal for her to be in a relationship and get pregnant. It doesn't necessarily mean it's Director Zhang's child."

“But…” Meng Ziyi wanted to say something, but was stopped by Gao Yuanyuan’s gaze.

“Ziyi, there are some things you can’t say carelessly in this industry,” Gao Yuanyuan said earnestly. “Especially about Director Zhang. He’s our boss and our mentor, and we should respect him.”

Meng Ziyi stuck out her tongue: "Okay, Sister Yuanyuan. I was just curious..."

"Curiosity killed the cat." Gao Yuanyuan stood up. "Let's go eat. We have Director Zhang's class this morning, so let's not be late."

The atmosphere in the cafeteria was somewhat awkward. The trainees ate while whispering among themselves, their conversation revolving around the morning's news. Liu Yifei and her mother, Liu Xiaoli, sat in a corner, listening to everything clearly.

"Mom, is Teacher Li Xiaoran really pregnant?" Liu Yifei asked softly.

"It should be," Liu Xiaoli nodded. "They've already taken the photos."

"That child...is he really Director Zhang's?"

Liu Xiaoli glanced at her daughter: "Yifei, this is not your concern. Focus on your meal, and go to class after you finish eating."

Liu Yifei lowered her head, rummaging through the porridge in her bowl. Her mind was in turmoil—if Li Xiaoran really was pregnant with Director Zhang's child, what would happen to Sister Chen Chen? Who would Director Zhang marry?

She didn't dare to think about it.

At nine o'clock in the morning, the acting class started on time. Zhang Yu didn't come; instead, the acting teacher did. The students were a little disappointed, but they didn't dare to ask any questions.

Halfway through the class, Wang Ou pushed open the door and came in, his expression serious.

"Dear trainees, I'd like to take a few minutes of your time." She stood on the podium. "I believe you've all seen today's news. Here, on behalf of 'Huayu,' I hereby officially declare—the company is currently verifying the rumors regarding Ms. Li Xiaoran's pregnancy. Before the official statement is released, please do not spread false information or participate in online discussions. Any violations will be dealt with according to the training camp regulations."

The audience fell silent. Wang Ou had a powerful presence, and no one dared to provoke him at that moment.

"In addition," Wang Ou continued, "Director Zhang has to go back to Beijing today, so other teachers will be teaching the acting classes this week. Everyone can focus on their studies and not be affected."

After making the announcement, Wang Ou left the classroom. As soon as she left, a buzz of discussion immediately filled the classroom.

Gao Yuanyuan sat in her seat, her fingers unconsciously twirling a pen. She recalled how Zhang Yu had taught her to evoke emotional memories in the coffee shop two weeks ago—so focused, so gentle. Could a man like that really get an actress pregnant out of wedlock?

She didn't know. All she knew was that her feelings for him had gone beyond those of a student for a teacher.