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

When the security door to Shen Mo's house was pushed open, the house was filled with noise.

When Shen Mo and Li Yitong walked in hand in hand.

Aunt Shen Mo, who was closest to the door, was the first to catch a glimpse of their clasped hands.

The action of preparing to play a card froze in mid-air, and his eyes widened instantly.

He then broke into a wide, knowing smile, deliberately drawing out his words.

"Hey! No wonder it took so long to borrow someone!"

"So you have something 'important' to do?"

This sound instantly drew the attention of everyone in the room.

The noisy conversation and laughter seemed to have been paused, and the room fell silent instantly.

All eyes were immediately drawn to those tightly clasped hands.

Li Yitong could feel her cheeks burning. She subconsciously tried to pull her hand back, but Shen Mo gripped it even tighter.

He glanced at her, his eyes filled with reassurance and unwavering determination.

As Mrs. Shen carried a fruit platter out of the kitchen, she was taken aback at first, but then an irrepressible smile spread across her face.

"Okay! Okay!"

Mr. Shen was the first to break the silence. He put down his teacup, his face showing obvious satisfaction.

After a brief silence, a sudden burst of excitement erupted.

"Wow! This is truly the first joyous occasion of the new year!"

"I always said these two kids have been inseparable since they were little, and I was right!"

"Xiao Mo, you're amazing! You won over Xiao Xue without making a sound!"

The living room was filled with teasing, blessings, and sighs of relief, making it even more lively than the mahjong game that had just taken place.

Li Yitong blushed bright red from everyone's comments and hid behind Shen Mo in embarrassment.

Shen Mo remained calm, holding her hand tightly despite the barrage of questions and teasing.

Shen's mother walked over with a smile, her eyes full of satisfaction, and playfully patted him.

"Well done!"

He then took Li Yitong's hand and patted it gently, his voice so tender it could melt hearts.

"Great, she's really my daughter now."

Hearing the commotion across the street, Li's mother, who had come over to see what was going on, stood there dumbfounded at the door.

His eyes were slightly red, and he only said one sentence to Li Yitong.

"Don't be so willful in the future."

"Auntie, I like her even though she's willful."

She looked up and gazed into his smiling eyes, and all her previous shyness and panic subsided.

All that remained was overflowing happiness.

She squeezed his hand back tightly, revealing a bright and triumphant smile.

Shen Mo smiled slightly, then suddenly remembered something and looked up and around.

Shen's mother saw through her son's thoughts.

"The little girl left the gift and left, saying she had to rush back to spend the New Year with her family."

Shen Mo vaguely recalled the figure that had been faintly visible not far away when he was near the school.

Li Yitong's eyes lit up.

Did I misunderstand?

However, I'm grateful to her; otherwise, I don't know how long it would have taken to clearly define our relationship.

This dinner eventually turned into a joyful family feast for the two families' relatives.

During the meal, Li Yitong and Shen Mo became the absolute main characters.

The elders' approving gazes, the peers' good-natured teasing, and the dishes constantly being put into their bowls almost overwhelmed them.

After staying at home for two more days, Li Yitong still couldn't fully adapt to this "spotlight" treatment.

No matter which family I visit for the New Year, I can feel the complex, teasing looks in their eyes.

This overwhelming attention was something even she, who had lived two lives, couldn't handle.

On the afternoon of the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, Li Yitong finally couldn't hold back any longer.

While packing her luggage, she complained to Shen Mo in a low voice.

"If I stay any longer, I feel like a monkey in a zoo."

Shen Mo looked up from his phone screen, saw her slightly furrowed brows and somewhat irritated expression, and couldn't help but chuckle.

He understood her discomfort, just as he did.

"My flight has been rescheduled."

He put down his phone, walked over, naturally took the suitcase from her, and neatly closed it.

"The flight departs at 3 PM."

Li Yitong immediately breathed a sigh of relief, her crescent-shaped eyes crinkling into crescents as she patted his arm as a reward.

"You understand me so well!"

In the afternoon, the two declined their elders' repeated requests to stay, citing "urgent business at the company," and embarked on their journey back to the capital.

Back in my apartment in the capital, I opened the door and was greeted by a familiar atmosphere.

There was no excessive concern from distant relatives, and no constant stares.

A quiet space that belongs only to the two of them.

Shen Mo placed his luggage in the entryway, took off his coat, loosened his collar, and walked towards the kitchen.

"What do you want to eat? It seems like all we have at home are noodles and eggs."

Li Yitong kicked off her shoes and stepped barefoot on the floor.

Like a kitten returning to its territory, it stretched contentedly.

She followed Shen Mo into the kitchen, hugged his waist from behind, pressed her cheek against his broad back, and spoke in a slightly coquettish tone.

