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

When we returned to the set of "My Sunshine", there was a subtle atmosphere in the air.

Dilraba went straight to director Liu Junjie.

"Director Liu, I'm back."

"I will do my best to make up for the lost time."

Her voice was still a little hoarse, but her eyes were clear, and her body was now standing straight after the simple bow.

Liu Junjie looked at the girl in front of him, who had quickly shed her girlishness in just a few days, and whose brows had become more calm and resolute.

He swallowed back the pleasantries he had prepared and simply nodded.

"It's good that you're back. Take your time to adjust, there's no rush."

However, Dilraba's adjustment speed was astonishing; in just one day, she applied to return to the camera.

It's as if the lively, persistent, and emotionally sensitive Zhao Mosheng has never left us.

Not only that, she also took the initiative to approach Liu Junjie and made a request that surprised him.

"Director Liu, those scenes I filmed when I wasn't feeling well..."

"If possible, I would like to request a reshoot."

Her sincere attitude carried a hint of stubbornness.

"I don't want my problem to affect the quality of the whole show."

Liu Junjie paused for a moment, then subconsciously turned his head and looked at Shen Mo beside him.

This involves additional filming arrangements and costs.

Shen Mo raised his head, his gaze falling on Dilraba's face, which was filled with sincerity and determination. He paused for two seconds, then turned to Liu Junjie and nodded calmly.

With Shen Mo's approval, reshoots were quickly put on the agenda.

When the camera focused on Dilraba again, everyone noticed something different.

In portraying Zhao Mosheng's feelings for He Yichen, the rich layers of love and complex emotions in her eyes were imbued with a sense of realism.

Dilraba poured out her emotions without reservation, her gaze fixed firmly on He Yichen, or rather, Shen Mo.

This is the man who stopped filming for her.

This man traveled across most of China for her.

This man's embrace and his presence made her feel incredibly safe and secure.

This is the man who pulled her out of the darkness of self-isolation and into the sunlight.

These images and emotions in front of the camera subtly blend with her uncontrollable admiration, dependence, gratitude, and longing for Shen Mo.

The character Zhao Mosheng's refusal to compromise with He Yichen in the drama resonated strongly with her own uncompromising attitude in real life.

Her performance transcended mere technique; every glance, every hesitation, was imbued with unparalleled persuasiveness.

Liu Junjie couldn't help but nod repeatedly behind the monitor, whispering to the assistant director beside him.

"This girl... after going through this, her acting range has suddenly opened up!"

Although the atmosphere on set seemed to have changed slightly for her, Kim Dae-hee still loved to tease her.

Seeing Dilraba following closely behind Shen Mo after every scene, Jin Daxi's eyes lit up, and he walked up and gently bumped her shoulder.

"Sigh, some people, they're completely refusing to hide it now!"

"His eyes are practically glued to certain people!"

"A real-life Zhao Mosheng..."

Before she could finish speaking, Dilraba turned around and smiled calmly at her.

A pair of bright, striking eyes curved into a smile as she readily admitted it.

"Yeah, I just want to see Brother Mo a few more times. I can only learn something by following Brother Mo."

"I want to be a big star too."

Her natural tone, even with a touch of coquettish self-righteousness, left Jin Daxi, who had prepared a whole host of jokes, speechless, and he could only shake his head with a smile.

Dilraba has indeed stopped hiding it.

Whenever Shen Mo had free time, even if it was just a few minutes during a break in filming, she would naturally approach him.

Or stand to his side or slightly behind and watch him discuss work with others, or sit quietly next to him and watch him read the script.

Being by Shen Mo's side, she felt that simply being there gave her a sense of peace and strength.

Her gaze often followed him, her eyes filled with gratitude, dependence, and a gradually clearer infatuation.

There is also a kind of persistence that, after experiencing loss, one wants to hold on tightly to the warmth in front of them.

Shen Mo seemed unaffected by this and did not respond in any particular way.

He did not avoid her approach, tacitly acquiescing to her quiet and persistent companionship.

The crew continued to operate in an efficient yet subtle atmosphere, and the two-and-a-half-month filming came to an end.

The atmosphere at the wrap party was lively, with a touch of indulgence before parting.

Amidst the clinking of glasses, Dilraba drank more than usual.

She wasn't a big drinker, and by the end of the banquet, her cheeks were flushed.

