Everyone in the Entertainment Industry Thinks I’m a Flirty Diva [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 53

The contrast between Chu Xi’s “Siren” hardcover photos and the “Jade Rabbit” themed photos of Gou Meiru, released by “Yue Xiu” two hours earlier, was stark.

Unlike the ethereal, moon-palace-like aura of the “Jade Rabbit,” the “Siren” main image featured a dark blue, turbulent ocean under a stormy, oppressive sky, as if a massive wave could crash at any moment. On a large, damp reef sat a woman, her voluminous, slightly wet hair cascading over most of her body. One hand rested lightly on her chest, while her gaze into the distance resembled that of a large feline predator on the hunt, sending chills down the spine.

The official Weibo released six hardcover photos in total, including full-body shots and close-ups of her face staring directly into the camera. Each image carried a strong narrative.

What especially stood out was the daring scale of these photos. The dark, enchanting siren’s upper body was only partially concealed by her hair and arms, with glimpses of her graceful figure visible beneath the strands. Yet, the entire set exuded not a hint of deliberate titillation but rather a mysterious, mythical sensuality.

Modern netizens, limited in vocabulary, could only exclaim “Holy shit!” repeatedly upon seeing these photos, utterly failing to articulate their feelings.

Chu Xi’s usual street-style candids and bare-faced photos online often portrayed her as youthful, innocent, and even slightly childlike. But no one could have imagined that this pure, delicate “Innocent White Flower,” with smoky makeup and a slightly revealing outfit, could instantly transform into a fierce, commanding presence—as if she were an entirely different person.

After calming down, the Bricks—who had initially held little hope for these photos—were practically ecstatic:

[Ahhhh Xi Bao, mommy loves you!]

[No, not Xi Bao today, it’s Sister Xi now, and mommy isn’t mommy anymore—I’m just a humble admirer.]

[Sister Xi, this humble admirer loves you!]

[Our baby always surprises us like this, so touched.jpg]

[This photoshoot presence, Xi Bao is just too impressive. Being a fan of such a talented idol feels amazing.]

Passersby who saw the photos immediately exploded with reactions:

[Holy shit holy shit holy shit! I never expected this kind of photoshoot style!]

[Is this the Innocent White Flower Chu Xi? This is clearly the Queen Bee Chu Xi! So gorgeous, I’m dead.]

[Absolutely stunning. This style doesn’t feel forced at all—she totally owns it. It suits her so well.]

[So why was she stuck in that innocent, pure-girl style before? More of this dark, glamorous look, please! Today, the Innocent White Flower has a two-meter-eight aura!]

[Her casual outfits and bare face make her look so young, but with heavy makeup? She’s killing me. Kneeling in awe.jpg]

[Who said Chu Xi’s photoshoots looked like cheap rural studio shots? Come out and take your beating! This photoshoot presence is next-level.]

[That killer gaze, that face, those collarbones, that chest, that waist—how the hell is she built like this? A literal siren.]

[Damn, Chu Xi’s got curves for days. At the Golden Feather Awards, I thought her cleavage was just clever padding, but turns out it’s real!]

[Actual beauty that kills. Officially a fan now.]

[I’m shallow—I’m a sucker for looks. Count me in too.]

[Xi Bao’s assets are protected by us bricks—no peeking allowed!]

[Ugh, fine, I’ll buy the magazine! Three copies—one to keep, one to gift, and one to admire under my pillow every night.]

[Joining the magazine-buying train +1]

…

The magazine’s Weibo post racked up astonishing engagement, and soon, the hashtag #ChuXiSiren climbed the trending charts, storming straight to the top. Countless curious onlookers clicked in, only to be completely captivated by the photos—saving the images while frantically placing orders for the magazine.

Who wouldn’t want this level of celestial beauty—no, enchantress—displayed at home for quiet admiration?

The sales of Yue Xiu’s special edition issue skyrocketed, breaking records within hours. Not only did the photoshoot utterly overshadow Gou Meiru’s forced youthful aesthetic, but the sales figures also crushed Gou Meiru’s main issue into dust. Chu Xi didn’t just shatter everyone’s previous perceptions of her—she also gained a massive wave of new fans, including many fiercely devoted boyfriend-stans.

Although Chu Xi had recently lost a boyfriend fan in Gu Mingjing, many were gleefully watching the drama unfold. Unexpectedly, she quickly gained a whole new batch of admirers, leaving others green with envy.

——

After the last red-carpet incident with the sexy halter dress, Gu Mingjing was once again fuming with rage.

He had to admit that, from any angle, this set of photos was stunning. Chu Xi exuded a captivating narrative and striking fashion sense in the shots. But if looking good came at the cost of shedding clothes, Gu Mingjing would rather Chu Xi dress like a country bumpkin every day.

As he scrolled through the comments section filled with drooling admirers and the sudden influx of so-called “boyfriend fans,” he wished he could reach through the screen, yank them out by their internet cables, and force them all to shut their eyes.

It felt like watching the tender cabbage he had painstakingly nurtured—once hidden away for his eyes only, his to savor—now exposed for all to see, coveted by others for its beauty and sweetness.

His blood pressure skyrocketed every time his gaze landed on the strategically concealed areas in the photos. And the thought that everyone else had seen them too sent his already soaring blood pressure into overdrive, making him crave a couple of quick-acting heart pills.

