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

When Li Yitong woke up in the morning, before her eyelids were fully open, she felt the familiar warmth around her.

She groggily turned her head to the side, and the morning light shone through the gap in the curtains. In the backlight, the profile of Shen Mo's sleeping face struck her eyes.

He came back last night!

This realization warmed her heart, and she couldn't help but quietly move her head and snuggle contentedly against his warm shoulder.

She moved very gently, but Shen Mo still woke up.

His eyelashes trembled slightly as he slowly opened his eyes. His arms tightened instinctively, pulling her closer into his embrace. He rested his chin naturally on the top of her head and gently touched her.

"Um……"

After a quiet embrace, Li Yitong's muffled voice came from his chest, soft and sweet from just waking up.

"Amo".

Shen Mo nuzzled her head again, indicating that he was listening.

"Me, Mengyan, Li Qin..."

She paused, then continued, "You've now assembled the entire 'Three Lookalike Sisters' trio..."

There was a subtle hint of probing in her voice.

"Tell me honestly, do you... have any unusual fetishes or thoughts?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Mo's hand, which was around her waist, slid down as punishment and gave her a light pinch.

"ah!"

Li Yitong let out a soft moan before she could react, her body instinctively shrinking back, and her cheeks flushing red.

Shen Mo chuckled softly, asking a teasing question in return.

"Huh? You three are still a couple?"

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of innocent accusation.

"Besides, weren't they both on that list you gave me back then, Mr. Li?"

"This is all being carried out strictly in accordance with our CEO Li's strategic plan."

His fingers gently massaged the spot where she had been pinched, as if to soothe her.

"Besides," he lowered his head, their noses touching, his gaze fixed intently on her face.

"I think you each have your own unique characteristics, and you're not alike at all."

His gaze was so earnest, so unwavering, that it instantly soothed the subtle bitterness in Li Yitong's heart.

Her cheeks grew even hotter, but she still refused to back down, muttering under her breath.

"Who knows if you're just saying that to make it sound nice..."

Looking into her sparkling eyes, Shen Mo's heart softened, and he kissed her slightly pouting lips, the kiss lasting only a moment.

"Then I'll show you that I can do even better than I say."

The sunlight outside the window gradually brightened, and as the sheets fluttered, it filled the room with warmth.

……

The elevator doors opened with a "ding."

Li Lin looked up and immediately saw Shen Mo and Li Yitong standing side by side outside.

Her gaze swept quickly between the two men. Shen Mo's expression remained unchanged, while Li Yitong's face had a rosy glow from being well-nourished, and her eyes showed a relaxation and brightness that was different from the previous few days.

In an instant, Shen Mo's attitude last night and his decisive and resolute departure seemed to have a clear explanation.

A slight "thump" came from a corner of her heart, and a feeling mixed with realization and loss quietly spread, but the curve of her lips did not change at all, and even rose a few more points.

Good morning, boss. Good morning, Sister Tong.

Her voice was clear and crisp, with just the right amount of enthusiasm.

Shen Mo nodded slightly to her, moved his feet, and considerately stood to the side of the elevator, making room for her.

Li Yitong, seemingly oblivious to any subtlety, responded with a bright smile, "Good morning, Xiao Lin!"

He then very naturally stepped forward and affectionately took her arm.

"I happened to run into Mr. Shen, so we went down together."

Li Yitong's tone was perfectly natural, as if this were just an ordinary chance encounter.

The warm touch on her arm and Li Yitong's uninhibited closeness made Li Lin's body stiffen for a moment, but she immediately relaxed and responded with a smile.

"It's quite a coincidence that I ran into you guys."

The elevator doors slowly closed, and in the cramped space, the figures of the three people were clearly reflected in the mirrored wall.

Li Qin looked at Shen Mo and Li Yitong standing on either side of her in the mirror. One was calm and reserved, while the other was bright and flamboyant. They had an unspoken, tacit understanding that was natural and harmonious.

She lowered her eyelashes, concealing the fleeting complexity in her eyes, and when she looked up again, her gaze was clear and bright.

She turned to Li Yitong and smiled, "Sister Tong, you look great today."

Li Yitong touched her face, her smile deepening, and glanced meaningfully at Shen Mo beside her, her tone sweet and innocent.

"Really? Maybe... you slept exceptionally well last night."

Upon hearing this, Shen Mo's gaze fell on Li Yitong's slightly smug face, and a smile flickered in his eyes.

Li Qin took it all in, and the last lingering, inexplicable thought in his heart quietly subsided.

"I heard you guys went out for barbecue last night. Why didn't you invite me? I'm on a diet and I'm craving it so much. I desperately need a indulgent meal."

