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

The candlelight flickered in the living room, and the bedside lamp cast a soft, warm glow over the bedroom.

The night outside the window is deep.

A kitten, its black paws treading, slowly crawled over.

It extended its slender claws and stopped in front of its mouth. Its tongue darted out and slowly licked the back of its paw.

A pair of large eyes stared straight into the eyes of its owner, Shen Mo.

With a soft "meow," it collapsed onto Shen Mo as if its entire body had lost its bones.

The little head rubbed against his neck, and the pink, fluffy ears rubbed against his chin.

At the base of the black collar around the kitten's neck, a small golden bell jingled, and a black rope stretched far out.

The other end was carried by the kitten and placed in its owner's hand.

What a well-behaved and adorable kitten.

Shen Mo picked up a bear chain with bells from the side and, under the kitten's resentful gaze, put it on.

From then on, two more bells appeared in front of the kitten, which jingled softly as it breathed.

The kitten's voice was soft and sweet, with a hint of coquettish whimpering, and it wrinkled its delicate nose and bit Shen Mo's hand.

Shen Mo wasn't angry at all; instead, he burst into laughter.

He pinched the kitten's cheek with one hand and grasped the towering bell in his other palm.

Gently knead and shake it; a muffled bell-like sound comes from your palm.

He looked at the cat's tail beside him, then turned to stare into the kitten's eyes, leaned closer, and felt his warm breath brush against its cheek.

"This tail is actually embedded."

"Little kitty, you're really good at playing."

Meow~~

The kitten couldn't hold back any longer, opened its mouth and let out a soft meow, then stretched out its paw and gently scratched his chin, its eyes curving into crescents.

Shen Mo's chin rested on those cat ears, which tickled him. He raised an eyebrow and asked softly.

"Little kitty, if you don't mind, I'll put it in for you."

The kitten shook its head, and Shen Mo took it as consent. He then reached out, grabbed the kitten's tail, smeared it with the slippery milk tea, and probed downwards.

"uh-huh……"

With a soft hum in Shen Mo's ear, the kitten's already red earlobes instantly turned hot, and a paw landed on his chest, leaving a hard paw print.

The kitten was so cute that Shen Mo couldn't help but catch his breath slightly, and then he leaned in and began to immerse himself in the great cat-cuddling project.

From the kitten's cheeks to its long neck to its towering bell.

Finally, Shen Mo simply buried his face in front of the kitten, holding a tall bell in one hand and gently shaking it, the sound of which was soothing and pleasant.

Suddenly, the faint background noise of a TV variety show started playing in the living room, intertwined with the disordered breathing and chaotic heartbeats from the bedroom.

In the bedroom, a kitten lay half-lying on the bed, its little head tilted back, its white fluffy tail drooping high on its back.

A collar leash was pulled straight behind the kitten, and a figure knelt down behind it.

The dim shadows stretched and swayed, and a fluffy cat ear and a black tattered thread lay scattered on the ground not far away.

The indoor temperature is steadily rising as the weather warms up.

The kitten lay motionless on the bed, no matter how much its owner, Shen Mo, tried to coax it.

At most, it would respond with a wet, pouting look and a slight, shy tremor.

This makes it even more alluring; no wonder so many people love petting cats.

It wasn't until Shen Mo carried the kitten into the bathroom and came out to lie back in bed that Bai Lu ran out and snuggled into his arms.

Meow~~

She tried her best to give a shy yet alluring wink.

"Brother Mo, did you like the kitten from earlier?"

Shen Mo felt a tingling sensation spread through his heart. His Adam's apple bobbed, and his gaze was fixed on her.

"I really like it."

Upon hearing this answer, Bai Lu's lips curled up slightly. She reached out and slowly drew circles on Shen Mo's chest with her fingertips.

"I've been preparing for your kitten for a long time."

As she spoke, she tilted her head back and meowed again, this time with a slightly nasal tone.

A satisfied purring sound came from its throat, though it sounded more like suppressed laughter.

Shen Mo opened his palm, cupped her face, lifted her chin, and their eyes met.

"Teacher Bai, you've worked hard. We've finished demonstrating the teaching aids. Are we going to continue teaching now? Didn't you say I wasn't allowed to beg for mercy as punishment tonight?"

His voice was filled with undisguised admiration and passion.

"what?"

Bai Lu felt weak all over under his gaze and was about to beg for mercy.

But then, on second thought, his competitive spirit resurfaced.

With a flicker of her eyelashes, she mimicked what she'd seen in movies, reaching out to hook his chin, her voice tinged with a hint of coquettishness.

"Are you going to become a rebellious disciple who defies his master?"

Shen Mo's smile deepened abruptly, and he kissed her lips, silencing all her sobs and moans.

After a long while, their lips parted, and Bai Lu rested her head on the crook of his neck.

