Provoking Fire [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 18

Soon after, Chu Xiyue lit a fire with a lighter, the crimson flames casting a warm glow that stood out against the darkening night. Seeing Su Yan still on the raft, Chu Xiyue jogged to the shore and called out:

“Teacher Su, are you coming back?”

The distance between the shore and the raft wasn’t great, but the signal was weak and intermittent on the island. The two women resorted to the most primitive form of communication, cupping their hands to amplify their voices like megaphones. Hearing Chu Xiyue’s call, Su Yan replied in kind:

“This raft is too heavy to row! I’m waiting for you to come get me!”

The area around the shore was dry, with fallen leaves and debris cleared away to prevent any fire hazards. Hearing this, Chu Xiyue immediately boarded the small boat and began rowing toward the raft.

When she reached the raft, Su Yan effortlessly stepped aboard, carrying a bucket of fish. Chu Xiyue reached out to steady her, her fingers brushing against Su Yan’s icy-cold hand. She gently squeezed Su Yan’s hand, rubbing her fingertips to transfer a little warmth.

As darkness fell, the wind on the sea grew stronger, tossing the small boat up and down. The wooden oars sliced through the surging waves, sending intermittent splashes of cold spray over the bow. Chu Xiyue rowed at the front, while Su Yan sat at the stern, gently swaying with the current. When Su Yan had boarded, Chu Xiyue had casually draped an air-conditioning blanket over her shoulders. Now, feeling the chill of the wind, Su Yan merely shivered slightly before sensing a warm presence envelop her from behind.

It was Su Yan.

Su Yan had removed her own blanket and draped it over Chu Xiyue’s shoulders. The thin air-conditioning blanket fluttered wildly in the wind. Instead of hugging her, Su Yan leaned her head against Chu Xiyue’s back, turning sideways to help pin down the unruly, soft blanket. Strands of Su Yan’s hair danced in the wind, a few brushing against Chu Xiyue’s cheek.

Even through the layers of blankets and clothing, the familiar warmth radiated steadily from behind, accompanied by that faint, lingering scent of cold fragrance. Su Yan’s voice, soft and close, almost whispered in Chu Xiyue’s ear:

“Still cold?”

Chu Xiyue instinctively replied, “Thank you, Teacher Su.”

The “thank you” caught between her teeth and lips stretched into an unusually long and tangled sound. Chu Xiyue’s rowing slowed, the water lapping softly against the hull. Just then, she heard Su Yan’s melodious sigh:

“You’re so polite.”

“But… I think I prefer being called ‘Sister’ by Chuchu more than ‘Teacher Su.'”

Thump.

The sound of the oar striking the wooden boat’s edge. By the time Chu Xiyue snapped out of her daze and retrieved it, Su Yan had already calmly distanced herself, picked up the spare oar, and taken over Chu Xiyue’s unfinished task. It was as if her words had been a casual joke, requiring no response.

Chu Xiyue didn’t reply, but the Bullet Screen had already exploded:

Ahhhhhhh! Sister Ayan’s direct approach is lethal! I’m dying from this!

Someone turn on the lights! I bet fifty cents Little Dog Chu is blushing like crazy!

Sister Yan’s move shows her true skill! sniff When will the heavens send me a Sister Yan of my own?

Let’s make a bold guess: why did Little Dog Chu call her “Sister” so affectionately before, but now it’s “Teacher Su”? We know they’re about to “enjoy their reward” tonight and are already living together. Moreover, based on previous observations, whenever Little Dog Chu retreats, Sister Yan always takes the initiative and goes on the offensive…

To the theorist above, I’m with you!

Over the next short stretch, the paddler switched from Chu Xiyue to Su Yan. Just as they were nearing the shore, Chu Xiyue’s phone rang. She discovered it was a voice message from Lu Rujin, sent an hour earlier.

“Sister Yueyue, how’s the harvest going on your end? The mosquitoes are about to turn me into a human pincushion!”

The message included a photo showing five or six large mosquito bites on Lu Rujin’s slender calves, starkly visible against her pale skin. Chu Xiyue was about to reply when Su Yan suddenly snatched the phone from her hand, pressed the power button to turn off the screen, and returned her gaze to the murky darkness of the water.

Su Yan sighed helplessly. “I just praised you for being focused. Why are you getting distracted again?”

