Clutching her laptop, Xu Dongzhi nodded earnestly. "Yes, thank you for your guidance, Director. I’ll put your name in the creator credits."

Tan You was exasperated. "You really don’t have to. It was your idea to begin with, and I don’t need the credit. If there’s nothing else, you can go. I have high hopes for your idea."

Xu Dongzhi’s eyes reddened slightly. She hadn’t expected her direct supervisor to be this kind of person—so protective of her employees and so incredibly fair.

The director of the kids’ show stuck his hands in his pockets. "Moved already? Director Tang is cold on the outside but warm on the inside..."

"I heard that," Tan You said in a low voice. "I also heard you called me an ’Ice Queen’ behind my back last time..."

The director of the kids’ show immediately made himself scarce. "Li Zi, I’ll get back to work! Little Xu, let’s go over the details..."

The office grew quiet again, and then Chairman Wang arrived. Tan You said, "Honestly, sometimes I wonder if you’ve got a radar tracking me. How is your timing always so perfect?"

Chairman Wang said smugly, "Of course. There’s nothing in this entire company that I don’t know about."

Tan You was unconcerned. "So, what brings you here?"

"Alright, it’s something important," Chairman Wang said directly. "I’m here to ask about your work plan. Do you intend to keep doing variety shows forever? I heard Old Hu has been hounding you for a script."

Tan You leaned back in her office chair. "Did you get a new girlfriend again?"

Chairman Wang replied, "Must you point it out? I happen to like this one a lot."

Tan You asked, "Doesn’t it bother you seeing her get cozy with other people?"

Chairman Wang thought for a moment. "I’m not going to marry her, so of course it doesn’t bother me. You treat a partner and a lover differently."

Tan You teased, "That scummy, huh?"

"I wouldn’t call it scummy," Chairman Wang said candidly. "It’s a mutual arrangement."

Tan You shook her head. "I can’t understand your lifestyle. Isn’t it better to be devoted to one person?"

Chairman Wang said, "You think everyone’s like you? But people like you are a rare species these days."

"I wouldn’t say a rare species," Tan You laughed. "I’m just not interested in that sort of thing. Of course, if one day I do meet someone I click with, I’ll be very cautious and serious about the relationship."

"Even if their intentions aren’t pure?"

Tan You was amused. "I’m a pretty good judge of character. If someone’s intentions really aren’t pure, there’s no chance of anything developing between us."

Chairman Wang said, "The War God of Pure Love, eh? I never thought our Li Zi was like this."

Tan You shrugged. "I’ll do my best to write the script while filming the slow-life variety show. But I won’t tailor-make a role for your little girlfriend. You don’t have that much sway with me."

"Understood." Tan You’s words were enough to satisfy Chairman Wang. "I won’t let her ruin your work, either. If it really doesn’t work out, I’ll have her try out for another drama."

Tan You snapped her fingers. "So decisive, Chairman Wang. Aren’t you afraid she’ll get mad?"

"Only girlfriends and partners have the right to get angry," Chairman Wang said, completely at ease and not at all feeling that he sounded like a scumbag. Tan You couldn’t help but marvel; some people were just so unapologetically scummy.

"While I can’t say I approve of your love life," Tan You said after a moment’s thought, "I still think people should respect themselves. Let’s say, just for a moment, that a future girlfriend can’t accept your past?"

"I’ve never thought about getting married," Chairman Wang chuckled. "I’m happy like this. No one to answer to—what could be happier or more freeing?"

Tan You sighed in resigned admiration. "Fine. Just pretend I didn’t say anything."

Having gotten a clear promise from Tan You, Chairman Wang went back to deal with his little paramour. As for Tan You, she used the time to handle work matters. After all, as the head of the Planning Department, she had a lot on her plate.

Although she could usually handle things remotely, it was ultimately less efficient than face-to-face meetings.

Perhaps because she had been away for the first half of the year, busy with on-set filming, her subordinates had inevitably slacked off. But less than two days after Tan You’s return to the office, everyone in the department was on high alert.

Especially when Tan You wore a stern expression, everyone held their breath. She hadn’t lost her temper, yet they all felt the calm before the storm.

Of course, the effect was immediate. At the very least, the atmosphere at work was much more intense than before. And with Xu Dongzhi’s case as a precedent, no one worried that the fruits of their hard work would be usurped by their boss.

It seems people are a bit masochistic at heart. Even though Tan You wasn’t easygoing, there was still an endless stream of people coming to her to review their proposals. Even when Tan You pointed out the shortcomings in their plans, they were all overjoyed.

The Deputy Director felt inadequate in comparison. "It’s your charisma, Director. It’s truly rare to find a good boss in the workplace."

Tan You smiled. "I just respect everyone’s hard work. We all wish we could get paid without working, but where in the world can you find a deal like that? You should be paid for the work you produce."

The Deputy Director said, "That’s because you keep things professional."

"I wouldn’t say it’s about being professional," Tan You smiled. "I just put myself in their shoes. Besides, we’re all working for a living, so it’s easier to understand each other."

"You’re hardly ’just a worker’ anymore, Director Tang..." the Deputy Director teased. As the first employee in the company to receive shares, everyone was naturally envious of Tan You.

"I don’t participate in the company’s management; I only lead the Planning Department." Tan You smiled. "Putting that aside, I still draw a salary, so I’m a worker just like everyone else."

"Alright, you’ve done a great job with the department. I’ve looked at Xu Dongzhi’s proposal, and it has great potential. I won’t have time to oversee it, so please give it some extra attention."

The Deputy Director smiled. "Of course. I have high hopes for Xu Dongzhi, too. She’s very capable."

Tan You tidied up her files. "I won’t be staying at the office. Contact me anytime if anything comes up at work."

After giving a few more instructions to the Deputy Director, Tan You headed to the filming set. Production on the dating show was nearing its end, and she wanted to see it in person. After all, enjoying the sweet moments live was much more satisfying than watching them on TV later.

’When I first came to the company, the cast’s romantic trajectories were already pretty clear. I should be able to get a good dose of fluff this time, right?’ Tan You herself wasn’t interested in romance, but she was still very happy watching the young couples be all sweet and lovey-dovey.

Tan You’s timing was impeccable. She arrived just in time for the final episode of the dating show, when everyone had to make their decisions. She had invited a total of eight guests, and in the end, three couples were formed.

As for the pair that didn’t get together, they got along well. You could say they were more than friends, but not quite lovers.

Director Hu’s small eyes crinkled with laughter. "With a success rate like ours, who would believe this is a dating show?"

’Back when I was on a dating show,’ Tan You thought, ’I somehow managed to get the "everyone gets a bad ending" outcome. Now, in this life, I’m not even on the show, and it’s this successful?’