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

The car finally stopped at the entrance of a quiet alley, in front of a private restaurant.

Unlike any restaurant Bai Mengyan had imagined, there were no bright neon lights or noisy crowds here.

Only two dim yellow door lamps illuminated the space, exuding an elegant and private atmosphere that kept strangers at bay.

Bai Mengyan got out of the car with Shen Mo, her big, curious eyes looking around, a stark contrast to her usual energetic self.

The waitress, dressed in a cheongsam, clearly recognized Shen Mo and respectfully led them to a secluded private room.

Bai Mengyan sat somewhat awkwardly opposite Shen Mo, her fingers unconsciously twisting together.

The atmosphere here was completely different from the food stalls or fast food restaurants she was used to.

Shen Mo seemed to sense her discomfort. Without asking for her opinion, he directly ordered a few dishes from the waiter.

He only looked up at her after he finished ordering, his tone casual.

"The clear broth noodles and crab roe xiaolongbao here are quite good. The crab roe xiaolongbao is a specialty from your hometown, so you should like it."

His unquestionable arrangement actually relieved Bai Mengyan.

She nodded quickly, "Yes, yes, everything you choose, Mr. Shen, is definitely good!"

While waiting for the food to be served, an unusual silence fell over the private room.

Only the faint sound of wind outside the window and the barely audible background sound of a guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument) inside the room could be heard.

Bai Mengyan's palms were sweating with nervousness. She tried hard to find something to talk about to break the silence that made her heart race.

"Mr. Shen... do you come here often?"

"Um."

"The environment here is so nice and quiet..."

"Um."

Shen Mo's reply was concise and to the point, seemingly indicating that he did not intend to initiate a conversation.

He simply picked up the hot tea on the table and took a small sip.

At this moment, Bai Mengyan's heart was pounding so hard she felt dizzy. She felt she had to say something and not waste this hard-won opportunity to be alone.

"Mr. Shen, you...you're so busy with work, don't you ever have stomach problems? I noticed you drink black coffee at night, which is quite irritating to the stomach."

She tried her best to make her voice sound natural and caring.

Upon hearing this, Shen Mo turned his gaze from the window to her face, which was filled with concern.

He put down his teacup, gently rubbed the rim with his fingertips, and then spoke softly.

"I'm used to it."

It's just three simple words again.

Bai Mengyan was a little discouraged, but unwilling to give up.

Fortunately, the food arrived quickly.

Bai Mengyan, who had been hungry for most of the day, smelled the aroma and her stomach rumbled loudly.

The sound wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet private room.

Bai Mengyan's face flushed bright red instantly, and she wished she could disappear into the ground.

Shen Mo paused slightly in his chopsticks and looked up at her.

A very faint, fleeting smile crossed his eyes.

He didn't say anything, but simply pushed the dish gently towards her.

"Eat."

Bai Mengyan was stunned for a moment, then felt a warmth in her heart. She whispered, "Thank you, President Shen," and then buried herself in her work.

She was truly hungry; her eating manners were far from elegant, but they carried a sense of satisfaction.

Shen Mo didn't eat much; most of the time, he just quietly watched the girl opposite him.

He was surprised to find that she had barged into his world without any explanation.

I don't seem to dislike myself.

After dropping Bai Mengyan off at her hotel, I got out of the car downstairs at the Zaojunmiao residential complex.

The chill of the winter night enveloped him, clearing his mind somewhat, which had been foggy from the car's heater.

As I pushed open the door, a warm feeling rushed in, instantly dispelling the chill around me.

In the living room, only a few ambient lights were on, providing soft lighting.

Li Yitong and Tian Xiwei were squeezed on the sofa, both wearing cute, fluffy pajamas with cartoon patterns.

Tian Xiwei's head was resting on Li Yitong's lap, holding a tablet computer in her hands, watching some TV series, her little feet swinging back and forth in the air.

Li Yitong gently stroked Tian Xi's slightly damp hair with one hand, while holding her phone in the other, seemingly replying to messages.

Upon hearing the door open, the two of them simultaneously looked up.

"You're back?"

Li Yitong put down her phone, her voice carrying a relaxed and natural tone, as if she were at home.

She gently moved Tian Xiwei's head away, stood up, and walked over in her fluffy slippers.

She naturally took the cashmere coat that Shen Mo had taken off, then suddenly paused, turned around and looked at Shen Mo, her brows furrowing slightly.

"Why are you up so late today? Are there still so many pressing issues at the company at the end of the year?"