Li Yitong gently shook Li Lin's hand, her eyes shining with sincerity as she stared at her.

Upon hearing this, Li Qin tightened his grip on her arm slightly, and the smile on his face became even more genuine.

"Sister Tong is already so thin, why does she still need to lose weight? Is Mohen's requirement that strict?"

As she spoke, Li Lin looked up at Shen Mo with a resentful expression.

"Sister Tong is already so thin, why does she still need to lose weight? Is Mohen's requirement that strict?"

As she spoke, Li Lin looked up at Shen Mo with a resentful expression.

Why did you tell her all this? I haven't even done anything yet and I'm already being reprimanded. What would happen if I actually did something?

"I treated my boss to dinner last night to thank him for arranging this role for me, but because I have to film today, he severely criticized me for not drinking."

"Oh~ really?" Li Yitong tilted her head and glanced at Shen Mo, her eyes full of satisfaction.

Shen Mo reached out and flicked her forehead.

"We can't blame Mohen for this. It's all Boss Li's fault. I told her to stop dieting a long time ago, or she'd be all skin and bones."

"Hmph, it's better than getting fat and being criticized!"

Li Yitong was flicked on the forehead, but instead of getting angry, she moved closer to Shen Mo, leaning almost half of her body against him, and then said to Li Qin.

"Did you hear that? The boss said no dieting. So next time we have barbecue, you have to invite me!"

Seeing the natural intimacy between the two, Li Qin's last ripples of emotion completely subsided.

She smiled and spoke in a light tone.

"Okay, Sister Tong, I'll definitely invite you next time! But..."

She winked mischievously, "Don't you dare cry 'I'm so sorry' again and not dare to eat a single bite."

"Li Lin!"

Li Yitong pretended to tickle her, and Li Lin laughed and dodged, bursting into laughter.

"Ding—" The elevator arrived at the first floor.

After the door opened, Shen Mo walked out first, with Li Yitong still holding Li Lin's arm. The two chatted and laughed as they followed behind him, heading towards where the crew's vehicles were parked.

The assistants, who had been waiting downstairs, brought breakfast and surrounded the room with bodyguards.

Shen Mo and Li Yitong are currently at the peak of their careers, and the hotel entrance is filled with fans who arrived early to wait.

……

During a break on set, Shen Mo was sitting behind the monitor with director Lin Yufen reviewing the footage when a slight commotion came from the outside.

He looked up and saw a tall, bright figure smiling as she directed her assistant to distribute the milk tea and coffee she had brought to the staff on site.

It was Dilraba.

She was dressed casually today, in a simple white T-shirt and jeans, but her radiant features, which were gradually blossoming, were still undeniable.

Seeing that Shen Mo noticed her, Dilraba's eyes lit up. She picked up a specially prepared iced Americano with a note that said "sugar-free" and walked over with light steps.

"Hello, Director Lin."

She first greeted Lin Yufen politely before handing the coffee to Shen Mo, her voice tinged with nervousness and anticipation.

"Brother Mo, this is for you."

Shen Mo was somewhat surprised and accepted the coffee.

"Why are you here? Didn't you have class today?"

"President Yang helped me get a new role."

Dilraba sat down on the folding stool next to him, her hands on her knees, her posture demure, but her bright eyes betrayed her excitement.

"It's a CCTV drama, 'Anarhan,' and they cast me as the female lead."

"I just got back from an audition in Beijing today. Since I've already taken leave from school, I figured I might as well come and see everyone."

She was too embarrassed to say that she had used inside information to calculate that Li Yitong's scenes would be filmed this afternoon, which was why she specifically chose this time to come.

The people hanging high in the air on wires not far away now prove that her information was very effective.

Lin Yufen, being an experienced woman, saw through the girl's hesitant manner and the way her eyes kept drifting towards Shen Mo. She understood perfectly, smiled, made an excuse, and left, giving them space.

"I've heard Tianzhen mention 'Anarhan,' it's a serious drama on CCTV."

Shen Mo pondered for a moment, then nodded.

"This is a great opportunity. It's a serious drama, and the platform is good. It will be very helpful for you to increase your national recognition and improve your reputation."

Upon receiving his affirmation, Dilraba's smile became even brighter.

"Yes! I will perform well and will definitely not let the company down."

She paused, her voice lowering slightly, tinged with dependence.

"I'm just... a little unsure of myself, as I've never played this type of role before."

Shen Mo inserted a straw and took a sip of coffee; the taste was exactly the strength he was used to.

He looked at her and said, "There's nothing to be afraid of."

"You have that kind of tenacity, so find the core of the character and trust the director and the script."

