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

The night grew deeper, and the snow outside the window showed no sign of stopping.

The wind swept across the eaves, making a soft, rustling sound.

The living room lights had long been turned off, leaving only the red glow of the lanterns on the balcony, casting a soft, warm shadow on the wall.

Shen Mo returned to his room, took off his coat, and lay back on the bed.

The moment the phone screen lit up, the white light was particularly dazzling in the darkness.

WeChat messages kept popping up.

Tian Xiwei, Bai Mengyan, Dilireba, Meng Ziyi, Chen Zhixi, Yang Tianzhen, several senior executives of the company team, and partners.

A barrage of blessings unfolded on the screen, like a cacophony enveloped in numbers, yet it seemed exceptionally quiet in the still of the night.

[Tian Xiwei: Brother Mo, Happy New Year! I just went out to set off fireworks and tripped, but the fireworks were so beautiful! Don't worry, I can run and jump, I'm in great shape! I wish you lots of money this year and that you always have a smile on your face.]

The accompanying picture shows the moment fireworks explode and half of her smiling face.

Shen Mo's fingertip paused on the screen for a few seconds.

The message, imbued with familiar energy and undisguised intimacy, warmed a corner of his heart.

He looked at the photo, its intense, direct youthful energy seemingly transporting him back to a New Year when she was with him.

Be careful, don't fall again.

After sending it, I looked at it again and felt it was too bland, so I finally added: 【Happy New Year.】

[Bai Mengyan: Mr. Shen! Wishing you a prosperous and wealthy New Year! Your assistant wishes you a Happy New Year, may I have a big red envelope?]

The accompanying picture shows her bowing and smiling carefree.

Shen Mo's lips unconsciously curved upwards, as if he could hear the hearty laughter from the other end of the phone.

He could picture her holding a sparkler, her undisguised joy, a raw and genuine happiness.

At that moment, he suddenly felt a little envious, envious of her innocence and the carefree way she laughed.

[May your red envelopes be big! Keep smiling and have a happy Lunar New Year!]

He hovered his finger over "send," hesitated for two seconds, and finally clicked it.

[Dilraba: Mr. Shen, Happy New Year! I hope the new year will bring less busyness and more life. I'm in my hometown; the stars are bright and the moon is full tonight. How about where you are?]

Her writing is clean, without unnecessary emoticons or clichéd phrases, yet it possesses a sincerity and a gentle warmth.

It's snowing here in Jinan too, and they set off blue fireworks; it was beautiful.

There aren't as many stars as where you are.

After sending it, he stared at the screen in silence for a few seconds.

[Meng Ziyi: Boss! Happy New Year! I just set off a firework at home, but after lighting it, I forgot to run and got so scared I flew up on the spot! I said I wish I could see you on the Spring Festival Gala, and my mom totally agreed! She thinks you're much more handsome than those people on TV, and I've practically become a fan of yours!]

Shen Mo chuckled, almost able to hear her lively and cheerful tone.

Thank you, Ziyi! Please thank Auntie for me. Also, remember to run first next time you set off fireworks.

Then he sent another smiley face.

The rest of the information followed.

Chen Zhixi sent a simple "Happy New Year" message, and then relayed something interesting to Shen Mo.

She received calls from several important partners and industry veterans, all praising Bai Mengyan's "ingenious" little cards.

Shen Mo gently stroked the edge of his phone with his fingers. He recalled Bai Mengyan's profile that day, buried in a pile of gifts, diligently drawing cards, her messy hair and focused expression.

I opened her chat window and sent her a message: "The card is nicely drawn."

Without any prior explanation or excessive praise, this simple sentence made Bai Mengyan's eyes light up instantly, like a light bulb being switched on.

She tried hard to suppress the wild smile that was about to burst from her lips, but in the end she couldn't hold back, and the room was filled with unrestrained laughter.

The other team members all sent their blessings, and Shen Mo replied to each one, each message conveying a measured tone—neither too close nor too distant, neither too warm nor too cold.

The snow outside the window fell thicker and thicker. He leaned against the headboard, listening quietly to the sound of the wind.

The aroma of milk still lingered sweetly in the air, and the warmth of her hand still remained in his palm.

Just as he was about to put down his phone, Li Yitong's message arrived at the perfect moment.

Li Yitong: [Image.jpg]

The picture shows the snowy courtyard view taken from her room window, with the red light of lanterns spreading a gentle halo on the snow.

Look, from my angle, I can still see the spot where we just set off the fireworks.

Our footprints are still visible in the snow.

Shen Mo clicked on the picture and zoomed in to examine it closely. The deep and shallow footprints intertwined on the snow to form an inseparable track.

A smile involuntarily crept onto my lips. [Doesn't it look like tangled contour lines on a map?]

Her reply appeared as soon as the message was sent.

[It's not a contour line.]

[They are tree rings.]

Each year leaves a new mark.

Shen Mo stared at the two characters "Growth Rings," his fingertips gently tracing the screen.

Then she sent another message: "[My mom just asked me if you were busy.]"

I said you were definitely replying to New Year's greetings.

After all, President Shen is a very busy person these days.

He could picture her pouting slightly as she typed those words, and he couldn't help but smile.

[Even though I'm busy, I've replied to everyone.]

I'm only chatting with you right now.

The moment he sent the message, he saw "The other party is typing..." displayed above the chat box.

After a long wait, all that was sent in the end was a brief "Oh".

Just when he thought the conversation was over, she sent another message.

Actually, I've been thinking about something just now.

It's another new year. Tell me, am I 36 or 22 this year?

This question startled Shen Mo.

He walked to the window, looked at the still-falling snow outside, and slowly typed.

Do you remember the blue fireworks tonight?

Li Yitong on the other end immediately replied with a question mark: "What are you talking about? Are you saying I'm old and my memory is failing?"

Shen Mo sighed deeply and shook his head speechlessly. This Li Yitong really knows how to think.

What I want to say is: just remember the brilliance of the fireworks; everything else is fleeting.

This time, the "typing..." message flashed for a long time, but in the end, a photo was sent.

She held a steaming cup of milk, smiling broadly at the camera.

Open the door, I've brought you a cup of hot milk.

My mom says warm milk soothes the stomach and helps you sleep.

Shen Mo gazed at her warm smiling face in the photo, then looked out the window towards her room.

The two adjacent windows were lit with warm yellow lights, reflecting each other in the snowy night.

【it is good. 】