Huayu Entertainment: It was the young actress who took the initiative.

Chapter 1 begins...

A semi-transparent blue light screen floated in front of Chen Mo.

The glossary system is now activated.

[Current term: None]

[Rules: You can draw entries by interacting with female celebrities in the entertainment industry.]

[Entry Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced]

[Note: This entry can be equipped, granting the host corresponding abilities or traits. Young man, the entertainment industry is a deep and murky place; now you have your own "swimming ring."]

"Reborn?"

Chen Mo muttered to himself

He went to the bathroom and looked at his face in the mirror.

At twenty-one, she had firm skin, deep-set eyes, and a high nose bridge.

Chen Mo splashed a handful of cold water on his face, and the icy touch made him even more certain that this was not a dream.

He went back to 2016 from 2026, back to when he was a print model.

In his past life, he still harbored unrealistic fantasies about the future and had too high a moral compass.

An investor who looked remarkably like the girl from the movie "Watermelon Sister" pushed a room key in front of him and said with a smile, "Let's go to her room tonight to discuss the script."

He refused on the spot and said righteously:

"I have my own principles."

in principle?

He later learned that in the entertainment industry, principles are sometimes a luxury.

After that, all the modeling jobs I had received fell through, and no matter how well I performed at auditions for film and television productions, I was never selected.

When he was short of money, he worked three jobs at the same time.

During the day, I deliver food; at night, I sing at bars; and on weekends, I work as a human clothes hanger for Taobao stores.

On the night of his thirtieth birthday, he sat alone in his rented room, staring blankly at a half-empty bottle of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor).

I wonder if my life would have been different if I had gritted my teeth and accepted that room key back then.

Then he was reborn.

"Ding-dong—"

The phone notification sound interrupted my recollection.

Chen Mo picked up his phone; the screen displayed a message from his agent, Brother Zhang:

"There's a gathering at the 'Old Times' bar near the Workers' Stadium at 8 PM tonight. Go and show your face; it might be an opportunity."

Chen Mo stared at the message, his memories beginning to surface.

In his past life, he didn't want to drink with others, so he turned down the invitation.

Later, I heard from a colleague who went in his place that Yang Mi was present at the meeting that night, along with the casting director and producer of a film crew that was in the planning stages.

Yang Mi... In 2016, she was at the height of her popularity, with several hit dramas under her belt, and she had established her own studio, transitioning towards capital investment.

"Old Time Bar..." Chen Mo murmured, repeating the name.

It's a very private folk music bar, frequented by people from the entertainment industry.

He quickly replied, "Received, will be there on time."

......

At 7:50 p.m., Chen Mo stood at the entrance of "Old Times".

The bar has an unassuming facade, with a wooden signboard engraved with seal script characters, making it easy to miss if you don't look closely.

Pushing open the door, I found the interior to be more spacious than I had imagined.

Warm yellow lighting, wooden tables and chairs, and a guitar and microphone on a small stage.

A faint aroma of whiskey wafted in the air.

"Chen Mo, over here!" Brother Zhang waved from a booth further inside.

Chen Mo walked over, his gaze quickly sweeping over the people in the booths.

Two unfamiliar middle-aged men were sitting next to Brother Zhang; they were probably the director or producer.

Yang Mi was sitting at the very back, against the wall.

She looked thinner than she did on screen, wearing a simple black turtleneck sweater, with her long hair flowing down her shoulders, looking down at her phone.

Her face was lightly made up, and her skin was in good condition, glowing faintly in the dim light.

"This is Director Wang, and this is Producer Liu."

Brother Zhang introduced, "This is Teacher Yang Mi, you definitely know her."

Chen Mo nodded in acknowledgment and, at Director Wang's prompting, sat down in the empty seat next to Yang Mi.

At the right distance, you can also smell a faint fragrance, a woody scent.

"Are you a model?"

Yang Mi raised her head and her gaze lingered on his face for two seconds.

"A print model, occasionally walking the runway."

Chen Mo's voice was calm. "Chen Mo, Chen as in 'ear east,' and Mo as in 'ink.'"

"Nice name."

Yang Mi smiled, a faint smile, but the curve of her eyes was beautiful. "How old?"

"Twenty-one."

"young."

She commented that her tone lacked emotion.

The drinking session proceeded as usual. Director Wang and Producer Liu were discussing an upcoming period fantasy drama with a substantial investment, but some supporting roles had not yet been cast.

