Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

Over the next hour, Yang Mi met all sorts of people—film company bosses, TV production managers, fashion magazine editors, and several popular actors. Everyone was very enthusiastic towards her, praising her beauty and potential, but the way their gazes lingered on her always made her uncomfortable.

In particular, there was a producer surnamed Zhao, who was in his fifties, bald, with a beer belly, and spitting everywhere when he spoke.

“Miss Yang, you’re really a great catch. Are you interested in making a movie? I happen to have a project that needs a second female lead.” Producer Zhao casually placed his hand on Yang Mi’s bare shoulder. “If you’re willing, you can come for an audition tomorrow.”

Yang Mi froze. She tried to pull away, but Producer Zhao's hand gripped her shoulder firmly like an iron clamp.

“Producer Zhao, Yang Mi is still in training and won’t be taking on any roles for the time being.” Zhang Yu’s voice came from the side. He reached out and grasped Producer Zhao’s wrist, seemingly politely but actually forcefully removing his hand from Yang Mi’s shoulder. “Once she’s ready, I will definitely take her to visit you.”

Producer Zhao's expression changed, but considering the occasion, he still managed a smile: "Director Zhang is right, young people need to lay a solid foundation. Ms. Yang, we'll have the opportunity to work together again in the future."

After he left dejectedly, Yang Mi breathed a sigh of relief and whispered, "Director Zhang, thank you."

"Let's go to the balcony for some fresh air," Zhang Yu said. "The air here isn't good."

The villa's balcony was large, furnished with several wicker chairs and a small round table. From the balcony, one could overlook the entire garden, where lights twinkled in the night, and the distant sound of a fountain could be heard. A gentle evening breeze carried the sweet fragrance of osmanthus and night-blooming jasmine.

Yang Mi leaned against the railing and took a deep breath: "Finally, I can catch my breath."

"Tired?" Zhang Yu stood beside her and lit a cigarette.

"Yeah." Yang Mi nodded. "It's even more tiring than training. Everyone is smiling, but there seems to be something else hidden in their smiles."

"This is the adult world," Zhang Yu exhaled a puff of smoke. "It looks glamorous on the surface, but it's complicated on the inside. You have to learn to distinguish who is genuinely helping you and who has ulterior motives."

Yang Mi turned to look at him: "And what about you, Director Zhang? Which one are you?"

Zhang Yu paused for a moment, then smiled: "What do you think?"

“I think… you are someone who truly helps me,” Yang Mi said earnestly. “You taught me acting, gave me opportunities, and protected me from being bullied by others. So I trust you.”

These words were spoken with utmost sincerity. Looking into the girl's clear eyes in the night, Zhang Yu felt a complex mix of emotions. He was indeed helping her, but he was also undeniably using her. This contradiction made him feel a rare pang of guilt.

"Yang Mi, if one day you find that I'm not as good as you think, will you hate me?"

Yang Mi thought for a moment and shook her head: "No. Because I believe you have your reasons for doing everything. Even if I don't understand those reasons, I believe you have no other choice."

Her trust was like a gentle knife, piercing Zhang Yu's heart. He stubbed out his cigarette and reached out to ruffle her hair: "Silly girl, don't trust others so easily."

"I only trust you," Yang Mi said softly.

The balcony fell silent, save for the faint sound of music in the distance. Moonlight bathed the two of them, casting ambiguous shadows.

"Director Zhang," Yang Mi suddenly asked, "Is what happened to Sister Chen Chen... true?"

Zhang Yu stiffened for a moment: "You've heard?"

"Rumors are circulating in the training camp that you and Sister Chen Chen have broken off your engagement." Yang Mi looked at him cautiously. "Are you... are you sad?"

"Sad?" Zhang Yu smiled bitterly. "Eight years have passed. It would be a lie to say I'm not sad. But maybe this is better for everyone."

"why?"

“Because…” Zhang Yu looked at the lights in the distance, “I can’t give her what she wants. What she wants is a husband who loves her wholeheartedly, and a stable home. I can’t give that, at least not now.”

Yang Mi nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite: "Will you get married again in the future?"

"Maybe," Zhang Yu didn't answer directly. "Maybe it will happen once everything stabilizes."

“That person…” Yang Mi bit her lip, “could it be someone from the training camp?”

This question was too direct. Zhang Yu looked at her; in the girl's eyes were expectation, unease, and a familiar flutter of emotion. He knew what she was asking, and he knew how he should answer.

But he didn't want to lie.

"Yang Mi, you're still young, there are some things..."

“I’m not young anymore,” Yang Mi interrupted him, her voice trembling with emotion. “I really am not young anymore. I know what I’m saying and thinking. Director Zhang, I like you. I’ve liked you since the first time I saw you. I know this is wrong. You’re my teacher, my boss, but I just can’t control myself…”

Her tears fell, glistening like pearls in the moonlight: "I know I'm not worthy, I know you won't like a little girl like me, but I just want to tell you. Even if you think I'm stupid, even if you think I'm naive, I still have to say it."

Zhang Yu fell silent. Looking at the crying girl in front of him, he felt an impulse welling up inside him—he wanted to hold her in his arms, to kiss away her tears, and to tell her that he had known her feelings all along.

But he can't. At least not now.

“Yang Mi,” he finally simply raised his hand to wipe away her tears, “thank you for telling me all this. But you need to know that there’s more than just an age gap between us; there are also differences in status, responsibilities, and many other complex things. Your most important task right now is to train hard and grow. We can talk about relationships later, okay?”

This was a rejection, but it left room for negotiation. Yang Mi understood. She wiped away her tears and nodded vigorously: "Okay, I'll listen to you. I will train hard and strive to grow. When I'm worthy of you one day, I'll say it again."

Her stubbornness and persistence deeply moved Zhang Yu. He couldn't help but reach out and cup her face in his hands: "Silly girl, you don't need to be good enough for anyone. You are you, and that's enough."

The two were so close they could feel each other's breath. Yang Mi's heart pounded like a drum. Looking into Zhang Yu's deep eyes, and at the mole under his left eye, she suddenly felt an urge to kiss him.

And Zhang Yu did indeed waver for a moment.

But just then, the balcony door was pushed open, and Mr. Li's voice came: "Director Zhang, so you're here. Some investors want to meet with you to discuss investment matters."

Zhang Yu quickly withdrew his hand, took a step back, and restored the normal distance: "Okay, Mr. Li, I'll be right there."

He looked at Yang Mi and said, "Rest here for a while. I'll take you home after I'm done with my business."

"Mmm." Yang Mi nodded, her face still flushed.

Zhang Yu followed Mr. Li off the balcony. After the door closed, Yang Mi leaned against the railing, touching the cheek that Zhang Yu had just touched; her heart was still pounding.