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

"He's so handsome!"

Bai Mengyan nestled cross-legged on her soft sofa, chatting and making New Year's greetings to her best friend over the phone while poking at the melon in the fruit bowl with a fork.

Her cheeks were stuffed full, but that couldn't hide the excitement that was about to spill from her voice.

"Let me tell you, he stood in front of me holding an umbrella, snowflakes were falling from the sky, and his eyes were focused and affectionate, wow..."

She gestured wildly as she recalled that scene, which resembled a scene from a Korean drama, as if she had returned to that street all over again.

Even through the phone, the chuckle on the other end clearly conveyed her current state.

Her eyes were definitely shining, her cheeks were flushed, and she looked like a lovesick fool.

"Is he really that handsome?"

His tone carried the usual, half-serious, half-joking disdain.

"Bai Mengyan, you're swooning again!"

"You've told me this at least ten times in the last two days since you got back!"

"Wow, it really is different!"

"That feeling, that aura..."

Bai Mengyan tried to find a more precise word to describe it, but in the end she could only dejectedly poke at another piece of fruit.

"Anyway, she's really charming!"

"Alright, alright, I know you're a bit confused."

Hehe rolled his eyes, but still couldn't help giving her advice.

"Hey, you're so obsessed with your crush, why don't you...?"

Bai Mengyan slowed down her chewing and quietly perked up her ears.

"What else?"

"If you miss him so much, why don't you just go and wish him a Happy New Year? Wouldn't that be more practical than reminiscing about Korean dramas here?"

"On the second day of the Spring Festival, a beautiful woman came to his door to wish him a Happy New Year. Touched by her gesture, she might just become the woman you've always wanted!"

"what?"

Bai Mengyan almost choked on the melon, and quickly swallowed it, lowering her voice as if she were doing something wrong.

"W-Can we do this? Won't this be too obvious?"

The image of Shen Mo's handsome yet aloof face instantly flashed into her mind, and her heart began to race uncontrollably.

Should I take the initiative to find him?

Under the guise of New Year's greetings?

Isn't this intention a little too obvious?

"What's wrong, obviously?"

Hehe, on the other end of the phone, sounded exasperated.

"Isn't that what you meant?"

"Do you really expect General Manager Shen to take the initiative to wish a little assistant like you a Happy New Year?"

"Bai Mengyan, can't you stand up for yourself when it matters?"

"I... I didn't mean that..."

Bai Mengyan stubbornly retorted, but her voice grew softer and softer as her cheeks began to burn uncontrollably.

"But I heard he also has a childhood sweetheart he grew up with..."

She instinctively clutched the pillow in her arms, her voice growing weaker and weaker.

"Oh, don't worry, childhood sweethearts can become lovers, they would have done it a long time ago..."

He waved dismissively.

"But! If you don't go, they might end up together. You can go sit at a table with the kids in the corner then!"

Bai Mengyan held the fork in her hand, poking at the honeydew melon in the fruit plate again and again, her mind already uncontrollably starting to make calculations.

that……

What's a good reason?

Let me tell you...

Should I thank the boss for taking me in?

Or should I ask about your plans after the New Year?

My mind is completely in turmoil.

On the evening of the second day of the Lunar New Year, the festive atmosphere was strong in the Quancheng Workers' New Village community.

Bai Mengyan stood under a snow-covered sycamore tree, a few strands of hair under her pink woolen hat dampened by her breath, clinging to her slightly flushed cheeks.

She was wrapped up tightly in a long black down jacket, and her white scarf made her eyes shine brightly.

In order to find out Shen Mo's home address in Quanzhou, she specifically contacted Rebecca in the secretariat, using the pretext of sending local specialties from her hometown to her boss.

But now that she was actually standing there, she hesitated a little.

She was carrying a bag with her hands folded together, and unconsciously drew circles on the snow with the tips of her shoes.

"Just say you wished the boss a Happy New Year, right?"

"I brought some local specialties; handing them to the shop owner in person shows sincerity, right?"

"Or did you pretend to be lost and accidentally wandered here?"

Countless excuses swirled in her mind, only to be rejected one by one.

Just as she was frowning and her brows were furrowed in worry, a shadow fell over her, blocking out the fine snowflakes.

She suddenly looked up and met a pair of slightly surprised eyes.

Shen Mo stood in front of her, holding a black umbrella.

He was wearing a dark woolen overcoat, stood tall and straight, and was carrying a bottle of newly bought aged vinegar.

He was running errands for his mother downstairs when he spotted the conspicuous pink hat under the tree from afar. He checked it several times before walking over.

The same snow scene, the same umbrella, the same two people.

The difference is that on the last snowy night, she squatted on the ground and cried like a child.

This time, a smile brighter than the sun bloomed on her face.

With a touch of embarrassment at being caught, but even more joy.

"Boss! Happy Chinese New Year!"

She spoke first, her voice as clear and crisp as if she had just taken a bite of a candied hawthorn.

The words "What are you doing here?" were just on the tip of my tongue.

I was speechless, overwhelmed by that bright smile and straightforward blessing.

Looking at her slightly red nose and bright eyes, Shen Mo felt a warmth in his heart, a hint of surprise turning into a sense of warmth.

Thank you! Happy Chinese New Year!

He nodded in response, his tone gentle to the point that he himself was unaware of.

Bai Mengyan seemed greatly encouraged, and became even bolder, almost blurting it out.

"Boss, you're so handsome!"

After she finished speaking, she paused for a moment, then her ears turned slightly red, but she still tried her best to maintain a generous smile.

Shen Mo was amused by her direct question, and the corners of his lips curved slightly, a rare moment of playfulness creeping into his heart.

He reached out and gently rubbed the top of her head, which was covered by a pink hat, as if soothing some small animal.

"I don't get big red envelopes for praising me."

"what?"

Bai Mengyan immediately cooperated by lowering her face and speaking in an exaggerated tone.

"I came here specifically to wish you a Happy New Year, hoping for a big red envelope!"

Despite saying this, there was no real discouragement in her tone.

Instead, as if she had found the perfect reason, she stepped forward and naturally reached out to take Shen Mo's arm.

"Can I have a meal at the boss's house?"

She tilted her head back, blinked her big eyes, and began to play the victim.

"I haven't eaten all day, I'm starving."

Shen Mo felt the weight and warmth from her arm, and looking at her carefully dressed appearance, he nodded with a pang of pity.

He looked down at her hands that were tightly wrapped around his arm, then looked up to meet her eyes, which were full of expectation and a hint of mischief.

"Let's go."

He led her, turned around and walked into the building entrance, the umbrella tilting slightly towards her.

"You chose a good time; the food at home just came out of the pot."

Under the umbrella, Bai Mengyan clung tightly to Shen Mo's arm, unable to suppress the smile on her lips.

The slight smugness of success and the overwhelming sense of happiness almost broke through the winter chill.