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

After finishing their business, Li Yitong turned and left in a hurry, muttering to herself.

"I promised Xiaotian'er I'd take her around the capital, I can't go back on my word, that girl's probably getting impatient."

Shen Mo smiled helplessly as he watched her cheerful figure disappear into the distance, and was about to turn around and go upstairs.

A rhythmic, slightly exotic melody drifted over faintly.

He paused, followed the sound, and walked to the door of the dance practice room inside the company.

The door wasn't closed completely, leaving a crack.

Shen Mo peered through the crack and saw that Dilireba was the only person in the empty mirrored practice room.

After the Shanghai Theatre Academy's holiday, she was arranged to come to the company for intensive training courses.

She was engrossed in the music and didn't notice the gaze outside the door.

Unlike her usual shy and reserved demeanor, she seemed like a completely different person at this moment.

Wearing a close-fitting black training uniform, her already well-proportioned figure was clearly visible.

She is practicing a modern dance that incorporates ethnic elements.

Her arms stretched out like a swan's neck, her wrists turned with a unique grace, and her waist was supple yet incredibly powerful.

With each turn, her long, black hair flew like a waterfall, and her skirt drew a clean, flowing arc.

His toes touched the ground precisely, his body moved lightly and gracefully, and his eyes were focused and burning.

Sweat soaked the stray hairs on her forehead and temples, which clung to her smooth skin.

Shen Mo remained silent, leaning quietly against the door frame with his arms crossed, his gaze following the figure dancing ecstatically in the mirror.

He could see that behind the dance moves lay not only outstanding talent, but also considerable hard work.

As the music neared its end, Dilraba concluded her dance with a difficult series of spins followed by a graceful stretch, culminating in a pose where she paused.

His chest rose and fell slightly with his breathing, and his forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat.

Just then, her gaze inadvertently swept across the mirror by the door.

Suddenly, she spotted the figure standing there, quietly watching her.

"what!"

She gasped softly, like a startled fawn, instantly pulled back to reality from the emotional state of the dance.

Her face flushed instantly, and even her fair neck turned crimson.

She stood there helplessly, her eyes lowered in a panic.

She dared not meet Shen Mo's gaze in the mirror, her voice barely audible, trembling with panting.

"Mr. Shen! When did you arrive? I'm so sorry, I didn't notice..."

Shen Mo then slowly walked in, the wooden floor making a slight sound.

His tone was calm, and his gaze fell on her exceptionally bright eyes.

"I've been here for a while, and seeing how engrossed you were in your dancing, I didn't want to disturb you."

He paused, took two steps closer, and closed the distance so he could see the beads of sweat on the tip of her nose more clearly.

"You danced wonderfully, with excellent control over both emotion and power, especially the spin in the middle, which was very stable."

To receive such specific and unexpected praise from such close up is truly remarkable.

Dilraba felt her cheeks burning up, and her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of her chest.

She clenched her fingers nervously, her nails unconsciously digging into her palms, and her voice became even softer.

"There are still many shortcomings; the pace is a bit off..."

"Don't underestimate yourself."

Shen Mo's voice softened, carrying a reassuring calmness as his gaze swept over her slightly trembling calves.

"Are you just starting to learn this dance?"

"It's quite intense, so be careful to stretch your muscles, or you'll be sore tomorrow."

"Yes, I just learned it."

Dilraba answered honestly, mustered her courage, quickly looked up at him, and then quickly looked down again.

"I figured it wouldn't hurt to learn more."

"That's a good idea."

Shen Mo nodded, his eyes showing approval.

"The company has arranged more systematic dance and performance courses for you."

"Ms. Lin, a retired teacher from the Beijing Dance Academy, will personally guide you in body shaping and new folk dance. She is an expert in this field."

His words not only showed concern, but also contained concrete arrangements to pave the way for her future.

A surge of scalding warmth instantly coursed through Dilraba's entire body.

Overwhelmed with emotion and joy, she raised her head again, this time meeting Shen Mo's gaze with unwavering determination.

Those eyes were so close, clearly reflecting her somewhat disheveled yet incredibly excited expression.

"That's Li Yitong's advisor. It took a lot of effort to invite him. You should learn from him."

"Thank you, Mr. Shen! Thank you, Mr. Li!"

"I will definitely learn diligently from the teacher! I will absolutely not let you and the company down!"

She made a strong promise, her voice rising slightly with excitement, her large eyes sparkling with barely suppressed gratitude.

And a quietly growing emotion, a mixture of worship and dependence, that she herself had not fully understood.

He was like a majestic mountain that suddenly descended upon her ordinary life—powerful, steady, and meticulous.

It made her want to look up to him, follow him, and even yearn to stand shoulder to shoulder with him one day.

Shen Mo looked at the burning fire in her eyes.

It was as if I had seen a new star waiting to break through the soil.

He nodded slightly, his tone remaining calm.

"Yes, I look forward to your progress. Keep practicing, and remember to do relaxation exercises."

After saying that, he didn't say anything more, turned around and left the practice room, his back straight and neat.

Even long after Shen Mo's figure disappeared through the doorway and his footsteps faded into the distance, Dilraba remained frozen in place.

She slowly raised her hand and pressed it against her still burning cheeks and her pounding heart.

His cool yet unsettling scent seemed to linger in the air.

Thoughts, like threads tangled by the wind, drifted involuntarily toward another person.

The woman who always stood beside President Shen, with a bright, crescent-shaped smile, was President Li, Li Yitong.

She had heard from others that Mr. Li was a graduate of the Beijing Dance Academy, and was professional and outstanding.

Mr. Shen's comments on the dance were so accurate, is it because you often watch Mr. Li dance?

Is there a tacit understanding and past between them that they cannot reach?

This thought felt like a tiny needle pricked her heart, causing a bittersweet feeling that was hard to describe.

But then another rumor that was circulating in the company came to mind.

They don't seem to be boyfriend and girlfriend yet.

"Not yet..."

These three words are like a small flame that suddenly ignites in the darkness.

It instantly dispelled the gloom and rekindled the secret, unspoken expectation in her heart.

Since it's not, does that mean...?

Everything is still uncertain.

Does this mean that as long as she works hard enough and shines bright enough, perhaps...

Perhaps she will also have a chance to make that gaze linger on her for a little longer?

She looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes sparkling and her face as beautiful as a peach blossom.

An unprecedented determination and desire grew wildly in my heart.

More specific and more intense than before.

She wants to become better and stronger, not only to catch up with President Li's level, but to surpass him!

They are strong enough to be worthy of standing beside him.

What he saw was no longer just a trainee who needed to be nurtured, but someone whose brilliance could rival his own.

This idea, like wild grass meeting the spring breeze, took root and spread wildly at this moment.

She took a deep breath and pressed play again.

Looking at himself in the mirror, his gaze became incredibly determined.

Every movement was imbued with a fuller, more eager-to-be-seen power than before.

She will never admit defeat easily.