Chapter 8 – Allies and Enemies
The producers, smelling a powerful, unanticipated ratings surge, immediately scrambled to rearrange the filming schedule, dedicating significantly more screentime to Xiao Xi.
Her spontaneous heroism had given the struggling reality show the narrative arc it desperately needed: redemption.
But popularity was a double-edged sword, and its sharpest edge was envy.
The protagonist, Lin Yueran, the golden-haloed Luck Target, was visibly sidelined.
While she was beautiful and sweet, her calculated innocence couldn't compete with the raw drama of Xiao Xi's near-death heroism.
This shift in momentum clearly agitated the System's darling.
During a simple, staged segment on daily life at the campsite, the inevitable happened.
Lin Yueran "accidentally" spilt a thermos of tea on Xiao Xi's only clean, white costume.
It wasn't just a spill; it was a deliberate, soaking maneuver designed to look clumsy.
The direct result was humiliation. The director, stressed and already running behind schedule, saw the soaked costume and immediately scolded Xiao Xi publicly for not being prepared and delaying the shoot, unaware of the setup.
Her system beeped an urgent, familiar warning:
[Warning: Host's luck dropping by 50 points due to public humiliation and target malice.]
[Current Luck: 450.]
Not so fast, Xiao Xi whispered under her breath, a cold fury settling in her stomach. Lin Yueran was fighting back, leveraging her innocent image to create setbacks that were technically Xiao Xi's fault.
The fight, Xiao Xi realized, couldn't be won by direct confrontation; the internet would always side with the "pure" rookie over the "notorious" veteran.
The fight had to be won through subtle narrative redirection.
The next challenge was a live-streamed cooking competition—a common segment designed to showcase the celebrities' hidden domestic talents (or lack thereof). This was the perfect setup.
When the judge approached her table, Xiao Xi's dish was simple, functional, and edible, but nothing spectacular.
Lin Yueran's, conversely, was beautifully plated and tasted professionally made.
When asked by the judge what she thought of Lin Yueran's dish, Xiao Xi didn't attack or criticize.
Instead, she performed a perfect act of gracious, self-deprecating praise.
"Lin Yueran's dish is exquisite," Xiao Xi declared, turning her most sincere, humble expression to the camera.
"I think it perfectly shows that she has a genuine, pure talent that I, honestly, just don't possess.
I'm just here trying my best to learn. She's the true star."
The performance was masterful.
By elevating her competitor and demoting herself, she turned the tables completely. She wasn't an arrogant D-lister; she was a humble veteran accepting her place and generously praising the talented newcomer.
Online audiences swooned at the unexpected humility:
"Wow, she's changed so much! The old Xiao Xi would have sabotaged her."
"She is so elegant even when publicly mocked.
A true professional attitude."
"Lin Yueran is talented, but Xiao Xi has character."
The System instantly recognized the narrative win:
[System: +350 Luck Points acquired from positive narrative redirection.]
[Current Luck: 800.]
Xiao Xi discreetly glanced at Lin Yueran.
For a fraction of a second, the rookie's sweet expression cracked, revealing a flicker of intense annoyance and frustration, perfectly captured by a nearby camera drone.
Lin Yueran was used to winning through passive innocence; Xiao Xi had just taught her that the game was now active.
The game of luck had only just begun, and the greatest weapon was not talent, but PR.