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

The filming of "Nirvana in Fire" finally wrapped up before the release of "Brotherhood of Blades".

The wrap party was very grand, but Shen Mo and Li Lin only sat for a short while before leaving early.

The next morning, the two seamlessly embarked on the promotional tour for "Brotherhood of Blades".

Outside the airplane window, a sea of ​​clouds flowed by. The first-class cabin was quiet, with only the steady hum of the engines.

Li Qin wore an eye mask and pretended to sleep, while Shen Mo reviewed the roadshow schedule and the latest public opinion briefing on his tablet.

The anticipation for "Brotherhood of Blades" has been greatly increased by the pre-release marketing.

A meticulous return to traditional martial arts, produced by Mohen.

This is Shen Mo's first martial arts film after "Love is Not Blind", "My Love from the Star" and "The Journey of Flower".

This is Li Lin's first leading role in a film after joining Inkhen.

These have become the focus of much discussion among the media and audiences.

However, being in the spotlight also means scrutiny, especially for the two of them.

"Tired?"

Shen Mo noticed the subtle movement beside him and asked in a low voice.

Li Lin pulled down her eye mask, revealing a pair of eyes that didn't show much sleepiness.

"It's alright. I'm just a little worried."

Shen Mo put down the tablet and turned to look at her.

After spending several months working together on "Nirvana in Fire," he easily understood Li Lin's worries.

"It's fine."

Shen Mo reached out and patted the top of her head. "You acted very well in this movie."

"And I'm also one of the ones carrying the weight."

"Whether it's success or failure, I'll share the burden."

Li Lin nodded, took his hand in hers, intertwined their fingers, and pulled back under the blanket covering her.

"I know."

She responded softly and put her blindfold back on, blocking his view.

The first stop of the roadshow was Beijing, and the airport was already packed with fans who had come after hearing about it.

Shen Mo and Li Lin walked out of the passage one after the other, both dressed in simple and comfortable casual clothes.

There was no deliberate attempt to walk side by side, nor excessive distance; they maintained just the right distance while traveling together.

"Shen Mo! Look this way!"

"Li Lin! Lin Lin!"

"Shen Mo and Li Lin, keep it up with 'Brotherhood of Blades'!"

The sounds of camera shutters and shouts blended together.

Wang Zheng led the security guards to clear the way ahead.

Shen Mo smiled and waved to the crowd, occasionally nodding in greeting.

Li Qin maintained her cool smile and nodded slightly.

A fan tried to hand over a letter, but it was accepted by Zhou Xueting and Li Lin's assistant.

As for gifts, they were simply refused.

Once inside the van, the noise of the outside world was gone, and the air inside finally relaxed.

"Mr. Shen, Ms. Lin, let's go to the hotel to rest first. There will be a group interview with the media at 2 pm in the hotel's conference hall."

"There will be an in-depth interview with a video website tomorrow morning."

"I'll meet up with the director and the others tomorrow afternoon, and attend the premiere ceremony in the evening."

Assistant Zhou Xueting quickly reported the itinerary.

Shen Mo hummed in agreement and rubbed his temples.

Li Qin turned her head and smiled at him, "What? Don't you like the fans' enthusiasm?"

It's not that I don't like it, it's just that I'm not used to it.

"Then just consider it keeping me company."

The afternoon media interview was arranged in a spacious conference hall at the hotel.

The cameras and microphones were already set up, and the seats were packed with reporters.

Shen Mo and Li Lin sat side by side behind a long table covered with dark velvet, with a huge poster of "Brotherhood of Blades" in the background.

After the initial pleasantries and the usual questions about filmmaking, the conversation began to veer in a more nuanced direction.

One male reporter's question went straight to the heart of the matter.

"Mr. Shen Mo, this is your second on-screen collaboration with Ms. Li Lin. What do you think is the biggest difference between the two collaborations?"

Shen Mo leaned forward slightly, then glanced at Li Qin beside him before slowly speaking.

"The biggest difference lies, first and foremost, in the characters themselves."

"Shen Lian in 'Brotherhood of Blades' is more extroverted. Caught between the martial arts world and the imperial court, his actions and emotions carry a direct impact."

"Mei Changsu, on the other hand, is reserved and profound, good at planning and strategizing, and keeps his emotions under control."

"As an actor, the state that needs to be mobilized and presented is completely different."

"This is also a challenge for me."

He paused, then continued.

"As for my experience working with Li Lin..."

He looked at Li Lin again, this time his gaze lingered longer, filled with obvious admiration.

"When we were working together on 'Brotherhood of Blades,' we discovered that we had great chemistry in our performances. She could quickly catch up with the emotions of her co-stars and give precise or even unexpected feedback."

"In addition, she is a very serious actress whose thinking about the characters often inspires me."

Shen Mo's evaluation was very objective, and the reporters didn't get any of the points they wanted.

Immediately afterwards, a female reporter pointed her microphone at Li Lin and asked equally sharp questions.

"Li Lin, you've partnered with Shen Mo in two consecutive dramas. Aren't you worried that the audience will label you as the 'official couple,' thus limiting your future acting opportunities?"

