Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

"Furthermore," Zhang Yu paused, "dating is strictly prohibited in the training camp, especially with teachers or directors. Anyone found doing so will be expelled immediately. Understand?"

These words were meant for Yang Mi. Yang Mi blushed, but still nodded: "I understand."

Tang Yan nodded, "Understood."

"Alright, go get ready. We'll sign the contract tomorrow and start training the day after."

After the two left, Wang Ou came in and said, "Director Zhang, you really care about Yang Mi."

“I pay attention to any trainees with potential,” Zhang Yu said without changing his expression. “Tang Yan is also good; she’s sweet and has a market.”

"What about Liu Shishi? She's coming for an interview tomorrow with her mother."

“Normal admission,” Zhang Yu said. “If they truly have talent, we’ll admit them as an exception.”

Wang Ou sighed: "Director Zhang, with you taking in so many trainees, the training camp is almost overflowing."

“If we can’t fit everything, we’ll expand.” Zhang Yu laughed. “For ‘Hua Yu’ to grow, we need a talent pool. These girls are the future cash cows.”

He spoke very bluntly, but Wang Ou knew it wasn't just about money. Zhang Yu's gaze towards these girls held admiration, expectation, and something else she couldn't quite describe.

Just like a collector looking at a precious collection, wanting to protect it well while also wanting to possess it for themselves.

This thought sent a chill down Wang Ou's spine. But she said nothing, simply nodded, and left the office.

Eight o'clock in the evening, at Zhang Yu's residence.

Chen Chen prepared dinner, and the two ate quietly. Since their last argument, their relationship had been somewhat strained; they had made up on the surface, but both harbored resentment.

"How did the interview go today?" Chen Chen asked.

"Not bad, I've picked up a few good ones." Zhang Yu put some food on her plate. "One of them is named Yang Mi, she's seventeen and very bright."

He mentioned Yang Mi again. Chen Chen paused, his hand moving slightly. "You seem to like her a lot?"

“I like any student with potential,” Zhang Yu said, “just like I liked you back then.”

That was an ambiguous statement. Chen Chen blushed: "Come on. I didn't make you go through all this trouble back then."

"How do you know I didn't put in any effort?" Zhang Yu laughed. "Back then, I put in a lot of effort to win you over."

“That was before,” Chen Chen said softly. “Now you only have eyes for those young girls.”

"Jealous?" Zhang Yu held her hand. "Chenchen, in my heart, you will always be the most special. Those girls are just students; you are my fiancée."

These words comforted Chen Chen. She leaned on his shoulder: "Zhang Yu, let's get married soon, okay? I don't want to wait any longer."

"Didn't we agree on March next year?"

"I want to move it forward." Chen Chen looked up at him. "Can we get married at the end of the year?"

Zhang Yu fell silent. Getting married at the end of the year meant he only had three months to complete the remaining milestones. Time was too tight, and the risks were too great.

“Chenchen, it’s too rushed at the end of the year.” He said softly, “There are so many things to prepare for a wedding, and I don’t want to make things difficult for you. Next March, when spring is in full bloom, I will give you a grand wedding.”

Chen Chen's eyes dimmed, but he didn't insist any further: "Okay, I'll listen to you."

She knew Zhang Yu was stalling, but she didn't want to argue anymore. Sometimes, playing dumb is happier than being clear-headed.

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

Zhang Yu pondered his unfinished mission and the girls he needed to win over. Chen Chen thought about the uncertain future and her increasingly unfamiliar fiancé.

The moon outside the window was round, but it couldn't illuminate the shadows in their hearts.

……

September 15, 2000, an art school in Shenyang.

In the practice room, a girl was practicing dance. She was about sixteen years old, around 1.65 meters tall, with a slender figure and long limbs. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, which swayed with her movements. Her dance moves were very standard, but her eyes showed impatience.

"Zheng Shuang, concentrate!" the dance teacher scolded. "You've done this move ten times, and it's still not right!"

Zheng Shuang stopped and wiped her sweat: "Teacher, I don't want to practice anymore, it's boring."

"What do you mean it's boring?" the teacher said angrily. "You've studied dance for eight years, and you're just going to give it up like that?"

“Dancing can’t put food on the table,” Zheng Shuang muttered. “I want to be an actress, like those stars on TV.”

"An actor?" the teacher sneered. "You think being an actor is so easy? Without connections or a background, what do you have to offer to become an actor?"

Zheng Shuang bit her lip, remaining silent, but her eyes were defiant. She had been rebellious since childhood; her parents made her learn dance, and she did, but she never truly liked it. She loved performing, loved the feeling of being in front of the camera, but no one understood her.

After school, she didn't go home but went to an internet cafe. She typed "actor training" into the search bar, and a lot of information popped up. She looked at them one by one, finally stopping at the "Hua Yu Training Camp" page.

"Ages 16-25... Free training after passing the interview... Outstanding candidates will have the opportunity to act in film and television dramas..."

Free training, and even a chance to act. Zheng Shuang was tempted. Her family wasn't well-off; her parents couldn't afford to send her to acting school. If this training camp was truly free, then she would have a chance.

But how would she afford the travel expenses to Hengdian for the interview? She checked her pockets and found she only had twenty yuan.

Just as I was worrying, my phone rang. It was my mother calling.

"Shuangshuang, why aren't you home yet? Dinner is ready."

"Mom, I want to audition for a training camp in Hengdian," Zheng Shuang said, mustering her courage. "The training there is free, and there's also a chance to act."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, then her mother's angry voice came through: "Nonsense! Do you even know how far Hengdian is? Besides, what good can you expect from something free? It's definitely a scam! You'd better come home right now!"

"Mom, I'm not a child anymore, I want to make my own decisions!"

"You're in charge? How old are you? What right do you have to make decisions? Go home right now, or I'll tell your dad!"

The phone call ended. Tears streamed down Zheng Shuang's face. Why didn't her parents understand her? Why couldn't she pursue her dreams?

She wiped away her tears and made a bold decision—to steal money from her family to go to Hengdian. She knew it was wrong, but she had no other choice.

That night, while her parents were asleep, she secretly took five hundred yuan from her mother's wallet, packed a few clothes, and left a letter.

"Dad, Mom: I'm going to Hengdian to pursue my dream. Don't look for me, I'll come back when I succeed. Love you, Shuangshuang."

At four in the morning, she boarded the train to Beijing. The journey from Shenyang to Beijing, and then from Beijing to Hengdian, was bumpy, but she didn't feel tired. Her heart was filled only with anticipation and trepidation for the future.

What if she doesn't get the job? What if the training camp is a scam? She didn't know. But she did know that if she didn't try, she would regret it for the rest of her life.

Two days later, Zheng Shuang arrived in Hengdian. Standing at the entrance of the "Hua Yu" training camp, she took a deep breath and went inside.

Seeing that she looked travel-worn, the receptionist asked, "Young lady, who are you looking for?"

“I…I’m here for the interview,” Zheng Shuang said softly. “It’s the third batch of trainees’ interview.”

"The interviews are over," the receptionist said. "They ended yesterday."