He had even asked about the manicure on Chu Xi’s fingers earlier—only to realize now it was all for this “Siren of the Sea” photoshoot.

He had guarded against everything—even replacing her kissing scenes with a body double—yet he’d overlooked magazine shoots, letting Chu Xi slip away to pose for these pictures.

All he wanted now was to march over, spank her right then and there, and make her promise to dress properly from now on—no more risqué magazine shoots, not an inch of skin below the neck allowed!

The official Weibo account of Yue Xiu magazine was already celebrating the record-breaking sales of their special edition, urging eager buyers to be patient as they ramped up deliveries.

Gu Mingjing took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and suppressed the urge to buy out the entire magazine and turn it into a fish farm.

Turning it into a fish farm was trivial—what mattered was not alerting Chu Xi.

He dialed Assistant Gao.

Assistant Gao hadn’t expected the call from Mr. Gu so soon. He had been about to mention how Chu Xi’s magazine was selling like hotcakes, making their planned purchase of ten thousand copies unnecessary—when Gu Mingjing coldly uttered two words: “Buy them out.”

Assistant Gao blinked. “B-Buy them out?”

“Buy. Them. Out.”

“Buying out” meant purchasing every single copy of Yue Xiu’s special edition—every last one the printing press produced—ensuring no other customer who had placed an order online would receive a copy due to “short supply.”

“Understood, Mr. Gu.” Assistant Gao paused only a second before nodding. If the boss wanted to buy, so be it—it wasn’t like the man was short on cash.

After hanging up, Assistant Gao glanced again at Chu Xi’s photos and immediately understood his boss’s motives.

Tsk. The jealousy was real.

He suddenly recalled the first time he’d met Chu Xi—a girl who seemed inexperienced yet carried a rare clarity and determination in her gaze, unlike most her age. Even then, he’d sensed deep down that this girl was destined for greatness.

Now it seems clear—if she weren’t capable of great things, how could she have broken up yet still kept her former sugar daddy wrapped around her finger? From being a young wolf to a fan to an underground boyfriend, the ex-sugar daddy was having the time of his life.

Miss Chu Xi is amazing!

—

With the positive response to the photos and the high magazine sales, Chu Xi could finally relax.

She had initially been a little worried that the final images might be too revealing, but it turned out fine. Just as planned during the shoot, the photos conveyed a sense of seductive allure that matched the theme and character, rather than cheap, deliberate titillation.

After her acting class, she was about to check the sales figures again when she suddenly received a message from the magazine saying that the issue had been bought out by someone who didn’t care about the price, and previous online orders might have to be canceled.

Bought out?

Chu Xi glanced at her fan group chat, where both new and old fans were eagerly waiting for their magazines to ship. Now they were suddenly being told the issue was bought out?

Who had the audacity to buy it all out?

The kind of buyout where price didn’t matter, spending money like it was nothing—Chu Xi could only think of one person.

“…”

What a lunatic!

Chu Xi was about to confront Gu Mingjing when, coincidentally, he arrived to pick her up. The moment she got into the car, she shot a fierce glare at the man in the driver’s seat.

Following Chu Xi’s previous request, Gu Mingjing had switched to a more low-key car this time—a Volkswagen Phaeton, priced at over a million but sporting the unassuming Volkswagen logo that screamed “economy car,” making it inconspicuous on the street.

Chu Xi took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice calm. “Why did you buy out my magazine? What about the other buyers? What about my fans?”

Gu Mingjing gripped the steering wheel. “You’re not allowed to take photos like this again.”

Chu Xi suddenly detected a sour, jealous scent in the confined space of the car. “What photos I take is none of your business! If you wanted a copy, I could’ve given you a few. Call Assistant Gao right now and cancel the buyout.”

Gu Mingjing stayed silent.

Chu Xi kicked his car in frustration. “Hurry up.”

Gu Mingjing had been full of resentment, but for some reason, the moment he saw Chu Xi, all that resentment turned into grievance. He muttered sourly, “An underground boyfriend is still a boyfriend, right? Have you ever considered my feelings?”

“Huh?” Chu Xi looked up at him.

The sourness in the car grew thicker, making Chu Xi feel increasingly uncomfortable.

Gu Mingjing was getting more and more clingy.

Breathing in the jealousy, her anger dissipated, and she hastily explained, “The photos turned out great, okay? I didn’t show anything I shouldn’t have—everything was covered by hair or arms. A random bikini at the beach shows more than this, for goodness’ sake.”

“Besides, I was wearing underwear the whole time during the shoot. What you see in the final images is just the underwear edited out in post-production.”

“The public response has been great too—everyone’s praising me. There’s absolutely no negative feedback about these photos. Can’t I be a little sexy sometimes? Do I always have to dress like a schoolgirl?”

“Listen to me—no buying out the rights. This matter is settled. No discussion needed. I have the final say.”

Gu Mingjing remained silent, his wordless resistance showing he hadn’t given up on purchasing the rights yet.

“Is it really that serious?” Chu Xi felt like she was talking to a brick wall after explaining at length and seeing Gu Mingjing’s silent protest. She sighed wearily, “You’re making such a big deal out of just that tiny bit of exposure.”

Then a thought occurred to her. Clutching the seatbelt across her chest, her cheeks flushed pink as she turned to look out the car window:

“It’s not like there’s anything you haven’t seen before.”