"Do you know how curious everyone is about you right now?" Old Zhou said as he carefully placed the trophy on a shelf in Tan You’s living room. "And everyone is especially envious of me."

Tan You smiled. "Envious of what? That you got to go up and accept the award?"

"They’re envious that I know you," Old Zhou said, his expression turning much more serious. "To be honest, a lot of people wanted to see you up on that stage, even though you won’t admit you’re Qingyou."

"That’s why I don’t make public appearances," Tan You said with a smile. "I haven’t congratulated you on your awards yet."

"The feeling’s mutual. Director Liu has been incredibly busy lately. If he weren’t so tied up with social events, he would have come with us to deliver the trophy today." You Li smiled as well. He had been nominated for Best Supporting Actor, but it was a shame he didn’t win.

After all, there was only so much cake to go around. How could they possibly sweep the entire awards show?

Tan You poured tea for everyone. "I’m so honored. A great film emperor personally delivering my trophy. I suspect your true intentions lie elsewhere."

Xie Yunzhi was also frank. "I knew we couldn’t hide it from you. Actually, the investors wanted to find you too, but you’re too low-key and not active in the industry, so they came to us instead."

Tan You mulled it over. "I do have some scripts on hand, and of course, our collaboration was very pleasant..."

You Li, being a sly old fox, cut in, "I heard you’re going to film a slow-life variety show. We had a great time working together before, you know."

’These veteran entertainers,’ Tan You thought, ’every one of them is cunning to the bone.’

"Well, I was a little hesitant, wasn’t I? I was worried that after winning your awards, you might look down on my small production," she said half-jokingly. Tan You had her own reasons for not approaching the two of them for a contract yet.

She didn’t want it to seem like she was dangling a script to bait them into joining her show; it had to be a mutual, willing agreement. In a way, Tan You had a certain professional pride in how she did things.

"Even if it’s a small production, it would still be an excellent show." Xie Yunzhi was sharp. He picked up on You Li’s lead and added, "I feel like being on your show is like going on vacation. It’s completely stress-free."

Tan You laughed. "Alright, then. It’s not me luring you in. You’re joining the show of your own free will."

You Li laughed too. "Yes, of our own free will. Director Tang is quite principled in her dealings."

Tan You was also candid. "This is a two-way street. I could have approached you with a contract before the awards, but what if you had better offers now? Wouldn’t that hold back your careers?"

"It’s better this way, with everything out in the open. This is what I can offer, without mixing in our past friendship."

"It wouldn’t be holding anyone back," Old Zhou, ever the smooth talker, chimed in. "You’re a benefactor to everyone’s career."

Tan You replied, "That’s an exaggeration. It’s because you are all very talented in your own right. Otherwise, these cold words on a page could never be transformed into frame after frame of warm, vivid scenes. We help each other succeed. There’s no such thing as one person being another’s benefactor."

You Li got straight to the point. "Director Tang, you’ve always been too modest. I’ll skip the pleasantries. I just want to ask for a project that suits me. After acting for so many years, I’m truly envious of Little Xie’s trophy."

Tan You understood what You Li meant. She pondered for a moment. "I have three scripts on hand right now. Personally, I think they’re all equally good. You can pick one yourself, but I can’t guarantee you’ll be able to pluck that pearl in the end."

You Li sat up straight. "Just having the scripts is enough. Are you really letting me choose?"

Tan You said, "We had a pleasant collaboration. I can make an exception for that."

As she spoke, she went to her study and quickly returned with three folders. The eyes of Xie Yunzhi and the others were all fixed on Tan You’s hands, their intentions clear as day.

Old Zhou rubbed his hands together. "Li Zi, do you have any intention of getting these scripts produced?"

"If you’re interested, I’ll be in charge of contacting directors for you!"

Tan You thought for a moment. "We’ll see. Am I really that generous? Just to add glory to other people’s careers?"

"Don’t say that," Old Zhou was quick to grovel. "Li Zi, it would be a waste to let these scripts sit here unproduced..."

Tan You said, "It’s not necessarily a waste. Director Liu is too busy, and I’m not familiar with other directors. You can’t force a deal, so what’s the rush?"

Old Zhou vowed, "Li Zi, as long as you give the word, I’ll definitely find the most suitable director for you. Do you have any idea how sought-after your scripts are right now? Countless people are envious of Director Liu."

Tan You was nonchalant. "I’m very picky myself. No matter how talented a director is, if his character is questionable, I won’t choose to work with someone like that."

Old Zhou understood. "Then what about Director Liu..."

"My collaboration with Director Liu was very pleasant," Tan You didn’t deny it. "It’s enough to have one highly compatible partner in your life."

It seemed like Tan You had said nothing, yet at the same time, she had said everything. Old Zhou chuckled. "Looks like Director Liu won’t have to worry about a lack of projects in the future."

Tan You repeated her earlier sentiment, "You can’t force a deal. Whether these scripts get made or not doesn’t really change my life much."

Old Zhou immediately stood up. "I’ll contact Director Liu right now."

Director Liu was currently schmoozing with investors, a regular part of his life since returning to the country. If it wasn’t a dinner invitation one day, it was an invitation for drinks the next, with the occasional round of golf thrown in.

To be honest, it was a rather hedonistic lifestyle. Of course, plenty of people tried to pry information from him, both overtly and covertly. They mainly wanted to ask about Tan You. Who could blame them, when she was so low-profile?

But Director Liu was a sly old fox. Could he be so easily tricked into talking? He simply dodged all their inquiries. Just as he was starting to feel a bit bored, Old Zhou’s call came through.

The moment he heard they were all at Tan You’s place picking out scripts, Director Liu couldn’t sit still. He quickly made an excuse and hurried out of the hotel. How could he miss out on something this good?

No one ever complained about having too many trophies.

As the guest of honor, Director Liu’s departure naturally drew concern. Unfortunately for them, he was extremely tight-lipped, and they couldn’t get anything out of him. Some of the cleverer ones quietly followed Director Liu all the way to the outside of Tan You’s residential community.

Unfortunately, the community’s security was very strict, and they couldn’t get in.

"Director Liu, that was fast!" Hearing the doorbell, Tan You moved to open the door, but Old Zhou beat her to it.

Director Liu took a deep breath. "Where’s Li Zi?"

"I’m in the kitchen," Tan You said, pushing the kitchen door open. "I figured you’d arrive around this time, so I brewed a cup of tea for you. Care to try my handiwork?"

"Li Zi’s tea-making skills have always been excellent." But Director Liu was in no mood for tea at the moment. He glanced into the living room, where You Li and Xie Yunzhi were each engrossed in a script, completely oblivious to the outside world.

On the coffee table in front of them lay another script, opened to the second page. Director Liu strode in, snatched up the remaining script, and soon, the living room fell into a deep silence.