Rebirth: A big star falls in love with me

He paused, then continued, "Moreover, if you really want to be mine, I want you to be sober and rational, and willingly so. Not like you are now, because of fear, because of dependence, or because of a momentary impulse."

Yang Mi looked at him for a long time, then smiled, but the smile was bitter: "Director Zhang, you are always like this... always thinking of me, always so gentle. But do you know, it is because of you that I can't live without you anymore."

She wiped away her tears and retied her bathrobe: "Okay, I'll listen to you. I won't pressure you tonight. But Director Zhang, I want to tell you, I'm serious, this isn't just a passing impulse. When I'm ready, I'll come back to you. And then, you won't be able to refuse me."

Zhang Yu nodded: "Okay, I promise you. When that day comes, if you still want me, I won't refuse."

These words were both a promise and a temptation. Yang Mi understood, and she smiled, a smile this time radiating a mature glow.

"It's settled then. Director Zhang, you can go back now, I can sleep by myself."

"you sure?"

"Yes." Yang Mi nodded. "You're right, I need to learn to face things on my own. You should go back now, you have to go back to Hengdian tomorrow."

Zhang Yu looked at her and suddenly felt that this girl had grown up overnight. He nodded: "Okay, then go to sleep early. Call me if anything happens."

He turned to leave, but as he reached the door, Yang Mi suddenly called out to him.

"Director Zhang."

"Ok?"

"Thank you. Thank you for protecting me, thank you for respecting me." Yang Mi's smile was warm. "Goodnight."

"Good night."

After the door closed, Zhang Yu leaned against the wall in the corridor and took a deep breath. The star-shaped birthmark under his left eye was still warm, reminding him how close he had come to completing a mark.

But he doesn't regret it. Yang Mi deserves a better time and a better approach.

He returned to his room, took a cold shower, and tried to calm his restless desires. As he lay in bed, his phone rang; it was a text message from Zheng Shuang.

"Director Zhang, when are you coming back? My foot is much better, and I'd like to show you my new dance."

Looking at the text message, Zhang Yu suddenly felt incredibly tired. So many girls, so many feelings, so many responsibilities… He felt like he was walking on the edge of a cliff; one wrong step and he would be doomed.

But he had no way out.

He replied to Zheng Shuang: "I'll be back tomorrow afternoon. Get some rest, don't rush to practice dancing."

After sending the message, he closed his eyes. Many faces floated into his mind—Chen Chen, Li Xiaoran, Gao Yuanyuan, Yang Mi, Zheng Shuang, Tang Yan, Liu Shishi, Sun Li… ​​and those other marks he hadn’t yet collected.

He had only completed less than half of the 108.

The road ahead is long, but he must keep going.

……

October 16, 2000, 10 PM, Hengdian “Huayu” training camp.

Just as Zhang Yu returned to his office, Wang Ou rushed in, his face grim.

"Director Zhang, something's happened. Wang Zhongjun's men came to the training camp this morning and privately contacted several trainees, offering them very generous terms."

Zhang Yu's heart sank: "Who has been contacted?"

“Zheng Shuang, Tang Yan, and several students from the advanced class.” Wang Ou placed a list on the table. “Huayi’s offer is: a prepayment of 500,000 yuan upon signing the contract, a promise of at least three second female lead roles within three years, and a higher profit-sharing ratio than ours. Director Zhang, this is too tempting for the students.”

Zhang Yu stared at the list, tapping his fingers on the table. Wang Zhongjun's move was ruthless—directly undermining the training camp's foundation. If all these promising trainees were poached, "Hua Yu" would truly be finished.

What are the trainees saying?

“Zheng Shuang refused outright, saying she only recognizes ‘Hua Yu.’ But Tang Yan…” Wang Ou hesitated for a moment, “Tang Yan said she needs to consider it. Several other students are also hesitating.”

"Tang Yan?" Zhang Yu frowned. "Didn't she just appear on 'New Generation Actors' and perform very well? Why should we consider her?"

"The people from Huayi said they could put her in their new drama as the second female lead, with all the co-stars being A-list actors. Tang Yan is tempted." Wang Ou sighed, "Director Zhang, we're in such a passive position right now. Wang Zhongjun has resources and money, what do we have to compete with him?"

Zhang Yu was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Call Tang Yan over, I want to talk to her personally."

Five minutes later, Tang Yan arrived at the office. She was wearing a pink tracksuit today, her hair was tied in a ponytail, and her face had a flush from training, making her look very pure and sweet. But her eyes were somewhat evasive, and she didn't dare to look Zhang Yu in the eye.

"Director Zhang, you wanted to see me?" she whispered.

"Sit down." Zhang Yu gestured to the chair opposite him. "I heard that people from Huayi are looking for you?"

Tang Yan's body stiffened for a moment, then she nodded: "Mm."

What conditions were offered?

"I received a 500,000 yuan advance payment for the contract, and I'll be working on three dramas over three years, all as the second female lead or higher," Tang Yan answered honestly. "They also said... they also said they could help with my mother's medical treatment."

Zhang Yu's heart tightened: "Your mother is sick?"

“Hmm.” Tang Yan’s eyes reddened. “Breast cancer, it was discovered early, but surgery and chemotherapy cost a lot of money. My family’s financial situation is average, and I had to borrow money to pay for the training camp. The people at Huayi said that as long as I sign the agreement, they can immediately advance 500,000 yuan for my mother’s treatment.”

This was a condition that was hard to refuse. Zhang Yu looked at her; this usually sweet and cheerful girl's eyes were now filled with struggle and pain.

"What do you think?" he asked.

"I...I don't know." Tang Yan's tears fell. "Director Zhang, I know I shouldn't have fallen for him. 'Hua Yu' mentored me, and you've been very good to me. But my mother...she needs money for medical treatment. My father sold the house to raise money, and now the whole family is renting. I can't bear to see my mother like this..."

She couldn't continue, she just cried. Zhang Yu was deeply moved. He thought of Sun Li, and the girl who also needed money to treat her mother's illness. There were too many people in this circle carrying heavy burdens.

"Tang Yan, if you sign with Huayi, will they really keep their promises?" he asked. "Wang Zhongjun is the kind of person who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. The conditions he sets may not be fulfilled."

“I know,” Tang Yan wiped away her tears, “but at least there’s a chance. Director Zhang, at ‘Hua Yu,’ I don’t know when I’ll be able to earn 500,000. My mother can’t wait that long.”

She was telling the truth. Zhang Yu fell silent. He was short of money himself; how could he possibly come up with 500,000 yuan to treat Tang Yan's mother's illness?

After a long while, he said, "Tang Yan, let me tell you a story."

Tang Yan looked up at him.

"Ten years ago, when I was studying at the Beijing Film Academy, my mother also got sick; she had terminal cancer. I needed money, a lot of money. A producer approached me and said he could give me one million yuan to write a script for him, but that script was plagiarized. If I agreed, I could get the money to treat my mother's illness."