Provoking Fire [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 10

The drop tower plummeted downward with a thunderous roar.

The sudden, weightless sensation struck without warning, as if the seat had detached and was about to plunge into the abyss. The terror of the moment reached its peak. Yet the warmth radiating from Chu Xiyue’s palm offered a timely reprieve from Su Yan’s panic. Su Yan instinctively squeezed her eyes shut, but Chu Xiyue’s gentle voice cut through the wind, clear and reassuring.

Raising her voice slightly, Chu Xiyue urged, “Open your eyes. It’ll be better if you do. If you’re still scared, just look at me. You’re not alone!”

As soon as the words left her lips, Su Yan obediently opened her eyes. Her coffee-colored irises locked onto Chu Xiyue with intense focus, unwavering and fixed. Chu Xiyue, who had been admiring the scenery while merely offering her hand for Su Yan to hold, turned her head in response to the intensity of Su Yan’s gaze. As an actress, she was acutely sensitive to the weight of such attention.

The two women met each other’s eyes amidst the dizzying freefall, letting the wind whip across their faces, tangling their hair into wild, fluttering strands. Halfway down, the descent abruptly halted, like a sudden brake, before slowly resuming its upward climb. This brief lull lasted only two seconds before the tower unexpectedly surged upward again.

It wasn’t just the inexperienced Su Yan who was terrified; even the livestream viewers watching from the camera’s perspective were shaken.

Holy crap! Chaoguang lives up to its reputation for thrills. If I were up there, I’d probably lose half my life!

Sudden, massive drops and ascents with no warning—straight to heaven! The weightlessness must make your head spin. Isn’t Chu Xiyue afraid of demons?

Waaah, my poor Su Yan! Her face went completely white just now!

Wait, why are they staring at each other now?

Su Yan kept her gaze fixed on Chu Xiyue throughout the ride, and Chu Xiyue didn’t look away either. The two locked eyes high in the air, their tense gazes carrying a certain heroic air. Gradually, Su Yan began to adjust. After all, the drop tower was just a repetitive mechanical process. In just over a minute, they were safely back on the ground.

For Miss Chu, who was used to chasing thrills, this had merely been an appetizer. Though Su Yan looked better now, she hadn’t forgotten how tightly Chu Xiyue’s fingers had gripped hers the moment they shot into the air.

Fortunately, Su Yan hadn’t eaten much for breakfast, and it had been over two hours since then. Though her complexion was pale, she wasn’t in a particularly disheveled state. After a moment to catch her breath, she recovered.

Chu Xiyue nudged her with her elbow, still buzzing with lingering excitement. “See? What do you think of my method?”

As a thrill ride enthusiast, Chu Xiyue hadn’t given Su Yan random advice. She had carefully considered it. By shifting her focus to a real person instead of watching herself plummet or closing her eyes in fear of the unknown, the terror would inevitably diminish.

Still, she could tell Su Yan wasn’t suited for such extreme rides.

“How about we take a break and try something else later? The Fantasy Wonder Zone looks pretty good.”

The Fantasy Wonder Zone primarily featured 5D cinematic experiences—immersive films without the terror of high-altitude drops or dizzying spins, yet engaging enough to avoid being childishly boring. Chu Xiyue, map in hand, led Su Yan toward a nearby restaurant, intending to sit down and recover.

By then, Su Yan had regained her composure. Hearing Chu Xiyue’s suggestion, she instinctively replied:

“No need. I just haven’t ridden one before and couldn’t adjust right away. Now that I have some experience, it should be much better.”

Su Yan hadn’t just never ridden a drop tower; she’d never even been to an amusement park before.

Many celebrities in the entertainment industry cultivate a persona of relentless hard work, but few are as genuinely rooted in the northern countryside as Su Yan. She was a beauty nurtured by the picturesque landscapes of her rural hometown.

Many described Su Yan as cold and unapproachable, but Chu Xiyue always felt she wore two masks—one for the public and another for private moments. In private, Su Yan was meticulous and a bit narcissistic, which made her seem difficult to get along with. Yet, there was nothing truly unlikeable about her; they just enjoyed exchanging playful jabs.

Chu Xiyue had initially imagined Su Yan as an aloof goddess, but as they spent more time together, the hidden facets of her personality gradually peeled away, revealing a vibrant, genuine warmth.

It was surprisingly easy to feel protective of her.

Su Yan wasn’t the type to stubbornly insist she could handle things. If she said she could do something, she meant it. Still, Chu Xiyue insisted on starting with more comfortable rides, for her own reasons:

“These rides are the same everywhere—just slightly more thrilling versions of the same thing. Let’s focus on the unique attractions first. We need to prioritize the highlights, understand?”

While she was indeed trying to create a CP, Chu Xiyue had no intention of appearing subservient. Her bright eyes sparkled with self-satisfied amusement as she spoke in what she considered a rather proud tone.

Fans:

Ahhh, this is so heartwarming! Our little Chu is finally being considerate! Thank you, Sister Su Yan! Thank you, production team!

Although Chu Xiyue hadn’t been in the industry long, her sharp tongue and Miss Chu-like temperament had already made her quite adept at offending people. While the Xiyang were a formidable force, unafraid to clash with other fandoms, they couldn’t help but worry about their idol. It was like a mother fretting over her pampered daughter, a mix of pride and concern.

But now, though still a bit stubborn, Chu Xiyue’s care and concern were genuine. Afraid Su Yan might not handle the intense thrills, she started with lighter, more enjoyable activities. Before Chu Xiyue joined the show, the Xiyang had braced themselves for battle, but the atmosphere turned out surprisingly harmonious.

The two strolled toward the Fantasy Wonder Zone, chatting casually. Su Yan asked if Chu Xiyue had always been so fearless with these bizarre attractions. Chu Xiyue snapped her fingers.

“Of course! I’ve never lacked courage, even as a kid~”

Su Yan’s thick eyelashes fluttered as she pondered, then she sighed softly, “She really knows how to be foolishly happy.”

The two were walking close together, not holding hands but naturally within a range that exceeded social distance. Chu Xiyue heard her clearly, especially when Su Yan quickened her pace after speaking. Chu Xiyue swiftly darted after her, “What did you just say?”

Before Chu Xiyue’s words had even finished, she lunged at Su Yan with her hands curled into claws. But Su Yan reacted instantly, dodging her attack like a wisp of wind. She nimbly weaved through the amusement park’s open spaces and under the towering rides, with Chu Xiyue hot on her heels.

Su Yan’s height and long legs gave her a natural advantage in speed. As Chu Xiyue watched her retreating figure, a competitive spirit ignited within her. Like an arrow released from its bow, she transformed their playful chase into a full-blown race.

The cameraman, caught off guard, quickly fell behind. Chu Xiyue rounded a corner, only to realize she’d lost sight of Su Yan. Unable to slow down in time, she crashed headfirst into someone coming the other way, hitting them squarely.