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

With Shen Mo's patient guidance, Bai Lu gradually found her rhythm.

Although his movements were still a bit clumsy and he still needed to look up at the "secret manual" on the wall from time to time, his frantic appearance had gradually been replaced by focus.

The only sounds left in the kitchen were the sounds of food being prepared and the soft crackling of the stove.

"You can turn the heat up a little higher to caramelize the chicken wings."

Shen Mo stood to her side and behind, watching her carefully slide the chicken wings into the frying pan.

Oil splattered, and she instinctively shrank her shoulders.

Bai Lu did as she was told and turned up the heat.

"Is that so?"

The pot sizzled even louder, and the sweet aroma of chicken wings rose from it.

"Yes, very good."

Shen Mo praised, and handed over the sliced ​​ginger.

"Now pour in the ginger slices and cola."

The two divided the work: Shen Mo mainly assisted, while Bai Lu focused on the pot in front of her.

Minor accidents are inevitable during the process.

For example, Bai Lu almost sprinkled sugar into the pot instead of salt, but Shen Mo was quick enough to stop her.

For example, when she was frying eggs, she used too much force, and a large piece of egg flew directly onto the stove.

Finally, the last dish was cooked and plated.

Bai Lu took off her apron and sat back down at the dining table with Shen Mo.

Looking at the fruits of her labor, her eyes sparkled with joy and nervousness.

She looked at Shen Mo, her hands clasped in front of her, her fingertips unconsciously touching each other.

"Brother Mo, have a taste!"

Shen Mo's heart melted when he saw her looking at him with a mixture of anticipation and anticipation, as if she were facing a major exam.

He deliberately put on a stern face, picked up his chopsticks, and scanned the dishes with his eyes, adopting the demeanor of a judge.

Bai Lu's heart immediately jumped, and she stared intently at his chopsticks.

Shen Mo's chopsticks landed on the plate of cola chicken wings first.

He picked up a piece, blew on it, and put it in his mouth.

Bai Lu immediately held her breath.

Shen Mo chewed slowly, his face expressionless.

A few seconds later, he slowly spoke.

"Um……"

"How is it?"

Bai Lu couldn't help but lean forward slightly and ask eagerly.

"The cooking time was pretty good, and the meat was quite tender."

Shen Mo nodded, and just as Bai Lu's eyes lit up and the corners of her mouth were about to turn up, he added.

"It was a bit salty, but it was okay, it went well with rice. I can handle salty food pretty well."

"oh oh!"

Bai Lu nodded quickly, but she couldn't hide the smile on her face. As long as it's not bad, it's fine!

Next, Shen Mo tasted the tomato and beef soup.

"Ah, this soup is good."

"However, the tomatoes can be cooked a little longer to allow them to dissolve more into the soup, which will enhance the flavor."

"good!"

Then came fried rice and egg with cucumber.

Under Bai Lu's increasingly bright gaze, Shen Mo smiled and spoke slowly.

"Our Chef Bai's first official cooking session was a complete success. He deserves praise."

"Really?!"

Bai Lu suddenly jumped up from her chair, a big smile spreading across her face.

"Brother Mo, do you really think it's possible? You're not just trying to comfort me?"

Why would I lie to you?

Shen Mo smiled, picked up a chicken wing, and stuffed it directly into her mouth.

"Try it yourself."

"Aside from a few minor details that could be improved, it's already very good."

Bai Lu's eyes narrowed with delight as she quickly used her chopsticks to pick up the half-eaten chicken wing from her mouth and leisurely savored it.

"Hmm! It seems...not bad!"

The sense of accomplishment from making the food herself, mixed with the joy of being recognized by him, made her feel dizzy.

"Eat quickly, you've been busy all day."

Shen Mo ladled her a spoonful of soup, which was full of sliced ​​beef and tomatoes.

"Mmm! Brother Mo, you eat too!"

Bai Lu followed his example and put the chicken wing that she thought was fried the best into his bowl.

The two ate and chatted.

Bai Lu chattered away, sharing the difficulties she encountered while cooking, and Shen Mo occasionally offered her some helpful tips.

"Ah, I'm so full!"

Bai Lu put down her bowl with satisfaction, patted her slightly bulging belly, and looked at the plates on the table that had been almost completely cleared, feeling an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

"We actually finished eating everything!"

"Because Chef Bai is a good cook."

Shen Mo smiled and got up to start clearing the dishes.

"I'll do it! I'll do it!"

Bai Lu immediately volunteered to help.

"Brother Mo, you've worked so hard giving me cooking instructions, I'll take care of the dishes!"

She quickly stacked the dishes, preparing to take them to the kitchen.

"Be careful, don't fall."