Have you eaten?

Shen Mo pursed his lips and nodded.

Li Yitong turned her head to the side as she hung her coat on the coat rack in the entryway.

"You haven't had any drinks, have you?"

Shen Mo changed into slippers, put on a smile, and stepped forward to hug Li Yitong.

"Can't you smell whether I've had it or not?"

Li Yitong lightly punched his chest and rolled her eyes.

"You know what I'm talking about."

Just now, when she took the clothes, she smelled a faint fragrance that didn't belong to him.

"Before, when you went out for social events, she didn't care."

When she said this, her voice was noticeably softer, and she glanced at Tian Xiwei on the sofa out of the corner of her eye.

Shen Mo realized that she was referring to her past life, when she was the owner of an investment company and inevitably had to socialize and put on an act.

But Oda never cared about any of this, as if he couldn't see it at all.

"Now that she's not here, I don't want to bother anyone."

"Furthermore, I know that in your position, going out for social engagements, networking, and even... is unavoidable."

"But don't let it affect your home."

Shen Mo's smile faded, and he looked at her seriously, but he hugged her even tighter.

"Don't worry! I know what I'm doing."

"But aren't you feeling unwell?"

Upon hearing Shen Mo's question, Li Yitong's lips slowly pursed up, and her brows furrowed into a deep V-shape.

"What can we do?"

"In this world, I've chosen you. How could I possibly choose anyone else?"

"That definitely won't work!"

Li Yitong could feel that when Shen Mo said those words, the arm around her tightened a little.

"Thanks a lot."

A sneer crossed Li Yitong's face. "It's not hard. You'll get used to it if you just bear with it. I've seen plenty of this before."

He suddenly thought of his past life's "social obligations," how many crucial moments he would receive her calls.

No wonder!

"Brother Shen Mo, would you like some of these shortbreads? Sister Tongtong took me to buy them, they're so delicious!"

A sudden sound interrupted their quiet private conversation.

Tian Xiwei watched the two of them embracing for a long time, and she felt that if she didn't interrupt them soon, they might even kiss.

Although I have no right to stop it.

However, it's always better not to see it; seeing it will always make you feel uncomfortable.

Shen Mo released Li Yitong, walked into the living room, and looked at Tian Xiwei, who was looking at him from the sofa.

The weariness in my heart was largely dispelled by that smile.

He walked to the sofa and habitually reached out to rub Tian Xiwei's hair, which Li Yitong had just straightened.

This made the little girl squint her eyes comfortably, like a kitten being stroked.

"Really, don't worry. I didn't go out for any social engagements. I just had dinner with Bai Mengyan and Zheng Ge."

He deliberately added the driver Wang Zheng's name, just so she wouldn't misunderstand.

Li Yitong nodded, sat down on the other side of Tian Xiwei, picked up a pastry from the coffee table and popped it into her mouth.

"The company has a lot of trivial processes and reports at the end of the year, and I want to get them done as soon as possible."

He paused, then looked at Li Yitong.

"The sooner we finish, the better so we can go home for the New Year in peace."

This "home" naturally refers to their hometown, which is thousands of miles away.

Li Yitong smiled and said, "There's always something to do, take your time, there's no need to stay up so late. Go wash up first."

"Brother Mo, you've worked hard! Take care of yourself."

Tian Xiwei, who was speaking at the right moment, put down her tablet and raised her little fist in a gesture of encouragement.

"When we get home, I'll ask my mom to teach me how to make steamed pork with rice flour, and I'll make it for you when I come back after the New Year!"

Looking at the gentle and considerate Li Yitong and the innocent and carefree Tian Xiwei, Shen Mo's heart gradually calmed down.

An unreal sense of happiness enveloped me, as if any turmoil in the outside world could find peace and solace here.

He nodded slightly, a genuine, relaxed smile curving his lips.

"it is good."

Watching Shen Mo walk into the bathroom, Li Yitong hugged Tian Xiwei and sighed deeply.

Just know!

He's got this beautiful woman sitting at home untouched, how could he possibly go out and eat junk food?

I didn't expect Xiaobai to go back to the company after playing. Is he that ambitious? But with driver Zheng Ge there, there shouldn't be any special circumstances.

I was definitely overthinking it!

But then I thought about it again. He still hadn't clearly stated what our relationship was, so what right did I have to care?

If it weren't for this little old man Tian following her around every day, she really would have liked to just go up and ask him directly.

It looks like I'll have to wait a few days until I return to Jinan to look for another opportunity.