Provoking Fire [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 1

“You’re going to die.”

Chu Xiyue, seated on the plane returning from a promotional event, suddenly heard these words. She initially dismissed them as a hallucination brought on by her recent grueling schedule.

The plane was descending at the time. A neatly dressed flight attendant smiled as she reminded passengers to put on their earplugs. Chu Xiyue paid no attention, continuing to rest with her eyes closed.

Half an hour later, at Chaoyang Airport.

Word of the flight’s arrival had leaked hours earlier, and the exit of Terminal 2 was already swarming with fans. Security guards had formed a second perimeter to prevent the crowd from breaching the barriers.

Despite these efforts, the fans’ fervor surged like a tidal wave. Countless support banners, glowing light signs, and colorful placards were raised, creating a dazzling sea of light and color. The moment Chu Xiyue’s silhouette appeared behind the glass doors, the crowd erupted into a frenzy, chanting her name in unison:

“Chu Xiyue!”

“Yueyue, I love you! Aaaah!”

“Take off your mask! Take off your mask!”

The young woman, who had been fully masked even in the business class cabin, seemed to respond to the fans’ fervent cries. She first removed her pitch-black sunglasses, revealing her strikingly beautiful eyes. Shaped like peach blossoms, they were gentle and alluring, their gaze carrying an almost seductive quality that made anyone who met her eyes feel deeply cherished.

The woman’s jet-black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, its loose curls draping over her shoulders in a languid, alluring manner.

In the early autumn chill of the north, Chu Xiyue wore a light khaki trench coat, paired with simple yet stylish jeans and a chiffon blouse. A star-studded waist chain, dangling from her hip, added a touch of playful energy to her look. Her features were striking, with a depth that hinted at exotic origins, yet she was unmistakably Chinese. Even without makeup, her beauty shone vividly, carrying a hint of untamed wildness.

The moment she appeared, she became the darling of the cameras. Whether for buzz or perfect shots, fans and reporters alike swarmed her, their lenses relentlessly trained on her face.

Finally, someone managed to push through the crowd and seize the opportunity. Thrusting a microphone in front of Chu Xiyue, they shouted over the din:

“Xiyue, Xiyue, this is Han Guang Entertainment! Is it true you’ll be joining *Heartbeat Acceleration 3*?”

“Many netizens believe the silhouette in the *Heartbeat Acceleration 3* guest teaser is you, Yueyue! Can you give us a sneak peek or confirm the news?”

“Are you planning to participate in the filming of Heartbeat 3*?

With the first question out of the way, the vast majority of subsequent inquiries revolved around the dating show, occasionally interspersed with questions like:

“What was your motivation for filming Huang Shuo smoking? Is it true that you and Huang Shuo are on bad terms?”

“We heard your ex-partner is on Heartbeat 3. Can you reveal who it is?”

Chu Xiyue, surrounded by reporters, was quickly rescued by alert security guards, but the entertainment journalists clung to her like leeches, desperate for an opening. The fans, already organized, were reluctantly retreating from the entrance. Chu Xiyue glanced at the microphones thrust in her face and suddenly spoke up, her voice clear and loud:

“Well, it’s definitely not you.”

The young woman’s expression was defiant, yet her voice remained crisp and even carried a hint of mischievousness. The female reporter at the front happened to meet her dazzling peach-blossom eyes, momentarily stunned. After delivering her final remark, Chu Xiyue seized the moment while security formed a human wall to shield her from the reporters, sprinting toward the underground parking garage.

But as soon as she rounded the corner, out of sight, a voice echoed in her mind once more:

“You’re going to die.”

As if to prove it to her, a searing, electric-like pain suddenly pierced Chu Xiyue’s chest. Her vision went black, and she stumbled, nearly collapsing to the ground.

At the same moment, two lines of crimson text flashed in her mind:

Remaining Lifespan: 92 days

Lifespan Extension: 0

As the pain subsided, Chu Xiyue straightened up, her breath ragged with shock and disbelief. With no time to question why she was dying, nor to doubt the authenticity of the miraculous subtitles, she croaked out the most urgent question:

“How do I extend my lifespan?”

