Chapter 1
After three hours on a bus, we finally reached the livestream location.
One look at the scenery ahead left me dumbfounded.
Weren’t these the Ailao Mountains?
This was only an outdoor reality show. Why had they brought us here of all places?
As if he had noticed everyone’s confusion, the director announced,
“That’s right. The newest episode of our show will be filmed in the Ailao Mountains!”
One of the guests raised a concern. “Is there even a signal in the mountains?”
“Our equipment is state of the art. It won’t be a problem.”
“But I heard there are unidentified creatures here…”
“You believe that nonsense?” the director interrupted with a scornful look. “Controversy brings attention. If you don’t want the exposure, you can quit right now!”
The guest fell silent.
We were all entertainers. Who didn’t want more attention?
No matter how scared they were, no one dared to object again.
That was when I raised my hand.
“We can’t go in! It’s extremely, extremely dangerous in there!”
Before the director could respond,
a female celebrity beside me gave a derisive laugh.
“Coward.”
Her name was Zhuang Qiu, and she was my mortal enemy.
Ignoring her laughter, I said gravely,
“Director, the dangers in the Ailao Mountains are impossible to predict. For everyone’s safety, please think this through!”
The director waved me off impatiently.
“Wan Youling, if you’re scared, then quit. You were only brought in as a last-minute replacement anyway. It makes no difference whether you’re here.”
Zhuang Qiu had her phone up and was livestreaming to her fans.
“See that, everyone? She signed up for an outdoor reality show and she’s still scared of everything. If we really run into a wild animal, we’ll just take it down.”
Her fans flooded the comments.
“Boss Qiu is so freaking cool!”
“Zhuang Qiu—the one true girlboss of the entertainment industry!”
Here we went again.
My reputation had fallen this far entirely because of Zhuang Qiu.
Three years ago, she had been nothing more than my assistant.
I paid her far more every month than the industry average.
What I hadn’t known was that she had ulterior motives.
For three years at my side, Zhuang Qiu had acted sweet and obedient while secretly filming me whenever she could.
In one clip, for example, I pointed at a table covered with delicious food and told her, “Go buy it again.”
After that video went viral, the entire internet accused me of being wasteful and arrogant, a celebrity bully tormenting her poor assistant.
The truth was, I was allergic to seafood.
I had reminded Zhuang Qiu over and over, yet every dish she brought me contained seafood!
There were plenty of other scandals manufactured from footage taken out of context.
Nothing I said in my own defense made any difference.
Some powerful backer seemed to be behind Zhuang Qiu, determined to make her famous.
During that period, Zhuang Qiu became the pitiable, exploited employee everyone sympathized with.
I became the arrogant diva with rotten morals.
Zhuang Qiu rode the publicity straight into a debut and shot to fame.
She cultivated a girlboss persona, and her fans affectionately called her Boss Qiu.
As for me?
I hadn’t received an invitation to a variety show in a long time.
I had been surprised when this production team contacted me.
Only after I arrived did I realize—
they had brought me in as a foil for Zhuang Qiu.
My cowardice was meant to make her look like a fearless heroine.
I wasn’t angry.
The “appearance fee” was generous. There was no point turning down good money.
Zhuang Qiu’s assistant was packing her things for her, sweating from the effort.
Zhuang Qiu, meanwhile, sat at ease with her sunglasses on and one leg crossed over the other, chatting with her livestream viewers.
“Since it’s come to this, I might as well tell you the truth.
“I once explored deep inside the Ailao Mountains on my own. I know this place very well.”
Her fans weren’t the only ones stunned. The other guests were too.
“Really? But I heard no one who ventures deep into the Ailao Mountains ever comes out alive…”
Zhuang Qiu smiled confidently. “It’s true that very few people make it out alive, and almost none without a scratch. The experience would have attracted too much attention, so I kept it to myself.
“You know me. I’ve always loved adventure and a challenge. The Ailao Mountains are no big deal.”
One guest brightened. “Then can you lead us?”
“Of course. Once we’re inside, everyone does what I say.”
“That’s wonderful!”
Amid everyone’s praise, Zhuang Qiu suddenly turned to me. “Wan Youling, what can you do to help the group?”
I thought about it. “I can lead the way too.”
“Ha. Know your limits.”
“What? Have you explored the Ailao Mountains too?”
“I wouldn’t call it exploring.” I looked at her with perfect sincerity. “I’m a native of these mountains.”