"Also, I'm curious about how you two get along off-screen. Is there a big difference between that and the deep affection or tacit understanding you have when you're filming?"

The question was posed, and all the cameras and eyes on the scene focused on Li Lin's face.

She wore light makeup and a beige silk shirt today, maintaining her cool and aloof demeanor.

Upon hearing the question, she showed no sign of unease; instead, a slight smile curved her lips.

Upon hearing the question, she showed no sign of unease; instead, a slight smile curved her lips.

"First of all, if the audience thinks we are a good match for the characters we play, that is an affirmation of our acting skills."

She continued in a soft voice.

"However, the joy of being an actor lies in challenging different possibilities."

"I will try to take on various roles in the future. As for Ink Trace... well, the company has given us a lot of options."

"So instead of worrying about being typecast, we should focus more on what new breakthroughs the next role can bring."

When asked about their private interactions, she smiled, a smile tinged with nostalgia and a hint of teasing.

"In private..."

"Shen Mo is not only my business partner, but also my boss."

"As we all know, he is very serious and meticulous when he works, and he is very particular about details. It is quite stressful to work with him, but you also improve quickly."

As she said this, her eyes seemed to drift unintentionally, glancing at Shen Mo.

Shen Mo happened to be looking at her, and their eyes met briefly in the air.

Li Qin continued.

"However, during breaks or after work, he is actually quite good at taking care of people."

"For example, the little girl who played me as a child in the crew would often take her out for delicious food, give her acting advice, and sometimes share some of the good food with her."

The content she described didn't have anything particularly special, but the subtle expressions of her lowering and raising her eyes as she spoke gave people a sense of "more than that" and left room for imagination.

This was one of the previously decided promotional strategies, using appropriate ambiguity to raise market expectations for the works of the two male and female leads.

The group interview ended with a series of questions.

When the host announced the end, Shen Mo and Li Lin almost simultaneously breathed a slight sigh of relief.

-----------------

The premiere of "Brotherhood of Blades" the following day was held in a rather stylish cinema in Beijing.

Shen Mo and Li Lin, along with director Lu Yang, producer Chen Zhixi, and main actors Wang Qianyuan, Li Dongxue, Zhou Yiwei, and others, made their appearances one after another.

Liu Haocun, who played Zhou Miaotong in her younger days, was also called over by Shen Mo. She was wearing a white dress and had a cute and fresh makeup look.

Standing next to Li Lin, they did indeed complement each other, attracting a lot of attention.

Many familiar faces also appeared in the guest seats.

Liu Shishi and Brother Hu sat together, while Wang Baoqiang, Huang Bo, and Huang Lei sat in the row behind them.

They weren't dressed up, not wanting to steal the spotlight from the main creative team.

Li Yitong did not appear, and her absence was expected by many.

On the one hand, she was filming "Wolf Warrior" and couldn't get away from it.

On the other hand, her two consecutive pairings with Shen Mo have deeply resonated with audiences, and if she were to appear now, it would inevitably divert attention from the new pairing of Shen Mo and Li Lin.

At the start of the premiere, the host warmly welcomed the guests, media friends, and lucky audience members before beginning the film screening.

As the lights dimmed and the dragon logo appeared, the cinema was instantly enveloped by the chilling, fierce yet humane world of "Brotherhood of Blades."

During the two-hour-plus screening, the audience members sometimes held their breath, sometimes gasped, and sometimes let out suppressed sighs.

As the end credits rolled and the lights came back on, a long and enthusiastic round of applause erupted in the audience.

The creative team stood up amidst applause, turned around and bowed to the audience, and then went on stage at the invitation of the host.

Shen Mo naturally had director Lu Yang and producer Chen Zhixi stand in the middle, while he and the second male lead Wang Qianyuan stood on either side. Li Qin stood next to Shen Mo, and Liu Haocun obediently stood next to Li Qin.

After a brief self-introduction and thanks, the Q&A session with the media began.

Most of the questions revolve around film production, character understanding, and the spirit of martial arts.

The premiere then concluded successfully in a warm atmosphere.

As she stepped off the stage, the steps were a bit narrow, and Li Qin, wearing high heels, twisted her ankle slightly.

As if sensing something, Shen Mo, who was walking in front, slowed down and stretched out his arm behind him.

Li Qin used the leverage to steady herself and simply grabbed his arm to walk down.

Liu Haocun followed behind, blinked, quickened her pace, and moved closer to Li Qin's other side.

He gently took Li Lin's arm and helped her up.

First, they took Liu Haocun back to the dormitory arranged by the company. Before getting out of the car, the girl looked at Li Lin's feet with concern. After being reassured that "it's okay, go back and get some rest," she left, turning back every few steps.

The car slowly drove into the residential area where Li Qin lived in the capital.

"We've arrived," Shen Mo said softly.

Li Han grunted in agreement and reached out to push open the car door.

The moment her feet touched the ground, the excruciating pain made her gasp and sway slightly.

