Chapter 002: Rebirth

Song Wan nearly rolled her eyes. “Tang Su, is there something wrong with your head? Whatever’s going on between you two, settle it yourselves. Don’t drag me into it—I can’t handle that!”

Despite the fact that there was nothing between them, Tang Su had managed to make trouble for over ten years. If she really met Han Sen, wouldn’t Tang Su tear her apart afterwards? Tang Su’s relentless suppression of a minor actress had long become an open joke in the industry, making everyone familiar with Song Wan’s appearance. Now that the two were facing off, a crowd quickly gathered to watch.

On the other side, Jin Youqian and Zhao Qing stopped in their tracks. Jin Youqian watched Song Wan and her companion, then turned and asked, “Who’s that woman standing in front of Song Wan?” She didn’t look like she had good intentions; who knew what she might do to Song Wan?

Jin Youqian, busy as he was, didn’t recognize Tang Su. Zhao Qing wasn’t surprised at all. He glanced at the pair not far away and explained quietly, “That woman’s name is Tang Su. She’s been suppressing Song Wan for years. That’s why Song Wan has the talent but never lands a good role. Tang Su targets Song Wan, but nothing major has happened over the years. Now that you’re involved, I doubt she’ll dare do anything to Song Wan. It won’t affect the movie’s shooting.”

Jin Youqian frowned, unconvinced by Zhao Qing’s explanation. In the business world, trickery was everywhere. He’d always succeeded because he never underestimated anyone and never dismissed any possibility. He wasn’t worried about the film’s production but couldn’t admit he was concerned for Song Wan, the actress he’d only met once, so he stood silent. After all, he had no real connection to Song Wan; there was nothing he could do at a time like this.

They chatted idly for a few more minutes. Song Wan grew increasingly impatient and was about to excuse herself when Tang Su’s phone rang. Face alight with excitement, Tang Su turned away, leaving Song Wan behind.

Song Wan suddenly felt a chill down her spine but paid it no mind. Thinking of her soon-to-be-changed fate, she walked confidently toward her rented apartment, eager to tell her boyfriend Qi Lang that she’d been chosen as the female lead in the film.

She didn’t see the heavy truck loaded with goods barreling straight toward her from behind. With a loud crash, she was thrown ten meters onto the concrete road, landing on her back and coughing up blood again and again.

Tang Su watched the scene from afar, lowered her phone, and her lips curled into a cold smile: You want to fight me? I’ll make sure you die without even knowing how.

But Song Wan wasn’t dead yet.

She tried to endure the pain that threatened to tear her apart, her face covered in blood, and looked at her colleagues from the crew. “Please… help me…”

Everyone knew what was happening. Not only did they refuse to help, but they scrambled to retreat.

The light in Song Wan’s eyes faded, despair welling up inside her.

This was a life!

Jin Youqian hurriedly pulled out his phone and dialed emergency services, then, leaving the panic-stricken Zhao Qing behind, rushed toward Song Wan.

Song Wan turned her head and forced a smile. “Tha… thank…”

A screeching sound made Jin Youqian look back, his pupils constricting. “Madman!”

The truck driver stuck his head out the window, eyes red. “I’m sorry, but… if you die, my family can live!”

He withdrew, restarted the engine, reversed, and sped back toward Song Wan, aiming to crush her again.

Song Wan’s eyes widened in disbelief as she recognized the driver—the man who meant to kill her. “Qi Lang…”

She died with her eyes open.

Jin Youqian dragged Zhao Qing off the concrete road, barely escaping, and watched helplessly as Song Wan was mercilessly crushed, her body mangled and bloody.

“If I find out who did this, I’ll make you wish you were dead!” Jin Youqian’s gaze was icy.

…

The pain of being crushed under the truck still lingered. When Song Wan opened her eyes again, she nearly fainted from the blinding red before her eyes.

A bathtub filled with bright red liquid, the white floor spattered with blood.

Looking down, she saw blood-soaked clothes and wrists still bleeding.

No time to wonder how she got here, why she was in this strange place—Song Wan grabbed the discarded phone at her feet, dialed, and screamed, “Doctor, help me!”

…

When Song Wan opened her eyes again, all she saw was a blur of white. She realized immediately she was in a hospital.

After calling for help that day, a splitting pain struck her brain and she lost consciousness. Upon awakening, she found a new set of memories in her mind.

The original owner of the body was also named Song Wan, an orphan abandoned at birth due to severe autism. But she had a beautiful face. Even with Song Wan’s years in show business, she could only sigh, “Unmatched.” While shopping one day, she was spotted by the director of “Immortal in the Clouds,” who was so impressed he invited her to play the second female lead.

The original Song Wan refused, but the director persisted, seeking help from her only friend, Wang Juan.

Wang Juan, desperate for fame but limited to bit parts due to her looks, agreed to help but grew jealous. She ended up tricking the autistic Song Wan into a stranger’s bed. Though nothing happened, the betrayal by her only friend was too much, and Song Wan slit her wrists.

The moment the original Song Wan died, the Song Wan who was killed by the truck awoke in her body.

“Are you feeling any discomfort?” asked a nurse.

Song Wan came back to herself and shook her head. “Just a little weak, nothing else.”

“That’s good,” the nurse replied. “If there are no adverse reactions, you should be able to leave tomorrow.”

