Chapter 10 – Strings of Fate
Their handshake was firm, a silent, powerful contract that sealed an unspoken pact.
It was the moment the fate of the corporate mogul and the disgraced actress became dangerously intertwined.
Gu Yanzhou didn't ask for details about her "foresight," and Xiao Xi didn't inquire about his "resurrection."
They both recognized a fellow reborn player and established an immediate, strategic alliance based on mutual benefit.
Over the next few weeks, the impact of their alliance was immediate and undeniable.
With Gu Yanzhou's capital quietly supporting the show's production values and his influence subtly manipulating the editing process to favor positive outcomes for Xiao Xi, her popularity soared.
She was no longer just the heroic contestant; she was the resilient, genuinely improved figure the public loves to watch.
Fans adored her newfound sincerity and her quiet dignity in the face of manufactured drama, while her haters, fueled by Lin Yueran's subtly antagonistic fan base, only increased her overall visibility.
The System's luck counter began to rise faster than ever before—1,200… 2,000… 3,500.
She was rapidly leaving the danger zone.
But with skyrocketing fame came inevitable scrutiny.
Paparazzi, now sensing a major story, trailed her every move, searching desperately for the slightest shred of scandal, any evidence that could revert her to her former notorious state.
And soon, the inevitable speculation appeared.
Online forums and tabloids exploded with rumors claiming she had a "mysterious backer".
"CEO Gu is her sponsor! He was the one she saved on the mountain.
It's obvious!"
"So that's how she's suddenly successful.
It's not talent, it's just money behind the scenes."
"Look at her wardrobe upgrade—that's Gu Yanzhou's touch!"
Gu Yanzhou's corporate office released a formal, icy statement denying the claims of any personal involvement with a reality show contestant.
The denial was professional and airtight.
Yet, his eyes when he saw her in the production lounge said something different entirely.
"Are you afraid of a little rumor, Xiao Xi?" he asked one late night, as they reviewed the next week's filming strategy. His tone was casual, yet his gaze was intense, watching her reaction closely.
Xiao Xi leaned back, crossing her arms over her chest, a flash of her former CEO ruthlessness showing.
"I've already died once, Mr. Gu.
What's a rumor compared to that?"
For a moment, his composed mask cracked.
The usual guardedness in his eyes dissolved, revealing a fleeting expression that was almost—protective.
He recognized the genuine, terrifying depth of her statement.
They had both faced death and returned.
[System Warning: Emotional variable detected. Potential affection route unlocked.]
And Xiao Xi, for the first time since her transmigration, felt her heart skip a beat for reasons that had nothing to do with her survival mission, or her ambition, but purely for the man who shouldn't exist.