Provoking Fire [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 33

“Sis, no offense, but shouldn’t we ease up on pressuring people so much?” Xiao Le said to Su Yan.

Xiao Le had been working for Su Yan for three or four years and knew her fairly well, though they weren’t as close as some assistants and their artists. Still, Su Yan was one of the most approachable celebrities Xiao Le had ever worked with—much better than those temperamental stars who changed their minds on a whim and made life difficult for their staff.

Xiao Le genuinely liked Su Yan, and they sometimes joked around. This time, Xiao Le was worried Su Yan might be pushing the other lead actor too hard.

Hearing Xiao Le’s earnest tone, Su Yan realized she had misunderstood. But she didn’t bother explaining, simply smiling casually.

“It’s fine. Just ask Cheng Ya later and let me know when she gets back.”

Chu Xiyue and Chi Yao had arranged to meet at a local private dining restaurant. The security measures were tight. As Chu Xiyue approached the entrance, she spotted a woman wearing a mask, trench coat, and sunglasses standing by the door. Recognizing her friend’s figure, she cheerfully patted her on the shoulder.

Chi Yao turned, her usually calm eyes flashing with surprise.

Unlike her friendship with Yu Xian, a non-celebrity she’d known since before entering the industry, Chi Yao and Chu Xiyue had met within the entertainment world. Since their relationship wasn’t something to hide, they had always been open about it. Their fans got along harmoniously, even hoping for them to co-star in a dual-lead drama. Unfortunately, scheduling conflicts and script limitations had prevented such a collaboration so far.

This didn’t diminish their genuine friendship. However, after a previous outing where they were mobbed by paparazzi, Chu Xiyue had adopted the habit of wearing a mask in public, a common practice for major celebrities.

Chi Yao wasn’t particularly tall compared to Chu Xiyue, but her cascading waves of curly hair, delicate oval face, and finely arched brows paired with crimson lips exuded a mature, elegant charm, making her a rare beauty.

She had been standing by the entrance, casually scrolling through her phone as if killing time. Only when Chu Xiyue tapped her shoulder did she smile and close her umbrella. As they walked inside side by side, Chu Xiyue teased:

“Still waiting by the door? Were you afraid I’d bail and came to drag me here?”

“So, in Miss Chu’s eyes, I’m that petty?” Chi Yao retorted with a playful glint in her eyes.

Chi Yao glanced up at her with a half-joking look, her slender eyes and brows radiating an effortless, captivating charm that Chu Xiyue caught full on. She quickly averted her gaze, offering no further reaction. The long-handled umbrella remained dry, placed aside by a waiter.

Once seated, Chu Xiyue eagerly began ordering. She’d barely eaten well during her time on set, and given her already slender frame, she was determined to seize this rare opportunity for indulgence.

Though Chi Yao was treating, Chu Xiyue showed no restraint. She ordered several dishes she’d never seen before while traveling, along with individual hot pots, creating a lavish spread across the table.

This time, Chi Yao truly believed Chu Xiyue’s claims about the poor food on set.

“Are conditions really that bad in Director Yang’s crew these days?”

“The food’s been a bit rough. In all these years, when have I ever treated my stomach so poorly?”

Chu Xiyue ordered so much food, regardless of whether they could finish it all. Contented, she nibbled on the complimentary white sugar cake while chattering animatedly to Chi Yao about her experiences on set.

The atmosphere on set was actually quite good, and everyone got along well. But when Chu Xiyue told the stories, they became much more entertaining. One moment she’d be complaining about Yang Ruoshui’s strictness, the next she’d be laughing about the clueless Bei Yaoyao. Chi Yao was the type who preferred to listen quietly, especially when faced with someone as talkative as Chu Xiyue.

After knowing each other for so long, this dynamic had become deeply ingrained. Chu Xiyue never felt like Chi Yao was just going through the motions; her earnest gaze made it clear she was genuinely listening.

Soon, a server knocked on the private room door, signaling the robots to begin serving. The restaurant’s private rooms offered exceptional privacy, especially the business suites, which allowed guests to choose between robot or human service.

“You’ve been talking so much,” Chi Yao said gently, as she arranged the dishes brought by the robot on the table. She slid a glass of water toward Chu Xiyue and asked casually, “Why haven’t you mentioned your partner yet?”

“Her? There’s nothing to say. She’s exactly as you see her.”

Chu Xiyue’s tone turned dismissive at the mention of Su Yan. Just then, the dishes arrived, and her gaze shifted to the robot-delivered food. It was hard to tell if she was deliberately changing the subject because she wasn’t interested in discussing Su Yan, or if the colorful dishes had simply caught her attention.

