Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

Wang Ou had also asked herself this question. Zhang Yu was too good to the female artists, better than a boss would to an employee. But she dared not think too deeply about it, because she was also one of the beneficiaries.

“Chenchen, you need to talk to Director Zhang,” Wang Ou said. “Have a frank talk and find out exactly what he wants. If he wants to marry you, make him break off all ties with those women; if he can't, then you…”

"I'm just going to leave?" Chen Chen wiped away his tears, his eyes suddenly hardening. "No, I won't leave. Eight years. I've given him the best years of my youth. Why should I give them to someone else?"

She stood up, picked up her bag, and said, "Where is he? I need to see him."

“Director Zhang is still in Beijing and won’t be back until tomorrow.” Wang Ou also stood up. “Chenchen, calm down. Going to him now will only lead to arguments.”

“I’m very calm,” Chen Chen said. “It’s precisely because I’m calm that I need to find out—what do I mean to him?”

She turned and left the coffee shop, her back view resolute. Watching her retreating figure, Wang Ou felt a bad premonition rising within her.

It was 8 PM at Zhang Yu's residence.

Chen Chen had a key, so she opened the door and went inside. The lights were off; Zhang Yu hadn't returned yet. She turned on the light and sat on the sofa to wait.

On the coffee table lay an open script, the one for "The Awakening of Insects." Next to it were several photos, stills of Li Xiaoran from the play. Chen Chen picked one up; in the photo, Li Xiaoran was wearing a cheongsam, her smile gentle and captivating.

Her hands were trembling. This woman, pregnant with her fiancé's child, was putting on a melodramatic show at the press conference. And her fiancé, far from being angry, went out of his way to protect her, even announcing their wedding date in public—how ironic.

At nine o'clock, the door lock rang. Zhang Yu pushed the door open and saw Chen Chen, then paused for a moment.

"Chenchen? What brings you here?"

“My fiancé has been involved in such a huge scandal, can’t I come and ask him about it?” Chen Chen stood up and threw the photos in his hand onto the coffee table.

Zhang Yu glanced at the photo and laughed: "Jealous?"

"You think it's funny?" Chen Chen's voice turned cold. "Zhang Yu, I need an explanation."

"Explain what?" Zhang Yu took off his coat and hung it on the hanger. "Everything I said at the press conference was true. We're getting married next March. Li Xiaoran's child isn't mine; it's her ex-boyfriend's. It's that simple."

"Do you take me for a three-year-old?" Chen Chen walked up to him, her eyes red. "Eight weeks, which is exactly when filming for 'Awakening of Insects' started. During that time, you were on set every day, spending every day with Li Xiaoran. You dare to say that nothing happened between you two?"

Zhang Yu looked at her, his eyes filled with complex emotions: "Chenchen, are you questioning me?"

"I want the truth!" Chen Chen's tears fell. "Zhang Yu, we've been together for eight years. Eight years! I waited from twenty-two to thirty, and all I got in return was you philandering and getting someone else pregnant? How could you do this to me?"

Zhang Yu fell silent. He looked at Chen Chen's red, swollen eyes and felt a pang of guilt. But that guilt was quickly replaced by another emotion—impatience.

“Chenchen, in this industry, some things can’t be taken too seriously.” He sighed. “I’m a director, it’s normal to have actresses around me. I’m nice to them because I want to make a good film, nothing else.”

"What about Li Xiaoran's child? Was that also for filming?"

“That was an accident,” Zhang Yu said. “And I’ve already taken care of it. She won’t bother us, and the child won’t have the Zhang surname. Can’t you just pretend you know nothing?”

"You think I don't know?" Chen Chen laughed, a pathetic laugh. "Zhang Yu, I'm your fiancée, I'm not blind! Everyone in the industry knows about your affairs with those women, they just don't tell me because of you!"

She took a deep breath: "I'm not here to argue with you. I'm giving you two choices—first, break up with those women completely, and we'll get married and live a good life together; second, we'll break up, and you can find whoever you want."

Zhang Yu's expression changed: "You want to break up?"

“If you choose the second path, then let’s break up.” Chen Chen gritted his teeth. “I, Chen Chen, am not indispensable to you. I can live a perfectly good life without you.”

These words stung Zhang Yu's pride. He grabbed Chen Chen's wrist and pulled her into his arms.

"Can you say that again?"

"Let's break up!" Chen Chen struggled. "Let go of me!"

"I won't let go." Zhang Yu held her tightly and whispered in her ear, "Chenchen, you're mine, for life. Want to break up? Only if I die."

His kiss landed, domineering and frantic. Chen Chen struggled desperately, but he was too strong and couldn't break free. His clothes were torn open, buttons popping off the floor.

"Zhang Yu! You bastard! Let me go!"

"I won't let go." Zhang Yu pressed her down on the sofa and whispered in her ear, "You are my fiancée, I have the right to devour you."

Chen Chen's struggles gradually weakened. It wasn't that she didn't want to resist, but her body reacted on its own to this man's touch. Eight years had passed; they had spent far too much time together, and she was already familiar with everything about him.

"Bastard..." she cursed, tears streaming down her face.

Zhang Yu kissed away her tears, his voice incredibly gentle: "Chenchen, stop making a fuss. Let's live a good life together, okay? I promise, I'll only be good to you from now on."

"What guarantee do you have?" Chen Chen looked at him. "How much is your guarantee worth?"

"I swear on my life," Zhang Yu said earnestly. "If I ever wrong you again, may I be utterly disgraced and die a horrible death."

Those were hurtful words. Chen Chen covered his mouth: "Don't talk nonsense!"

"Then do you believe me?" Zhang Yu asked.

Chen Chen remained silent for a long time, then nodded: "I believe you. But Zhang Yu, this is the last time. If there is a next time, I will really leave."

"There won't be a next time." Zhang Yu kissed her. "I swear."

That night, the two of them worked up a sweat on the sofa. Zhang Yu was more energetic than ever, as if trying to make up for something. Chen Chen subconsciously enjoyed the long time, but felt a void in his heart.

She knew Zhang Yu was lying. Li Xiaoran's child must be his, and his relationships with those actresses weren't simple either. But she loved him, loved him so much that she could play dumb, could deceive herself.

As the climax approached, Chen Chen bit his shoulder, leaving deep teeth marks. Zhang Yu groaned, but hugged him even tighter.

After things calmed down, the two lay embracing on the sofa. Chen Chen stroked the teeth marks on his shoulder and whispered, "Does it hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt." Zhang Yu kissed her forehead. "This is the medal you gave me."

“Zhang Yu,” Chen Chen suddenly said, “Let’s have a child.”

Zhang Yu's body stiffened for a moment: "Why are you suddenly bringing this up?"

“I want a child,” Chen Chen said, looking at him. “A child that belongs to us. That way you won’t go looking for someone else, right?”

Zhang Yu fell silent. He couldn't tell her that he couldn't have children—at least not now. His mission to collect the marks wasn't finished; he couldn't afford to have too many ties.