The Entertainment Industry in Turmoil: Young Actresses All Want to Rise to the Top

Three days after winning the Hundred Flowers Award, the online discussion is still going strong.

Shen Mo's car slowly drove into the Beijing Film Academy. Today was September 1st, the day of the freshman orientation.

As soon as the car came to a stop, he saw Wang Chunzi waiting at the entrance of the auditorium.

She wore a white suit today, which made her look even more gentle and intellectual.

What's most eye-catching is the nearly two-meter-tall roll-up banner next to her.

The poster features a still from his film "Love is Not Blind," with two prominent lines of text printed next to it.

"Warmest congratulations to Shen Mo, an outstanding graduate of our school's Performing Arts Department, for winning the Best Actor award at the 31st Hundred Flowers Awards."

"Welcome back to your alma mater, Best Actor Shen Mo, to grace us with your presence at the freshman commencement ceremony."

Wang Chunzi stepped forward, her eyes crinkling with laughter, her voice brimming with undisguised joy and pride.

"You've really given your teacher a wonderful surprise!"

She paused, lowered her voice, and spoke with a touch of emotion.

"I was originally thinking of helping you get this opportunity, but after the results of the Hundred Flowers Awards came out, the school was the one that asked me to contact you to confirm your arrival."

"It is an honor for the school that you can come back to give a speech to your younger schoolmates."

Shen Mo felt a warmth in his heart when he saw the tears glistening in his mentor's eyes.

"It's all thanks to the teachers' excellent instruction."

Don't give me that.

"I thought the school would put up a banner for me at the school gate, but it was just a roll-up banner instead. Sigh~"

Wang Chunzi playfully slapped his arm lightly and rolled her eyes at him.

"You think you've won the Cannes Best Actor award?"

"If that day ever comes, there will definitely be more than one banner at school."

"Let's go, Dean Zhang has been waiting for you in his office for a long time."

She led Shen Mo through the familiar corridor to the dean's office backstage.

Pushing open the door, Zhang Huijun, wearing black-rimmed glasses, stood up from his desk.

"Shen Mo, it's an honor to meet you."

Dean Zhang Huijun extended his hand proactively, his smile gentle yet firm.

"Your teacher Wang has been talking about you all the time, and now look what's happened, you've brought home the Hundred Flowers Award."

Wang Chunzi added with a smile.

"My master has been wanting to meet you for a long time. When he heard you were coming, he came early and waited for half a day."

After the three of them sat down, Zhang Huijun looked at Shen Mo with a mixture of caution and appreciation in his eyes.

"I and several teachers from different schools watched your performance in 'Love is Not Blind'."

"This award is yours!"

"Thank you for your recognition, Dean Zhang. It was Teacher Wang who taught us so well back then."

Shen Mo looked serious at this moment, no longer the silly person he was in front of Wang Chunzi.

Zhang Huijun waved his hand, his gaze behind his glasses revealing deep thought.

"The basic skills are taught by the teacher, but being able to find your own soul in a role is your skill."

He leaned forward slightly, placing his hands folded on the table.

"To be honest, the reason I invited you here today is not only to set an example for the new students, but also to learn from your experience."

"The current teaching system is somewhat outdated."

"What kind of actors does the market need? How should schools teach them? We old guys also want to hear the thoughts of you young people who are making your way in the front lines."

Wang Chunzi handed over a freshly brewed cup of tea at the opportune moment, adding in a gentle tone.

"My mentor has been staying up late a lot in the past six months to revise the acting curriculum."

He pondered for a moment, holding the warm teacup.

"Director Zhang, Teacher Wang, in terms of acting, although I have won an award, it's only for 'Love is Not Blind' and 'My Love from the Star'."

"How should I teach my students? I wouldn't dare to show off my skills in front of Guan Yu."

"But I can help the school resolve some of its concerns."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Huijun, who had been leaning back in his chair, unconsciously sat up straight, gesturing for Shen Mo to continue.

Shen Mo met the gazes of his two teachers, his tone calm yet carrying a resolute strength.

"I have achieved some success in the financial market, and I am now able to support my juniors."

"My initial idea is that Inkstone Capital could fund the establishment of an 'Inkstone Scholarship' at the Nortel Institute of Technology."

"This fund is mainly aimed at two types of students: first, outstanding students from families with genuine financial difficulties, to help them resolve their worries about life so that they can focus more on their studies."

"Secondly, we will fund the filming of students' graduation projects on campus, especially for those students who have ideas but lack resources."

"It just so happens that I recently set up the 'Ink Shadow Alliance,' which can provide internship opportunities for some outstanding junior students."

"Companies within the alliance, including our own projects, regularly open up internship positions. Schools recommend candidates, and we conduct joint interviews to ensure that our juniors are exposed to real-world industry experience."

"At the same time, I also plan to set up a special project team at Mohen Media to support new directors."

"We will then assemble a judging panel composed of senior producers and directors in the industry to evaluate the project proposals submitted by our Beijing Film Academy alumni."

"Once approved, InkSign will provide full-chain support, from funding and production management to post-production, distribution, and promotion."

After listening, Zhang Huijun did not speak immediately, but tapped his fingers lightly on the table, clearly weighing his options quickly.

A moment later, he took off his glasses and looked at Shen Mo with a complex expression of admiration.

"Shen Mo, your sentiments are too heavy."

Wang Chunzi's eyes reddened with emotion as she looked at her former most mischievous student, her voice choked with emotion.

"Are you trying to guarantee the school's employment rate?"

Shen Mo smiled modestly: "Teacher, Dean Zhang, I just did what I could."

"The market changes rapidly. I hope that when my juniors graduate, they will not only be able to act and create, but also adapt to the industry and even have the ability to lead some changes."

"To put it bluntly, this is not just for the school, but also for our Mohen, to cultivate outstanding talents for the future."

Zhang Huijun put his glasses back on, a relaxed smile spreading across his face. He patted Shen Mo's shoulder and then slowly stood up.

"Shen Mo, you're great! Let's go, the freshman orientation ceremony is about to begin, it's time for you, as a senior, to share some experience with the freshmen."

The moment Shen Mo and his group appeared on the side of the auditorium, the previously noisy audience gradually quieted down, and then erupted into a tsunami of gasps and applause.

Dean Zhang Huijun took the lead and delivered a brief opening speech.

He concluded by saying, "Today, we are very honored to have a special family member return to our alma mater."

"He just proved the strength and aspirations of us at Beijing Film Academy with a weighty Hundred Flowers Award."

"Now, let's give a warm round of applause to welcome your senior, the winner of the Best Actor award at the 31st Hundred Flowers Awards—Shen Mo!"

"Whoosh—!!!"

The applause and cheers reached their peak instantly, almost lifting the roof off the auditorium.

Many freshmen from the performing arts department stood up excitedly, and all the phone cameras in the audience were pointed at the stage.

Amid thunderous applause, Shen Mo steadily walked onto the stage, gently shook hands with Dean Zhang, and then proceeded to the front of the podium.

The latest chapter has ignited the plot! Stay tuned for more updates.