Located in the southwest, this city’s cuisine leaned heavily toward spicy and sour flavors. While the private kitchen wasn’t particularly refined, every dish was generously portioned and incredibly appetizing. Chu Xiyue took a sip of the red soup and felt the heat burn down to her bones, involuntarily sucking in a breath and refilling her iced drink.

The ice cubes clinked crisply in her glass.

The two leisurely ate for over an hour, managing to finish most of the dishes. Unable to finish the rest, Chu Xiyue simply asked for takeout containers and insisted on paying the bill. Two dishes had only been tasted with serving chopsticks, while the rest remained untouched and still warm. She planned to take them back for her assistant, Cheng Ya, to try.

When dining with others, Chu Xiyue never made a habit of constantly checking her phone. It lay beside her, occasionally buzzing with notifications, but she rarely glanced at it unless it was an urgent call. Only when she went to pay the bill did she notice a message from Su Yan.

“Where are you now?”

It had been sent ten minutes earlier.

Chu Xiyue glanced at the restaurant’s name and, though she had no idea why Su Yan was looking for her, immediately sent the location. This time, Su Yan replied quickly and even called her directly:

“Are you done yet?”

“Hello, that’s 837 yuan including the takeout box,” the cashier said with a polite smile, handing Chu Xiyue the bill. Not wanting to part with her friend immediately after their meal, Chu Xiyue asked for a pot of tea, intending to sit and chat for a while. She scanned the QR code to pay while still on the phone:

“Not yet, probably another hour. Teacher Su isn’t going to make me go back already, is she?”

Including travel time, Chu Xiyue had only been out for a little over two hours. But knowing Su Yan’s strict standards, she wouldn’t be surprised if she was summoned back for more rehearsals.

Chu Xiyue tapped her index finger impatiently on the counter, making a dull thud.

Even so, if Su Yan insisted she return, Chu Xiyue couldn’t complain. After all, she had been the one who had delayed progress earlier. Chu Xiyue still remembered that clearly, and as long as the request wasn’t unreasonable, she considered it a fair demand for the sake of completing the filming.

However, Su Yan only exchanged a few casual remarks before abruptly hanging up.

When Chu Xiyue made the call, she didn’t bother to avoid the cashier, allowing those in front of her to overhear. While slightly surprised, the cashier maintained professional composure, refraining from asking questions or taking photos. After returning, Chu Xiyue shared a pot of tea with Chi Yao, but her mind kept drifting back to the film set, leaving her feeling less than fully present.

“Should I take you back?” Chi Yao asked, noticing her distracted demeanor and immediately rising to her feet. Chu Xiyue didn’t protest.

“Then let’s find a time when we’re both free next time. You wouldn’t believe how strict Su Yan is about rehearsals—she’s so rigid! I can barely move in front of her…”

Though Chu Xiyue’s words sounded like a complaint, Chi Yao detected an undercurrent of playfulness. Amused, she subtly retracted her outstretched hand.

As predicted, the weather forecast proved accurate: a light drizzle had begun outside. Chu Xiyue, who hadn’t checked the forecast before leaving, stared blankly at the darkening sky through the window.

Chi Yao felt a surge of smug satisfaction, about to offer to drive her all the way back to the set, when her gaze landed on a slender, elegant woman standing in the doorway. Her long, jet-black hair was coiled up, revealing half of her clean, refined profile. With those deep-set, striking features, it could only be Su Yan.

Chi Yao paused in her tracks.

Under the misty, dark sky, Su Yan’s slender figure stood like an exquisite bone umbrella suspended in the air. Though lacking any sharp edges, her presence compelled passersby to stop and stare from afar. The delicate chain swaying gently at her waist added a touch of vitality to her ethereal appearance.

Hearing footsteps, Su Yan turned, her gaze lifting from the misty rain. Her coffee-colored eyes seemed damp, reflecting the soft light spilling from the restaurant entrance as she quietly observed Chu Xiyue and Chi Yao.

Chu Xiyue clearly hadn’t expected Su Yan to arrive at this moment. Yet, the sight of the large umbrella in Su Yan’s hand stirred a faint, bubbling joy within her, spreading slowly through her heart.

“What are you doing here?” Chu Xiyue asked, stepping forward to meet Su Yan. With Chi Yao beside her, she introduced the two women. Su Yan extended a cool hand to Chi Yao, their touch brief and fleeting.

Chi Yao maintained her polished smile. “Teacher Su, it’s an honor to meet you. I’m Yueyue’s good friend, Chi Yao. Thank you for taking such good care of Yueyue on set.”

“You’re welcome,” Su Yan replied, her demeanor as gentle as a spring breeze. A faint smile played across her lips, revealing no hint of deliberate aloofness. Her voice was soft as she greeted Chi Yao before turning to Chu Xiyue, beckoning her with a curled finger. “Aren’t you going home yet?”

“I came specifically because someone might forget their umbrella again, like last time.”