Director Liu raised his chopsticks. "This crowd is full of sharks. I rushed over, so I’m sure someone followed me. I just don’t know who."

Old Zhou thought, ’I know who it is, but I’m not saying anything right now. You’ll find out when we leave.’ He would never let Tan You know about President Qi and Director Chen. Wouldn’t that just be giving her competition an advantage?

Tan You didn’t say much, simply urging everyone to eat. As for the turmoil of the outside world, she remained completely unfazed.

After the meal, Old Zhou enthusiastically helped Tan You clean up the kitchen, while the trio of script-readers remained engrossed in their reading. You Li and Director Liu were now looking at the same script, occasionally discussing a line or two.

Tan You didn’t get involved, instead kneeling to one side and arranging a tea set. If one had to say what she learned the most in her life as Ji Li, it would have to be the art of tea.

The Gongfu tea ceremony was intricate and not easy to master. But in the process, Tan You felt a profound sense of inner peace. ’This feeling of calming my mind to focus on a single task is truly wonderful.’

A clear line was drawn between the two groups. When Old Zhou finished in the kitchen, he came out and sat directly across from Tan You.

Tan You slid a cup of tea toward him. "Try it?"

Old Zhou picked up the teacup. "I’m no expert on tea, but it smells wonderful. The color is very clear, too. That’s about all I can tell you."

Tan You smiled. "As long as you enjoy drinking it, that’s enough. Whether you understand it or not is no big deal."

She had diligently studied the art of tea with the thought that if she ever traveled to a world set in ancient times, it would be a valuable survival skill. Besides, the ancients revered tea culture, so it was something Tan You certainly couldn’t afford to miss out on.

Old Zhou said, "You’re the perceptive one, Li Zi. We’re just simple folk. To be blunt, we don’t have an artistic bone in our bodies. When it comes to tea, we only know if it tastes good or not. I know nothing about the different grades and ranks."

Tan You’s lips curved into a smile. "You’re being far too modest. I happen to know you have quite a collection of fine teas."

"They were all gifts. I’ll have a few boxes sent over to you tomorrow. They’re all different varieties, and I thought they were quite good." Old Zhou was being generous. It was just a few boxes of tea, after all. If he could use this to build a good relationship with Tan You, he’d be the one making out like a bandit.

With the two of them sipping tea on one side, the trio on the other seemed particularly austere by comparison. Director Liu gave the script in his hands a quick skim, but upon seeing the tea-drinking duo, he couldn’t sit still any longer.

He sat down to Tan You’s left. "This is a great script. I can tell Old You is hooked."

Tan You poured Director Liu a cup of tea. "Teacher You still has a lot of drive."

Director Liu replied, "When it comes to drive, who doesn’t have it? Old You hasn’t had it easy these past few years. He’s always just one step away, foiled by some unfortunate twist of fate."

Tan You said, "That’s great. With you making a comeback, Director Liu, and with Teacher You’s acting skills, the result will absolutely be greater than the sum of its parts."

Director Liu took a sip of tea. "I appreciate your confidence in us. To be honest, anyone who reads a script like this would be hooked, and I’m no exception. What do you plan to do with the other two scripts? I can see Little Xie is interested as well."

Tan You smiled. "Even if they’re interested, I won’t let just anyone film them. I’m very picky."

"I knew you were picky," Director Liu said, gesturing at Tan You. "But it’s good to be picky. You can’t let your hard work go to waste."

Tan You rested her chin on her hand. "But seriously, if Xie Yunzhi wants to transition into directing, I wouldn’t be against considering it. I think he might be interested."

Director Liu said, "A lot of actors end up transitioning behind the scenes. It’s not surprising Little Xie is thinking about it. But that’s an incredibly generous move on your part. Letting him cut his teeth on such a great script?"

Tan You replied, "If he really wants to be a director, he’ll hold himself to a very high standard. He’d rather take his time planning meticulously than recklessly ruin someone else’s passion project."

"You’re not wrong about that," Director Liu nodded. "Little Xie has a certain Spiritual Energy when it comes to acting. I just don’t know how that will translate to directing."

Tan You said, "That’s his life to live. He should be the one to plan it and make the decisions."

Director Liu laughed. "You know, sometimes you seem so gentle, but other times, you’re detached to the bone."

Tan You replied, "I’m just looking after my own affairs. These days, the only person you can truly be responsible for is yourself. Besides, he’s already living a great life. He’s a famous, celebrated actor and incredibly wealthy. He’s already far surpassed the average person."

"And me? I’m just a humble variety show producer."

"Right, a ’humble producer,’" Old Zhou laughed. "If you say that, where does that leave me?"

The three of them finished a round of tea just as You Li and Xie Yunzhi reluctantly put down their scripts over on the other side. They came and sat at the tea table, both of them in a rather unusual state of mind.

You Li was a mix of excitement, nervousness, and anticipation, while Xie Yunzhi was uncharacteristically apprehensive. He remained silent for a long while before finally speaking up. "I really love the script I was just reading. Could... could you save it for me to direct?"

Seeing Tan You looking at him, Xie Yunzhi quickly gathered his thoughts and added, "I don’t mean I want to direct it right away. I’ll go and study the required professional skills first. I’ll only attempt to film it after my directing abilities have improved."

Director Liu thought to himself, ’Tan You’s intuition was spot on. Xie Yunzhi really is hooked.’

Tan You’s expression was gentle. "No problem."

Xie Yunzhi hadn’t expected Tan You to agree so readily and was stunned for a moment.

A mischievous glint appeared in Tan You’s eyes. "Oh, you didn’t hear me? In that case, just pretend I didn’t say anything."

"I heard you," Xie Yunzhi snapped back to his senses. "I heard you! You can’t take it back."

"I’m not taking it back," Tan You said with a laugh. "It’s not that I’m being generous; it’s that I trust your integrity and your perfectionist nature. I’m confident you won’t even think about filming this script until you’re completely ready."

"Yes, I’ll make sure I’m thoroughly prepared," Xie Yunzhi said, pressing his lips together. "In any case, thank you so much."

Tan You nodded. "You’re welcome. If someone’s going to help me make a little money, of course I’m happy."

Xie Yunzhi smiled. "Director Liu, is your film crew looking for an intern assistant? I’ll come work for you. For free."

"Then I’d be the one hitting the jackpot! A major star working as my intern," Director Liu laughed as well. "Feel free to come anytime. Whatever you want to learn, I’ll teach you personally."

"Then thank you, Teacher." Xie Yunzhi seized the opportunity. If he studied under Director Liu, they would be master and apprentice in all but name.

Director Liu was in a great mood. If Xie Yunzhi were to inherit his mantle, he would finally have a successor. Although it was rare for directors to take on students, it wasn’t unheard of.

Besides, he was getting on in years and didn’t know how many more films he had left in him. Xie Yunzhi, however, was still young, with a future full of possibilities.

"Sometimes, looking at you, I feel envious," Director Liu sighed. "Why did I have to be born so many years earlier? If I were your age now, I wonder if I could have created even more and better films."

Xie Yunzhi replied, "In that case, Teacher, just watch me. I promise I will create truly great films in the future."