Engage in “business” with the designated person, what you entertainment industry types call “building a CP.”

The subtitles suddenly responded, jolting Chu Xiyue’s spirits. She quickly zeroed in on the key point:

“Build a CP? With whom?”

This subtitle has calculated that your manager has already secured you a spot on a dating show. On the show, you must build a CP with the person with the highest popularity. The higher the CP’s popularity, the longer your lifespan extension. Fate may bring you together, but your life depends on your hustle! Go get ’em, darling~!

The cheeky subtitles vanished as quickly as they appeared, leaving only the two lines of crimson text reminding her of the ticking clock. Chu Xiyue stared at them, her head spinning. Desperate, she grabbed her phone and dialed her manager’s number, clinging to it like a lifeline.

“Oh? You were going to reject it, but now you’ve changed your mind? Little ancestor, are you pulling my leg?”

In the office, Yao Xin faced Chu Xiyue’s sudden shift with a mix of surprise and unease. She scrutinized Chu Xiyue’s expression, trying to discern if she was being teased.

Heartbeat Acceleration was a dating reality show that had exploded in popularity the previous year. Unlike conventional dating shows, guests drew lots to play couples for a set period. Last year’s season was particularly explosive, even leading to two real couples. One pair, despite frequent conflicts during filming, fell for their CP partner, creating a dramatic, chaotic love triangle.

The Heartbeat series maintained exceptional secrecy. Guests were officially announced one by one on the day of filming, with frequent red herrings and online voting to build hype.

Now that same-s3x marriage had been formally proposed—though not yet legalized and still controversial—the country was gradually loosening restrictions on LGBTQ+ representation in literature and entertainment. The first season of *Heartbeat*, featuring an all-female cast, had become a massive hit, catapulting the participating guests to new heights of fame.

For the past few days, rumors had been circulating that this season would feature an all-star lineup, with even some unexpected guests. Truthful and fabricated leaks flew everywhere, and the buzz continued to build as the start of filming drew near.

Chu Xiyue was one of the guests netizens had been speculating about.

Her manager, Yao Xin, had indeed secured her a spot on the show. However, Chu Xiyue had originally entered the entertainment industry to escape the blind dates her mother kept arranging for her, and she harbored a strong aversion to romance reality shows.

Knowing her rebellious nature, Yao Xin waited until the last minute to tell her, but she was still worried Miss Chu might simply refuse to participate. She was preparing to give her a heartfelt pep talk.

Unexpectedly, after a magazine shoot, Chu Xiyue returned with a complete change of heart.

“Hmm, I’ve decided. Getting more exposure can’t hurt. You really do know best, Sister Yao,” Chu Xiyue said, her own lie sounding so hollow it made her teeth ache.

It was all that subtitle’s fault!

During the forty-minute drive from Chaoyang Airport to Han Guang Entertainment, Chu Xiyue had finally accepted the reality that she was likely to die suddenly. Overwhelmed by despair, she gradually began to rekindle her fighting spirit.

She was still young. When she first entered the entertainment industry, everyone around her doubted her chances, dismissing her as just another spoiled heiress playing at fame. But Chu Xiyue’s acting skills were above average for a rising star, with few glaring flaws. Combined with her formidable family background, she quickly gained recognition for her striking looks alone. Within two years, she was already on the cusp of breaking into the A-list.

Yet, at the height of her meteoric rise, she was told that her life would end in a mere three months.

For the first time, Chu Xiyue truly grasped the preciousness of life.

Hearing her words, Sister Yao found them odd, but considering Chu Xiyue’s usual bluntness—she never bothered with pretense and would simply quit if she didn’t want to do something—she breathed a sigh of relief.

Although Chu Xiyue had recently clashed with a certain film emperor and, by chance, filmed him smoking in a no-smoking zone yesterday, which was now trending on social media, Yao Xin was in too good a mood to hold it against her.