The next second, she felt her body lighten, her vision flipped, and she was being steadily carried in Shen Mo's arms.

"Shen Mo!"

She gasped softly and instinctively reached out to grab his shoulder.

"Don't move."

Shen Mo's voice rang out above her head, and then he strode forward, heading straight for the elevator.

Li Qin froze for a moment, the familiar, cool scent emanating from him lingering at the tip of her nose.

She could clearly feel the steady rise and fall of his chest and the taut strength of his arm muscles.

Open the door and go inside.

Shen Mo placed her on the living room sofa, but didn't get up immediately. He knelt down on one knee in front of the sofa and reached out to hold her injured left ankle.

Li Qin was wearing a pair of silver stiletto heels today, but now they had become "torture instruments".

He gently unfastened the buckle on the side of his ankle and carefully took off his shoes.

Sure enough, it was already red and swollen, which was particularly noticeable against the backdrop of fair skin.

Shen Mo frowned slightly. He got up and took a box of Yunnan Baiyao from Li Qin's handbag.

On the way back, he asked Wang Zheng to stop at the pharmacy on the roadside to buy it.

He sat back down next to Li Lin and gently placed her calves on his bent knees.

The cool sensation from the aerosol spray subtly eased Li Qin's furrowed brows.

Shen Mo gently pressed his fingers on the swollen and red area of ​​his ankle, applying moderate pressure.

The warmth of his fingertips seeped through his skin, and his kneading motion was slow and gentle.

You don't seem to be in a good mood today.

Shen Mo, head down and focused on his hands, asked, "Are you still worried about the movie's box office?"

He paused, and without waiting for her reply, continued talking to himself.

"I think the audience's satisfaction level was quite high today. The film's quality is there, so there's no need to worry. Just wait and see if she becomes the leading lady of a box office hit."

Li Qin leaned back on the sofa, intently watching his lowered eyes.

His movements as he massaged her ankle were so focused, as if he were handling some fragile treasure.

"I'm not worried about the box office."

Her voice was somewhat faint.

Shen Mo paused almost imperceptibly in his kneading motion.

Li Qin's gaze drifted to the ceiling, her tone tinged with confusion and melancholy.

"I'm just wondering, now that the movie's out... does our 'film crew-only' contract really end?"

She finally spoke the words that had been swirling in her heart.

"We worked together on 'Brotherhood of Blades' once, and we worked together on 'Nirvana in Fire' twice."

She tugged at the corners of her mouth, the curve somewhat bitter.

"When filming... you don't have to think about so many things."

"But what happens after filming and promotion are finished?"

Her gaze returned to Shen Mo's face, filled with inquiry and a hint of vulnerability.

"Even you and Tongtong...aren't you filming separately now?"

"After this, we... might not see each other for a long time."

"Did you remember me back then?"

The entertainment industry is a place where the glitz and glamour change too quickly, and gatherings and partings are all too commonplace.

In the past, once things ended, they just broke up, but this time, she didn't want them to break up.

However, she had no official title, because she was indeed a latecomer.

Indeed, it was he who said it was a production-restricted requirement.

Shen Mo continued kneading her ankle without stopping, his movements steady and gentle.

He didn't even look up at her, but suddenly smiled softly.

He didn't stop kneading until the aerosol under his fingers had completely evaporated.

She raised her head, her gaze meeting Li Qin's eyes directly.

There is tenderness in it, and a hint of possessiveness.

"Li Lin".

"You think that 'production crew only' is your term, but I've never agreed with it."

His thumb slid gently upwards along her ankle. Touching her delicate, smooth skin, the sensation was like an electric current, tingling and shooting up her spine.

"Besides, even if it's a limited production period, our production team isn't just for this short time; we have a long future ahead of us."

"When 'Brotherhood of Blades' finished filming, did you also think about ending it?"

He continued asking, his gaze fixed on her.

"But you can't leave."

"so!"

He leaned slightly closer, his breath almost brushing against her knees.

"From that moment on, you lost your chance."

He watched the subtle tremor in her pupils, and the smile on his lips deepened slightly.

"Li Lin, some things, once started, cannot be easily ended by changing film crews or not seeing each other for a while."

His hand slid down her leg and onto the sofa beside her, trapping her in the small space between himself and the sofa.

"As long as your 'crew-only' contract is only for me."

He looked deep into her eyes and said, "Then our film crew can keep filming forever."

"So," he said with a smile, giving her a light kiss on the lips.

"Don't be sad about things that haven't happened yet. If you've injured your foot, just take good care of it and rest for a while..."

He raised his hand, his fingertips gently brushing a stray strand of hair from her cheek and tucking it behind her ear.

"As for the others, I'll take care of them."

She looked at his face so close to hers, gently hugged his chest, and pressed her blushing face against his.

"Um."

The faint sounds of mosquitoes and flies could be heard.

"I want an assistant."

"The kind that's next to Tongtong."

"A body double for kissing scenes and intimate scenes."

"good!"

The exciting chapter "Chapter 211 The Unbreakable Bond with the Film Crew" is now available online. Click to read it now!