The voice was soft, yet carried an irresistible allure, as it rang in Shen Mo's ears.

"Brother Mo, do you like hairless cats?"

"How about I shave my head clean next time and bring a hairless cat?"

Shen Mo's eyes widened slightly, his pupils dilating almost imperceptibly, but Bai Lu still noticed it.

A slight smile appeared on her lips; it seemed she had been right.

Shen Mo noticed the curve of her lips and couldn't help but grin mischievously.

He reached down and pinched a few curly cat hairs, gently twisting them.

A strange sensation emanated from Bai Lu's body, a tingling and numb feeling.

She grabbed his wrist with one hand and looked at him teasingly.

"Brother Mo, do you want one as a souvenir?"

Shen Mo smiled and gently lifted the cat hair in his hand, startling Bai Lu, who then let go.

"I already have a cat, why would I need cat hair?"

After saying that, he leaned down and kissed her again.

Their figures, intertwined intimately in a sweet and sticky atmosphere, were gently projected onto the wall by the bedside lamp.

The tinkling of bells, accompanied by rhythmic knocking, sometimes soft and sometimes silent.

It became the most enchanting rhythm of the night.

……

The next day, on the set of "Love O2O".

Wang Changtian of Fiber Optic Media quietly appeared outside the filming area, guided by staff.

He didn't disturb the director and actors who were focused on filming; he simply stood a short distance away and watched quietly.

Bai Lu, who had just finished filming a scene, caught a glimpse of that familiar figure as she looked up.

She paused slightly, then put on a polite smile and stood up to greet him.

"Mr. Wang, it's been a long time."

Wang Changtian clearly remembered her, and a warm smile appeared on his face as he extended his hand.

"Miss Bai, it has indeed been a long time."

"You look even better than when I first met you. You've become increasingly outstanding after working alongside President Shen!"

"Mr. Wang, you flatter us. It's our honor to have you visit the set."

Bai Lu responded with a smile, then stepped aside to lead Wang Changtian to the lounge next door.

"Brother Mo, this scene might take a while. Why don't you go to the lounge and sit for a bit? I'll make you a cup of tea."

"Alright, then I'll leave it to you, Miss Bai."

When Shen Mo finished filming and walked into the dressing room, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in surprise.

Wang Changtian and Bai Lu sat on two single sofas, with two cups of tea on the coffee table between them, steam rising from them.

The two were chatting with smiles on their faces, and the atmosphere was quite relaxed and harmonious.

Bai Lu wore a listening smile, occasionally nodding or responding with a few words, her posture natural and relaxed, showing no trace of the naivety and nervousness she felt when she first met Wang Changtian.

"Mr. Wang, what brings you here?"

Shen Mo walked over with a smile.

Upon hearing the sound, Wang Changtian stood up and shook hands with Shen Mo.

"Mr. Shen, what you're saying is true. I'm also one of the investors in this film. Isn't it only natural for me to come and check on the progress and show some concern for my own business?"

His tone was familiar, and his words carried a smile.

"Of course, Mr. Wang is welcome to come and guide our work at any time."

Shen Mo replied with a smile.

Bai Lu naturally stood up, offering her sofa to Shen Mo, and nodded slightly to Wang Changtian.

"Mr. Wang, please continue your conversation with Brother Mo. I'll get you both some more water."

She skillfully picked up the teapot, walked outside, and whispered a few words to Zhou Xueting, who was standing guard outside. The gist of it was that President Wang had important matters to discuss with President Shen, and that no one should disturb them for the time being.

Wang Changtian saw all of this and gestured with his chin towards Bai Lu, indicating to Shen Mo that he was looking towards her.

"Mr. Shen."

"You, Miss Bai, are quite different now."

"She is tactful and considerate in her dealings with others. Her composure and insight are completely different from when I first met her."

"As expected, it's President Shen who's good at mentoring people."

After giving her instructions, Bai Lu filled the teapot with water and went back inside.

He bent down and squatted beside the tea table, first adding tea for Wang Changtian, and then taking out a new teacup to brew tea for Shen Mo.

Without going through the complicated steps of brewing tea, simply pour hot water into the cup, and the tea leaves unfurl, releasing a delicate fragrance.

She gently placed the teacup beside Shen Mo, then looked up and exchanged a knowing glance with him.

There were only two single sofas in the room, and after she gave one to Shen Mo, it was obviously impossible for them to squeeze together again.

Therefore, she moved a slightly lower round stool from the side and sat down next to Shen Mo's sofa armrest.

Wang Changtian picked up his teacup and gestured towards Bai Lu, who smiled and nodded in response.

Shen Mo followed his gaze and glanced at Bai Lu, who was quiet beside him, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes.

He picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"Our Assistant Bai is really capable now. If you have any suitable projects, Mr. Wang, Assistant Bai is ready to join us anytime."

