’Could I possibly tell you about the Beauty System’s existence?’ Tan You thought to herself. Besides, these outstanding professional women were truly difficult to find. Just convincing them to join had taken a great deal of her effort.

Director Hu’s gaze swept over the cast profiles. "You don’t seem very optimistic about the two pairings I mentioned?"

Tan You was blunt. "I’m not."

"Anyone who has achieved some level of success in their career is, for the most part, rational in their real life. They rarely let their emotions get the best of them and act rashly. And after all they’ve been through, they’re unlikely to be suckers for romance. I believe they’ll be far more logical when choosing a partner than they would be to give in to a fleeting hormonal impulse."

Director Hu asked, "So, will there be any sweet moments to watch?"

"There will be, for sure. It’s just a matter of whether you can spot it." Tan You tapped the table. "These are all incredibly charismatic women. Even if we’re filming a dating show, I have to find male cast members who are their equals. Anything less would be demeaning to the women."

Sister Yun chimed in, "Did they agree to come on the show partly because the male cast members you found are also exceptional?"

"That’s definitely part of it," Tan You said with a raised eyebrow. "Perhaps from their perspective, even if a relationship doesn’t work out, making these kinds of connections is still a worthwhile outcome."

"See? Some people go on these shows and refuse to lose out on anything," Director Hu sighed. "You’ve made this so... pragmatic. Do you think the audience will go for it?"

"I think people have been completely brainwashed by all those mindless dramas. They still have fantasies about love even when they’re sixty. It’s time to show them that modern women have long since given up on such illusions. We consider all sorts of factors when we choose a partner."

Director Hu shook his head. "I knew you wouldn’t just film a simple dating show. I just didn’t expect you’d be trying to make a point."

Tan You replied, "We’ll just have to see if the audience gets it."

Tan You had just finalized the cast when the company got word. Unfortunately, Director Hu’s current program wasn’t finished with post-production yet, so Tan You had to lead the crew for the initial shoot.

She wasn’t skilled enough to direct a movie, but she could handle a variety show. She was especially good at filming people, managing to capture the female cast members at their most beautiful. At the very least, the cast themselves were extremely satisfied.

The first female lead, Xu Jingyi, was a classic "domineering CEO" type, but she was particularly mild-mannered in front of Tan You. "I never knew this is how you saw me. You made me look so beautiful on camera."

Tan You smiled. "You’re already beautiful to begin with. The cast I picked isn’t half bad, right?"

"They’re more than ’not bad,’ they’re all great," Xu Jingyi said with a slight smile. "Especially the other women. It’s very comfortable being around them."

Tan You’s eyes rested on Xu Jingyi. "Comfortable is good. I’m going for rational and healing, not a catfight."

"Oh, there’s plenty of rationality. As for healing..." Xu Jingyi’s gaze shifted, finally landing on a certain someone cooking in the kitchen.

Tan You said, exasperated, "The moment I met Yi Yang, I had a feeling you’d be into the ’husband material’ type. Looks like I was right."

Xu Jingyi wasn’t the least bit surprised that Tan You had read her mind. "So tell me, is a guy like that good or not? And I have to say, the term ’husband material’ is surprisingly accurate."

Tan You replied, "He is good. A great match for you. The perfect domestic partner."

"Well, he has to be willing too," Xu Jingyi conceded with a nod. "But I do have a strong appreciation for his type."

"Frankly, I didn’t expect Shuyu to be interested in the student."

Tan You arched an eyebrow. "A gentle older woman and a sweet, devoted younger guy... isn’t that a great ship?"

"You have a knack for summing people up. You’ve seen right through everyone’s personalities. No wonder you’re so well-known in the industry." Before joining the show, Xu Jingyi had done her research on Tang Li.

Tang Li was the industry’s hottest new program producer, and Xu Jingyi had even dug up the first season of her intangible cultural heritage show. To be honest, she really liked it.

"I wouldn’t call it fame. I just want to make shows that people respect." Tan You clinked her glass against Xu Jingyi’s. "And I’m honored that I could invite all of you to join."

"The honor is all mine," Xu Jingyi replied, her eyes drifting to Yi Yang’s back once more. "But seriously, have you ever considered jumping ship? Whatever equity your company is giving you, I can match it. I feel like your talents extend far beyond just program planning."

’My talents certainly go far beyond this,’ Tan You thought to herself, ’but I’m not the real Tang Li. And Tang Li loves this job, so I can’t just casually change career paths.’

"This is the field I studied; I’m not particularly skilled in anything else. Besides, I’m doing well at my company. My colleagues are great, and my boss was the one who gave me my big break."

Xu Jingyi knew she wouldn’t be able to poach Tan You, but she wasn’t discouraged. "Alright, then. We should get tea together sometime. I really enjoy talking with you. Our conversations have depth."

"The pleasure is mine."

Tan You smiled as well. She enjoyed talking with people, as she could always learn something from it. As it happened, she also greatly admired Xu Jingyi.

The initial shoot, led by Tan You, focused on the cast members’ personal lives and their first meeting. As for romantic sparks, there weren’t many to be found just yet.

But once Director Hu took over, he somehow managed to draw out the romantic ambiguity in what were clearly simple interactions.

Tan You sighed. "It really does take a professional. When I watch them, their interactions just seem completely ordinary."

Director Hu said smugly, "But of course. I’ve made a special study of it. There’s a real art to the romantic push-and-pull between men and women."

Tan You deliberately tried to give him a hard time. "You just came over here like that? Aren’t you going to oversee post-production for the detective show?"

"I still have to oversee it," Director Hu said, perfectly self-assured. "But you’re here, aren’t you? And you said you weren’t great with dating shows, right? Why don’t you go handle the post-production?"

After a moment’s thought, Tan You didn’t refuse the offer. "Let me lay down some ground rules first. No forcing random pairings, and no manufacturing love triangles..."

"I know, I know. Why are you nagging so much?" Director Hu waved his hand, shooing her away like a fly. Tan You narrowed her eyes. ’Why does it feel like Director Hu is getting a little too full of himself?’

With Tan You no longer overseeing the dating show’s filming, Director Hu felt much more liberated. The various interactions between the male and female cast members had him grinning like a fool on set.

Xu Jingyi said, "I can’t take it. I really can’t. Old Hu is just too good at this."

Tan You replied, "Now I’m really curious. What did he do? I remember telling him not to force any pairings..."

"He didn’t force any pairings or try to stir things up, but he arranges different tasks every day and insists they have to be completed in pairs." Xu Jingyi sighed. "The point is, we’ve filmed two episodes, I’ve already been partnered with two different guys, and I still haven’t been matched with Yi Yang."

Tan You remarked, "Old Hu really knows what he’s doing. I’ll have to check out the footage later to see the results."

Xu Jingyi added, "But everyone is being very rational. Even if we’re paired with someone we’re not interested in, we all handle it with grace. We get through the day’s filming amicably, treating it as a chance to make a new friend."