Provoking Fire [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 16

Two cards, each with just two lines of text, radiated mischievous intent. Before Chu Xiyue could react, the livestream viewers had already caught on.

“As expected, it’s not a Heartbeat series without drama!”

“Tsk, they’re being restrained this season. These cards are even more subtle than last season’s.”

“I knew there was a reason it took an hour to pack! The Choice Card and Heartbeat Acceleration Card… other than Meng Qin and Yao Tian, who’s going to play their cards openly? I’m really curious about who everyone will choose first.”

“Damn that Heartbeat Acceleration Card! My last season’s CP broke up because of this. This time, I’m definitely picking the real deal!”

Chu Xiyue first examined the detailed rules of the cards.

The “Truth Choice Card” allowed her to write a question for her partner, which would be delivered at the end of the recording. The recipient would then be required to answer truthfully, with a lie detector as verification.

The second card, the “Heartbeat Acceleration Card,” practically screamed “drama” in bold letters.

Things are getting more interesting, aren’t they?

After a moment’s thought, Chu Xiyue picked up her pen and swiftly wrote her answers, completing them in one smooth motion without hesitation. However, with no cameras in the room, viewers couldn’t see what the guests were writing. They could only speculate based on the guests’ expressions as they left the room, combined with the subtle tensions observed at the dining table earlier. The “CP scholars” were practically setting their keyboards on fire with their frantic typing.

An hour later, the six guests were escorted by the production team to a shuttle bus. After a long, winding journey to another city and a ferry ride, including a meal break, it was already afternoon.

They had been traveling for three hours straight. Since there were no special tasks along the way, they simply turned off the live stream and played some mini-games to provide footage for editing.

The city was a coastal one, and their destination required a ferry ride, naturally placing them on an island.

Only upon arrival did the guests, who had been confined to the bus for hours, finally get a chance to stretch their limbs. They relaxed on the ferry deck, enjoying the sea breeze and chatting idly. Chu Xiyue, remembering the consequences of her wild day at the amusement park yesterday, and having just endured menstrual cramps, dared not overexert herself again. She remained in the ferry cabin, wrapped in a blanket, her face etched with resentment.

Fortunately, Su Yan wasn’t one for crowds either. With no filming requirements, she sat on the small sofa next to Chu Xiyue, reading a printed script. Having someone nearby made the journey less tedious.

This small island, romantically named Heart Island, naturally formed into a heart-shaped landmass when viewed from above. Surrounded by scattered islets, its waters remained pristine and clear, resembling a teardrop. The island’s famous landmark along its edge was called Lover’s Tear, and the island itself was also known as Love Island.

It was autumn, and the shores of Heart Island were ablaze with vast fields of Chinese hibiscus and dahlias. Their vibrant colors swept proudly across the coastline, showcasing their exuberant vitality.

This island had seen minimal artificial development, preserving its original charm to a remarkable extent. Though the island stretched endlessly, a few small houses dotted the landscape like scattered stars in the distance.

The afternoon sky and sea were sharply divided into two distinct hues, as if an artist had skillfully drawn a line between them. The water’s surface mirrored the sky, reflecting the warm sunlight. White waves crashed against the shore, their foamy crests scattering across the golden-tinged waters, creating a breathtaking scene.

As soon as the guests arrived on the small island, they were full of praise for the environment, immediately pulling out their phones to take photos. The director patiently waited for everyone to finish exploring before raising his megaphone to announce the schedule:

“Everyone, our life here will be very simple. Each couple will build their own ‘Love Cottage’ to spend the next three days on the island. Apart from mandatory tasks at specific times, the rest of your time is completely free. Enjoy your wonderful life to the fullest!”

“Of course, a beautiful home is even more romantic when you build it yourself. So, apart from the items you brought in your luggage, you’ll need to find ways to acquire everything else you need.”

By this point, the director could barely suppress his gleeful expression. Even the usually composed Zhao Fei couldn’t help but show surprise:

“You mean the cottages are completely empty shells?”

The director of Heartbeat Acceleration had always taken unconventional approaches, leaving the guests worried that the romance show might suddenly transform into a construction-themed competition. Fortunately, the production team had no such plans. After the director denied it, the group collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

“The basic infrastructure you’d expect in a house will be there, but how you build it up is entirely up to you. Speaking of which, there’s no need for you all to waste time staring at me now. Wouldn’t it be better for you lovebirds to start building your love nest for the next three days together?”

She spoke calmly, a smile on her face, but it was clear she was deliberately suppressing her true emotions. This calm before the storm only made the guests more uneasy. Lu Rujin quickly asked:

“So, do we get to choose our houses freely, or will it be a lottery?”

