Everyone in the Entertainment Industry Thinks I’m a Flirty Diva [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 54

Chu Xi immediately regretted her words the moment they left her mouth.

What did she mean by “anything you haven’t seen before”? Why did she have to bring that up!

Fortunately, Gu Mingjing didn’t respond right away. Chu Xi shrank into her seat, lowering her head as if nothing had been said or happened.

An almost oppressive silence filled the car.

Gu Mingjing tapped his fingers lightly against the steering wheel.

He had to admit—her words had pleased him immensely, like a cat that had just been stroked the right way, leaving every part of him thoroughly satisfied.

The heavy silence in the car made Chu Xi’s face burn. Muttering a curse under her breath, she raised her voice again: “Hey, did you hear me? No buying out the rights.”

She reached out and grabbed one of Gu Mingjing’s wrists.

Finally, Gu Mingjing spoke slowly: “Alright.”

The fans remained blissfully unaware that Chu Xi’s magazine photos had nearly been bought out. They happily shared their purchases once the issue was released. As the magazine sales soared, Chu Xi’s variety show “Celebrity Challenge” had also recorded its third episode, with the first episode officially premiering on Yangguang TV that Saturday at 9 PM.

The show aired simultaneously on TV and online. Chu Xi chose to watch the online version specifically to read the comments.

The opening scene showed the six guests being startled by the bloody hand in the hallway. This was Chu Xi’s first time seeing the other guests’ reactions too—she hadn’t realized how badly everyone had been frightened, with some climbing walls, others running away, and some even collapsing in fear. It was both hilarious and heartbreaking to watch.

By the time Chu Xi’s turn came, the comments were already flooded with:

[My heart aches for Chu Xi]

[Our poor baby must have been terrified]

[Chu Xi screams loud enough to blow the roof off at just the sight of a cockroach—she probably fainted from this!]

Until they saw the footage of Chu Xi—after having her ankle grabbed by the bloody hand—screaming while launching a devastating physical counterattack.

Left foot stomp, right foot stomp, then jumping stomps.

The assault only stopped when the prop hand lay in pieces.

Viewers:

[………………]

[Holy shit this woman]

[HAHAHAHAHAHAHA are we supposed to feel bad for Chu Xi or for that poor hand?!]

[She said she was scared of everything! Maybe she’s scared, but her combat skills are definitely not lacking!]

So, during the next ninety minutes of the show, Comrade Chu Xi, who had taken on the role of the Innocent White Flower, single-handedly shouldered the physical attacks for their “Survival Team.” Under the night-vision camera, she screamed in terror while simultaneously brandishing a spiked club. Screaming in a haunted house was common, and launching physical attacks out of fear wasn’t unheard of either. But someone who screamed while attacking was exceedingly rare, startling even the experienced haunted house staff into fleeing in panic.

The most impressive part was when this woman emerged victorious from the haunted house, looked at the spiked club in her hand, and seemed utterly unaware of what she had done, refusing to acknowledge the sheer madness and inhumanity of her actions inside.

The entire episode was packed with high-energy moments, and the ratings soared, ultimately securing the top spot in its time slot.

First, everyone glanced down at the enchanting siren-like photos in their hands, then looked back up at the video of that ridiculous, whimpering fool swinging a spiked club.

How the hell was this the same woman?

Their feelings were complicated.

Yet amid the complexity, there was an inexplicable sense of endearment.

When she was sweet, she was as soft as a dumpling, but the moment she turned fierce, she struck straight at the heart.

Instant fan!

The first episode set a strong precedent. Not only did it rank first in ratings, but its online viewership also far surpassed others, making it the hottest variety show of the moment. Every subsequent recording drew intense attention. The third episode’s filming location was at the film and television base in Gudong City, and the schedules of the guests were already out—they would all be taking the same flight to Gudong City.

This episode’s guest star was Xie Yuan, a singing and dancing idol. Xie Yuan’s fans were notoriously passionate and formidable in the fandom, consistently dominating the top ten on the V Chart. Upon learning of Xie Yuan’s participation in Celebrity Challenge, his fans had already organized to greet him at the airport.

Among the four male regular MCs of Celebrity Challenge, Yan Zhun was the most popular, a bona fide idol with a substantial fanbase. His fans were also planning to greet him at the Gudong City airport.

When the two fanbases learned of each other’s plans, a silent rivalry ensued. Not only would they compete over who could gather the most people, but also whose support items were the most impressive. The ultimate goal? To prove which fanbase had the best etiquette.

Many celebrity fan gatherings at airports had caused varying degrees of chaos, leading to numerous unpleasant incidents. In this era where fans reflect their idols, having well-mannered supporters was a point of pride—something to boast about. Others, seeing such decorum, would naturally develop a favorable impression of the idol.

A top-tier idol from the singing and dancing world versus a top-tier idol from the acting world—the entire fandom was watching this showdown at the airport with bated breath, some even placing bets on which fanbase would come out on top.

Finally, the day of the third recording arrived.

