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

"Knock knock knock—"

A short knock on the door shattered the tranquil silence in the office.

Bai Lu sprang up from Shen Mo's arms almost reflexively. She hurriedly straightened her slightly crooked black-rimmed glasses, quickly smoothed out the wrinkles on her coat, and then pinched a strand of hair that had fallen in front of her eyes and tucked it behind her ear.

Immediately afterwards, she strode to the other side of the desk, straightened her back, and picked up the documents on the desk, holding them tightly to her chest.

In an instant, he reverted to his usual self as Assistant Bai, who had just finished reporting on his work.

Only her slightly flushed ears and her still-rapid breathing testified to the embrace that had just taken place.

Shen Mo took in her series of smooth movements, and the corners of his lips involuntarily curved upwards into a slight arc.

The moment she regained her composure, she turned toward the door and resumed her usual calm and steady voice.

"Come in!"

The door was gently pushed open.

Bai Lu secretly breathed a sigh of relief when the person who came in appeared, but doubts immediately arose in her mind again.

[Why is she here?]

Standing at the door was Dilraba, the little turtle she was guarding one-on-one.

She was dressed simply today, in a light-colored shirt and jeans, with her long, flowing hair draped over her shoulders, and a look on her face that was somewhere between sweet and reserved.

Clearly, she hadn't expected there to be anyone else in the office, especially Bai Lu.

She stopped at the door, a hint of surprise flashing in her clear eyes, her gaze quickly shifting between Bai Lu and Shen Mo.

"Don't stand there, come in."

Shen Mo's voice broke the brief silence.

"Oh, okay, Brother Mo."

Dilraba came to her senses and followed instructions to come in, closing the door behind her.

Her gaze couldn't help but drift back to Bai Lu, who was standing ramrod straight in front of the desk, her eyes filled with a clear question.

[What are you doing here?]

Bai Lu received her gaze, but instead of looking away, she slightly raised her chin.

A hint of self-righteousness shone through her wide-open almond-shaped eyes, and her lips pursed almost imperceptibly.

[Why are you here again?]

The two girls' eyes met briefly in the air, and silent electrical signals crackled.

"Hey, isn't this our big star Bai Lu?"

Dilraba blinked her naturally exotic eyes, her voice soft and sweet, yet her words held a subtle barb.

"Shouldn't you be busy flying around for gigs lately? How come you have time to come back to the office as an assistant?"

Bai Lu raised her chin slightly, hugged the folder in her arms tighter, and let out a soft hum.

"None of your business! I can be whatever I want."

She deliberately looked away, but then glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.

"How could I possibly care about you?"

Dilraba took a few steps closer, her voice still soft, but she leaned in and lowered her voice.

"Is it because some people, after becoming famous, have forgotten they even had a 'fake sister' like me?"

"What? Are you panicking now that I'm gaining some popularity?"

"I'm panicking? You're really funny, what kind of joke is that!"

Ignoring Shen Mo's presence, Dilraba put her hands on her hips and glared fiercely at Bai Lu.

"You haven't sent me a single message in all this time! 'A Little Reunion' is such a hit, and you haven't even sent a congratulatory message!"

Bai Lu immediately turned her head, her eyes wide.

"That's not it—"

Dilraba was momentarily speechless, her cheeks puffing out slightly.

"There's no signal on the film set in northern Xinjiang!"

As she spoke, Dilraba took a small half-step forward and gently bumped Bai Lu's arm with her shoulder.

"You haven't come to visit me on set yet... and I haven't even said anything!"

"Di, Li, Re, Ba!"

Bai Lu, who was holding the folder, bumped back.

"You know you're in northern Xinjiang, with no signal and endless yellow sand. If I get lost, you'll be responsible!"

"Ouch!" Dilraba was jolted by the bump and reached out to pinch her ear in return.

"You're just making excuses!"

"Wait... why are your ears so red? And so hot?"

Bai Lu, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, slammed the folder on the table and slapped her hand away.

"Mind your own business! The office air conditioning can't be too strong!"

She spoke fiercely, but the blush from her earlobes quietly spread to her cheeks.

Shen Mo, who had been leaning back in his chair watching the show, had a hint of a smile in his eyes.

He cleared his throat at the opportune moment. "Reba, is there something you need that you came all this way?"

When Shen Mo asked her that question, Dilraba immediately suppressed the bit of coquettish anger she had just displayed.

Her fingertips curled unconsciously, her long eyelashes drooped slightly, and when she raised them again, her face showed a hint of joy.

"Yes, there's something I need to report to Brother Mo."

Her voice returned to its usual soft and sweet tone, but it sounded more serious than before.

"The release date for 'Anarhan' has been officially set today. CCTV informed us that it will be at the end of this month."

As she spoke, her gaze unconsciously drifted toward Shen Mo, as if observing his reaction, or perhaps seeking some kind of confirmation or approval from him.

This drama is of great significance to her, not only because it is her first time playing the lead role in a serious drama, but also because it carries the story of her hometown.

And telling him this was almost her instinct.

I want to see you!

This thought had been lingering in my mind for a long time.

From the time she returned to the Shanghai Theatre Academy after filming wrapped up, to the time she was on vacation, she had been holding back until today when she finally had a legitimate reason and mustered up the courage to come to the company and to his office door.

Bai Lu raised an eyebrow, crossed her arms, and didn't say anything more, but her eyes clearly showed her scrutiny.

Dilraba knew the importance of "Anarhan" to her.

But did this girl really make a special trip just to report news that the company would find out sooner or later?

Turtle Ba, others may not know what you're thinking, but don't make your intentions too obvious to me.

Hmph, no wonder I called you a turtle.

But you know, I'm not anymore, hahaha...

"It's been scheduled for release? That's great news."