Flipping through the medical chart, the nurse paused in surprise. “Your name is exactly the same as the actress who was killed by her boyfriend yesterday. You’re so pretty—why aren’t you a star?”

Song Wan’s heart skipped a beat. It was the first news she’d heard about herself since waking up, and her face paled. Fortunately, the blood loss masked it. “There’s a star with the same name as me? I never heard of her.”

The nurse paused. “Not really a star. I heard she only played bit parts.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Do you like her?”

Song Wan forced a smile. “I don’t know her.”

After the nurse left, Song Wan immediately borrowed a phone from the patient next to her. She opened the web browser and saw the morning’s headlines:

#Love turns to hate—boyfriend kills cheating actress girlfriend#

Clicking in, she found it was indeed about her—

After killing his girlfriend Song Wan, Qi Lang turned himself in and, in front of reporters, tearfully claimed he’d discovered Song Wan was cheating, so in a fit of rage he committed an irreversible crime. He regretted it deeply when he came to his senses.

But due to the gravity of the crime—he failed to kill her the first time, then reversed and crushed her again—he was sentenced to life for murder.

The accompanying photo showed Qi Lang sobbing as he held his girlfriend’s corpse.

Most comments condemned Qi Lang, but some said Song Wan deserved it—serves her right for cheating.

Song Wan sneered. If she hadn’t been the victim, she might have believed the story: girlfriend cheats, boyfriend kills her out of love and rage—horrific, but understandable.

But she was the victim, and she knew it was all a conspiracy.

Thinking of everything that happened before her death, Song Wan suspected Tang Su had a hand in it. Maybe it was because Zhao Qing had chosen her to play the lead in “Tomorrow,” but she wasn’t certain.

Yet even after death, Tang Su wouldn’t stop smearing her reputation—her hatred truly ran deep.

But now, everything was different.

Song Wan smiled coldly. Tang Su, I died as you wished, but did you ever imagine… I’d come back? When I reach the top, it’ll be your turn to taste everything I suffered.

Tang Su, just wait.

…

Song Wan was discharged the next day. She ignored the mess in the bathroom and went straight to the bedroom, pulling a letter and a full script of “Immortal in the Clouds” from under the computer desk.

It was clear the original owner had little interest in the audition for “Immortal in the Clouds.”

After reading, Song Wan couldn’t help but smile bitterly. Even Wang Juan, a newcomer to the industry, and Song Wan herself, seasoned as she was, couldn’t help feeling jealous of the original owner.

“Immortal in the Clouds” was adapted from a popular novel with a huge fanbase, now the hottest IP drama, with a big budget and famous young stars. From the moment filming began, it caused a stir online and was destined to be a hit as long as the production didn’t mess up.

As an actress, Song Wan had followed news about the show and knew the most coveted role was the second female lead, Miao Yu—the very role the original owner had been invited to play.

In her previous life, Song Wan never got a role of such importance. If she performed well, she would be famous overnight.

Knock, knock, knock—

Song Wan frowned. The original owner hardly knew anyone. Who could be knocking?

She set the script and invitation on the desk, walked to the living room, and opened the door. Before she could see who it was, the visitor began berating her.

“Song Wan, why didn’t you answer my calls? If it weren’t for Young Master Feng calling me, I wouldn’t have known you were planning to crawl into President Jin’s bed. Do you know how hard you’re making things for me? Young Master Feng almost blacklisted me—do you know that? How could I have a friend like you? Thinking only of yourself, dragging me into danger!”

She looked ready to kill, as if Song Wan had murdered her family.

Apparently, the original owner’s departure that night had left Wang Juan furious enough to vent her anger now.

Luckily, it was Song Wan hearing this—not the original owner, or who knows if she’d try to commit suicide again.

Song Wan stared at her with an eerie calm.

In the dim hallway, her eyes shone unnaturally bright, giving off a chilling, supernatural air.

She deliberately lowered her voice, hoarse and cold. “Are you finished?”

Wang Juan shuddered and shouted, feigning confidence, “Finished? Song Wan, I’m telling you, if you don’t go and apologize to President Jin, I’ll cut you off!”

Song Wan snorted, immediately retorting, “Then let’s cut ties.”

Such composure and disdain could never have come from the original Song Wan.

Wang Juan looked at her uncertainly.

Song Wan was unafraid, her cold, ruthless eyes fixed on Wang Juan, lips curling in an icy smile.

Wang Juan felt uneasy and stepped back.

As Song Wan’s only friend, no one knew better how much Song Wan cared about her. She’d used “cut ties” countless times as a threat. No matter how much Song Wan resisted, that phrase always forced her to give in…

But this time, Song Wan didn’t care at all.

Wang Juan grew nervous. “Song Wan, what do you mean? You’re blaming me when you’re the one who did wrong?”

Of course—Song Wan must have discovered the truth, so she was treating Wang Juan coldly.

“You went to the wrong place, got involved with President Jin, nearly dragged me down with you, and you still dare speak to me like this?” Wang Juan accused, utterly shameless.

Had Song Wan not inherited the original owner’s memories, she might have believed Wang Juan and thought she was the one at fault.

But the truth?

Tch—

Song Wan’s patience snapped. She looked down at Wang Juan from her five-foot-six height, her natural presence instantly cowing the other woman. “Wang Juan, don’t take everyone else for a fool.”