Her eyes, gazing at Shen Mo, were filled with starlight, carrying an unconscious softness and focus.

Seeing that her steps were a little unsteady, Shen Mo walked to her side and extended his hand to support her.

"Brother Mo."

Her voice was softer and sweeter than usual, with a slight nasal tone, like a spoiled kitten.

"I'm fine, just a little dizzy."

"Yes, I can see that."

Shen Mo applied a little force with his arm, and the girl took advantage of his support to lean directly into his arms.

"I'm in...1806, Brother Mo..."

She tilted her head back, grinning foolishly, and gave him her room number, her hazy eyes curving into crescents.

"I know, it's right next door."

Shen Mo smiled helplessly and steadied her.

"You've really had too much to drink."

Jia Yue, who had been waiting in the side hall after finishing her meal, was unsure whether she should come forward when she saw the situation.

Shen Mo waved, and the two of them, one on each side, supported Dilraba's shoulders as they entered the elevator.

It's not that Shen Mo can't do it alone, but the difficulty of helping a drunk person is greater than carrying a pig.

It would be better to just pick them up or carry them on your back, but that's obviously not advisable in a restaurant with so many people.

Upon reaching the room door, Jia Yue swiped her room card to open it. As soon as the two helped Dilraba into the room, Jia Yue clearly felt her waist being pushed hard.

She paused, and before she could react, she was pinched again.

In a flash, Jia Yue suddenly realized.

She immediately turned her head, put on an apologetic smile, and whispered to Shen Mo.

"Mr. Shen, I'm sorry, I... I have a bit of an emergency and need to go back to my room to use the restroom!"

After saying that, she quickly slipped out without waiting for Shen Mo's response, and thoughtfully closed the door gently behind her.

Watching the door close rapidly, Shen Mo chuckled and muttered something under his breath.

"That assistant, he's quick on his feet."

"It's just that my bladder isn't working properly!"

Without the support of one side, Dilraba's body immediately went limp and fell towards Shen Mo.

Now that they were in a private space, Shen Mo no longer cared. He tightened his arms, bent down, hooked her legs, and steadily lifted her up in his arms.

The sudden feeling of weightlessness and the firm embrace made Dilraba's dazed eyes widen instantly, and the effects of the alcohol seemed to be sobered up a bit.

"Brother Mo..."

She looked up at Shen Mo, the room light falling on her face, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyes.

"Brother Mo..."

She murmured her name again, but said nothing, just staring at him intently.

"We'll be parting ways tomorrow..."

"I want to go to Shanghai, you want to go to Beijing."

Shen Mo carried her towards the bedroom, and upon hearing this, he briefly recalled her itinerary.

"Okay, then focus on recording the show."

His gaze inadvertently swept over her glistening lips before moving away.

"Go Fighting! is not easy; it takes both physical and mental effort. Please be careful."

"I will..."

She nodded obediently, her body swaying slightly. She subconsciously reached out and wrapped her arms around Shen Mo's neck, pressing her burning cheeks directly against the cool skin on the side of his neck.

The moment their skin touched, she rubbed against him contentedly, then slowly closed her eyes, her breath carrying a slightly tipsy scent that sprayed all over his neck.

The air seemed to fall silent for a few seconds, with only the sound of the central air conditioning blowing and the sudden, clear sound of each other's heartbeats and breaths.

Shen Mo walked to the bedside and was about to bend down to put her down when the arms around his neck suddenly tightened.

"Brother Mo, let me hug you a little longer..."

Dilraba's voice became softer and sweeter, with a hint of pleading.

"Just for a little while... I'll sober up and be fine."

She came up with an awkward but direct excuse, but her wildly beating heart betrayed an even deeper longing.

It was an intense dependence, reluctance to part, and a longing and yearning that could only be unrestrained under the influence of alcohol.

Shen Mo paused, feeling the slight trembling of the delicate body in his arms. He remained silent for a moment, then sighed softly.

He then sat down on the edge of the bed while still embracing her, allowing her to sit sideways on his lap.

Dilraba's tightly closed eyelashes suddenly trembled, and then she quietly opened them a crack, the smile on her lips impossible to hide.

A surge of secret joy and peace of mind instantly washed away the last trace of pretense, and that sense of pride and satisfaction almost overflowed from her crescent-shaped eyes.