The five regular MCs had grown familiar with each other after the first two episodes, especially Chu Xi and Ai Wenwen. The two female regulars had forged a deep revolutionary friendship during the haunted house challenge in the first episode and had grown exceptionally close.

As soon as they met for this recording session, in the airport waiting lounge, Ai Wenwen quietly pulled Chu Xi aside: “So, you and Yan Zhun… is it real or not?”

Chu Xi knew she was referring to the previous rumors about her and Yan Zhun. She hadn’t expected people to still doubt even after the denial. With a cold expression, she replied, “What do you think?”

“It must be fake, right? Hehe.” Ai Wenwen chuckled awkwardly, rubbing her hands together.

Ai Wenwen changed the subject: “Have you heard? Yan Zhun and Xie Yuan’s fans seem to be competing over who gets the better welcome at the airport later.”

Chu Xi nodded: “Yeah, I heard.” How could anyone not know with how loud those two fanbases were being.

Ai Wenwen: “So who do you think will win?”

“Hard to say,” Chu Xi thought for a moment. “Xie Yuan, maybe.”

Ai Wenwen: “Then I’ll bet on Yan Zhun.”

“What are you two talking about?” Yan Zhun, sitting in front, seemed to have heard his name and turned around to ask.

“Nothing, nothing.” The two immediately straightened up.

The flight began boarding, and two hours later, the plane landed at Gudong City Airport.

The airport was unusually crowded today. As soon as the six guests emerged, fans surged forward.

Yan Zhun’s “Blue Ocean” and Xie Yuan’s “Silver Sea” nearly occupied half the airport each, making it hard to tell which side had more people.

The two fanbases were secretly competing. Wearing light-up headbands and holding banners, they adhered to civilized airport greeting etiquette—neither side willing to be the first to scream, silently following their idols instead. The scene was quite spectacular.

Walking alongside Ai Wenwen, Chu Xi observed the fan support: “I think they’re about even.”

“Same here,” Ai Wenwen said. “It’s a tie.”

Chu Xi nodded: “Tie.”

As they were talking, Ai Wenwen suddenly stopped.

Chu Xi: “Why’d you stop?”

Ai Wenwen stared blankly ahead, tugging at Chu Xi’s sleeve: “Xi, you won.”

“What?” Chu Xi looked up.

Before them stood row upon row of people—some wearing brick-shaped headbands, others holding toy bricks. They stood in perfect formation, not screaming even when Chu Xi appeared. Chu Xi noticed a few in the front row whose faces had turned red, perhaps from suppressing their excitement.

Chu Xi hadn’t announced any airport greeting plans, yet her fans had come anyway—and so quietly at that.

Online, fans from other fandoms closely monitoring this showdown were busy comparing photos of Xie Yuan and Yan Zhun’s fan gatherings to determine the winner, when suddenly, new photos emerged from the frontlines.

Amidst the romantic blue and silver seas, a group holding bricks suddenly entered everyone’s view.

They were numerous yet neither crowded nor noisy. Whether in terms of organization or the creativity of their fan items, they clearly surpassed both Yan Zhun and Xie Yuan’s fanbases.

Everyone’s eyes fell on the bricks in their hands.

“………………”

So the winner of this historic airport greeting battle was… Chu Xi?

——

Chu Xi hadn’t expected her fans to come greet her and was deeply moved. She took photos and signed autographs until her hand shook from exhaustion before finally leaving.

Her fans waved goodbye:

“Go Xi-bao! You got this!”

“Xi-bao, do your best on the show, don’t be scared!”

“Xi-jie, if anyone bullies you, hit them with a spiked club!”

“HAHAHAHA” The scene was filled with laughter.

The six of them rested for a day in Gudong City before officially starting the program recording the next day. The theme of the third episode of Celebrity Challenge was “Imperial Power Challenge.”

The director began announcing the game rules to everyone:

The story background was set in an ancient imperial court. The two female MCs would play the roles of the empress and a sycophantic eunuch, while the remaining three male MCs and one guest would act as the empress’s ministers. Among the four ministers, three were treacherous officials, and only one was a loyal minister. The empress had to identify who was treacherous and who was loyal during the challenges. Success meant the challenge was won and the dynasty preserved; failure meant the treacherous officials won and the dynasty collapsed.

In the show, the four male guests were all ministers, which was straightforward. However, the roles of the empress and the sycophantic eunuch had to be decided between Chu Xi and Ai Wenwen.

“Wait a minute!” Ai Wenwen immediately raised her hand.

Director: “What is it, Ai Wenwen?”

Ai Wenwen: “Reporting to the director, why does the eunuch role have to be decided between me and Chu Xi? Everyone else gets to be either the empress or a minister, but one of us has to be a eunuch—that’s unfair! Even if we get to be the empress, it’s a cursed role with three out of four ministers being treacherous. That’s also unfair!”

Chu Xi nodded vigorously beside her.

Exactly, why should they?

The director paused, looking at the two women banding together. “Am I the director, or are you?”

