Isabella felt like a fish in water on the set. After the new reality show aired, her fresh, sunny, and positive image was well-liked by the public. Her popularity soared, and many passersby became her fans.
Isabella almost became the biggest winner of this reality show.
However, with the rise in fame came negative news and rumors.
The first male actor Isabella collaborated with in her acting career was Luke, and unexpectedly, he was one of the regular guest performers in the same reality show.
While other male actors on set looked after Isabella, Luke’s care was meticulous. He was usually reserved but showed his concern for her through actions. When she was thirsty, he passed water; when it was cold, he offered his coat. In dangerous game segments, he always protected her. When Isabella faced punishment, he repeatedly stood up for her. Once, when she accidentally fell from a two-meter-high platform, he acted as a cushion, injuring his leg. Another time, during a program recording in the rain, he had only one umbrella and directly sheltered her, getting himself soaked in the process.
To increase the show’s ratings and create discussions, the production team deliberately edited scenes where Luke protected Isabella, causing rampant rumors about their relationship.
This made Isabella extremely upset. She even couldn’t help but complain to Olivia, “Why can’t I just do the show well? Why do they have to stir up rumors? Haven’t you seen how those netizens are commenting on me online?”
Fan reactions to an idol’s romance would either support it with various blessings or oppose it by throwing dirt at her.
There were even netizens leaving comments on Luke’s Facebook: “With so many beautiful and sexy women, you love a fish.”
Isabella felt embarrassed; she felt Luke’s fans would rather cook her in a pot.
Olivia, however, didn’t seem to mind and glanced at her indifferently. “Actually, I don’t really like stirring up rumors either. But for the show’s effect, everyone is doing it now to increase the show’s highlights and give people something to talk about afterward. Besides, the public has gotten used to it. They all know it’s the production team’s doing; it won’t affect your image. Instead, it will increase attention on you. So, complain a bit less. After all, you wouldn’t be here without him. Luke hasn’t said anything; instead, you’re blabbering and playing the victim.”
“It’s not me playing the victim; it’s just that this circle is too tricky,” Isabella said helplessly, feeling that the entertainment industry was not easy to navigate.
Olivia chuckled and scrolled through web pages and news related to Isabella. A photo of the reality show’s shooting scene popped up.
In the picture, a group of actors was standing by the pool, preparing to dive. The current temperature wasn’t high, and after shooting “Mermaid Princess,” Isabella instinctively disliked getting into cold water.
She stood by the water, frowning, with Luke beside her, seemingly consoling her, emanating warmth and tenderness.
Olivia raised an eyebrow involuntarily, sensing something was wrong. The way Luke looked at Isabella didn’t seem like a senior looking at a junior but more like a man gazing at a woman he liked.
“Isabella, are you and Luke really dating in private?” Olivia asked.
Isabella, holding a cup of water, almost choked upon hearing this, coughing frantically.
“Why are you so nervous? Feeling guilty?” Olivia reached for some tissues from the box and handed them to her.
Taking the tissues, Isabella wiped off the water stains on her collar and couldn’t help but roll her eyes, feeling speechless. “How could I possibly match up to him? My terrible acting skills would defile the purity of the ‘movie king.'”
After hearing this, Olivia nodded seriously, “Hmm, very self-aware.”
Isabella: “…”
This episode was designed for pairs, with each male guest paired with a female guest. Because the show’s production team deliberately used Isabella and Luke to create buzz, it was no surprise that they were grouped together again.
In one of the game segments, the male guest had to overcome multiple obstacles to reach the female guest. Then, while carrying the female guest, they had to run to the finish line and eat the noodles in a bowl. The fastest pair would win.
The production team prepared a bowl of noodles for each male-female pair, with only one long noodle in each bowl. Each person held one end of the noodle in their mouths and ate it, stopping when only one centimeter remained.
The game was fun, but there was a chance that the two participants’ mouths might get close to each other. For professional actors accustomed to filming kissing scenes and intimate scenes, this was trivial.
However, Isabella felt a bit awkward. Okay, she admitted that she wasn’t quite professional as an actor. Rumors about her and Luke were already rampant; there was no need to continue with this flirtatious game.
Standing alongside all the female guests, Isabella cheered for the male guest currently overcoming obstacles, trying to show a nervous and excited expression on her face.
Luke was known in the industry for his excellent physique and stamina and was even a spokesperson for a famous sports brand. He was the first to reach Isabella, crouching down and offering his back to her.
Isabella leaned on Luke’s back, her hands around his neck. With countless obstacles ahead, she still had to cooperate.
He briskly carried her forward; she was slender, and her weight wasn’t much of a burden for Luke. They were almost at the finish line when suddenly, one of Isabella’s feet hit an obstacle, causing her to fall from his back, seemingly quite hard.
“Are you okay? Where did you hurt yourself?” Luke squatted in front of her, looking concerned and blaming himself.
She shook her head and struggled to stand up from the ground. She had fallen deliberately, and of course, she did it with caution. Apart from a sore bottom from the fall, she hadn’t injured anywhere else.
With this fall, other pairs overtook them. She was already in last place, so there was no need to complete the final stage.