“Alright, I finally managed to secure this dating show for you. The *Heartbeat* series consistently gets high ratings every season. Just keep it low-key and show your face occasionally.”

As Chu Xiyue’s manager, Yao Xin knew her little troublemaker’s personality all too well. That mouth of hers was a magnet for controversy, having weathered countless storms since her debut. Yet, blessed with a face that was practically a gift from the heavens, Chu Xiyue had become the company’s pillar in just two years. The young heiress had both a safety net and the capital to stir up trouble.

Yao Xin, a renowned manager in the industry, had groomed top idols and award-winning actors. Chu Xiyue remained her most challenging client, so she often turned a blind eye to her antics.

After all, despite Miss Chu’s less-than-stellar reputation in public, those who knew her well understood that her temper was always directed upward. She treated staff with courtesy, and even when she snapped, she’d merely pout and deflect with a touch of charm.

“Oh, do you have the guest list for the show?” Chu Xiyue remembered her mission.

To generate maximum buzz, Chu Xiyue needed to partner with the most popular contestant on the show—someone with whom she had undeniable chemistry. Over the past two years, she had frequently taken on roles, prioritizing screen time over substantial storylines, accepting both supporting and leading roles. Her naturally captivating face and openly wealthy background made her a magnet for those seeking to ride her coattails.

She had encountered such “leeches” two or three times before—partners who clung to her, mentioning her at every opportunity, fueling endless rumors. Yao Xin had since become fiercely protective, knowing that dating during Chu Xiyue’s rising career could damage her prospects. Reality dating shows, after all, were mostly paid performances—a chance to have some fun and collect a paycheck.

“Oh, right!” Yao Xin exclaimed, snapping her fingers. “This dating show uses a lottery system, doesn’t it? Director Shen owes us a favor from last time. We can pull some strings and rig the draw. I’ll check the guest list later. While everyone else draws lots, we’ll bring our own CP. It’ll boost your popularity and solidify your fanbase. Don’t worry, I won’t let any leeches get near you.”

Chu Xiyue’s exceptional cooperation had put Yao Xin in high spirits, making her exceptionally accommodating. Noticing Chu Xiyue’s pale complexion, she quickly poured a cup of hot water and handed it to her.

“What’s got you so distracted? Have you been filming all night every day lately? I’ll have Xiao Song take you to the resting room to lie down and get some rest. After you wake up, I’ll make you some rib noodle soup to replenish your energy.”

“Mm.”

Even without Yao Xin’s suggestion, Chu Xiyue knew she needed a proper rest. The sudden threat of death had shaken her deeply. The countdown timer still flickered in her mind whenever she thought about it, making her uneasy.

Fortunately, Chu Xiyue had always been thick-skinned. This situation only reinforced her determination to rest well. Even if she was going to die, she’d at least be a comfortable ghost.

Her assistant, Song Ya, hurried to escort her to the resting room. Knowing Yao Xin was exceptionally reliable, Chu Xiyue simply told her to handle the arrangements and left. She drifted into a hazy sleep, and when she woke up, Song Ya had indeed taken care of everything. Yao Xin had personally simmered the ribs in the small kitchen for hours until they were tender and falling off the bone. She prepared the noodle soup and brought it to Chu Xiyue, her face beaming with undisguised joy.

“Yueyue, that temple we prayed at before filming really worked! Our luck has been amazing lately. I checked the guest list and even got you some extra screen time. Once you’re on the show, just start flirting with Su Yan.”

Chu Xiyue woke up feeling slightly better. She was sitting on her bed, using the small table Yao Xin had set up for her to eat noodles, when she heard this. Her movements froze.

“What did you say?”

Yao Xin, thinking Chu Xiyue was too excited to process the news, repeated it with even more enthusiasm:

“I mean Su Yan! The one who just won the International Pear Orchid Award last month and has been topping China’s Top Lesbian Crush List for three years straight! She agreed to be your CP partner!”