Holding Jade

When they first met, he was a peerless superstar, a world-famous actor who lost himself in his roles, caught up in scandals for years and tangled up with countless men and women.

She, meanwhile, was a down-and-out talent scout standing on a windy street, shivering as she searched for new talent. Her pockets were empty; she couldn't even afford a bowl of beef noodles.

He saw her trembling in the cold, so he casually lent her a hand, recommending her to an entertainment company as an intern agent.

The second time they met was at his funeral. As an unrelated passerby from the industry, she laid a flower in tribute.

When she opened her eyes again, time had turned back. He was still young and radiant, just beginning to make a name for himself onstage, not yet dead in front of the cameras. She swallowed her pride, puffed out her meager chest, and volunteered:

I... I can help you take the world stage and avoid everything you don't want to face.

I'll build you up, carefully and tenderly, as if you were a piece of jade.

Reader's guide:

1. The leads save each other.

2. The male lead is a peerless performer, charming to people of every gender. He has a rich romantic past, and will have romantic entanglements even early in his partnership with the female lead. Read with caution if that's a dealbreaker.

3. The career and romance plotlines are equally important. The leads start out as partners. The author's style is unconventional.

4. An alternate history setting. The author knows nothing about history or the entertainment industry and is making it all up, so read with caution.