As Bright as Jade

Ming Yu had two men in her life.

She loved the first man deeply, but he left her forever. Ming Yu didn't fall apart, but she was devastated, as though he'd taken her heart with him.

The second man was the one who recognized her talent. But one day, he told her he wanted to be her man, the kind who could share her bed.

-

Before she joined the Ming family, Ming Yu was called "Tianyang."

The person who adopted her said they hoped her future would shine as brightly as the sun in the sky.

Ming Yu lived up to that hope.

She entered the entertainment industry as an inheritor of martial arts traditions. Her very first work won the Best Actress award in its category, making her the youngest international star of martial arts opera.

With that much fame, of course there were people who envied her.

The most common rumors were that a powerful tycoon was backing Ming Yu and that she could fight but couldn't act.

When the rumors reached Ming Yu, she took on an art-house film. It did only average business at the box office, but her moving, skillful performance won her a Best Actress award. From then on, Ming Yu's schedule filled with film offers and brand deals. She became one of the top actresses of her generation.

Just as she was at the peak of her fame, someone suddenly exposed her relationship.

And her background.

She didn't care about the former, but the latter hurt her a little.

She knew without even thinking who had leaked the information.

Ming Yu went to find the man who had "backed" her and saw him teasing a dying goldfish in a pool of red wine.

She got straight to the point. "Why did you do that?"

Hearing Ming Yu's voice, Ming Zheng turned to look at her, his eyes habitually filling with a smile whose sincerity was impossible to read.

He handed her the last of the fish food in his hand, signaling for her to save the dying fish.

Ming Yu didn't take it.

How could a fish raised in a pool of red wine be saved?

Ming Yu's refusal disappointed Ming Zheng.

He took two steps closer. The smile disappeared from his eyes. Gently stroking the hair by her temple, he said, "My girl can't fall for another man. Otherwise, I'll get very angry."

* The female lead is not based on anyone real (this is important). She gave herself the name Ming Yu after joining the Ming family. Yu means "radiance" and "brightness."

* The female lead is no helpless vine, and won't let others manipulate her. She's a quick learner with a full arsenal of skills. Besides martial arts, she speaks foreign languages and trains in professional skills before joining a production.

* The female lead truly loves her first man. Her ability to love is one of her best qualities. Don't read if you object to actresses pursuing their careers while also dating. The story will include fans who abandon her over a relationship and then turn against her.

* Overall, this is an over-the-top Mary Sue entertainment-industry story full of melodrama.

* I'll save up bookmarks. If I don't get enough, I'll hold off on starting it for now. I'll add more if I think of anything.

Theme: A dazzling star