Shen Mo followed behind her, reminding her of things.

"Okay!"

Bai Lu's voice came from the kitchen, accompanied by the sound of running water.

Shen Mo leaned against the kitchen door, watching her humming an off-key song in front of the sink as she diligently washed the dishes.

He walked over, naturally picked up the dishcloth, took the bowl she had washed, and carefully dried it.

Bai Lu turned to look at him, then suddenly stood on tiptoe and quickly kissed Shen Mo on the cheek.

"A reward for you, best mentor and taster!"

She smiled like a cat that had just stolen some fish, her eyes brimming with starlight and undisguised love.

Shen Mo was taken aback for a moment, then a deeper smile spread across his eyes.

He put down the bowl and cloth, reached out and gently pulled her closer, lowered his head and placed a soft kiss on her forehead, which was still damp with water droplets.

"Then I'll reward myself too, the best apprentice and head chef."

After washing the dishes, Bai Lu quickly slipped into the bathroom.

Not long after, she emerged, carrying a faint scent of shower gel, her hair still slightly damp. .

Seeing that Shen Mo was still cleaning up the kitchen, she immediately went over and pushed him towards the bathroom.

"Brother Mo, go wash up, you smell like cooking oil."

She wrinkled her small nose, but her tone was full of affection.

"I've prepared pajamas for you; they're on the shelf by the bathroom door."

As soon as Shen Mo entered the bathroom, Bai Lu's big eyes immediately darted around cleverly.

She tiptoed to the corner of the living room and dragged out several beautifully wrapped gift boxes.

When Shen Mo came out of the bathroom, drying his half-wet hair.

The main light in the living room has been adjusted to a soft, warm yellow.

Bai Lu sat on the carpet with her back against the sofa, wearing a light-colored nightgown with the zipper pulled up above her collarbone.

Beneath the shorts, two slender, fair legs were casually crossed.

In front of her were four exquisitely packaged gift boxes, neatly arranged.

She looked up when she heard the noise, her eyes sparkling and a sly smile playing on her lips.

"Hello! Xiaomengyan?"

Shen Mo stopped drying his hair, draped the towel over his shoulder, and couldn't help but smile with a doting expression.

"Hello there, Brother Mo!"

Bai Lu immediately chimed in, chuckled, waved vigorously at him, and patted the empty carpet beside her.

"Come and sit down!"

Shen Mo readily agreed and sat down next to her, his gaze sweeping over the row of gift boxes in front of him.

"Hmm? This is... for me?"

"Yes! I prepared five gifts for you!"

Bai Lu puffed out her chest, raised her chin, and looked smug.

"Is today a special day?"

"Can't I prepare a gift for you unless it's a special occasion?"

Bai Lu immediately retorted, her small mouth slightly pouting.

"I'll give it away if I want to!"

"That's true."

Shen Mo's smile deepened.

"Shall I start dismantling it now?"

"Let's dismantle it! Do it from left to right in order!"

Bai Lu excitedly gave instructions, her body unconsciously leaning towards him.

Shen Mo picked up the first gift box and weighed it in his hand.

"This must have cost a lot of money, right?"

Bai Lu suddenly felt a little embarrassed, lowered her head and touched her nose, her voice becoming softer.

"It didn't cost much..."

Upon opening the packaging, I was surprised to find a PS4 game controller inside, which looked... rather familiar.

Shen Mo picked it up and looked at it from left to right, then looked at the empty box, which didn't even have a main unit.

"This looks so much like... the one I bought you before?"

Next, I opened the second small box, which contained a LittleBigPlanet 3 game card.

Shen Mo held the game card, turned to look at Bai Lu, and raised an eyebrow.

"This game... are you sure you bought it for me?"

He remembered that he had bought it and placed it in her dormitory to help them pass the time.

"How much did you pay for it?"

Bai Lu's smile turned a little awkward, her eyes began to dart around, and she dared not look him in the eye.

"Um... Brother Mo, how much did you spend on this game back then?"

Shen Mo smiled slightly and answered calmly.

"Around two hundred."

"What a coincidence... Mine, it seems... was also bought for two hundred."

Bai Lu's voice grew softer and softer, and her fingers began to unconsciously twirl the hem of her pajamas.

"So now we have two identical game cards."

"That adds up to four hundred yuan?"

Shen Mo suppressed a laugh as he looked at the "gift" that was all too familiar to him.

"Bai Mengyan, you wouldn't possibly...?"

"You've never even left the house to buy these gifts, have you?"

"Pfft—Hahaha!"

Bai Lu finally couldn't hold back anymore and collapsed onto his arm, her shoulders shaking with laughter and her face turning bright red.

Having finally caught her breath, she quickly pointed randomly at the remaining boxes, trying to change the subject.

