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

"Are you really reluctant to take it off? Are you going to wear the scarf while washing up?"

Bai Lu leaned against the sink, winked at Tian Xi, and a meaningful smile curved her lips.

Tian Xi glared at her fiercely, but unfortunately, this glare had no effect on Bai Lu.

Her ears turned red again. She reached out, took off her scarf, turned around, and threw it on the sofa.

Tian's mother had already carried Tian Ruowei into the room, and turned off the living room light when she came out.

"It's getting late, I'm going in now. You should all go to sleep early too. Weiwei, there are clean blankets in the closet, get one for Xiaobai."

"understood."

"No need, Auntie, Tian'er and I can share a blanket."

"Get lost, who wants to squeeze in with you?"

Mother Tian shook her head as she looked in the direction of the bathroom, yawned, and turned to walk into the master bedroom.

After a long while, Tian Xiwei came out with Bai Lu, who had finished washing up, and turned to walk towards her room.

"Come on in. The bed isn't big. If you think it's too cramped, you can sleep on the sofa."

Bai Lu quickly followed, her slippers making a clattering sound on the floor.

"No problem, no problem at all. I'll sleep wherever you sleep."

Tian Xiwei paused for a moment, pursed her lips, but the faint curve of her lips was barely visible in the dim light.

The room wasn't big; a 1.5-meter bed was placed against the wall, and several books were stacked on the bedside table. The curtains were floral.

There was a framed photo on the bookshelf, a picture of Tian Xiwei when she was little. She had two little pigtails, was wearing a red and white sweater, and was smiling so much that her eyes were squinted into slits.

Bai Lu stood at the door, looked around, and her smile deepened. "Your room is so cozy."

"Please sit wherever you like. I'll go get you a blanket."

Tian Xi turned around to open the wardrobe, but Bai Lu stopped her, pouting and blinking her big eyes pitifully.

"Really, you don't need to, or do you dislike me and don't want to sleep in the same bed with me?"

Tian Xiwei couldn't help but twitch her lips as she looked at her feigning pitifulness.

"I find it disgusting, I find it utterly disgusting."

Although he said that, he stopped what he was doing and sat down on the bed.

Bai Lu kicked off her slippers and jumped onto the bed, humming a song as she jumped. Although the tune was indistinct, one could hear the irrepressible joy in her voice.

Tian Xiwei suddenly opened her eyes wide and slapped him across the face.

"Stop it! You're going to tear my house down!"

Bai Lu chuckled and had already crawled into bed, only her head sticking out, her two bright eyes looking at Tian Xiwei.

"It's so warm in bed, Tian'er, come here quickly."

Tian Xi sighed silently, turned off the light, walked over in the dark, lifted a corner of the quilt, and crawled inside.

As soon as she lay down, Bai Lu snuggled up to her and clung to her like an octopus.

In the darkness, they couldn't see each other's expressions, but they could feel each other's breath, warm and gentle, like two hibernating animals huddled together in a hole.

"Tian'er, how long has it been since we slept in the same bed?"

Why are you asking that?

"Let's reminisce a bit! Don't you miss it?"

Tian Xiwei was silent for two seconds, then reached out and pried open the hand that was locked around her neck.

"No nostalgia? I feel like you're trying to strangle me so I won't compete with you for Shen Mo!"

Bai Lu chuckled softly, snuggled even closer, and placed her head directly on her chest.

"What exactly happened between you and Brother Mo?"

Tian Xiwei didn't reply. She turned over, facing Bai Lu, and looked at her blurry eyes in the darkness.

"Mengyan, you don't mind?"

Bai Lu didn't ask "What do you mind?", of course she knew what Tian Xiwei was asking.

"I used to mind, but not anymore."

Why?

"Because... I've discovered that some things can't be changed just by caring. And—"

She paused, then slowly traced circles on Tian Xiwei's chest with her fingers.

"If Sister Tong doesn't mind, why should I?"

Tian Xi fell silent, the image of that foolish woman, Li Yitong, flashing through her mind.

"Besides, you know me too," Bai Lu continued, with a touch of nostalgia in her voice.

"When I was at my wit's end and my future was uncertain, Brother Mo suddenly appeared in front of me, like a savior who picked me up from the snow of despair."

"He doesn't look down on me, so why should I look down on him?"

Tian Xi frowned slightly, recalling the dazzling Bai Lu she had seen on Weibo in her previous life.

"That's because you have the ability yourself. You can become a big star even without him."