The Director grinned. “There are absolutely enough houses for everyone. First come, first served! But from now on, apart from the filming crew, there will be no staff assistance. You’ll have to rely entirely on yourselves.”

Heart Island boasted stunning natural beauty, but when the guests gazed at the rolling hills and rugged mountain paths, even the most breathtaking scenery lost its appeal. The Director’s words made everyone fear hidden traps, and they quickly grabbed their luggage and prepared to set off.

The island remained largely undeveloped, with most of it still in a semi-natural conservation state. The nearest houses visible to the naked eye were perched on small hills, a journey estimated to be at least one or two kilometers.

Dragging their heavy suitcases for what felt like an eternity, Meng Qin and Yao Tian, who were less physically fit, began to struggle. The lingering heat of late summer still clung to the air, especially in the mid-afternoon hours. The oppressive humidity quickly ruined the female guests’ meticulously applied makeup and hairstyles, leaving the beauties looking slightly disheveled.

Among them, Meng Qin, a screenwriter who spent most of her time indoors, was clearly the least physically capable. Though she tried to maintain her usual stoic facade, she eventually had to stop at the nearest wooden cabin.

Meng Qin carried a considerable amount of luggage: a backpack, a shoulder bag, and a large 24-inch suitcase that was difficult to drag across the ground. Seeing her exhaustion, Zhao Fei, despite carrying his own bags, took off her backpack and carried it himself, then picked up her suitcase and continued uphill.

Zhao Fei’s actions were so natural that it was impossible to tell they had been secretly at odds earlier. Meng Qin, however, seemed genuinely moved by his sincere offer of help, a flicker of genuine gratitude in her eyes.

Zhao Fei helped Meng Qin settle her luggage and took a quick tour of the wooden cabin. He found it had two bedrooms, a living room, and a bathroom—compact but fully equipped. He immediately understood the production team’s strategy. He stepped outside and told the other two groups, “Qinqin and I will rest here for now. Let us know when you’ve settled in, and we can explore the island together tonight.”

The cabin was essentially a treehouse, small but cleverly designed. Peering through the windows, they could see several larger buildings in the distance, presumably more comfortable accommodations. Lu Rujin excitedly clapped Yao Tian on the shoulder. “Big Sweetie, I’ve never been to Heart Island before! We absolutely have to get a beachfront villa today!”

Yao Tian looked equally determined. Chu Xiyue glanced at her slender arms and legs, barely suppressing a laugh.

As expected, shortly after Meng Qin, Yao Tian also declared herself exhausted. Lu Rujin pouted slightly, but didn’t push her to continue. She consoled herself that this was still a decent choice. In the end, only Chu Xiyue and Su Yan Qingyue remained. The pair casually explored half the island before settling on a European-style building with a white roof and red walls.

Putting aside everything else, the spaciousness of this European-style building far surpassed the previous options. With two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a bathtub, a living room, and a compact kitchen, it was more than comfortable enough for a long stay.

Outside, a small courtyard offered stunning views of the undulating ocean waves just beyond the curtains—a true oceanfront property.

Chu Xiyue squinted contentedly, stretching languidly. She pulled out her foldable slippers from her suitcase, slipped them on as if she were at home, and flopped onto the bed, rolling over onto her stomach.

My legs are aching from all that walking, honestly.

Chu Xiyue hadn’t packed much equipment, never imagining that filming a dating show would involve physical labor. Regretting not bringing her massage hammer, she sat on the bed and manually massaged her sore muscles. She left the door open, and Su Yan Qingyue’s voice drifted in from outside:

“I didn’t realize you were in such good shape.”

The cameraman remained at the doorway, not entering. Assuming the camera wasn’t recording, Chu Xiyue relaxed considerably. Hearing Su Yan’s comment, she didn’t bother to move, casually rolling up her pants leg to continue massaging her calf.

“Hey, I work out regularly too! My stamina is off the charts, okay? Don’t underestimate me!”

Unbeknownst to them, the hidden cameras in the room had automatically activated upon check-in. Of course, these were only placed in public areas. At that moment, Su Yan was tidying up in the bathroom, so viewers watching the split-screen could only hear their conversation, their expressions turning subtly intrigued.

Today’s start is already so explosive!

New map! The decor is completely different. Could this be the roommate segment I’ve been hoping for? doge

“Off the charts stamina”? Elaborate!

Speaking of which, what reward did they actually get? I’m so curious! Don’t let down the votes I rallied from over a dozen friends!

As if responding to the audience’s clamor, Chu Xiyue, after resting briefly, heard a knock at the door. She immediately flipped off the bed, strode over, and opened it to find the fully armed assistant director delivering a beautifully packaged gift box.

“Congratulations to both of you for ranking first on yesterday’s Heartbeat Chart! Please open this belated reward together.”

The assistant director beamed.