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

In a math class in Class 2, Grade 3 of the Affiliated Primary School of Quancheng Normal University.

In the fifth row against the wall, Li Xue, with his round mushroom-shaped haircut, was hunched over, making some rustling noises in front of the mottled wall.

Tiny white flakes fell softly from her fingertips, swirling in the sunlight.

Shen Mo, who was idly sprawled on his desk, was drawn by the noise and curiously leaned over: "What are you doing?"

Li Xue suddenly looked up, a few grains of powder still clinging to the corner of her mouth, which was covered in wall ash.

Upon seeing that it was Shen Mo, her dark eyes darted around, and her right hand struck with lightning speed, precisely shoving her index finger, which was covered in wall dust, into his mouth.

"Pah! Pah! Pah!"

Shen Mo leaned back abruptly, a muddy taste spreading across his tongue.

He spat awkwardly, his mouth full of wall dust.

"Li Xue! Shen Mo!"

The math teacher's stern shout came from the podium, "Take your books and stand at the back!"

The two of them slunk away, leaning side by side against the blackboard at the back of the classroom.

Li Xue turned her face away angrily, let out a soft snort, and stomped hard on Shen Mo's shoe.

Shen Mo winced in pain and gasped for breath.

He leaned close to her ear, lowering his voice and gritting his teeth.

"If you eat wall plaster, you'll never grow tall! When I'm taller than you, I'm going to beat you up every day!"

Li Xue suddenly turned her head, her round eyes wide open, and stomped on it again.

"Wait until you're taller than me before you talk! You shorty!"

She deliberately dragged out the last three words, like a victorious little general, proudly raising her face covered in wall dust.

--------

The world spun around her, and by the time Li Yitong came to her senses, she was already firmly in Shen Mo's arms.

He sat down against the thick tree trunk and carefully placed her on his lap.

Li Yitong stared blankly at the face so close to his, her hand unconsciously clenching his collar.

Her reddened eyes gradually curved into a gentle arc, like a crescent moon after the rain.

"That's nice," she said softly.

"Right!" Shen Mo replied with a smile, "I also find it comfortable to hug like this."

"Don't speak!"

Her fingertips gently touched his lips, then slowly stroked his nose and brow bone, finally resting on his cheek.

It's as if they're confirming this person's real existence.

"It's so good to see you again... I thought I'd never see you again..."

"Yukiko, you've gained weight!"

"Get lost, you little dwarf! Don't force me to bite you when I'm happiest!"

Li Yitong frowned, gritted her teeth, and glared at him fiercely, but Shen Mo laughed freely.

Her fingers slowly moved to his Adam's apple, and she suddenly chuckled softly, "How did you get so tall?"

"Maybe someone ate wall plaster when they were little," Shen Mo raised an eyebrow, "which affected their development."

"I told you long ago, I won't grow tall."

"Look at Xiaotian, he's already much taller than you even without eating the wall plaster."

The three characters "Xiao Tian'er" are like a fine thorn, gently piercing the atmosphere of the moment.

Li Yitong pinched his Adam's apple in dissatisfaction.

"Do you really have to bring her up at this time?"

Seeing Shen Mo's pained expression, she softened and rubbed his arm, her voice gradually lowering.

"Right now, I'm the only one by your side. In this world, only the two of us are truly the same..."

Her fingertips were icy cold, lacking warmth even in the warm June breeze.

"I was very happy when I first came back."

She buried her face in his shoulder, her voice becoming faint.

"But later... I became increasingly lonely."

"My memories, my experiences, and my understanding are all out of step with this world."

Sometimes you clearly remember that something has happened, but it hasn't actually happened yet...

"They were talking about recent events, and I could only give vague answers. I couldn't really join the conversation because more than ten years have passed, and it's hard for me to empathize with them."

"I can only remain silent and pretend to blend in..."

Shen Mo tightened his arms, completely enveloping her hand in his palm.

"When I call my parents, I don't even know what to say."

"I'm here for you."

His voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable power.

The head in her arms nodded gently.

"Can you imagine how happy I was to know you were back?"

"I know I'm not alone anymore, I'm not lonely."

There was finally a hint of laughter in her voice.

"Finally, I don't have to pretend anymore... Thank you for not abandoning me."

She buried herself deeper into his embrace, as if trying to absorb all his warmth.

"Don't abandon me again, okay?"

"I don't want to be alone."

"Are you confessing your feelings?"

The air suddenly became quiet.

Li Yitong bit his shoulder in anger, but ultimately didn't bite hard.

This piece of wood!

She cursed inwardly, but hugged him even tighter.

Shen Mo sighed softly, his gaze fixed on the swaying shadows of the trees in the distance.

"Do you know how much Xiaotian sacrificed for that decision the day we left?"

Li Yitong slowly raised her head, her gaze lingering deep into Shen Mo's eyes.

"I know, how could I not know? I've seen every single moment of you."

Her voice was soft, but every word was clear: "I understand everything."

"But Shen Mo, that Xiao Tian'er is no longer here."

"We...can't go back."

She suddenly reached out and gently tugged at the corner of his mouth with her fingertips, trying to draw out a smile.

This gesture carried an indescribable intimacy, yet also concealed a hint of unspeakable bitterness.

"Or perhaps..." Her voice carried a hint of probing.

"You want to play a simulation game? Raise a wife for yourself?"

As soon as she said it, she frowned: "She's only fourteen years old, you can't be so...beastly."

Shen Mo shook his head and shook off her hand, a playful smile playing on his lips.

"Woof woof..."

"What, so I'm not human anymore, is that not allowed?"

Li Yitong puffed out her cheeks in anger and poked his nose with her slender fingers.

"Don't be like my succulent! The thought of never seeing it again makes me sad."

"Don't worry," Shen Mo replied readily.

"I guarantee I'll find you an exact replica."

The topic was thus glossed over.

They all knew perfectly well that some knots needed time to untie.

After all, how could someone who has just decided to get married suddenly fall in love with another person?

Even though this person is his childhood sweetheart with whom he has a deep bond.

After confirming that their bodies had undergone miraculous changes, Li Yitong gently leaned back against Shen Mo's shoulder.

"Even if my body returns to its best condition," her voice softened.

"I still prefer acting. I want to stand at the highest point and see the view from the summit."

At this point, she suddenly straightened up, a look of worry in her eyes.

"Has your stock market operation... begun?"

"If you haven't started yet, don't do it."

She whispered, "In this life, I hope you can realize your original dream and become a big star, standing in the spotlight."

"Will you come with me?"

Her eyes were full of sincerity. "With your abilities, there are plenty of ways to make money. There's no need to rush."

"It has already begun." Shen Mo nodded calmly.

"What are you doing..." Li Yitong immediately became anxious.

Before she could finish speaking, Shen Mo gently covered her mouth.

"Don't rush," he smiled helplessly.

"Having navigated the business world for over a decade, do you think I don't know my limits?"