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

Around 9 p.m., Shen Mo finished processing the last document at hand, rubbed his throbbing temples, got up, turned off the light, and left the office.

He habitually walked to the secretariat next door, intending to call his driver, Wang Zheng, to leave work.

However, the sight that came into view when he pushed open the half-closed door made him pause.

In the empty secretariat area, only a single table lamp was lit.

Bai Mengyan was fast asleep, her head resting on her arm, at the workstation closest to his office door.

Her usually vibrant face appeared unusually quiet under the light, her mouth slightly open, opening and closing gently with her breath, emitting almost inaudible, kitten-like snores.

Wearing only a thin sweater, she looked rather vulnerable and defenseless in the office where the central air conditioning was on but it was still a bit chilly after nightfall.

When Wang Zheng saw Shen Mo come out, he quickly stood up from his workstation and explained in a low voice.

"Mr. Shen, Assistant Bai arrived around six o'clock."

"I peeked into your office and saw that you were busy, so I didn't go in to disturb you. I told you I would wait here for a while."

Shen Mo looked at the figure huddled at the workstation, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

In this freezing weather, you just lie there sleeping without even wearing a coat. Aren't you afraid of catching a cold?

He walked over quietly, stood by her workstation, hesitated for a moment, then reached out and gently patted her shoulder.

The force was very light, carrying a kind of caution that he himself was unaware of.

"Bai Mengyan, wake up."

"Um……?"

Bai Mengyan hummed in a daze, her long eyelashes trembled a few times, and she slowly raised her head.

Still half asleep, she saw Shen Mo standing in front of her and blinked blankly.

Then, as if suddenly awakened, she sat up abruptly and frantically wiped away non-existent drool.

A sleepy, slightly awkward smile instantly spread across his face.

"Mr. Shen...Mr. Shen! Are you done with your work?!"

"Why are you back at the company?"

Shen Mo looked at her dazed expression as if she had just woken up, his tone flat, revealing no emotion.

"Didn't you go out with President Li and the others?"

Bai Mengyan rubbed her eyes, trying to look more energetic, and explained.

"Oh, we stopped playing around 5 PM. Mr. Li took Tiantian home."

"I... I don't have anything to do at the hotel I'm staying at temporarily."

"I was thinking... in case you're still at the office, you might need someone to bring you tea or water, or run errands for you, or something to keep you entertained..."

Her voice trailed off, a hint of embarrassment in it.

"I saw you were busy, so I didn't dare go in and disturb you. I was thinking of waiting here for a while, just in case you need to call me..."

What she didn't say was that she simply felt that in this unfamiliar city, she could stay somewhere closer to him.

Even if it's just through a door, even if it's just waiting idly, I feel at ease and happy.

Shen Mo listened to her reason, which was hardly a reason, and looked at the faint red marks on her cheeks from sleeping on her stomach.

And those eyes that were trying so hard to open wide, trying to appear "useful," left me speechless for a moment.

To criticize her for going to unnecessary trouble seems to be a disservice to her foolish persistence.

Praising her for being dedicated to her job? The motive is clearly not so pure.

He was silent for a few seconds, and finally just said something in a low voice.

"From now on, I won't have to wait. I can leave work on time and learn to enjoy my life."

His tone remained calm, but beneath that subtle reproach lay a hint of something difficult to decipher.

"Let's go, I'll take you home first."

He turned away from her and walked towards the elevator first.

Bai Mengyan was stunned for a moment, then her face lit up with surprise.

He quickly grabbed his backpack, which he had casually tossed aside, and followed after them, instantly forgetting any sleepiness or unease he had felt earlier.

The car came to a smooth stop in front of the hotel where Bai Mengyan was staying.

She unbuckled her seatbelt, chattering, "Thank you, Mr. Shen, for bringing me back. You should get some rest too," then pushed open the car door and jumped out.

She stood by the roadside, waved at the car window, then turned around and walked towards the hotel lobby with a reluctant air, looking back every few steps.

The cold winter wind whipped up the hem of her thin coat, causing her to unconsciously hunch her shoulders. Her silhouette appeared somewhat lonely under the bright hotel lights.

As Shen Mo sat in the car, his gaze inadvertently followed her dawdling figure. Suddenly, a thought struck him like a shooting star across the night sky.

This girl arrived at the company around 6:00 AM and just waited there. Judging from her dazed appearance, I'm afraid...

Did you not even think about having dinner?

Almost subconsciously, before he could even react, the words had already slipped out, sounding exceptionally clear in the crisp air through the lowered car window.

"Haku Mengken!"

Bai Mengyan, who had already reached the revolving door, suddenly stopped in her tracks upon hearing the sound, turned around in surprise, and looked at him with her big eyes in the night with a puzzled expression.

Looking at her silly expression, Shen Mo maintained his usual calm tone, as if he had just mentioned it casually.

Have you eaten?

He paused, then added.

"If you haven't eaten, have something with me."

Upon hearing this, not only Bai Mengyan was stunned, but even the driver in the front seat, Wang Zheng, couldn't help but quickly glance at the boss in the rearview mirror.

Bai Mengyan's brain froze for a few seconds, and then a huge surprise exploded on her face like fireworks.

The slight disappointment she felt from the separation vanished instantly, and she practically jumped around as she turned around.

Like a summoned puppy, it ran quickly back to the car, clung to the window, its eyes shining brightly, its voice filled with unbelievable joy.

"I haven't eaten! I haven't eaten! Mr. Shen, what would you like to eat? I know a really good barbecue place nearby!"

"Ah, but you might not like that... Or is there a congee shop over there?"

She was incoherent, so excited that she was somewhat at a loss for what to do.

Seeing how overjoyed she was, almost jumping for joy, Shen Mo's subtle regret for speaking impulsively suddenly vanished.

He opened the car door, his tone carrying a hint of indulgence that he himself was unaware of.

"Get in the car. Stop shouting."

Then he told Wang Zheng the name of a private restaurant known for its light and delicate cuisine, a place he occasionally went to, which obviously did not match the "barbecue" or "porridge shop" that Bai Mengyan mentioned.

Bai Mengyan doesn't care where she goes; as long as she can eat with Shen Mo, anywhere is paradise!

She scrambled back into the car, sat down next to Shen Mo, her body ramrod straight with excitement, and placed her hands obediently on her knees.

But she couldn't suppress the smile on her lips, and would steal glances at Shen Mo, who was resting with his eyes closed, from time to time.

Suddenly, this cold winter night felt warm and dazzling.