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

The next day, Shen Mo and Li Yitong arrived at Mohen Capital on time.

Although the company operated well under the coordination of Li Yitong and Zhou Wanqing during his absence of more than a month, many key decisions and strategic details still required Shen Mo's personal attention.

He went straight into his office and began intensively gathering core members.

Discussed the subsequent layout and risk control of short positions in Hong Kong stocks with Zhao Feng and Chen Jun, and reviewed the completion of the company's organizational structure and other departmental setups with Zhou Wanqing.

Throughout the morning, Shen Mo efficiently switched between different states.

Meanwhile, Li Yitong strolled over to the HR manager's workstation.

She lowered her voice and explained a specific recruitment requirement.

"Help me post a job opening." She handed over a slip of paper with the requirements written on it.

"The core requirements are: interest in the entertainment industry, a similar physique and facial features to mine, and most importantly, good character and a tight-lipped nature. In addition, they must have the basic skills of a personal assistant."

The HR manager looked at the note, somewhat puzzled: "Is this for hiring...?"

A barely perceptible blush crossed Li Yitong's face. "My assistant, or you could say, my own stand-in!"

"I might act in movies for fun in the future, but for some overly intimate scenes, like... kissing scenes, I'll let her do them."

She paused, her voice even softer, a sweet whisper to herself.

"There's nothing I can do, he cares! I have to consider his feelings too."

She patted the HR manager on the shoulder.

"I know it's hard to find someone with these qualities, but don't worry, I'm still a long way from being a lead actor, so you can take your time looking."

The HR manager immediately understood and nodded with a smile.

As soon as it was time to leave work, Shen Mo called Li Yitong and several members of the startup team and went to a private restaurant that had been booked in advance.

Everyone knew what day it was, and they all raised their glasses to offer their blessings to Li Yitong.

The cake was brought out, and the birthday song was sung.

While Li Yitong was making a wish, everyone turned their attention to Shen Mo, curious about what kind of surprise he would bring out.

Shen Mo did not take out jewelry or luxury gift boxes, but instead took out a file folder.

Li Yitong opened her eyes and took the document with a puzzled look. Opening the document bag, she saw a brand new "Business License".

When she saw the "Company Name" field, her pupils suddenly contracted.

Then, he picked up a few photos from the file folder.

It is a teahouse with extremely elegant decor.

What warmed her heart the most was the plaque hanging at the entrance of the teahouse, which prominently displayed two large characters.

【Xuelu】

"Snow" is taken from her name and is also a symbol of purity and dynamism.

"Lu" implies a peaceful and carefree world, a place where one can live in seclusion even in the city.

"This...this is..."

Li Yitong looked up at Shen Mo in disbelief, her voice trembling slightly.

She had only mentioned this dream to him casually a long, long time ago, when she had just graduated in her previous life and was full of vague dreams about the future.

She said it would be great if she could open a teahouse that combines dance and tea ceremony.

But she had long forgotten this unrealistic girlish dream in the corner of time.

I never imagined that someone would so solemnly pick it up from the dust, wipe it clean, and turn it into a tangible reality.

"I remember."

Shen Mo's voice was gentle yet firm, as if he could see through all her thoughts.

"You once said you wanted a place where you could dance and enjoy a cup of tea."

He pointed to the photo, "'Xuelu' is your place."

"The license has been obtained, the renovation is nearing completion, and you can see Houhai when you open the window."

"From now on, it will be your dance studio, your teahouse, and your 'private space' with your friends."

Li Yitong's vision blurred instantly. She gripped the business license and photo tightly, her knuckles turning white.

The overwhelming surprise and emotion were like a warm current, instantly breaking down her defenses.

She wasn't excited by the material gift.

It was because the man in front of her remembered a dream she had long forgotten, a dream that she herself had never truly valued.

She abruptly put down what she was holding, ignoring everyone else present, and rushed over to hug Shen Mo tightly.

She buried her face in his shoulder, her muffled voice carrying a heavy nasal tone.