Bai Lu smiled brightly, "Thank you for thinking so highly of me."

"Given Brother Mo's status and ability, anyone can become famous as long as he's willing to promote them and they're reasonably good-looking, right?"

"But he chose to support me and help me achieve my dreams. Isn't that a kind of fate and trust?"

"Maybe you're right. I might become a big star even without Brother Mo, but how much time would that take, how many obstacles would I encounter, and what extra sacrifices would I have to make?"

"You've just come of age, and Brother Mo has protected you too well. This industry isn't as clean and pure as you imagine."

"And look at me, I didn't have to pay any price to achieve my dream of becoming a big star, and I even got a near-perfect boyfriend."

"And look at me, I didn't have to pay any price to achieve my dream of becoming a big star, and I even got a near-perfect boyfriend."

"What do you think I mind?"

The wind outside the window picked up, making the windowpane whistle softly.

Tian Xiwei fell silent again. She knew more about this circle than Bai Lu did; she just had never considered things from Bai Lu's perspective.

"You've changed," Tian Xiwei said softly.

"Really? Has it gotten better or worse?"

"She's gone idiot! Silly girl!"

Bai Lu laughed out loud, snuggled closer to Tian Xiwei in the quilt, and even reached out to pinch her button, earning her a punch from Tian Xiwei in return.

"So what if I'm silly? Being a little silly makes me happier."

I wrapped myself up in the blanket again; the warm temperature inside made my eyelids feel heavy.

A long time passed, so long that Tian Xiwei thought Bai Lu had fallen asleep, before Bai Lu's voice rang out again.

"You've been reluctant to take that scarf off; it means you still care about Mo Ge, don't you?"

Tian Xi was slightly taken aback, and her lips slowly pursed.

"You're just bothered that the perfect Mo Ge in your heart isn't so perfect anymore, and he won't belong to you alone."

"But, Tian'er!"

"He never belonged to you alone! Do you think you can replace Sister Tong in Brother Mo's heart?"

"Even if you've known Mo for several years and have developed a deep bond with him, can it compare to Sister Tong's decades of companionship?"

Bai Lu wanted to say something, but Tian Xiwei slapped her to shut her up.

These words directly exposed the reality that Tian Xiwei most wanted to escape from deep within her heart.

Whether it's this life or a past life.

In her past life, when she decided to get married, wasn't this factor also a factor?

Their relationship was too intimate, even though Tian Xiwei knew that when she was dating Shen Mo, they hadn't crossed any boundaries.

But she was still worried.

Tong Jie is 35 years old and still not married or even dating. Who is she waiting for? Is there anyone else besides Shen Mo?

So she proposed marriage, not only because she wanted to settle down with Shen Mo as soon as possible, but also because she wanted to free Li Yitong from her obsession so that she could also pursue her own happiness.

"He never belonged to you alone," Bai Lu's words shattered all her preconceived notions.

If nothing unexpected happens, and I married Shen Mo in my previous life, would Li Yitong have found someone else?

It's highly unlikely. More likely, she'll remain single, stay by her and Shen Mo's side, and have her life wasted.

After all, she had spent more than 30 years of her life entangled with Shen Mo, so how could she easily break free?

If I would mind, what about Li Yitong? Why is she able to accept it? Most likely, it's because she was traumatized by my past life.

For her, getting Shen Mo was already the best outcome. As for the others, whether there was one Tian Xiwei or several more, it made no difference.

What about yourself?

Can you accept Shen Mo and Sister Tong? If you accept Sister Tong, what about the others? If you can't accept them...?

Shen Mo is such a bastard!

Tian Xiwei was even filled with rage. What if he finds one and she abducts another, making her women part of my harem?!

Thinking this, Tian Xiwei's lips curled into a mischievous smile.

Let's start with you, Bai Mengyan! Are you ready?

Tian Xi snorted softly, turned over, and pressed herself directly onto Bai Lu. While reaching out her devilish hands, she pulled the blanket up to cover the two of them.

"Hey! Tian Xiwei, what are you doing?!"

Tian Xiwei didn't answer, but instead let out a wicked, cackling laugh.

……

The next morning, Tian Xiwei was awakened by Tian Ruowei's screams.

"Sister Bai Lu! You're still here! That's wonderful!"

She peeked out from under the covers and squinted to see that Tian Ruowei had already climbed into bed in her pajamas and was lying on top of Bai Lu, her little face pressed against Bai Lu's, rubbing against her.

