Single-life females

This may explain why businesswoman Tan cannot find her Mr Right. Starting up her own business in California's Silicon Valley, the United States' tech hub, she is the former co-head of Uber China's strategic operations. She recalls that some men, on the first date, found her too ambitious, and even called her "teacher Tan", chiding her vision.

"I have never cried for a man, but only shed tears for Uber China," Tan says, adding that there have been so many things to try in life, which she considers more interesting than dating.

Her interests are broad, which include running marathons, sailing and mountain climbing.

Without feeling the pressure to get into a long-term relationship, Tan, 33 at the time of filming, chose to freeze her eggs at a clinic in Los Angeles, because studies show a woman's fertility decreases at an accelerated rate from the age of 35. It is a way of putting her reproductive future on hold.

But director Dong Xueying emphasizes that the procedure is not for everyone and is not a decision to be taken lightly, with physical, mental or financial factors to be considered.

However, this is not an issue for single mother Li, who was 38 at the time of filming, and already has a lovely daughter. Recovering from a messy divorce, she has become a livestreaming host, which means she has more time to spend with her child. Previously, she was an actress, whose resume includes the films One Mile Above and Ganglamedo.