"Shen Mo...you bastard!"

"When did you secretly do all this...?"

Why do you remember so clearly...?

Her words sounded like a complaint, but the arms tightly wrapped around his neck and her slightly trembling shoulders betrayed her immense excitement and joy.

"How am I supposed to get married in the future?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Feng and the others around him collectively curled their lip: Still playing the ambiguity game? If you don't marry him, who else can you marry?

Shen Mo was knocked back slightly by her, but then caught her steadily.

With a indulgent and satisfied smile on his face, he gently patted her back.

"Then don't marry me, I'll support you!"

Shen Mo's tone, half teasing and half serious, was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples in Li Yitong's heart.

Immediately, a few onlookers uttered a series of well-intentioned but slightly joking "Oh—" sounds.

Li Yitong's face flushed instantly, hotter than the candlelight when she made her wish.

She jerked away from Shen Mo's shoulder as if she had been burned by his words.

Her ears turned bright red, and her crescent-shaped eyes widened in embarrassment. She wrinkled her nose habitually and gave Shen Mo's arm a light tap.

"Who, who asked you to support them!"

She tried to mask her inner turmoil with a fierce tone, but the slight tremor in her voice and the flickering in her eyes betrayed her.

"I'm determined to become a top star in the entertainment industry!"

She straightened her chest, but unfortunately, her flushed cheeks and eyes that dared not meet Shen Mo's gaze made her declaration seem particularly lacking in confidence.

Shen Mo let her hit him, a knowing yet indulgent smile playing on his lips.

Li Yitong felt uncomfortable under his gaze and hurriedly looked away, grabbing the "Xuelu" business license on the table.

"Look! 'Snow Lodge'!"

"I'm Boss Li! Who's supporting whom is still uncertain!"

As she spoke, she deliberately raised her chin and glanced at Shen Mo with her nostrils, her slightly arrogant demeanor causing everyone to chuckle again.

"Yes, yes, Mr. Li, please take good care of me in the future."

Shen Mo nodded readily, cooperating with her performance.

"Eat cake, eat cake!"

Li Yitong was afraid she would lose control of her expression, so she quickly greeted everyone.

"This cake is so big, let's not waste it!"

"Anyone who doesn't eat here is disrespecting Boss Li!"

She began cutting the cake with exaggerated movements, trying to hide her racing heart with her busyness.

Shen Mo didn't say anything more, but just quietly watched her bustling around among the crowd.

Li Yitong, who was eating cake with her head down, still had a little cream on the corner of her mouth, but her gaze involuntarily drifted to the man beside her.

"Fine, I won't marry you then..."

She murmured softly to herself.

"...Anyway, there's no escaping it now."

After the noisy birthday celebration crowd dispersed, only a messy table and lingering warmth remained in the private room.

The blush on Li Yitong's face had not completely faded.

She held the thin business license in her hand, her fingertips repeatedly tracing the raised characters "Xue Lu".

My heart felt completely filled with something.

She looked up at Shen Mo, who was helping her with her coat, her eyes sparkling with a hint of eager pleading.

"Shen Mo, shall we... go take a look at 'Snow Lodge' now?"

It was late at night, but Shen Mo did not hesitate at all and naturally put a coat on her.

"it is good."

The car drove past the dimly lit bars along the Houhai Lake and finally stopped in front of a relatively quiet little building.

Bathed in moonlight and illuminated by distant lights, it appeared tranquil and elegant.

The "Xuelu" plaque at the entrance has already been hung up.

Shen Mo took out his key, and a soft "click" sounded, which was particularly clear in the quiet night.

He pushed open the wooden door and stepped aside to let Li Yitong go in first.

A faint scent of fresh wood mixed with varnish wafted over me.

The teahouse was empty and clean, with no furniture yet. Moonlight filtered through the window screens, casting dappled shadows on the floor.

Li Yitong stood at the door, not going in immediately.

She took a deep breath, as if trying to etch the essence of this "territory" into her very being.

Then, I slowly walked in.