"Being able to act in a serious drama produced by CCTV will be of great benefit to your future development."

He leaned forward slightly. "What's the exact date? Has the promotional period been set?"

"Premiering on June 30th."

When Dilraba announced the date and saw Shen Mo's focused expression, she felt a warm sense of being valued.

"Ms. Yang said she's in contact with CCTV regarding the publicity plan, and there might be some interviews and special programs."

"Yes," Shen Mo nodded, "When serious dramas air on CCTV, the promotional pace is different from that of commercial dramas; the focus is on word-of-mouth and depth."

"You should prepare in advance, especially in understanding the character and the historical context, as the interview may involve some in-depth questions."

"I know, Brother Mo."

Dilraba nodded seriously, then paused, as if hesitating, before adding softly, with a hint of barely perceptible expectation.

"Um... Brother Mo, will you watch the premiere?"

As soon as she asked the question, her ears began to heat up slightly, but her eyes remained fixed on Shen Mo.

Bai Lu clicked her tongue softly from the side.

Little Bazi, your turtle legs are showing!

Looking into Dilraba's clear eyes, which held a mixture of nervousness and anticipation, Shen Mo nodded.

"Of course. I'll definitely keep an eye on Dilraba's first leading role."

"Um!"

Dilraba felt a huge weight lifted from her heart. She nodded vigorously, a gentle smile curving her lips.

Bai Lu pouted, picked up the folder on the table again, and flipped through it casually.

"The release date for 'Anarhan' is indeed a big deal."

Changing the subject, she said, "However, Reba, you can just talk to President Yang about this, right?"

"You came all this way just to say this?"

She raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping over Dilraba's face with a hint of mischief.

"Could it be..."

Dilraba was taken aback by what she said, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she subconsciously retorted.

"I just..."

Bai Lu almost burst out laughing when she saw Dilireba's nervousness.

"You're not thinking of getting Brother Mo to treat you to dinner, are you?"

She skillfully steered the conversation back on Dilraba's mind, with a touch of teasing.

[I was just looking for an excuse to go out to eat with Mo Ge! If the two of us go out to eat with Mo Ge, no one should say anything, right?]

"I……"

Dilraba looked at Shen Mo, then glanced at Bai Lu, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

"Yeah, that's right! But it's not Brother Mo who's treating me, it's me who wants to treat Brother Mo to a meal. I've found a really good restaurant."

Upon hearing this answer, Bai Lu raised her eyebrows almost imperceptibly.

[Hey, you're getting serious now?]

Looking at the two girls standing in his office, Shen Mo knew that he probably wouldn't be able to work properly.

He stood up, straightened his clothes, clapped his hands, and a faint smile played on his lips.

"Let's go then, take us to try this restaurant you mentioned, see how delicious it is!"

A private restaurant not far from Mohen, with an elegant environment, specializing in modified Xinjiang cuisine, with a small square table in the private room.

Bai Lu wanted to sit down next to Shen Mo, and had already taken half a step in that direction, but she stopped abruptly when Dilireba's clear gaze swept over her.

Instead, he pulled out the chair opposite Shen Mo, but the movement was a bit too large, and the chair legs made a slight scraping sound on the floor.

"This place is really hard to find."

She muttered to herself, trying to hide her momentary unease, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously pursed.

Dilraba naturally sat between Shen Mo and Bai Lu, and the three of them sat at the square table in a triangular formation.

"The director recommended it, saying that the baked buns and Sichuan peppercorn chicken were particularly authentic, so I thought I'd bring you guys to try them, maybe you'll like them."

As she spoke, her eyes unconsciously glanced at Shen Mo, and a faint smile curved her lips.

Shen Mo smiled, took the menu from the waiter, and placed it directly in the center of the table.

"Since it was Dilraba who recommended it, you're in charge of ordering today."

"Then I won't be polite."

Dilraba's eyes lit up slightly as she took the menu and pointed to each line with her slender fingers.

"Brother Mo, the mutton stew with flatbread here has a strong spice flavor, can you handle it?... Mengyan, would you like to try the yogurt rice dumpling? It's sweet and sour."

Bai Lu was secretly texting Shen Mo on her phone when she heard this, so she looked up and raised an eyebrow.

"Order whatever you like, it's your treat anyway."

Shen Mo picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said leisurely.

"Order whatever you like, it's your treat anyway."

Shen Mo picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said leisurely.

"If Dilraba is treating, why don't we just skip the selection and bring out the whole menu? This is a rare opportunity!"

"Okay! Okay!" Bai Lu excitedly put down her phone, her big eyes full of excitement.

"Brother Mo!"

Dilraba's ears burned, and she glared at him reproachfully, but then gently kicked Bai Lu under the table.

"What's so good about it?" She turned to look at Bai Lu.

"You ordered so much, are you sure you can finish it all?"

Bai Lu hunched over, reaching under the table to grasp her legs, her face contorted in pain as she rested her small face on the tabletop.

"Dilraba, you're not human, Brother Mo... she bullied me."

Dilraba simply placed the menu in her face, "How about our big star Bai Lu treats us?"

"I don't have high demands, just like you did before, one of everything is fine."

Upon hearing this, Bai Lu immediately sat up straight and presented the menu to Dilraba with a fawning expression.

Then, in a fawning manner, he lightly tapped her arm with both hands and occasionally pinched it.

"Little star, little star, can't compare to our Sister Barbie."

"Sister Baba is the number one ink stain expert!"

"I won't steal Sister Baba's thunder this time. I'll treat you to something delicious next time."

"Hmph~"

Dilraba took the menu and glanced guiltily at Shen Mo, who was watching the show.

After ordering, hand the menu to the waiter.

"Who do you think I am? Tongtong is still around!"