"Hey! Brother Mo, look at the next one! The next one definitely isn't it!"

Shen Mo deliberately put on a stern face and gently pinched her rosy cheeks.

"If it happens again next time, I'll have to teach you a lesson."

He reached out and opened the third, and smallest, box.

Inside was a small, soft... black lace fabric?

Shen Mo picked it up with two fingers and unfolded it. After seeing what it was, he stopped.

It was a rather daring design of women's black lace lingerie.

He slowly turned his head to look at Bai Lu, his eyes full of meaningful questions.

"You bought this...for me to wear?"

Are you sure I can fit into it? Can you even bear to look at me?

"ah!"

Bai Lu's face instantly turned red. She snatched the small piece of fabric and crumpled it in her palm.

His eyes darted around nervously, and he muttered under his breath, trying to appear calm.

"Since you don't like it, then... then I'll reluctantly accept it!"

"I'll try it on later to see if it fits."

After saying that, she tried to cover up the fact by stuffing the small thing into her pajama pocket.

Looking at her blushing face, Shen Mo felt his heart melt and found her incredibly adorable.

He chuckled softly and reached for the last gift box.

"Surely this last one is the proper gift, right?"

He made jokes as he untied the intricate ribbons.

The gift box was opened, revealing a dark blue velvet jewelry box inside.

Upon opening the box, a necklace lay quietly on the black velvet fabric.

Upon opening the box, a necklace lay quietly on the black velvet fabric.

only……

Shen Mo picked it up.

The chain is exquisite, but the length... seems a bit too large, and the shape...

He held the necklace and examined it closely. It had several hollowed-out rings inside, which shimmered with a golden light under the lamp.

This size makes it less of a necklace and more of...

Suddenly, he had a flash of inspiration and understood what it was.

He turned to look at Bai Lu, only to see that she had buried her face in her knees, with only the tips of her two bright red ears showing.

A smile spread across Shen Mo's eyes, and he gently placed the necklace back into the jewelry box.

Then he reached out and gently lifted Bai Lu's chin.

Her face was flushed, and her eyelashes seemed to be damp with shyness. Her eyes darted away, avoiding his gaze.

"Weren't there supposed to be five gifts?"

Shen Mo looked around at the four boxes that had already been opened, a hint of doubt and inquiry in his smile.

"Why does it seem like we're missing one?"

His gaze returned to her cheeks, which were gradually flushing red.

"Where's my fifth gift, Yume?"

Bai Lu's long eyelashes trembled a few times, and the shy or evasive expressions she had shown before slowly receded like the tide.

She took a deep breath, slowly raised her eyes, and met Shen Mo's focused and gentle gaze.

She didn't speak, but slowly raised her hand.

She slowly moved to the neckline of her pajamas, placing it on the zipper that covered most of her neck, her fingertips pinching the small metal tab.

Under Shen Mo's watchful gaze, she slowly pulled it down.

The subtle sound of metal teeth separating was exceptionally clear in the quiet living room.

The zipper was unzipped, revealing her slender, fair neck.

The neckline of her pajamas was slightly open, and a pretty red bow sat quietly on her smooth, jade-like neck.

Against her snow-white skin, she was dazzlingly beautiful, yet possessed a pure and alluring charm.

The bow has two symmetrical wings that droop softly, with a knot in the middle.

She tilted her head slightly upward, making the lines of her neck appear even more graceful and slender.

"This gift..."

Bai Lu spoke, her voice lower and softer than usual, carrying a hint of barely perceptible nervousness and anticipation.

"Brother Mo, do you like it?"

She reached out and gently grasped Shen Mo's hand.

She guided his hand to rise, and then gently placed the end of the bow tie in his palm.

"Now."

Her eyes shone brightly, locking tightly into Shen Mo's gaze.

"Brother Mo, you can... open your gift now."

The air seemed to freeze at that moment.

Shen Mo could hear his heartbeat quicken suddenly, and his gaze slowly moved from the bow to her eyes.

It is filled with unreserved trust and deep affection.

He slowly closed his fingers and gently held the end of the red rope in his palm.

With his other hand, he gently stroked her cheek, tenderly touching her burning skin.

"This gift..."

He lowered his head, their foreheads gently touching, their breaths mingling.

"I like it so much, but I don't know how to express it."

After saying that, he slightly moved the fingers holding the rope and gently pulled it open.

Bai Lu slowly leaned into his arms, closed her eyes, and her long eyelashes trembled like butterfly wings.

"Carry me inside, Brother Mo!"

Shen Mo nodded and slowly stood up, holding her in his arms.

She was still clutching the jewelry box in her hand, and in her pajama pocket was that reluctantly made "gift".