"Moreover, this play happens to be a story from your hometown, so it won't be difficult for you to portray it."

"However, if you encounter any difficulties, please feel free to tell the company, tell General Manager Yang, or..."

He paused for a moment, then said, "You can tell me too."

"Really?"

Dilraba looked up almost immediately, her eyes shining brightly.

"Then... if I encounter any problems in the future, can... can I ask you directly?"

She subconsciously reverted to using honorifics, with a cautious, tentative approach.

"Sure," Shen Mo replied readily.

"The company signed you so that you could go further."

"You have potential, don't waste it."

These words carried a businesslike tone, but to Dilraba at that moment, they sounded like the most beautiful encouragement.

She looked at Shen Mo's profile, which was exceptionally clear in the sunlight, and at the slight movement of his Adam's apple as he spoke. A complex feeling of admiration welled up in her chest.

At this moment, as if suddenly remembering something, she took out a slightly antique silver bookmark from her small bag and handed it to Shen Mo, a shy blush spreading across her face.

"I saw this in my hometown a while ago, and I thought the pattern on it was very unique, so I bought it."

"I was thinking that you, Brother Mo, usually read a lot of scripts and documents, so this might come in handy."

It wasn't an expensive gift, but it showed great thoughtfulness.

Shen Mo stared at the bookmark in her hand, slightly taken aback.

He reached out and took it, his gaze lingering on it for two seconds before looking up at Dilraba, his eyes now showing a genuine gentleness.

"Very exquisite, very thoughtful. Thank you."

Seeing that he accepted it and seemed genuinely pleased, Dilraba's nervousness turned into joy.

She smiled, her crescent-shaped eyes crinkling, "I'm glad you like it!"

Just then, Li Yitong finished filming her scenes and walked towards them with a bright smile on her face.

"Dilraba is here!"

Dilraba immediately stood up and handed over a cup of milk tea, "Sister Tong, I brought milk tea for everyone."

"I was just thirsty, thank you, Reba!"

Li Yitong naturally accepted it, her gaze quickly sweeping over the bookmark that Shen Mo hadn't yet put away, without asking any further questions.

Shen Mo placed the bookmark into the inner pocket of the script she carried with her, which was seen by Dilraba. The joy in her heart quietly and firmly settled down.

"What are you talking about, you seem to be having so much fun?"

Li Yitong took a sip of milk tea and naturally walked over to sit down next to Shen Mo. Her shoulder almost touched his arm, and her gaze, filled with a friendly smile, fell on Dilraba's face.

Dilraba quickly composed herself, her face regaining its sweet and obedient smile, and she spoke in a tone that suggested she was reporting a task.

"I was telling Brother Mo about the new movie that President Yang got for me, 'Anarhan'."

"Anarhan? A CCTV drama?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yitong's eyes lit up, revealing sincere appreciation.

"This is a great opportunity! The subject matter is excellent, the platform is strong, Dilraba, seize this opportunity; it will be very helpful for expanding your future acting career."

"Yes! Sister Yitong, I will try my best."

Dilraba nodded vigorously, feeling the unreserved encouragement from Li Yitong. Her heart was filled with mixed emotions, including gratitude and a touch of indescribable shame.

She glanced at Shen Mo furtively and saw that he was looking down at the script, seemingly not intending to join their conversation.

But that bookmark was now lying quietly inside his script.

"How's the script reading going? Are there any difficult parts?"

Li Yitong naturally stepped into her role as a "senior" and "company executive," showing concern for Dilraba's preparations for her new film.

Dilraba immediately perked up and shared her understanding and confusion about the character of Anarhan.

Li Yitong listened attentively, occasionally asking a question or sharing some experiences.

Although Shen Mo's gaze was fixed on the script, he would occasionally add a sentence or two after Li Yitong's comments, or point out a performance detail that was easily overlooked.

After a while, the stagehand came over to remind Li Yitong to prepare for the next scene.

Li Yitong smiled at Dilraba.

"Reba, why don't you sit a little longer, or have the driver take you back to your hotel to rest? If you're free tonight, how about we have dinner together?"

"No need, Sister Tong. I have to go back to school later. I have an early class tomorrow morning."

Dilraba quickly waved her hand and stood up sensibly, "You guys are busy, I won't bother you any longer."

As she spoke, she looked at Shen Mo and said, "Brother Mo, I'll be going now."

Shen Mo looked up from the script and nodded to her.

"Be careful on the road. Prepare well for 'Anarhan'."

It was the same standard advice a boss gives to his employees, but Dilraba could detect a different feeling in his calm tone.

She smiled brightly, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons.

"Okay! I know. Goodbye, Brother Mo. Goodbye, Sister Tong!"