Chapter 16 – Fire and Fandom
The press conference video—the moment Xiao Xi winked at the cameras and teased the powerful CEO—did not just go viral; it achieved nuclear saturation.
The media frenzy was immediate and consuming, with every major news outlet and gossip site running the clip on a constant loop within minutes.
"She's bold!"
"Is this flirting or pure strategy? Either way, she's brilliant."
"Gu Yanzhou's expression though—did you see that smirk? He loves it!"
The rumor about the "Sugar Daddy" became an exhilarating fire, but instead of reducing her to ashes, it illuminated her as a new kind of celebrity: the unapologetic survivor who played the game better than the rules allowed.
The public was hungry for drama and defiance, and Xiao Xi had served up an absolute feast.
Her followers surged past one million overnight, catapulting her into the A-list tier she had signed the contract to reach.
The System rewarded the strategic success instantly:
[System Update: Follower Mission Complete. Target: 1,000,000 Followers.]
[Reward: +300 Luck Points. Skill Upgrade — 'Social Magnetism.' (Enhanced ability to sway large groups through carefully crafted public appearances.)]
[Current Luck: 4000.]
Xiao Xi leaned back in her chair, a deep satisfaction settling over her.
She had navigated the attack, defeated the plot's initial attempt to destroy her reputation, and emerged stronger.
But the system's next message shattered her complacency:
[Warning: Abnormal interference detected in Host's timeline. Secondary system probing network parameters.]
She frowned, the victory turning bitter. "Interference?
From who?
Another transmigrator?
Or the original System's owner?"
She typed frantic queries into the internal interface, but received only silence.
The warning was clear, however: someone else was operating within the code of her reality.
Meanwhile, far away from the screaming fans and flashing lights, Gu Yanzhou was facing the inevitable backlash from his inner circle.
He sat at the head of a gleaming, obsidian conference table, meeting with his board of directors.
The air was heavy with distrust and financial conservatism.
"President Gu," the oldest and most cautious board member, Mr. Zhao, began, his voice tight with disapproval.
"This scandal—the association with an actress of her former notoriety—could severely harm your reputation and the stock value of the core holding company.
It's an unacceptable risk to associate with such... volatility."
Gu Yanzhou leaned back coolly in his leather chair, the picture of composed authority.
He had already neutralized the financial risks by acquiring several key media outlets that controlled the narrative.
"Or elevate it, Mr. Zhao," he countered, his voice smooth and compelling.
"For five years, my name has been synonymous with ruthless, predictable financial strategy.
Predictable is boring.
Public intrigue, especially the kind that paints me as a charismatic patron of art and talent, sells better to the next generation of investors than any sterile marketing campaign.
The stock is up 1.2% this morning, by the way."
He dismissed the board with a final, chilling statement: "I control the story, not the other way around.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have actual business to attend to."
Despite his outward confidence, his thoughts kept drifting back to the footage—to Xiao Xi's calm defiance under the flashing lights, her willingness to weaponize her own vulnerability.
She was a wild card, and he was dangerously close to betting his entire future on her.
He had intended to keep her at arm's length, a strategic pawn, but her sheer audacity kept pulling her closer, eroding the walls of his calculated detachment.
He knew the risk, yet the intrigue of her unpredictable moves was proving too addictive.