Yang Mi doesn't talk much, only occasionally interjecting with a word or two.

Chen Mo listened quietly, occasionally chiming in at appropriate times, neither overly solicitous nor appearing dull.

[Detection of the host communicating with celebrity Yang Mi]

[You have one chance to draw a keyword. Do you want to draw now?]

A semi-transparent light screen suddenly popped up. Chen Mo's heart skipped a beat, and he silently murmured, "Extract."

The words on the screen scrolled rapidly, then slowly stopped after a few seconds.

[Successful extraction! Obtained basic entry: Storytelling Voice]

[Effect of this entry: Your voice has a natural narrative quality, making it easier for people to focus when you speak and better convey the emotions of a song when you sing.]

[Equipped?]

"equipment."

A subtle cool sensation spread from his throat, and Chen Mo subconsciously cleared his throat, his voice seemingly undergoing a subtle change.

"Can Xiao Chen sing?"

Director Wang suddenly asked, "How about we go up and sing a couple of songs to liven things up?"

Chen Mo looked at the stage; the microphone stood there, but there was no resident singer.

"I know a little," he said.

Yang Mi turned her head to look at him, her eyes filled with curiosity.

"I taught myself guitar and just sing whatever comes to mind."

Chen Mo looked at Yang Mi's curious eyes and explained.

"Shall we go sing one?"

Producer Liu encouraged them, "Young people should show off their talents."

"OK."

Chen Mo stood up and walked towards the stage.

He tested the guitar's sound.

The sparse guests in the audience all looked over, including the few in the booths.

Chen Mo took a deep breath and plucked the strings.

The prelude begins with a soothing yet slightly melancholic melody.

"When you step into this place of joy, carrying all your dreams and aspirations..."

He was stunned for a moment when he opened his mouth.

His voice was lower and deeper than usual, with a natural narrative quality; each word seemed to tell a story.

"Various faces, various makeup, no one remembers what you look like..."

The bar gradually quieted down.

Most of the customers at folk music bars know a bit about music; they can hear the texture in the sound.

Chen Mo closed his eyes, and memories of his past life flooded his mind.

Auditions that were turned away, bills piling up, those meaningful hints and blatant rejections...

"One cup to the rising sun, one cup to the moonlight..."

When he sang this line, his voice carried a genuine sense of vicissitude.

"Awakening my longing, softening the cold window..."

In the booth, Yang Mi put down her phone and leaned forward slightly.

She had heard too many professional singers perform, but this young man's voice had something special about it.

It's not about technique, it's about a genuine sense of life.

"Therefore, the road between north and south is no longer long, and the soul no longer has nowhere to rest..."

As the last note faded, the guitar's final note trembled and dissipated in the air.

After a brief silence, applause broke out.

As Chen Mo put down his guitar and walked back to his booth, he could feel Yang Mi's gaze following him.

"You sang well."

Yang Mi watched him sit back down beside her and couldn't help but praise him.

The atmosphere then became subtle.

Although Yang Mi still didn't talk much, she looked at him with more interest.

After a few rounds of drinks, Director Wang and Producer Liu left first, saying they had another meeting tomorrow.

Zhang Ge tactfully said he was going to pick up his girlfriend, leaving Chen Mo and Yang Mi behind.

"You're very interesting."

Yang Mi swirled the whiskey in her glass, the ice cubes clinking.

"She's good-looking and can sing, so why is she a model?"

"The threshold is low. Acting requires opportunities, singing requires a platform, and models only need to have a decent figure and face."

Yang Mi chuckled: "That's quite true."

She ordered two more drinks, and the two chatted casually.

They talked about music, movies, and interesting things in the industry.

Chen Mo, relying on his knowledge and experience accumulated in his previous life, was always able to keep up with the conversation and occasionally even put forward a few interesting viewpoints.

"You want to enter the entertainment industry?"

Yang Mi suddenly asked.

"I just want to make money."

Chen Mo looked directly into her eyes and spoke frankly.

"Quite honest."

Yang Mi finished the last sip of her drink, glanced at her watch,

"It's getting late, I should go."

She stood up, slightly unsteady.

Chen Mo instinctively reached out to help him up.

"Where do you live? I'll call you a taxi."

Yang Mi looked up at him, and in the dim light of the bar, a smile played on her lips:

"I'm staying at a hotel tonight."