Ai Wenwen declared righteously, “You are the director.”

Director: “Then that settles it. I’m the director, so what I say goes. No discussion needed. Chu Xi and Ai Wenwen, play rock-paper-scissors. The winner gets to be the eunuch.”

Chu Xi: “………………”

Ai Wenwen: “………………”

Why did the sycophantic eunuch role have to be won…

Their rebellion failed, and under the gleeful gazes of the four male MCs and the production team, they played rock-paper-scissors.

Ai Wenwen grabbed Chu Xi’s hand, her expression indignant. “No matter which of us ends up as the unlucky empress or the sycophantic eunuch, we’re in this together. We share glory and disgrace.”

Chu Xi, equally moved to tears, agreed, “Yes, we share glory and disgrace.”

They played rock-paper-scissors, and Chu Xi’s fate-selected constitution made her lose. Just as she was about to sulk, she realized the director had said the winner would be the sycophantic eunuch.

Chu Xi glanced sideways and saw Ai Wenwen rolling up her sleeves: “Fine, I’ll do it.”

All six guests changed into costumes matching their assigned roles, and the “Imperial Power Challenge” officially began.

The usually stingy production team had actually splurged on the costumes this time. Chu Xi, draped in imperial robes, couldn’t resist taking a couple of selfies—even though her character was supposed to be an unlucky emperor.

When Chu Xi made her entrance in the dragon robe, she noticed Ai Wenwen’s eunuch outfit wasn’t the typical indigo blue either, but adorned with exquisite embroidery.

Chu Xi: “Your costume looks great too.”

Ai Wenwen puffed up proudly: “Of course! I’m the Chief Eunuch.”

As they were chatting, the four male guests emerged simultaneously in their minister attire, accompanied by the dramatic whoosh of a wind machine.

Ai Wenwen: “Holy shit.”

Chu Xi: “Damn.”

The two who’d just been admiring their outfits now saw the blatant favoritism. All four male guests wore court robes embroidered with pythons—the intricate needlework and fabric quality made Chu Xi’s imperial robe look like a twenty-dollar photo studio rental.

Ai Wenwen tilted her head toward Chu Xi: “You know what pandering to fans means?”

Chu Xi: “I didn’t before. Now I do.”

Among the four ministers, Yan Zhun and Xu Jiafan were heartthrob actors who relied on their looks, Zhao Yu was a male model with impeccable presence, and guest star Xie Yuan was an idol singer who exuded charisma just by standing there. The production team had clearly assembled them as the Court F4—the more handsome they looked, the more they’d please their fans and drive ratings and online buzz.

The first scene of “Imperial Power Challenge” featured Chu Xi seated on the throne, receiving homage from her court officials. The production team had clearly gone all out—besides the four male guests, they’d hired over a dozen extras to play court officials.

The court session began with heated debates about state affairs. Each of the four men pleaded that they alone had the nation’s best interests at heart, begging the emperor to dismiss the other three, throw them in prison, and execute them immediately.

“Your Majesty, your humble servant is the only loyal one!”

The four knelt in unison.

Chu Xi: “………………” Headache.

“Court dismissed!” She fled with her little eunuch Wenzi in tow.

After court, Chu Xi and Ai Wenwen strolled through the imperial gardens, followed by the emperor’s ceremonial entourage.

Chu Xi: “Wenwen, which of those four do you think is actually loyal?”

Still adjusting to her eunuch role, Ai Wenwen fumbled: “This minister… damn it, this servant… no clue.”

Realizing this sounded too flippant, she launched into an elaborate analysis of the Court F4’s every gesture, word, and micro-expression—only to conclude that it was impossible to tell who was loyal.

“But rest assured, Your Majesty, this servant remains ever faithful to you.”

Chu Xi burst out laughing: “We know.” As they walked, three men in lavish ancient costumes suddenly appeared before them.

They bowed deeply: “Your concubines greet the Emperor.”

Chu Xi: “What?”

A palace maid hurried forward to explain: “Your Majesty, these three are your imperial consorts. This is Noble Consort Li, that is Consort Chen, and that is Consort Liu.”

Even these three extras were handsome men.

Chu Xi hadn’t reacted yet when Ai Wenwen beside her already exclaimed with envy, “Wuwuwu, I want to be the emperor too.”

At that moment, the director’s prompt suddenly sounded in their earpieces.

Among the emperor’s consorts, someone was colluding with treacherous ministers from the previous dynasty. Your consorts frequently passed information to these ministers, who in turn advised the consorts on plotting to assassinate the emperor. The emperor must uncover both the treacherous ministers and the consorts conspiring with them, or the “Imperial Challenge” will still be considered a failure.

Chu Xi glanced at the three “consorts” before her, then recalled the Court F4 from the earlier court session, and suddenly twitched the corner of her mouth.

She was somewhat shocked: “How are they colluding? Are they, like, doing… BL stuff?”

Envious Ai Wenwen: “………………”

The director’s team: “………………”

“We said colluding means colluding! You don’t need to know how they’re colluding!”