When the Side Character Gets a System and Travels through Difference Worlds-Chapter 120: Yi Ru 4

Tan You elaborated, "He has to be a genuinely good person. Not someone who is only good to his girlfriend while they’re dating, but someone whose entire approach to the world is gentle. Of course, don’t take that to mean I want a player who’s nice to every woman he meets."

Zhou Yan smiled. "I think you’re very clever, Yi Ru. Whether you’re choosing a boyfriend or a life partner, the most important thing is that the person is inherently good. We should never even consider those men who are good only to their girlfriend or wife and no one else."

Tan You replied, "Yes, that’s the first point. The second is even simpler: I hope my partner can process his own emotions independently and not bring his daily stress into the relationship. I can’t stand that."

Her words immediately drew an objection from one of the male contestants. It was Contestant #1 again. He was particularly curious. "I’m very curious, don’t you ever feel stressed?"

"I do," Tan You said after a moment’s thought. "But I’m an adult, and I can handle it myself. I do my best not to let my negative emotions affect my partner. After all, the most important thing in life is to be happy, and he has no obligation to bear that."

Contestant #1 pressed on. "You give off the impression of being too capable, as if a man would be useless by your side. So, what do you need a man to do in your life?"

"He doesn’t have to do anything," Tan You said with a smile. "Compared to him giving me financial support, I’d much rather he provide emotional value. In my eyes, that’s far more precious than financial value, and much more difficult than just giving money or offering shallow companionship."

"Emotional value," Teacher Xia, the relationship expert, suddenly interjected. "In your opinion, what exactly is emotional value?"

"Happiness and comfort," Tan You said with certainty. "It’s feeling comfortable when we’re together. Even if we can’t reach a consensus on certain ideas, we can agree to disagree, mutually accepting and appreciating one another."

"And even when I do have negative emotions, he’s able to provide positive emotional feedback."

Zhao Zhao, who hadn’t asked a single question since Tan You took the stage, finally spoke up. He looked at her with a peculiar expression. "So, what kind of man would make you want to stay?"

’I’m just here to stir up trouble on this show,’ Tan You thought. ’Why would I stay for anyone?’ But she wouldn’t say that out loud. Instead, she broke into a smile. "Someone who has the courage to stand by my side, and who can continue walking forward with unwavering conviction, I suppose."

Zhou Yan remarked, "There probably aren’t many men with the courage to stand beside you, are there? You’re simply too beautiful."

Tan You replied, "My looks were a gift from the heavens. I hope that after people get to know me, they don’t still just see me as a pretty girl. I’d like to think I have some substance, too."

She said this with a small joke. It was clear that Tan You had a firm grasp of the situation. Even Zhou Yan felt that Tan You was exceptionally good at controlling the tempo; it was as if she could command the entire stage by herself, making the host’s presence almost irrelevant.

Zhao Zhao said, "I believe you have a great deal of substance and a sharp mind. So, if you were to get emotionally invested, would you still be this rational?"

Tan You answered, "I’ve never been in a relationship, so I can’t give you an answer to that. After all, feelings are feelings, life is life, and work is work. Everyone is multifaceted."

Zhao Zhao adjusted the microphone in front of him. "If I turn for you later, will you accept?"

Tan You’s eyes widened slightly, then she suddenly smiled. "Oh? If you were to turn for me, I would be very happy. It’s always nice to be admired. That would prove I have some charm."

But she wouldn’t accept.

Zhao Zhao clearly understood her evasive non-answer. He chuckled softly. "You truly are a very rational person."

Tan You’s smile didn’t waver. "Thank you."

Zhou Yan seemed to grasp Tan You’s intentions as well, so she moved on with the show. "Alright, I’m sure our female contestant now has a general understanding of the men on stage, which means it’s time for the male contestants to make their choice."

The male contestants turned around in unison. Tan You watched the scene quietly, and was suddenly reminded of a certain music variety show. When it came to behind-the-scenes manipulation, this dating show was every bit as bad as that one.

Take the male contestants here, for example. Almost all of them had signed contracts stipulating how many episodes they would appear in, how many confessions they had to make, what kind of persona they had to maintain, and so on. It was all scripted.

For instance, Contestant #6, who had been on the show the longest, was following the "domineering CEO" script. As for whether the female contestants had scripts of their own, Tan You couldn’t say for sure.

As the countdown began, not a single person had turned around. Zhou Yan glanced at Tan You, looking slightly worried. A small smile played on Tan You’s lips. She certainly didn’t feel disappointed or embarrassed. On the contrary, she was quite happy.

Rejecting people took mental energy, and Tan You had no intention of wasting any on this. In other words, if she had arrived in this world a bit sooner, she would never have chosen to participate in this dating show in the first place.

A deep red light illuminated the stage, signifying that not a single male contestant had turned for Yi Ru.

Zhou Yan walked over to Tan You’s side and glanced at her. "What’s going through your mind right now?"

Tan You thought for a moment. "I feel pretty good."

By now, the male contestants had all turned back around. They stared at Tan You, their eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and surprise, as if they couldn’t believe she was still able to smile at a time like this.

Tan You said, "I’m hardly going to break down and cry just because no man turned for me. It’s not that serious."

Teacher Hu, who had been silent until now, picked up his microphone. "I believe it’s because you are too rational, too powerful. They lack the confidence to stand beside you. In fact, any man who dared to stand by your side would be a true warrior."

Tan You raised an eyebrow slightly. "I get it. No matter how weak a man might be, he still wants to find a woman who looks up to him. And I’m not her."

Teacher Hu agreed. "Yes, which is why I say you’re too powerful. And this power doesn’t stem from financial security, but from here."

He pointed to his heart as he spoke. "You are incredibly strong on the inside. Men may pay lip service to gender equality, but deep down, there’s always a bit of male chauvinism. At the end of the day, they’re simply too young."

For the first time, a genuine smile appeared on Tan You’s face. "The way you put it, Teacher Hu, makes me sound as if I’m ancient."

"Maturity isn’t about age, it’s about mindset. You’re too mature and rational, while they’re too young. It would be difficult for them to be on the same wavelength as you mentally. In fact, I’m extremely curious... what is it that you’ve experienced in your life?"

"Your gaze is so calm and clear. It’s not the innocence of someone unfamiliar with the ways of the world, but the settled composure of one who has weathered many storms. That is exceptionally rare."