"And it was only after I stepped away and re-examined the past few years that I realized how stupid I’d been." Tang Li took a sip of her juice. "My feelings for Wang Mingyu... I think it was more gratitude than anything. He was a truly excellent boss."

"He paid generously, never micromanaged his subordinates, and even gave me shares later on. So I thought, ’Well, if this is how it is, I can just keep doing this forever.’ I’d already let go of my feelings, and since neither of us ever explicitly expressed any romantic interest, it wasn’t awkward to be around each other."

Ye Qian sighed. "Once a person truly lets go, it’s highly unlikely they’ll ever look back."

"I never even had him, so what is there to look back to?" Tang Li shrugged. "Besides, I’ve realized I have a certain... emotional hygiene. Even if a guy turns over a new leaf, I still can’t accept it if he’s had a debauched past."

"So on that point alone, there’s no chance for him and me. I’ve maintained my standards all this time. I’m not about to let someone else’s dust settle on me."

Ye Qian asked, "So is that why you, Director, have such high standards for your artists’ personal conduct?"

"Of course," Tang Li nodded. Tan You’s moral compass was very strong. After spending so much time with her, Tang Li’s own views had gradually aligned with Tan You’s.

"I admire people with morals, boundaries, and principles. Even if they aren’t famous at first, over time, those are the kinds of people who are more reassuring."

Ye Qian thought about it and agreed. "Basically, you have to protect your reputation and be careful with every decision you make."

"Mhm, that’s exactly it. I’d rather be single my whole life than choose a reformed playboy. Of course, I also wouldn’t consider someone who’s had a once-in-a-lifetime, epic romance or anything like that."

Ye Qian was confused. "Why not? If he was deeply devoted to someone in the past, isn’t that a good thing? It proves he’s capable of deep feelings, right?"

"Maybe it’s just a little personal requirement of mine," Tang Li said, chewing on her straw. "A person’s capacity for love is like a well. There’s a finite amount. If he’s given a lot to someone else, there’s less left for me."

"And I’m still a bit of a romantic. I want my partner to give me his all, not just the small fraction that’s left after someone else has used up the majority."

"I understand that love might only make up ten percent of his heart because he has so many other things to worry about. But that’s fine. As long as that ten percent is entirely mine, that’s enough for me. Because in my life, love might not even make up five percent."

Ye Qian laughed out loud. "Li Zi, think about it. How many men your age haven’t been in a relationship? Even elementary schoolers are dating now. A guy who meets your requirements is practically an endangered species."

Tang Li said, "That’s why I’m really not in a hurry. But if someone wants to be with me, they have to meet this requirement."

"Men are... well, they are what they are. I already have so much. If my life is a little lacking in the love department, it’s not a big deal."

Ye Qian summarized, "So you’re the ’quality over quantity’ type."

"Mhm, that’s it," Tang Li didn’t deny it; that was exactly what she thought. Even if he was a reformed bad boy, she wouldn’t consider it. The thought just gave her the creeps.

’Why should you get to play around so much and still end up with a good, innocent girl? You should end up with a female player just like you. But how many playboys are actually willing to end up with a playgirl?’

Some people lived for the moment, so naturally, some people stuck to their principles. Tang Li was one of the latter.

Ye Qian said, "Chairman Wang deserved it. That’s just how the world is. No one waits around in the same spot forever."

"Isn’t that the truth? I told him back then, if you’re going to play, then just keep playing your heart out without a care in the world. He was so adamant back then, and now he’s just eating his words."

Tang Li also remembered the conversation between Tan You and Chairman Wang. He had been so smug back then, insisting that he loved the life of playing the field.

Ye Qian said, "Honestly, once you’ve been around these rich guys enough, you realize they’re all the same. Besides stroking your ego a little, there’s really nothing to it. And the richer they are, the stingier they get..."

Tang Li looked up. "Am I stingy?"

’I’m pretty generous,’ she thought to herself.

"Of course not! You’re the most generous person to me, Li Zi," Ye Qian said with a wide smile. "I’m earning some money myself now, so I don’t need to fixate on a man’s wallet. To be blunt, I married Yao Mingfeng for love, but what did I end up with?"

"My career was nearly ruined. I didn’t get a single gig for a whole year, and I had a daughter to raise. My parents couldn’t understand, wondering why we’d get a divorce when our child was so young. But Yao Mingfeng was the one who asked for the divorce. What could I do?"

"When a man loves you, he really loves you. But when he doesn’t, he’s capable of anything." She blinked. "That’s why I’ll never believe a man’s promises ever again."

"It’s just like you said, Li Zi. Only your career and your money will never betray you."

"As for me, from now on, I’m just going to cling to your coattails, Li Zi, and let you carry me to success."

Tang Li was amused. "Stop sucking up. And while you’re preparing for the new role, don’t neglect the one for the big screen."

"Of course! I spend all day studying the scripts now..." At the mention of scripts, Ye Qian immediately perked up. She truly loved acting. Only someone who had lost it all could understand how precious it was to walk the path of an actress once more.

After discussing the script for a while, Ye Qian yawned. "Li Zi, want to have dinner together later? Come to my place. My daughter really misses you."

Tang Li checked the time. "I can’t. I have dinner plans with someone today. Maybe another time."

Ye Qian was suddenly wide awake. "Who? You rarely have dinner with anyone, Li Zi. And come to think of it, it looks like you didn’t drive here today?"

Tang Li smiled. "Just my downstairs neighbor. My car’s in the shop getting a paint touch-up, so I caught a ride with him this morning. I told him I’d treat him to dinner tonight since he’s been kind enough to give me rides these past few days."

"It’s about time, I should get going." Quickly gathering the scripts and documents on the table, Tang Li grabbed her bag and left. Ye Qian immediately shot up and followed close behind, overcome with curiosity about this neighbor of Tang Li’s.

In the parking garage, Wen Xiao had just parked his car when he saw Tang Li hurrying over. He smiled faintly and took a few steps forward to take her canvas bag. "No need to rush. I just got here myself."

Tang Li said, "I’m not used to making people wait. I could have gotten back on my own, really. Isn’t your work very busy?"

"I can work a little overtime after dinner. It’s no trouble." Wen Xiao chuckled, but his gaze shifted to just behind and to the side of Tang Li. Ye Qian was standing there, eyeing him warily like a mother hen protecting her chick.

Tang Li followed Wen Xiao’s gaze. "You actually followed me all the way here? Are you that curious?"