"Anything you make is fine."

Shen Mo paused slightly as he prepared to boil water.

He patted the hand wrapped around his waist, his tone more relaxed and indulgent than ever before.

"Okay, let's go change our clothes first, we'll be able to eat soon."

Dinner was a simple tomato and egg noodle dish, which dispelled the last trace of chill I had brought back from the airport.

Only one warm yellow floor lamp was on in the living room, and a lively variety show was playing on the TV.

Shen Mo and Li Yitong nestled together on the soft sofa.

Li Yitong's back was pressed tightly against his chest, and she could clearly feel his steady heartbeat and the warmth coming through the fabric.

Shen Mo gently rested his chin on the top of her head, his arm around her waist.

She squinted contentedly, like a cat that had just been stroked and pampered.

Unconsciously, her fingers intertwined with Shen Mo's fingers that were wrapped around her, occasionally squeezing them.

The guests on the variety show burst into laughter, but neither of them paid any attention to the plot, letting it become the most insignificant background noise in the space.

Shen Mo lowered his head, his lips brushing lightly against her earlobe or temple, bringing a slight tickle and shiver.

She turned her head slightly, smiled, and rubbed her cheek against his chin in response.

The faint fragrance from her hair lingered around Shen Mo's nose.

After a while, Li Yitong turned around slightly and looked up at him.

In those deep eyes, there was only her reflection.

On a whim, she leaned in and placed a soft, feather-like kiss on his lips.

There was no deep contact, just a simple touch of lips, carrying the faint sweet and sour taste of tomato soup.

Shen Mo's Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

Just as she was about to pull away, he raised his hand and cupped her face, deepening the kiss.

Unlike the surging passion in the snow, this kiss was slow and lingering.

It carries a sense of savoring and cherishing, as if carefully confirming each other's existence.

When the kiss ended, both of them were a little unsteady on their feet.

Li Yitong's cheeks were flushed, but her eyes sparkled with a mischievous smile.

She deliberately gave him a light peck on his lower lip before snuggling back into his arms.

"The TV show is not good."

Li Yitong said in a low voice, her words tinged with a smile.

She reached out and poked his arm.

Shen Mo grabbed her hand and held it in his palm.

He leaned forward, his cheek pressed against her flushed face, their breaths mingling.

Her eyelashes trembled under the light, like two feathers.

Li Yitong turned her head slightly, her cheek brushing lightly against her lips, which were so close to hers.

She looked up at him, his eyes holding a familiar smile, yet also an irrepressible tenderness.

"You'll get into trouble if you look at me like that."

Shen Mo looked into her eyes, his voice low and somber.

"What could possibly happen?"

She gently closed her eyes, leaned her cheek against his, and let his breath linger in her ear.

Shen Mo smiled, the smile escaping from his throat.

His hand naturally landed on her waist, its touch slightly cool.

He lowered his head and kissed her neck, then moved it little by little.

The television's light and shadow continued to dance on the wall, and the wind outside swept through the curtains, causing a slight sway.

Shen Mo gently picked her up and placed her on the bed.

The soft weight completely calmed his mind.

She held him tightly, resting her head on his shoulder, her breath seemingly carrying a sweet, wine-like scent.

"Shen Mo, you feel so warm."

Her voice was low and slightly dazed.

"Then come a little closer."

He responded softly, his tone so gentle it was almost melting.

Shen Mo turned on the bedside lamp with one hand, and the warm light scattered through her hair, reflecting a few strands of light.

She loosened her grip and looked up at him, who was gazing at her.

"When you laugh."

Shen Mo said, his voice almost a murmur.

"It's so beautiful."

"Your sweet talk is so old-fashioned."

She couldn't help but laugh.

He didn't reply, but simply touched the tip of her nose with his finger.

She shrank back shyly, but didn't move away.

The two lay down in each other's arms, her head resting against his chest, where she could clearly hear his pounding heartbeat.

Li Yitong didn't say anything more, but just moved slightly in his arms.

Their breaths drew closer, merging into the same rhythm.

"Shen Mo! I'm so scared."

"I'm afraid that if I close my eyes, none of this will be real."

"Fool."

He smiled and gently patted her chest. "I'm here."

He didn't say anything more, but just held her tighter.

The snow was still falling outside the window, and the lights were gradually dimming.

On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, spring is gradually intensifying.

A blush gradually spread across Li Yitong's delicate face, and her half-open crescent moon eyes held a hint of dreaminess.

The alternating, rapid breathing foreshadowed a night destined to be anything but peaceful.

The blankets on the bedroom bed gradually began to roll rhythmically, accompanied by a low hum and a clear high note.

She finally released the emotions she had suppressed for two lifetimes.

……