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

The visitor was Meng Ziyi.

She was wearing a bright yellow short skirt and high heels, walking with a graceful sway.

But upon closer inspection, the delicate face displayed an expression completely at odds with her attire.

Her lips were slightly pouting, and her eyes held a hint of grievance.

Shen Mo treated her very well, providing her with no shortage of TV drama opportunities and one movie after another.

Watching Bai Lu and his intimate interaction, she felt left behind.

Yes! I called him a scumbag, and I also find it hard to accept their messy relationship.

She cried her eyes out that time, pointing her finger at him and saying, "Having Tong-jie isn't enough for you, you still have to provoke Meng-yan."

She hurled all the insults she could at him, unleashing all her grievances and anger onto his face.

He didn't refute anything, he just held her and let her cry and curse.

He later said he would celebrate her birthday again and give her the best gift.

He did it.

When filming "The Mermaid," it happened to be her birthday, so he flew to the filming location and gave her a necklace that she really liked.

She was overjoyed, feeling that he still cared.

but……

On my phone, there's my chat history with Shen Mo.

The most recent post she made was from yesterday: "Brother Mo, are you coming to the premiere tomorrow?"

He replied: "Okay, come on."

Gone.

Scrolling up further, there was a selfie she posted, asking him, "Does my new hairstyle look good?"

He replied: 【It looks good.】

Up next, she rambled on about seven or eight things related to the film crew, to which he replied: "Okay, focus on filming."

I replied to every message, but almost never more than five words, as if I were completing some kind of... task.

She knew she had no right to ask for more.

She herself said at the time, "I don't want to get involved, so don't take the initiative to contact me."

She drew the lines and boundaries herself.

Shen Mo respected her choice, and he really did keep his distance from her.

She was given enough space, enough resources, and enough... distance.

But seeing him and Bai Lu leaning together so naturally, seeing her moving closer to him without any restraint, seeing her showing off without any attempt to hide it in front of him.

Meng Ziyi discovered that she wasn't as carefree as she had imagined.

[I'm such an idiot.]

Standing in front of Shen Mo and Bai Lu, Meng Ziyi smiled again.

"Brother Mo, do you like my portrayal of Qiuya?"

Bai Lu suppressed a laugh and tilted her head to look at her: "Brother Mo will definitely like it! Qiuya is so big! I love her to death!"

"Haku Mengken!"

Meng Ziyi glared at her, her cheeks turning bright red.

Shen Mo looked at her like this, a smile flashed in his eyes, and then he reached out and gently patted her on the head.

"You acted very well."

Meng Ziyi paused for a moment, trying her best to suppress the smile on her lips, tilted her head to look at Bai Lu, and wrinkled her nose fiercely.

"real?"

"real."

Shen Mo nodded. "Anyone who played the role of Qiu Ya would not have done a better job than you."

"Qiuya is not just about her figure" "You brought out the layers in her performance."

Meng Ziyi pursed her lips and said nothing.

Seeing her like this, Bai Lu laughed heartlessly, and suddenly reached out and put her arm around her shoulder.

"Hey, cheer up! Our first movie is showing today!"

The box office performance of "Goodbye Mr. Loser" was more spectacular than anyone had anticipated.

It grossed 78 million yuan on its opening day, broke 100 million yuan on its second day, and surged to 150 million yuan on its third day.

Word of mouth continued to grow, with the Douban rating rising from 8.2 at the start to 8.6. The comments section was full of "Shen Teng is so funny", "I laughed and then cried", "Ma Dongmei is so real", and "Bai Lu is the biggest surprise of the year".

A week later, the box office exceeded 6 million yuan, and the market directly raised its final box office expectation for the film to one billion yuan.

The media began to frantically pursue Bai Lu, with interview requests pouring in like snowflakes, and "Ma Dongmei" became the hottest keyword of the summer season.

Bai Lu went from a rising star in TV dramas and variety shows to the leading lady in a film that is about to break the 1 billion yuan box office mark.

Meanwhile, Meng Ziyi's Qiuya was almost ignored, except for the scene of her emerging from the pool like a lotus, which gained some attention.

But it wasn't because of her acting skills.

Meng Ziyi saw the first related trending topic on the third day after the movie's release.

#QiuyaSwimmingPool#

She clicked on it with a smile on her face; at least someone was talking about her.

However, when she saw the comments section...

[That figure is amazing!]

The director really knows what the audience wants to see!

[This shot alone is worth the price of admission.]

[I never expected Meng Ziyi to wear so many layers.]

Is Meng Ziyi going for a sexy image?

Meng Ziyi's smile froze on her face.

She slid down, and her fingers grew colder the further she slid.

To be honest, this is the only scene I remember from the whole movie. What was her role?