After reaching the small island, Chu Xiyue noticed Su Yan had become noticeably more talkative. In the faint glow of the firelight reflecting on the water’s surface, she could see the dissatisfaction in Su Yan’s eyes, leaving her both amused and exasperated.

This woman is so bossy. I can’t even reply to a message normally?

But since she caught the fish, I’ll let it slide.

By the time she finished thinking, they had already reached the shore. Chu Xiyue, unwilling to argue, shoved her phone into her pocket and strode ashore with a long step, ignoring Lu Rujin’s message. The island’s signal was poor anyway; she had received the message over an hour late, and it wasn’t urgent.

Besides, Su Yan had proven herself not only a skilled fisherwoman but also a surprisingly good cook.

Chu Xiyue kept the fire blazing hot. The fresh sea fish, scored with a knife and stuffed with ginger slices to remove any fishy taste, roasted to a fragrant crisp. The crispy skin and tender flesh melted in her mouth, soothing her rumbling stomach and leaving her no room for other thoughts.

The two women sat beside the warm fire, listening to the rhythmic crash of waves and the subtle ebb and flow of the tide. The simple grilled fish transformed into a rich and satisfying feast.

And just when they were finished, a plate of fresh fruit arrived at the perfect moment, providing a refreshing end to the meal.

The bright lights of the seaside cottage illuminated the room, and through the window, the sound of crashing waves seemed to amplify the romantic atmosphere. The dining room, equally well-arranged, featured a black wooden table adorned with a vase now filled with a vibrant bouquet of Chinese hibiscus—the very flowers they had admired upon arriving on the island. Their delicate, graceful forms retained their splendor even in the evening light.

The moment viewers had been eagerly anticipating all day was finally about to unfold: dinner. The live stream’s viewership had already reached a new peak.

As night fell, the cottage became a private space, with the cameras now positioned by its occupants. Chu Xiyue held the camera, briefly panning across the dining table before turning the lens toward the living room.

The scattered residences on the private island offered decent living conditions, serving as convenient lodging. However, compared to the accommodations provided to the other guests, this cottage was notably more comfortable.

After dinner, Su Yan sat on the sofa, watching a pet channel program on TV. The energetic antics of a beagle filled the screen, accompanied by lively background music. A fruit platter displayed crisp, snow-white Akizuki pears and vibrant red-fleshed pomelos—special treats provided by the production team. Yet the two women showed no urgency to complete their task, continuing to discuss the program’s plot.

The audience had already waited so long, so a little more time wouldn’t matter. In fact, they seemed to enjoy the natural, unhurried atmosphere between the two women. Though their conversation was sparse, it felt more like a genuine travelogue of daily life.

For those who didn’t dislike small animals, pet shows could indeed bring a lot of joy and conversation topics. Even Su Yan, who usually maintained a cool and aloof public image, couldn’t help but laugh along with Chu Xiyue. The small cabin was filled with their cheerful laughter.

“So it’s true that Beagles don’t hold grudges! He just got scolded by his owner, and now he’s already clinging to her again… cough cough!”

Chu Xiyue laughed so hard she choked a little, her eyes sparkling as she stared at the screen. The constant chatter had made her thirsty, and she instinctively reached for a piece of fruit with her fork.

But just as her gaze landed on a plump, glistening cantaloupe slice, someone else moved first.

The cantaloupe slice was large, and there was only one left. Su Yan had snatched it before Chu Xiyue could react. A hint of disappointment flashed in Chu Xiyue’s eyes, but in the next moment, the cantaloupe slice, accompanied by Su Yan’s familiar face, was already being offered to her.

Those deep, smiling eyes, clear and gentle, were rivaled only by the tranquil moonlight streaming through the window, holding a mysterious, irresistible allure.

Su Yan’s fruit-laden lips were now inches away. As she leaned closer, Chu Xiyue instinctively opened her mouth, her taste buds savoring the melon’s sweetness. Yet her senses grew numb and tingling, as if an electric current were spreading from her mind, devouring her ability to react.

Chu Xiyue gently took the melon from Su Yan’s hand. With a slight pressure, her teeth pierced the slice, releasing its juicy sweetness. The liquid glistened on her lips, already as deep and rich as roses, now stained with a dark, alluring sheen.

For a moment, Su Yan almost forgot to breathe.