CHAPTER 61 – The Kiss That Shook the World
The moment Gu Yanzhou's lips left hers, Xiao Xi felt a literal, physical pulse ripple through their immediate reality.
It wasn't figurative—it was the sound of the narrative framework snapping under the weight of their defiance.
A shockwave visibly undulated through the entire set—camera screens instantly glitched into static, a hovering drone dropped suddenly from the sky, and the huge overhead lights flickered violently, plunging the arena into momentary, terrifying darkness before surging back to life.
Crew members gasped, contestants stumbled, and the director frantically called for an emergency reset.
But Gu didn't release her.
His hand remained a solid, non-negotiable anchor on her waist, shielding her and grounding her against the seismic narrative shift.
Xiao Xi felt her System spark internally, rapidly processing the feedback:
[Anchor bond strength: +20%. Immediate, critical increase.]
[Fate deviation: critical. Deviation threshold exceeded.]
[Storyline collapsing around Host. Host is becoming the new center.]
She blinked up at Gu, the raw power and fear in his eyes mirroring her own.
He brushed his thumb gently over her cheekbone, his touch the only stable thing in their flickering world.
"You're safe. I promise.
They can't touch you while I'm here."
Her heart trembled, believing his promise despite the chaos.
When she turned, however, she saw two figures staring at her with unnerving, absolute intensity: Shen Yichen and Ling Qiuyue.
Shen's gaze was calculating, cold, and analytical—like a brilliant mind studying a complex, fatal problem he fully intended to solve.
Ling's expression was heartbreakingly serene... too serene.
Her eyes held not jealousy or malice, but a profound, weary pity.
"Xiao Xi," Ling said softly, her voice carrying clearly over the clamor of the restarting crew. "You shouldn't force it."
Xiao Xi frowned, pulling back slightly from Gu.
"Force what, Miss Ling?"
Ling stepped closer, moving gracefully despite Gu's sharp, warning glare.
"This world is already rejecting you, Xiao Xi. You can feel it—the collapsing energy, the pain of the resistance.
It's painful, isn't it?" Her voice was gentle, caring, and terrifyingly knowing.
"You were never written to stay.
You're fighting the current of the world itself."
Xiao Xi's breath caught, the blood draining from her face.
And for the first time—she realized the heroine wasn't her enemy.
The heroine pitied her.
Because Ling Qiuyue, as the destined female lead, could feel the fate of their world collapsing firsthand, and that fate wanted Xiao Xi erased.