[Just a pretty face, what else is there to act for?]

[Her highlight was emerging from the pool like a lotus flower; the rest of the time she was just background scenery.]

[You can't blame her; the character of Qiuya didn't offer much room for development.]

[Then why did Bai Lu get a chance to shine? She acted so well.]

Bai Lu was born for this, and as for Meng Ziyi... beauty is enough!

Meng Ziyi lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling, and took a deep breath.

It's okay, she told herself.

It's just a vase, at least someone remembers it.

She picked up her phone again and continued scrolling down.

Then she saw a sarcastic Weibo post.

[I watched *Goodbye Mr. Loser*. Shen Teng was solid, and Bai Lu was a pleasant surprise; she captured that rustic yet stubborn and persistent spirit perfectly, and her crying scenes were amazing. As for the other actress from Mohen… emmm, the pool scene was quite beautiful; the director really knows how to market things. I didn't expect Mohen, a company that claims to "focus on its work," to start going down this route? The attempt to sell sex appeal is a bit awkward.]

Meng Ziyi was stunned.

Selling meat?

What did she act in? She just came out of the water in a swimsuit, a three-second shot, and that's considered selling sex appeal?

Moreover, the upper body of the swimsuit revealed less than some female stars show on the red carpet. Why do they have to say that about themselves?

She scrolled down the comments and found that quite a few people agreed.

[+1, all I remember is that she showed skin; I have absolutely no recollection of what she was acting in.]

Bai Lu is a true actress, while Meng Ziyi is just following the internet celebrity route.

[Inkmark has now also learned the secrets of data usage, but unfortunately, it's gone astray.]

[It's not her fault, she's pretty, it would be a shame not to show it off (doge).]

To be honest, her later roles wouldn't have mattered much if anyone had played them; there wasn't much acting skill involved.

[Qiuya's character is inherently a shallow, materialistic woman. Isn't it perfect for her to play the role, given her shallowness and promiscuity?]

I don't understand why this movie is so popular. Does it want everyone to learn from her materialism so they can live a good life?

[Yes! This kind of thinking is problematic. Men plagiarize other people's songs, women are materialistic and cheat, and yet they can still make a lot of money and live a good life?]

Meng Ziyi's fingers began to tremble. She threw her phone aside and buried herself in the blanket.

Why is this happening?

Qiuya isn't that kind of person? And she didn't act so superficially?

Isn't there anyone who can see something deeper?

Even if Qiuya has a problem, does she have to scold herself?

On the other hand, in stark contrast to the comments in Meng Ziyi's super topic, Bai Lu's super topic was filled with jubilation.

Lulu is amazing!!!

【Ma Dongmei is so cute!!!】

I went to see it again today for the second time, and I cried buckets.

Who would have thought that the little girl who ran around like crazy on Running Man would be such a good actress?

Bai Lu is the biggest surprise of the year, no arguments allowed.

[Lulu said in an interview that this is her first time playing the lead role in a movie, that's amazing!]

[First time? ??? You can't tell at all!]

[A truly gifted player has been confirmed!]

[Mohen really knows how to pick people; Bai Lu is such a gem, it was such a worthwhile find!]

However, some people even started making comparisons in the comments section of the trending topic.

[They're both ink marks, but the difference is so huge.]

Bai Lu rose to fame through her acting skills, while some people do it by showing skin.

[Hilarious! Bai Lu hasn't even played any major roles before, and her first leading role was a huge hit.]

Meng Ziyi's fans attempted to fight back.

[Ziyi's Qiuya is also very good, okay!]

[Exactly! You guys are only watching the pool, aren't you watching anything else?]

[Qiuya is already the school beauty and the ideal woman; if she really stands out to the point of stealing the spotlight from the female lead, you'll all say she's overshadowed!]

[Ziyi's eyes in the wedding scene were absolutely amazing, you guys have to look closely!]

But such voices were quickly drowned out.

[The wedding scene? Which shot? I have absolutely no recollection of it.]

[Hilarious, the fans are trying so hard to save face.]

Even the most unattainable ideal needs acting skills, okay? Without acting skills, you're just background noise.

[Admit it, Meng Ziyi is just a pretty face.]

The atmosphere in Meng Ziyi's fan page is getting increasingly gloomy.

Some people are trying their best to protect it, but there is more of a sense of powerlessness and grievance.

[Ziyi's acting was clearly quite good...]

[Ziyi isn't just a pretty face; she's genuinely serious about acting.]

[After watching the behind-the-scenes footage, I realized she had been controlling her diet and maintaining her figure to achieve Qiu Ya's desired condition.]

The director also praised her for her thorough understanding of the character.

Why does everyone only watch for those three seconds?

