CHAPTER 58 – Fate Tests Her on Camera
During the next filming segment, the cast was divided into competitive partners for a challenge.
Somehow—unbelievably—the digital System the show used for random selection glitched violently on the screen and paired Xiao Xi with Shen Yichen.
The Director blinked at the monitor in confusion. "Well! That's… a random pairing! What luck!"
Xiao Xi's System screamed the truth in her mind:
[NOT RANDOM. Story forcing interaction with Original Male Lead to re-initiate destined storyline.]
[Reject interaction or risk fate overriding Host!]
Xiao Xi forced a steady breath, a cold terror spreading through her.
Gu Yanzhou stepped forward instantly, his voice quiet, his intent absolute.
"I'll switch.
I will take her place."
The Director stammered, sweating under the sudden pressure.
"But President Gu—this is the official lineup the system generated for integrity—"
"I said," Gu repeated calmly, his eyes never leaving the Director's, "I will switch."
Shen Yichen raised a curious, challenging brow.
"She'll be perfectly fine with me, President Gu.
It's just a challenge."
Before Xiao Xi could speak, a sharp, blinding crack of light and pure energy hit her skull.
Not real light, but Fate.
The immense, external narrative force was trying to reassign her role and drag her into Shen's orbit.
Her system buzzed violently, desperate for survival:
[WARNING: Fate Attempting to Reassign Heroine Role. Narrative Override: 60%.]
[Reject or story will completely overwrite Host's reality!]
Her vision darkened, her body swaying.
Shen Yichen reached out to steady her, his hand moving automatically, a destined protective reflex.
"Xiao Xi? Are you alright?"
Gu grabbed her first, pulling her away from Shen's touch with frightening speed.
"Don't touch her," Gu commanded, his voice a lethal threat.
Shen blinked slowly, a calculating look in his eyes. "You're being… possessive, Yanzhou. Over a simple filming partner."
Gu gazed at him without blinking, the ultimate declaration of war.
"Yes."
And at that exact, high-pressure moment—
The world glitched again.
The set lights exploded in a burst of sparks.
The "random pairing screen" on the monitor vanished—then rewrote itself with blinding speed.
Xiao Xi → Gu Yanzhou
Ling Qiuyue → Shen Yichen
The original pairings—the ones that should have formed if Gu hadn't interfered—had materialized, but with a crucial difference.
Xiao Xi was now inextricably linked to the 'dead' male lead.
Ling Qiuyue frowned faintly, the first genuine sign of distress she had shown.
"…Something's wrong with the show's system."
For once, she wasn't talking about Xiao Xi. She was talking about the world.