Bai Lu was so overwhelmed that she could hardly breathe, and she begged for mercy with a smile.

"Little Ruowei...you're crushing me to death..."

Tian Xi rolled her eyes, pulled the blanket over her head, turned over, and tried to continue sleeping, but her sleepiness had already been dispelled.

As she lay in bed, listening to Tian Ruowei's chattering and Bai Lu's gentle and patient responses, the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved into a smile.

Her phone vibrated on the bedside table. She reached out, touched it, and squinted at it.

News about Shen Mo.

Are you awake? I'm at the door. I'll tidy up and bring you breakfast.

Tian Xi stared at the words for a few seconds, then put her phone face down on the bedside table, sat up, her hair a mess.

"Bai Lu, your brother Mo is waiting at the door, get up quickly."

Bai Lu was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, then smiled, "I know, that's your Mo-ge too."

She looked up and gently kissed Tian Ruowei's forehead.

"Little Ruowei, I'm getting up now. I'll play with you later."

Tian Ruowei nodded obediently, climbed off Bai Lu, sat on the edge of the bed, and swung her two short legs.

Bai Lu got up, got out of bed, dressed, walked to the window, and drew back the curtains.

The morning sunlight streamed in, so bright it was almost blinding.

He looked up and met Bai Lu's gaze. He smiled and raised the milk tea in his hand.

Bai Lu smiled and waved at him, then turned to look at Tian Xiwei, "Tian'er, Brother Mo bought you milk tea."

Tian Xiwei was getting dressed when she heard this. Her fingers paused for a moment, but without even looking up, she said, "Whoever wants his milk tea, give it to Tian Ruowei!"

Bai Lu didn't expose her, because she had already seen the smile on Tian Xiwei's lips that she couldn't suppress.

Outside the window, Shen Mo leaned against the car door, glancing down at his phone. On the screen was a message from Tian Xiwei.

Don't stand by the door, come in and sit down.

He smiled, put his phone in his pocket, picked up his milk tea, and pushed open the courtyard gate to walk in.

It seems that this visit was effective, as Tian Xiwei's attitude has clearly softened.

When Tian Xiwei and Bai Lu finished getting ready and came out, Shen Mo had already set out breakfast.

The table was piled high with congee, fried dough sticks, soy milk, steamed buns, and several dishes of pickled vegetables.

Tian's mother laughed and said, "Why buy so much? It'll be a waste if we can't finish it."

On the other hand, he had already picked up his chopsticks and placed a small steamed bun in each person's bowl.

Tian Ruowei was already sitting at the table, holding a bowl of soy milk in her small hands, blowing on it and taking a sip, leaving a ring of white on her lips.

Shen Mo placed the milk tea in front of Tian Xiwei. Tian Xiwei glanced down at it, sat down, picked up her porridge bowl, took a sip, and then pushed the milk tea to Tian Ruowei's side.

"for you."

Tian Ruowei's eyes lit up instantly, and her mouth opened into an "O" shape.

"Really? Sis, you don't drink milk tea?"

"I don't like it, you can have it."

Tian Ruowei hugged the milk tea tightly, as if it were some rare treasure, and began to suck on it with her mouth against the lid, her cheeks puffing out and making a "sizzling" sound.

Bai Lu watched from the side and couldn't help but laugh. She took out her phone, pretended to be scrolling through her WeChat Moments, and quietly adjusted the angle.

Tian Ruowei drank her milk tea with a big smile, while Tian Xiwei lowered her head to drink her porridge, and Shen Mo served her some food.

She pressed the shutter, and the image was captured.

Then I opened WeChat, found Meng Ziyi's chat window, and sent her the photo.

Guess where I am?

Meng Ziyi replied instantly with three question marks, followed by a series of exclamation marks, and finally a voice message.

Bai Lu didn't open it, afraid of the sound being amplified, but judging from the long green line, she could roughly guess that Meng Ziyi had already exploded over there.

She placed her phone face down on the table, unable to suppress the smile on her lips.

Tian Xi looked up at her, a hint of scrutiny in her eyes. "What are you laughing at?"

"It's nothing." Bai Lu picked up a xiaolongbao, took a bite, and mumbled, "The xiaolongbao are really delicious today."

Tian Xiwei didn't ask any further questions and continued to drink her porridge.

As she ate, Tian's mother kept saying, "Little Shen, you're too kind. Don't buy it next time, we can just make it ourselves."

Shen Mo smiled and replied "Okay," which made Tian's mother like him more and more.