Upon hearing the praise, Bai Lu lowered her head slightly, smiled with pursed lips, but did not interrupt. Instead, she placed her hands on her knees, playing the role of a perfect listener and companion.

Wang Changtian smiled brightly and looked at Shen Mo.

"Miss Bai is currently very popular, and I'd love to ride her coattails."

He put down his teacup, stopped exchanging pleasantries, and became more formal.

"Mr. Shen, I've come here for two reasons. First, to check on the filming of 'Love O2O,' and second, to finalize some details about a project with you in person, so we can discuss it more clearly over the phone."

"Please go ahead, Mr. Wang."

Shen Mo leaned forward slightly, adopting a listening posture.

"First of all, I said that we are willing to cooperate deeply with Mohen on the 'Big Fish & Begonia' animated film project."

Wang Changtian said, "We have evaluated the fiber optic footage. I have seen the clips of 'Monkey King: Hero Is Back' provided by Mohen Animation, and the production quality is indeed excellent."

"We believe that the subject matter and production concept of this animation have great potential, so it needs to be carefully crafted and is a project that requires a significant investment of time and effort."

"Relying solely on our fiber optic cables would likely require a significant investment of time and effort, and we might not even achieve the same effect as 'Monkey King: Hero Is Back'."

"Therefore, we are willing to let Mohen Animation participate in the co-production, but in terms of specific production aspects, especially visual style and narrative control, we will probably have to proceed according to our original ideas."

Shen Mo nodded.

"Can."

"Our film 'Monkey King: Hero Is Back' is basically finished and will be released soon."

"The reason I talked to you about project collaboration before was that I didn't want the project team to be idle and let their skills go to waste."

"Our strongest team at Mohen Animation is ready to be deployed to 'Big Fish & Begonia' at any time. I'll have Wang Jing send you a more detailed cooperation plan and investment budget later."

Wang Changtian nodded and continued.

"Okay. Another thing, we have a TV series on fiber optics, called 'The Disguiser'."

"I sent the script to Mr. Chen before, and he said he thought highly of it and wanted to co-produce it."

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

"Indeed, in exchange, we at Mohen also have a drama called 'Ode to Joy,' which is a sequel to our previous dramas."

"Oh?" Wang Changtian's curiosity was piqued.

"series?"

"right!"

Shen Mo turned to look at Bai Lu, who looked completely bewildered.

"We previously filmed 'A Little Reunion,' which featured junior high school students, and 'A Little Joy,' which featured high school students. Later, we filmed 'Twenty Your Life On,' which featured college students."

"This time we want to continue filming the protagonists of these three dramas working in society, sharing apartments, the things they encounter and the changes in their lives."

"We want to create a small series within a larger universe, where all of them exist within a single worldview framework."

Wang Changtian pondered for a moment, the curve of his lips becoming more and more pronounced.

"Interesting. Creating a universe. I've only ever heard of this series before in the Avengers movies."

"I didn't expect President Shen to directly incorporate it into his self-produced TV series."

"Sure," Wang Changtian said with a smile, extending his hand.

"The Disguiser uses fiber optics as the main element and ink marks as the secondary element; Ode to Joy uses ink marks as the main element and fiber optics as the secondary element."

"It's a pleasure working with you!"

Shen Mo reached out and shook hands with Wang Changtian. "It's a pleasure working with you."

"Since Mr. Shen is so keen on co-producing, are there any individuals he thinks are suitable and would like to train?"

Shen Mo shook his head and smiled meaningfully.

"It's not about training you, it's about giving you a perfectly suitable candidate."

"I think Hu Ge's temperament and acting skills are a perfect match for Mingtai in 'The Disguiser'."

"He possesses both the carefree and unrestrained nature of a young master and the ability to portray inner growth and struggle."

"Brother Hu," Wang Changtian pondered for a moment and nodded.

"She is indeed a good choice. She has a fan base and her acting skills are solid."

He didn't ask Shen Mo why he recommended someone outside of Mohen Company, because that was someone else's private matter, but he could roughly guess that there might be an exchange of benefits.

Indeed, Shen Mo's reasons for joining the co-investment and production of "The Disguiser" were twofold: firstly, to make money, and secondly, to secure a role for Brother Hu.

It's not that he has a particularly good relationship with Brother Hu; they've only met once or twice and haven't really spoken much.

The main reason is that Tang Ren has a role in a drama that Shen Mo is very optimistic about, but Tang Ren is known for only using his own people.

That's why Shen Mo thought of exchanging a role as Brother Hu with Cai Yinong.

Yue Qiluo from "Wu Xin: The Monster Killer" became a household name with her line "Zhang Xianzong, my tooth hurts," and has been remembered by a generation of viewers for decades.

Since that's the case, Yue Qiluo and Zhang Xianzong should give it to Mohen.

He felt that Wang Churan and Zhang Ruoyun were a good match.

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