Huayu: This top star doesn't play by the rules.

The morning sunlight streamed through the French windows and the sheer curtains, casting dappled shadows on the bed.

With her eyelashes fluttering slightly, Meng Ziyi slowly opened her eyes. A hangover-like soreness surged up from her limbs, and fragments of last night's events crashed into her mind, instantly turning her cheeks crimson as she woke up.

As if she had thought of something, she subconsciously reached out to touch the sheets beside her, but the sheets her palm touched were very cold, as if no one had lain on them before.

Her eyes, which had been still half-asleep, suddenly widened, and Meng Ziyi sat up instantly. The blanket slipped off her shoulders, and without bothering to cover herself, she hurriedly glanced around the bedroom.

She was now alone in the room. Chen Chao's pillow was neatly arranged on the bed, but the clothes he had changed out of the night before were gone, along with her clothes that had been scattered all over the floor.

An indescribable sense of panic instantly gripped her heart, and her nose suddenly stung with tears.

In fact, Meng Ziyi had considered the worst-case scenario. No matter how gentle and considerate Chen Chao was on a daily basis, there were countless stories of one-night stands in the Chinese entertainment industry.

He's at the height of his fame right now, what if he turns around and denies everything? Doesn't she think she's trying to tie him down this way?

The more she thought about it, the more panicked she became. Without even putting on her slippers, Meng Ziyi ran barefoot out of the bedroom. But as soon as she opened the door, she froze on the spot.

The living room, which had been a complete mess by the two of them last night, has been cleaned up spotlessly. The scattered cushions have been put back in their places, the spilled drink cups have been removed, and the snack crumbs on the carpet have been cleaned up completely.

The hoodie, jeans, and even her underwear that she had carelessly tossed aside after taking them off last night were now neatly folded and placed on the sofa armrest.

Seeing this scene, Meng Ziyi's panic quickly subsided. She took two steps forward and then her gaze fell on the coffee table in the living room.

Three blooming sunflowers are placed in a transparent glass bottle, their petals still covered with tiny water droplets, and the whole thing is golden and shiny, just like a little sun.

Next to the sunflower was a full breakfast spread out: soy milk in a thermos, and shrimp dumplings, shumai, and custard buns in a thermos box, all of which were her favorite foods.

There was also a sticky note on the thermos with Chen Chao's neat and concise message:

[If you wake up, remember to eat breakfast. If it's cold, call the front desk and ask the kitchen to heat it up. I've already arranged for you to take the day off, so stay in your room and rest. Don't wander around. I have scenes to film this morning, but I'll come back to have lunch with you after I finish work. —Chen Chao]

As her fingertips gently traced the note, Meng Ziyi's earlier panic, unease, and grievances, along with the words, transformed into a warm current, making her feel warm all over.

She had always heard people say that to see if someone loves you, don't look at what they say in bed, but look at what they do after they get out of bed.

Just like Chen Chao, he didn't say anything, but he arranged everything meticulously. Even the unease she felt that she hadn't voiced was soothed by his attention to detail.

........

The morning flew by. After washing up, Meng Ziyi lazily nestled on the sofa and devoured most of the breakfast Chen Chao had left for her. Watching his Weibo follower count steadily increase and scrolling through his super topic, the smile on her lips never faded.

Just after noon, accompanied by the sound of a room card being swiped to open the door, Chen Chao pushed the door open and walked in, carrying a dessert box in his hand.

"Awake? Have you finished breakfast?" Chen Chao smiled and walked over, placing the dessert box on the coffee table. He naturally reached out and hugged her, his fingertips tracing her soft hair. "Is anything bothering you?"

The sudden closeness made Meng Ziyi's cheeks flush instantly. Although she was a little shy, she still took the initiative to reach out and hug his neck, burying her face in the crook of his neck, and muttered softly, "I'm not a porcelain doll, I'm not that delicate."

With a soft chuckle, Chen Chao reached out and put his arm around her waist, letting her sit on his lap. He then opened the dessert box, scooped out a spoonful of strawberry cake, and held it to her lips, watching her eat it in small bites.

After quietly enjoying the feeding play for a while, Chen Chao put down the spoon, looked into her eyes, and said seriously, "Ziyi, there's something I want to tell you."

Meng Ziyi tilted his head in confusion, but with his mouth still chewing, he couldn't speak. He could only blink to signal him to continue.

He gently brushed the stray hairs from her forehead, his fingertips tracing her flushed cheeks, and asked, word by word, "Meng Ziyi, are we officially together now? Should I start calling you my girlfriend?"

His words were like a pebble thrown into Meng Ziyi's once calm lake of heart, instantly stirring up a storm.

She instinctively wanted to nod and say "yes" without hesitation, to stand openly beside him, but the words were stuck in her throat, as if something was blocking them, and she couldn't say them no matter what.

She raised her head and looked directly into Chen Chao's eyes. What flashed through her mind were the trending topics about him on Weibo during this period, and the fact that "Exchange of Lives" had become a hit across the internet with over 500 million views.

Chen Chao is currently at a crucial stage in his career, with a wildly popular single, a leading role in a period drama, high praise from director Jiang Jiajun, and many major entertainment companies wanting to work with him. His future looks bright, and he is currently the most sought-after and promising newcomer in the Chinese entertainment industry.

And what about her? She was also a newcomer to the industry. "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" was her first significant work. It hadn't been broadcast yet, and she had no fame, no works, and few fans.

What would be the consequences if news of their official relationship were to be revealed?

The Chinese entertainment industry has zero tolerance for rising stars' relationships. His fans might unfollow him, casual viewers might mock him, competitors might kick him while he's down, and even the production team of "Princess Agents" might have objections, affecting the resources he worked so hard to obtain.

She herself will be labeled with tags such as "riding the coattails of popularity" and "paying to gain attention," which she will never be able to shake off.

It wasn't that she didn't want to be with him; she was afraid. She was afraid of dragging him down, afraid that their budding relationship would be crushed by the overwhelming public opinion and the world of fame and fortune, and afraid that they wouldn't even be able to remain friends in the end.

These thoughts swirled in her mind, leaving Meng Ziyi in a complete mess. Looking into Chen Chao's earnest eyes, she blurted out a sentence that even surprised herself: "You don't need to take responsibility."