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

The next day, the familiar "little guest" returned to the front desk of Mohen Capital.

Tian Xiwei practically skipped in, still wearing the same white down jacket, but her scarf had been changed to a brighter pale yellow, making her face look even rosier.

The light in her big eyes was even brighter and more dazzling than yesterday.

Good morning, Olivia!

She greeted the receptionist in a clear, crisp voice, as if she had been working there for a long time.

Olivia couldn't help but smile when she saw her.

"Good morning. Are you here to see General Manager Li again today?"

"Um!"

Tian Xi nodded vigorously and eagerly poked her head inside.

"Has Sister Tongtong arrived?"

Just as she finished speaking, Li Yitong came out of the tea room with a cup of coffee.

Upon seeing the small figure at the door, she paused, a gentle smile appearing on her lips.

"You're here so early?"

She stepped forward and naturally reached out to help Tian Xiwei tidy her bangs, which had been slightly messed up by the wind.

Have you had breakfast?

"have eaten!"

Tian Xi tilted her head back, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Li Yitong, her face beaming with undisguised joy.

"Sister Tongtong, I was so excited when I got back yesterday that I couldn't sleep half the night!"

"Brother Mo drove me home! He even promised I could come see him today!"

Li Yitong listened quietly, took a sip of coffee, the warm liquid sliding down her throat, but it couldn't dispel the chill in her heart.

Looking at Tian Xiwei's smile, a complex feeling resurfaced within her.

"That's good."

She smiled gently and reached out to pinch Tian Xiwei's cheeks, which were slightly flushed with excitement.

"It seems yesterday's 'chance encounter' was a success."

"A resounding success!"

Tian Xi nodded vigorously, took out a delicate little paper bag from her small backpack, and handed it to Li Yitong like a treasure.

"Sister Tongtong, this is for you!"

"I bought it from the dessert shop downstairs from my cousin's house; they say it's especially delicious!"

"Thank you for taking me out yesterday, and you even helped me 'run into' Brother Mo!"

Inside the paper bag was a macaron shaped like a cute little bunny.

Looking at this childlike thank-you gift, Li Yitong felt a gentle, bittersweet feeling, as if something had lightly bumped into her heart.

She took the paper bag, her smile becoming more genuine.

"Thank you, Xiaotian, you're so cute."

"I'm glad you like it!"

Tian Xi breathed a slight sigh of relief, then asked again with anticipation.

"Sister Tongtong, are you busy today?"

"Could I... could I stay with you a little longer? I promise I won't disturb your work!"

She made her request cautiously, her clear, large eyes filled with dependence and affection.

After yesterday, in her heart, Li Yitong was no longer just "Brother Mo's colleague", but also a gentle yet capable "one of her own" who brought her great surprises.

Looking at her like this, Li Yitong couldn't bring herself to say "no".

She served coffee with her left hand and took Tian Xiwei's hand with her right.

"I'm not busy today," she said softly.

Then he led her to his office.

"Perfect timing! I have a few great unreleased TV drama soundtracks here. Want to listen to them together?"

"Really? Is that okay?"

Tian Xi was so surprised she almost jumped up, and tightly gripped Li Yitong's hand in return.

"certainly."

Li Yitong pushed open the office door, and sunlight streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the room and illuminating Tian Xiwei's face, which was full of anticipation and excitement.

She knew that her actions had made the future unpredictable.

But looking at the girl beside her, she ultimately couldn't bring herself to be ruthless.

As for the future, let time tell.

"Sister Tongtong, are you a celebrity?"

Tian Xi tiptoed, her small face almost touching the glass of the office window.

She pointed to the group photo of Li Yitong, Yang Mi, and others inside and asked curiously.

She recognized the woman in the photo; she had played Guo Xiang and Qingchuan.

Li Yitong was about to pour her water when she heard this and paused.

"Not entirely. Yang Mi is, but what about me...?"

She paused, pondering how to explain her current complex identity to a fourteen-year-old.

"I'd say I'm part of it. I occasionally film some movies, but the rest of the time I'm with this company."

Tian Xi nodded as if she understood, her gaze lingering on the photo before suddenly turning to Li Yitong, her big eyes sparkling with new curiosity.

"Then... is Brother Shen Mo also one? Is he a celebrity too?"

She recalled the "TV series" and "Beijing Film Academy" that Li Yitong had mentioned repeatedly, and she had a vague guess in her heart, while also eagerly awaiting confirmation.

Seeing the proud anticipation in her eyes, Li Yitong smiled, her tone carrying a natural certainty.

"Him? Of course. The movie he starred in was still showing in theaters not long ago."

"Wow!"

Tian Xi let out a soft gasp, covered her mouth with her small hand, and stared wide-eyed, filled with disbelief and pure admiration.

In her mind, being able to appear on the big screen in a movie theater is an extremely remarkable thing.

Mo Ge is indeed the best!

This undisguised admiration stirred something subtle within Li Yitong.

She looked into the girl's strikingly bright eyes and asked softly.

"What's wrong, Xiaotian?"

Tian Xi lowered her hand, a blush of excitement spreading across her face.

She tilted her head back, her eyes filled with a kind of innocent longing.

"Sister Tongtong, can I...can I become a star someday?"

As she asked the question, her fingers unconsciously tightened around the hem of her dress.

The office before her, the photos, and the presence of Li Yitong and Shen Mo opened a door to a new world for her.

Li Yitong gazed at the still-childish face, looking at the small flame in her eyes.

In the future, you will indeed stand in the spotlight, receiving countless flowers and applause.

She did not answer "yes" or "no".

He simply reached out and gently stroked Tian Xiwei's hair.

"I want to be a star..."

"That's not an easy task."

"You need to learn a lot of things, such as acting, lines, and physical movements, and you also have to endure a lot of hardship and face a lot of pressure and evaluation."

She paused, looked at the girl's attentive expression, and then changed the subject, adding an encouraging tone.

"However, our little Tian'er is so pretty. If she really likes it, she can try to work towards that goal in the future."

She didn't make empty promises, but pointed out a realistic path that requires hard work.

After listening, Tian Xiwei nodded vigorously, as if making a solemn promise.

"Yes! I'm not afraid of hard work!"

"Sister Tongtong, could you... could you teach me something?"

"Or, tell me how to begin?"

At the innocent age of fourteen, Tian Xiwei took her first tentative step toward her destined path to stardom.

Li Yitong, who knew her future trajectory, was now standing at a crossroads of fate, taking her hand and becoming her initial guide with mixed feelings.