I feel wronged, but I don't know how to refute it.

Someone posted a long thread:

[I'm really heartbroken. This is Ziyi's first big-screen role, and she prepared for so long, so diligently. Qiuya's character isn't the explosive type; her goodness is hidden in the details. But everyone ignores the details, only the swimming pool scene. Then they say she's just a pretty face, that she's selling her body. What did she do? She just swam in a swimsuit, how is that selling her body? These days, actresses can't even wear swimsuits?]

Below this post, some people offered words of comfort, while others replied:

[Forget it, it's pointless to explain to strangers. Let's wait for Ziyi's next work.]

But it's so unfair, considering how hard I tried.

That's how the entertainment industry is; being beautiful is a cardinal sin.

When Meng Ziyi saw these, tears finally streamed down her face.

It wasn't because she was being criticized, but because someone felt wronged on her behalf.

Those fans she didn't even know were explaining for her, arguing for her, and feeling wronged on her behalf.

And there was nothing she could do.

My phone vibrated.

It was a WeChat message from Bai Lu.

Bai Lu: Ziyi, are you alright?

Meng Ziyi stared at the line of text, not replying for a long time.

Bai Lu posted another message.

[Bai Lu: Don't take those words to heart. You acted really well, I know that.]

[Bai Lu: The movie has just been released; more people will see it later.]

[Bai Lu: And that pool scene of yours was really beautiful! If I were a guy, I'd be smitten too!]

[Bai Lu: No, even I, a woman, am tempted!]

Meng Ziyi looked at the series of messages and burst into laughter through her tears.

She wiped away her tears and started typing.

Meng Ziyi: I'm fine.

[Meng Ziyi: I just feel a little wronged.]

[Bai Lu: What are you complaining about! Your three seconds went viral! It was trending number one! So many people want that kind of thing but can't have it!]

[Meng Ziyi: That kind of viral fame... is better left unmet.]

Bai Lu was silent for a few seconds, then sent a voice message.

Meng Ziyi clicked on it and heard Bai Lu's unusually serious voice.

"Ziyi, I'm serious. You're an actress, and whether you act well or not isn't up to those people to decide. We just need to know it ourselves. And believe me, there are people who can see the details in your performance. It's just that the movie has just been released, and everyone is discussing the plot and the jokes. In a couple of days, when everyone watches it a second or third time, people will start to notice you."

As Meng Ziyi listened to this voice message, tears welled up in her eyes again, not from feeling wronged, but from being moved.

[Meng Ziyi: Mengyan, thank you.]

Bai Lu: No need to thank me! We're like family!

[Bai Lu: I'll treat you to dinner in a couple of days! No, I should have Brother Mo treat you! He has to comfort our Ziyi!]

Mentioning Shen Mo made Meng Ziyi's heart clench again.

The phone screen went dark and then lit up again.

It's a trending topic, #QiuyaSwimmingPool# is still at the top, but a new one has appeared below it—#BaiLu'sActingSkillsAwesome#.

Clicking in, you'll find nothing but praise.

Meng Ziyi turned off her phone and buried herself in the blankets. Suddenly, the image of Shen Mo, whom Bai Lu had mentioned earlier, popped into her mind.

She rolled over, stared at the ceiling for a while, then suddenly sat up and grabbed her phone.

My finger hovered over the screen for a long time before I finally typed a few words and sent them.

[Meng Ziyi: Brother Mo, can you come over and have a couple of drinks with me?]

She regretted sending it as soon as she sent it, and just as she was about to retract it, the other party had already replied.

[Shen Zha: Okay!]

Meng Ziyi stared at the text message that had been replied to in seconds, and her heart skipped a beat.

Terrified, she threw her phone aside, buried herself under the covers, and let out a muffled wail.

Twenty minutes later, Shen Mo stood in front of Meng Ziyi's villa in the capital. Her family had bought this place for her when she enrolled at the Beijing Film Academy.

His gaze fell on Meng Ziyi's face; her eyes were as red as a rabbit's, clearly from crying.

When Meng Ziyi saw him, her eyes, which had been dull all day, suddenly brightened a little.

She stepped aside. "Come in."

Shen Mo walked in and immediately saw two wine glasses on the coffee table in the living room, as well as a bottle of whiskey that had already been partially drunk.

He had just sat down on the sofa when Meng Ziyi knelt down on the carpet next to him, picked up the wine bottle and filled two glasses, then turned around, tilted her head back, and handed him a glass.

"Give."

As soon as Shen Mo took the wine glass, Meng Ziyi raised her own glass, forcing an overly forced fake smile onto her face.

"Cheers!"

After saying that, without waiting for Shen Mo to react, she tilted her head back and drank it all in one gulp.