When the Side Character Gets a System and Travels through Difference Worlds-Chapter 121: Yi Ru 5

Tan You chuckled softly. "You should read more history. It makes one wise, and I’ve always been very interested in classical culture."

Teacher Hu smiled broadly. "I’ve been on this show for a long time, and of all the contestants, you’re the one who has impressed me the most. I’m truly honored to meet you today."

Tan You’s smile was brilliant. "I’m also very honored that you were able to see the real me. That’s the greatest thing I’ve gained today."

"I’m so honored. I’ve been on this show for so long, and this is the first time a female guest has praised me more than the male guests," Teacher Hu said playfully. On stage, aside from the audience, not a single male guest cracked a smile.

After all, Teacher Hu had just gone straight for the jugular, directly pointing out that they were less mature and composed than the female guest and lacked even the courage to pursue her. What was the difference between that and scolding them to their faces?

Zhou Yan hugged Tan You. "I really like you. It’s just a shame the show’s recording schedule is so short. I wish we could talk more."

Tan You replied, "I followed your account, Sister Yan. We can chat privately later."

"Alright, let’s give our guest a round of applause as we say goodbye!"

Zhou Yan reluctantly let go of Tan You. Soon, the large doors behind Tan You opened, and she slowly walked through them. Only after she was completely off the stage did Tan You breathe a sigh of relief. She had finally managed to fake her way through the dating show.

’I couldn’t deviate too much from Yi Ru’s personality, but I also couldn’t actually walk off the stage with one of the male guests. It was a fine line I had to walk. In any case, I think I did a pretty good job. At least I didn’t hear any booing from the audience.’

’As for how the production team edits this in post, I’ll just have to wait and see. Yi Ru isn’t a celebrity, and this show isn’t that popular. I doubt anyone will be able to track her down in the end, right?’

Feeling carefree and relieved, Tan You left the TV station. She didn’t linger in G Province, instead packing her bags and returning to Yi Ru’s hometown. She and Yi Ru did have some things in common; both had rather quiet personalities.

Because of this, when she spent the weekend with Yi Ru’s parents, neither of them noticed anything was amiss. After the weekend, Tan You moved into the small apartment near Yi Ru’s Hanfu shop.

Yi Ru had also lived alone. The Hanfu shop was profitable, and since she was the Yi family’s only daughter, her parents had bought her a place to live long ago. Yi Ru enjoyed a comfortable standard of living.

But life is never so smooth. It always has a way of teaching you a harsh lesson at some point, and more often than not, it’s a matter of the heart. Take Yi Ru, for example. Her love life was a very rocky road.

Yi Ru and Zhao Zhao were entangled for half a lifetime, and their story began with this very dating show. As mentioned before, Yi Ru had gone on this show specifically for Zhao Zhao.

Even though Tan You couldn’t stand Zhao Zhao, she had to admit he was an exceptional man. Not yet twenty-eight, he had already built a successful career for himself, and his character was genuinely good.

Before Yi Ru joined the show, Zhao Zhao had already been a guest for nearly six months. Every time the show aired, Yi Ru would sit in front of the television, waiting.

She would also go online, searching everywhere for news about Zhao Zhao, just wanting to learn a little more about him. The more she learned, the deeper she fell, until she finally worked up the courage to go on the show herself.

The dating show allowed guests to return. Because there were bound to be lingering regrets, the production team would carefully select former guests who had generated a lot of buzz to come back a second time.

And Yi Ru? She was one of those guests who generated an immense amount of buzz. In fact, she didn’t just return once; she went on the show a total of three times. All three times, her goal was crystal clear: Zhao Zhao.

It wasn’t until her third appearance that Zhao Zhao finally chose her, and they left the show together. After leaving the stage, they did date for a while. They even got married. It was just... what came later...

Tan You sighed, refusing to dwell on what happened after Yi Ru got married. ’Now that I’m here, just participating in a dating show like that once was my absolute limit. It was like being forced to do the impossible. The idea of me going back is pure fantasy.’

Collecting her thoughts, Tan You continued to flip through the encyclopedia of ancient clothing in front of her. Hanfu might be a niche interest, but making a name for yourself even in a niche community wasn’t easy. The clothing had to be historically accurate, as styles differed from dynasty to dynasty.

’If I wanted to innovate...’ Thinking of the modern "guofeng" dresses that would come later, Tan You smiled. ’That’s not impossible, either. But for now, the priority is to keep Yi Ru’s shop running and build its reputation within the Hanfu community.’

Right now, Yi Ru’s Hanfu shop was only well-known within a small circle. But clearly, Tan You’s ambitions were much grander, her vision far more long-term. And there were so many things related to Hanfu, like accessories. If managed well, the profits would be enormous.

The days passed, one by one. After attending several Hanfu community gatherings, Tan You gradually built up the reputation of "Mo Ran," and the shop’s monthly orders began to increase.

Yi Ru’s mother looked over the shop’s financial reports. "You’re really making a name for yourself, huh?"

Tan You kept her head down, working the sewing machine. "It’s going okay. It’s mainly because the clothes are historically accurate, so we avoid the embarrassment of making some inauthentic mishmash."

As for the designs, color palettes, and so on, Tan You handled all of that herself. She didn’t really have much natural talent for design, but after spending so many years with Han Tingting, she had long since developed her own aesthetic sense.

Her mother put down the reports. "You always liked making clothes for your dolls when you were little. I never expected you’d get this good at it."

Without looking up, Tan You said, "There’s nothing wrong with turning a hobby into a career. At least I’m doing something I love. You don’t usually come to the shop. What brings you here today, Mom?"

Her mother smiled. "Oh, the TV station sent me a message saying your show is airing tonight. I figured it was about time for you to come home for the weekend anyway, so I decided to come and pick you up."

"By the way, when are you going to get your driver’s license?"

Tan You’s hands paused. "A driver’s license? I’m really busy lately. Let’s talk about it later. Where would I even find the time to take driving lessons?"

Her mother didn’t press the issue. "That’s true. But you’re just too busy doing the designs and managing the shop all by yourself. Your profits are good now, why not hire a shop manager?"

"That way you can focus on your designs."

Tan You nodded. "I’ve already posted a job ad in the community. Someone is coming in for an interview next Monday."

Her mother replied, "That’s good. You’re much more thorough than you used to be."

"People have to grow up sometime," Tan You said faintly as she snipped the thread. She hung the greatcoat on a nearby rack. The black coat completely enveloped the dress beneath it, but it couldn’t hide the garment’s understated luxury.

Her mother circled the brand-new Hanfu outfit, looking it over. "You’re not hiring models for a promotional shoot this time?"

Tan You hummed in agreement. "I considered it, but their dispositions... they wouldn’t be able to carry it."

Hanfu needed to be promoted, too. The old saying "good wine needs no bush" was long obsolete. This was especially true for Tan You, who had witnessed the information explosion and various marketing tactics of a later era. That was why, after taking over Yi Ru’s shop, she placed great importance on marketing.