Tan You watched the dancer with a blank expression. When she met the woman’s provocative gaze, Tan You’s lips suddenly curled into a slight smile. The next second, she reached out and expertly gripped the python’s vital spot, peeling it inch by inch from the dancer’s arm.

With its vital spot gripped, the python didn’t dare to struggle. It hung limply from Tan You’s hand like a long strip of dough, letting her do with it as she pleased.

Ji Mingxi saw Tan You’s actions out of the corner of his eye, and his body grew even more rigid. He said hoarsely, "Sis..."

Tan You nudged him with her elbow. "Get behind me."

Ji Mingxi immediately slipped behind Tan You. But he was so tall, a good half a head taller than her, how could she possibly shield him completely?

Tan You couldn’t be bothered with Ji Mingxi right then. She glanced from the docile python in her hand to the anxious-looking dancer, casually tied the snake into a bow, and tossed it into the woman’s arms. "Here, take it back."

The dancer fumbled to catch the python, only breathing a sigh of relief after she untied the bow. But when she looked up again, Tan You and Ji Mingxi were nowhere to be seen.

"You’re messing around again!" a man suddenly stepped out from the crowd. "Even if its fangs have been removed, you can’t just scare people like that. Now hurry up and go home."

"Cousin, I just wanted to scare that guy. He’s so pretty, with no masculine energy at all." The girl coiled the python around her arm. "I didn’t expect that lady to be so incredible."

"That lady was really amazing. I wonder if I’ll ever get a chance to see her again," the girl said with a sigh. "What a shame."

The man sighed. "Let’s go. How did you end up here anyway?"

"I heard there were street performances here. When I saw they weren’t as good as me, I went up to show off a little." The girl tossed her long hair. "If I’d known that lady was so incredible, I wouldn’t have tried to scare that guy."

The man said, "You probably traumatized him. Don’t do this again. Not everyone can handle things like this."

Tan You had no idea this conversation was happening after she and Ji Mingxi left. She pushed a fruit tea into Ji Mingxi’s hand and glanced at him. "Are you okay?"

Ji Mingxi caught his breath, then suddenly let go of the fruit tea and grabbed Tan You’s right arm with both hands. "Sis, from now on, you’re my real sister! Sis, weren’t you scared? I’ve still got the chills."

Tan You let out a breath. "I was a little creeped out too, but I couldn’t show it. If I showed any fear, she would have just gotten more smug."

"I get the logic," Ji Mingxi said, taking a couple of sips of his fruit tea. "But still, why would she do that?"

"Probably just a prank," Tan You said with a small smile. "I saw its fangs had been removed, which is why I dared to handle it."

"Don’t worry, we’re fine, aren’t we?" Tan You looked at the sky. "It’s getting late. When you get back, take a bath and get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow is a new day."

Ji Mingxi was pretty resilient, and he had calmed down by now. "Sis, I had no idea you were so incredible. You just went like this, and this..."

"And then the snake couldn’t even move. You’re so cool."

He gestured with his hands as he spoke. After the initial tension and fear faded, he was now seeing things differently.

Tan You chuckled and shook her head. ’Seeing him like this, I guess I don’t have to worry about him losing sleep over it tonight.’

"Let’s talk about something else..." Changing the subject, Tan You only had the presence of mind to think about other things once she saw the color return to Ji Mingxi’s face. She rubbed her fingers together, as if the slick, scaly feeling still lingered on her fingertips.

’In truth, Tan You had been scared when she’d reached for the snake. But she had always been strong-willed; no matter how frightened she was, she couldn’t show it. Only now, in a safe environment, could she allow those negative feelings to surface.’

Ji Mingxi seemed to notice something was off with Tan You, too. He didn’t ask, but just tried his best to find happy things to talk about. He finally relaxed only after Tan You smiled.

At the same time, Ji Mingxi secretly made a resolution. ’During the rest of the show’s filming, I’ll stick to Tan You like glue. There absolutely, positively can’t be any more trouble like this.’

Aside from this incident, the rest of their trip in Country T was peaceful. Or rather, the entire second half of the dating show was exceptionally calm. They just ate, drank, and had fun everywhere. During that time, Ji Mingxi also introduced Tan You to his friends.

Tan You said, "I’ve been a bit remiss. I haven’t introduced you to my friends in the industry yet. How about this: when you come visit my country in the future, I’ll introduce you to my friends."

Ji Mingxi said excitedly, "Okay! Sis, your friends must all be great people too."

Tan You nodded. "Yes, they’re all great people, and they’re very easy to get along with."

Ji Mingxi’s friend asked curiously, "Aren’t you guys on a dating show? Why do you keep calling her ’Sis’?"

Ji Mingxi’s face flushed as he grew defensive. "She *is* my real sister! My sis is incredible..."

What followed was Ji Mingxi hyping her up in every way possible. Tan You shook her head helplessly. After tonight, the filming for the entire dating show would be over. ’To be honest, I’ve had a lot of fun,’ Tan You thought. ’As long as romance wasn’t involved and I didn’t have to worry about money, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip.’

After enthusiastically telling his friends about his recent experiences, Ji Mingxi sidled up to Tan You. "Sis, what are your plans after you go back?"

Tan You thought about her studio’s plans. "After I get back, I’ll be filming a TV series. I’ve already scouted a few new talents."

Ji Mingxi gave her a thumbs-up. "Sis, you’re starting to give off chaebol vibes."

Tan You chuckled. "We don’t really have chaebols where I’m from."

Ji Mingxi asked eagerly, "Sis, are you going to act in it?"

"No," Tan You shook her head. "Compared to being an actor, I’d rather work behind the scenes."

Unlike the other three pairs of guests with all their romantic sparks, Tan You and Ji Mingxi’s pairing was very placid from start to finish. But for some reason, this placidness was particularly appealing, which gave the director’s team a hard time during post-production.

In the end, the director’s team just gave up. ’Forget it, let’s just leave it as is. This pair has no romantic sparks, so let’s just try to dig them out from the other three pairs.’

While the director’s team was busy with post-production, Tan You began to dip her toes into the entertainment industry. ’I’m never going to be an actor or a celebrity. Rather than being scrutinized by production crews and directors, I want to be the one with the power to choose.’

Her studio was already set up, with all the necessary staff in place. Of course, that just meant a general manager, an accountant, a receptionist, and a screenwriter.

As soon as Tan You arrived at the studio, the screenwriter approached her. "Sister Wen, I’ve finished adapting the first half of the script. Would you like to take a look?"

Tan You speed-read the screenwriter’s adaptation. "Very good. I have great faith in your abilities."

"By the way, how are the revisions for your own script coming along?"