Father Tian put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, looked at Shen Mo, then at Tian Xiwei, and hesitated before speaking.

"Are you planning to leave right after you finish eating?"

"Yes."

Drive slowly on the road.

"Don't worry, Uncle."

After all, it's the Lunar New Year, and it's not right to stay at someone else's house for too long.

After breakfast, Tian's mother cleared the dishes, and Bai Lu helped carry the plates. Tian Ruowei held onto the cup of milk tea, reluctant to let go, and followed closely behind Bai Lu like a little tail.

After finishing tidying up, Shen Mo stood up and looked at Tian Xiwei.

"Then we'll be going now."

Tian Xi leaned back in her chair, holding a half-finished cup of soy milk, and hummed in agreement.

Mother Tian poked her head out from the kitchen: "Leaving already? Why don't you have lunch before you go?"

"No, Auntie, I have something to do at the company and I have to go back."

Mother Tian sighed, wiped her hands on her apron, came out, and patted Bai Lu's hand.

"Little Bai, next time you come, Auntie will make you boiled fish."

Bai Lu smiled and nodded: "Okay, I'll definitely come."

When Tian Ruowei heard the word "go," her eyes instantly reddened. She ran to Bai Lu with her milk tea in her arms, tilted her little face up, pouted, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

"Sister Bai Lu, when will you come again?"

Bai Lu squatted down to look her in the eye and reached out to tuck the stray hairs behind her ear.

"Soon, I'll come to see you when I have time, or you and your sister can come to visit me together."

"Pinky promise."

Bai Lu extended her little finger, and Tian Ruowei earnestly made a pinky promise with her. Then, turning to look at Shen Mo, she hesitated for a moment before extending her little finger as well.

"Brother Shen Mo, you make a pinky promise too."

Shen Mo bent down and made a pinky promise with her. Tian Ruowei rolled her eyes, leaned close to his ear, and whispered something.

"Brother Shen Mo, my sister really has no suitors. You should take her in as soon as possible!"

Shen Mo paused for a second, then flashed a bright smile, "Okay!"

Tian Xi stood up, walked to the door, and leaned against the door frame.

"Let's go quickly, send a message when we arrive."

Shen Mo looked at her, his gaze lingering for a moment on her neck, on that blue scarf. She wasn't wearing it today, but she didn't take it out to return it to him either.

"it is good."

He turned around, and Bai Lu followed behind him. When they reached the courtyard gate, she looked back and waved to Tian Xi.

The car started and slowly drove away. In the rearview mirror, Tian Xiwei appeared at the door. Her figure grew smaller and smaller until it became a blurry outline and disappeared into the morning light.

In the car, Bai Lu leaned back in her seat, holding her phone in her hand.

Meng Ziyi has already sent more than a dozen messages.

"Bai Mengyan, explain yourself! When did you go to Tian Xiwei's house?! Shen Mo was there too?! What's going on with the three of you?!"

The noise was so loud that even Wang Zheng, who was in the front row, glanced at it in the rearview mirror.

Bai Lu replied with a voice message with a smile: "Nothing's wrong, I just came to wish you a Happy New Year, Ziyi, don't overthink it."

Meng Ziyi replied instantly: "I didn't think much of it! I'm just curious! Very curious!"

Bai Lu didn't reply further, put her phone in her pocket, closed her eyes, and leaned back in her seat.

Sunlight streamed through the car window, warming her face, and a faint smile played on her lips.

Airport, waiting area.

It was already the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, so Shen Mo decided not to go back to Quanzhou and planned to go directly to the capital.

Bai Lu planned to return to Changzhou. After all, she had been traveling around for several days during the Spring Festival, and it was time to go back and spend time with her parents.

Bai Lu's flight was half an hour earlier than Shen Mo's. She stood at the boarding gate, holding her ID card and boarding pass in her hand, looking at Shen Mo.

"Brother Mo, I'm leaving now."

"Okay, send a message when you arrive."

"it is good."

Bai Lu stood there, motionless. Shen Mo looked at her, reached out and gently patted her head, then gave her a soft hug.

"Go ahead, see you at the office in a few days."

Bai Lu nodded, took a deep breath, and turned to go inside.

Inside the glass walkway, she turned around, waved to Shen Mo, and then disappeared around the corner.

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

Vote for monthly tickets and enter a lucky draw! At the end of the month, we'll be giving away three copies of GLASS magazine featuring Tong Jie on the cover. If you're interested, feel free to vote for more monthly tickets to participate!