Hu Yi knew just how to seize an opportunity. "Sister Wen, you have a new script? Please let me audition!"

Tan You gently pressed her index finger to Hu Yi’s forehead, nudging her into the car. "That’s a conversation for after the movie is released. We can talk about it after the New Year. I’m swamped with work lately. When would I have time to write a script?"

Hu Yi didn’t press the issue. "Okay, Sister Wen. I’ll definitely work hard on my acting."

A faint smile played on Tan You’s lips. "I’ll be watching."

The car carried the film crew, along with Tan You and Sister Li. Sister Li would never miss an occasion like this, but she wouldn’t walk the red carpet with the crew. Instead, she would slip inside unnoticed.

The red carpet event wasn’t supposed to be a massive affair, but Tan You was still a little surprised when they arrived at the venue. The crowd was quite large, and both sides of the carpet were packed with reporters and camera crews from various outlets.

Sister Li gestured in a certain direction. "Over there. Your fans."

Tan You followed Sister Li’s gaze and, sure enough, saw a dozen or so fans standing at the edge of the red carpet. The evening wind was bitingly cold, and the girls’ cheeks and the tips of their noses were flushed red, yet they remained rooted to the spot, their faces filled with eager anticipation.

Tan You felt a sudden pang in her heart, an aching tightness. It was the first time she had so viscerally experienced the fervent, unreserved adoration fans had for their idols.

Sister Li whispered, "You rarely make public appearances, so everyone was very excited. Some of them have been here since noon."

Tan You’s fingers twitched. She watched the fans for a long moment before speaking. "I remember a coffee shop nearby. Could you get in touch with them in a little while? Ask them to wait for me there, if it’s convenient."

"We can all have a meal together after the premiere."

Sister Li replied, "They’re going to be ecstatic."

Tan You said, "It’s too much for them to stand out here for so long. There’s nothing about me that’s so special. They should just focus on living their own lives."

Sister Li opened the car door to get out. "You got it. I’ll make sure it’s all taken care of."

Tan You watched Sister Li approach the group of girls. After Sister Li spoke a few words, their eyes all lit up. They soon followed her away, and the empty spot they left at the edge of the crowd was quickly filled by other fans or members of the media.

Hu Yi asked tentatively, "Sister Wen, are you upset?"

Tan You’s voice was soft. "Not at all. I was just thinking how wonderful it feels to be liked. I remember before I started my own studio, the online comments about me were terrible. It was like I had suddenly become a total failure overnight."

"It felt like I was all alone in the world, like everyone had become my enemy."

The car fell silent. After a moment of contemplation, Director Qi said, "Back then, you were isolated and helpless. Even with your fans on your side, it was hard to stand against everyone else. But things are different now. Who would dare call you a failure? Now, people can only look up to you."

Tan You said, "Maybe so. But regardless, I like who I am now."

Hu Yi stared silently out the window. As the ultimate authority in the company, Lu Wen’s past was familiar to almost everyone who worked there. The thought of that kind of life—isolated, attacked, and belittled—was suffocating.

Not wanting to dwell on such heavy topics, Tan You changed the subject. "This red carpet is pretty formal. They even have a host and hostesses."

Wan Yi laughed. "Sister Li took the lead on this. It is our company’s first film, after all. We have to be the first ones to take it seriously."

Tan You smiled too. "That’s great. She’s good at everything she does."

Wan Yi said, "No, Sister Wen, you’re the one who’s good at everything. You can write scripts, you’re skilled in photography, you can dance, and you can run a company. You’re the one who’s truly incredible."

Tan You laughed and shook her head. "That’s an exaggeration. I have plenty of shortcomings."

For instance, the screenplays were essentially just excellent scripts from various worlds that Tan You had copied. Of course, she wasn’t shameless enough to say she had written them herself, and had even adopted a pen name.

Furthermore, Tan You donated the vast majority of the money earned from these scripts to charity or public welfare projects. It was just that in everyone else’s eyes, the Tan You who could endlessly produce screenplays was a true talent, a genuine prodigy.

Tan You couldn’t exactly go around explaining the truth to people. But frankly, if the money earned from these scripts helped change people’s lives for the better, she didn’t feel she had done anything wrong.

Wan Yi said, "Sister Wen, you’re too humble. If I were half as talented as you, I’d be so arrogant I’d be looking down my nose at everyone."

Tan You felt a sense of helplessness, knowing Wan Yi was just being a clown on purpose. She didn’t say anything more, simply turning her gaze to the red carpet to watch the various celebrities vie for the spotlight.

Wei Wei was also watching the red carpet. "Qi Yu and Hu Yize are here."

Tan You saw them too. "Hmm, Hu Yize must be in his forties, right? He doesn’t look his age at all."

Hu Yi commented, "Aren’t all male actors like that? They’re like fine wine, getting better with age. But the industry is so harsh on actresses. A female star’s prime is so short."

Tan You replied, "It’s a warped beauty standard. I think it’s completely abnormal to judge a woman solely on her looks and figure. Women are uniquely beautiful at every age; it’s just that some people fail to see it. And that isn’t your fault."

Hu Yi said, "Not everyone thinks like you, Sister Wen. Every time I see those starlets who fit the ’pale, petite, and paper-thin’ mold, I get scared. I can’t help but wonder how our beauty standards got so warped. Is that look really beautiful?"

Tan You said, "It seems like capital can do anything. But no matter what, you’re beautiful in my eyes."

As soon as she stepped onto the red carpet, Qi Yu’s eyes were already scanning the area. She’d heard Lu Wen was coming today, so she’d gotten her hair and makeup done early and borrowed a haute couture gown and high-end jewelry, all with the goal of outshining her.

To maximize the contrast, she had even specifically found out when Lu Wen was scheduled to arrive. But she was already halfway down the red carpet. Where was Lu Wen?

Just as Qi Yu was starting to feel anxious, a commotion suddenly erupted on both sides of the red carpet.

"So beautiful! Is that Lu Wen?"

"When did Lu Wen get so beautiful?"

"It’s her whole aura! It’s completely different!"

"Quick, get more shots!"

Hearing the reporters’ chatter, Qi Yu instinctively turned her head. She saw Tan You walking with the rest of the film crew. Unlike the other starlets in their extravagant gowns, Tan You wore a very simple cheongsam.

Her long hair was pinned up with a single jasper hairpin. Around her neck was a simple string of pearls, though the pearls themselves were quite large. On her wrist, she wore a single jade bangle. Her entire look was simple and clean.

Yet despite the simple attire, no one could look away. Even Hu Yi, known for her glamorous beauty, seemed unable to steal any of Tan You’s limelight while standing beside her.

As Qi Yu was gritting her teeth in jealousy, Tan You was having a hard time herself. She was about to be blinded by the camera flashes. Everyone was furiously snapping photos of them.