Shen Mo adjusted his posture to make her more comfortable.

His gaze fell on her long legs, which were awkwardly positioned. He simply reached out with his free hand, untied the delicate straps of her high heels at her ankles, and gently took off the shoes, casually tossing them to the side of the bed.

"Brother Mo, thank you..."

Dilraba mumbled softly, nuzzling her cheek against his neck again.

Her freed feet wiggled a few times, shifting to a more comfortable position, which allowed her to nestle more easily into his embrace.

Unwittingly, her smooth calf slid across his arm, sending a tingling sensation straight to the top of her head.

She stopped talking, seemingly focused on sobering up, her breathing gradually slowing and becoming longer.

But Shen Mo could feel that the arm around his neck hadn't loosened its grip.

Her fingertips were even gently scratching the short hair at the back of his neck, bringing a slightly tingling, itchy sensation.

Time slipped away quietly in the stillness.

Shen Mo lowered his eyes and looked at the peaceful sleeping face of the girl in his arms. Her eyelashes were long and thick, the tip of her nose was slightly red from the alcohol, and her lips were moist and slightly parted, full of ultimate allure.

He raised his free hand, hesitated for a moment, and then gently brushed away a few strands of hair that were damp with sweat from her forehead.

This subtle movement startled the person who was pretending to be asleep.

Dilraba's eyelashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes, which were still moist, reflecting the warm light, clear yet dreamy.

She looked at Shen Mo's face, which was so close to hers, and suddenly spoke.

"Brother Mo..."

"Um?"

"In the northern border region... when you held me in your arms."

She paused, her eyes flickered, and then stubbornly looked into his eyes.

"I feel like...it's not so dark anymore."

Shen Mo understood the seemingly random sentence.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and the arms around her back tightened a little.

Dilraba seemed to be encouraged, or perhaps driven by emotions stimulated by alcohol.

She straightened up, her arms still around his neck, her face tilted back, only a few centimeters from his.

The smell of alcohol mingled with her fresh, sweet fragrance, and breathed onto his face.

"I...I will record the show well and act well."

She spoke each word clearly, her eyes shining with an astonishing intensity.

"I will become very powerful, very powerful..."

"So impressive..."

How powerful is it?

Shen Mo stared intently at her, not avoiding her burning, yearning gaze.

"So capable that no one would say a word if someone stood next to you."

"Just as Grandma hoped, shine the brightest light on television."

Shen Mo paused for a moment, then, without further hesitation, gently stroked her long hair.

"You've always been amazing, Dilraba."

Just be yourself.

These words, which seemed both affirmative and comforting, suddenly brought tears to Dilraba's eyes.

She hurriedly lowered her head, burying her face in his shoulder again to hide her instantly reddened eyes and surging emotions.

She didn't want to be herself; she wanted to be the person beside him.

She could no longer simply see him as a boss and an idol.

She took a deep, greedy breath, savoring the unique, comforting taste he gave her.

The embrace was so warm and so intoxicating that she didn't want to leave at all. She wanted to stay there forever so she wouldn't have to face the separation tomorrow.

Shen Mo let her lean against him, feeling the softness of the body in his arms and the gradual calming of her trembling.

A complex emotion flickered in his eyes, before finally settling into a deep calm.

After a long time, long enough that Dilraba's breathing became even and long, and her arms that were tightly holding him loosened their grip slightly.

Shen Mo then slowly and carefully moved his slightly numb legs, turned around and put her down.

This time, she didn't struggle.

Shen Mo gently laid her flat on the bed and carefully covered her with the thin blanket next to her.

She groaned unconsciously in her sleep, turned to her side, curled up, and unconsciously clutched a small piece of his shirt in her hand.

Shen Mo stood there for a while, looking at her unguarded sleeping face, and reached out to gently pry open her tightly clenched fingers.

He turned around, walked to the door, turned off the bedside lamp, leaving only a dim night light.

He glanced back one last time at the raised figure on the bed, then gently closed the bedroom door.

He sat down on the sofa in the living room, rubbed his temples, took out his phone, and the screen's light illuminated his expressionless face.

In the bedroom, Dilraba, who should have been fast asleep, quietly opened her eyes the moment the door closed.

She gazed at the blurry outline of the ceiling, gently placing her hand on her still rapidly beating heart, feeling the sweet yet bittersweet throbbing within.