After a Metaphysics Master Transmigrates into a Scummy Alpha, She Ends Up with the Best Actress - Chapter 18

“All done.” Gu Li placed the ointment into Ye Lin’s hand and cautioned, “If it itches, apply some more, but whatever you do, don’t scratch.” The agony of the itch getting worse the more you scratched was a nightmare she knew all too well.

Even though Ye Lin was formidable, Gu Li could not approve of her running into the mountains to pick wild herbs while covered in so many bites.

A person had to take care of themselves before they could take care of others.

As the warm touch vanished, Ye Lin snapped back to reality and nodded dumbly.

“By the way, did the production crew just send over a task card?” Gu Li pulled out a wet wipe to clean her hands.

“Oh, apparently our group won. We have the priority to head up the mountain and look for the dinner ingredient packs.” Ye Lin looked down at the Red Thread around her ankle. Whether it was her imagination or not, the thread seemed to have deepened by a shade. Her heart sank slightly, and her brow furrowed.

Gu Li didn’t notice Ye Lin’s unease. She tossed the used wipe into the trash and turned to her. “Do you want to rest for a bit? There’s no rush for the task.” She didn’t understand the supernatural, but she knew from Dijiu Li that the

Transfer Array was a high-level, difficult formation. Between cooking and breaking the array at noon, she wondered if Ye Lin’s body could handle the strain.

Even if they didn’t go out to do the task, it wouldn’t matter. Gu Li was the boss behind the scenes; how the variety show was filmed was entirely up to her. What was a task compared to Ye Lin?

Gu Li hadn’t yet realized that in just two short days, Ye Lin’s status in her heart had skyrocketed.

Unaware of Gu Li’s thoughts, Ye Lin assumed her partner was the one who was tired. “I’m fine. Why don’t you rest? I’ll head to the back of the mountain and bring the ingredient pack back on the way.”

The back of the mountain? Gu Li suddenly remembered that Xiao Wang Village held three arrays. The oldest one was at the back of the mountain—the Soul-Locking Array that Dijiu Li had laid a thousand years ago to trap her best friend, Diwu Ju. Moreover, Ye Lin had promised Dijiu Li she would help rescue the trapped spirit.

This person before her was a woman of her word; she wouldn’t deceive a ghost. But Gu Li still wanted to be sure.

“Are you going to break the Soul-Locking Array?” Gu Li looked at Ye Lin. She wasn’t sure how deep the Alpha’s cultivation went. After all, Dijiu Li had spent a thousand years of cultivation just to break out. Would Ye Lin really be okay going in so suddenly? “Isn’t there another ‘Malevolent’ array over there, too?”

“I already broke that one.” Ye Lin blinked. Did you forget? You only gave me the morning to get it done.

Uh. Gu Li recalled that the ultimatum she’d delivered earlier had been rather firm. She was still worried. “Aren’t you tired after breaking two arrays? Won’t it be dangerous to go to the back of the mountain now?”

The concern was so obvious that Ye Lin lowered her eyes, too shy to look back. Her heart was racing. Because she was suppressing her emotions, the movement made her appear delicate and weak, which only served to heighten Gu Li’s worry.

Is she exhausted?

“But I promised Dijiu Li. And Diwu Ju’s soul can’t wait much longer.”

It was a frustrating situation. Gu Li wondered if she hadn’t schemed to bring these people to Xiao Wang Village, would the disaster have been avoided? But even if they hadn’t come, Diwu Ju would still be trapped. The most hateful person was the one who had set the array in the first place; Gu Li would never let someone who tried to harm her off the hook.

“Are you certain you want to go?”

“Yes. You should,” Ye Lin wanted to tell her to stay and rest. The malevolent energy at the back of the mountain was heavy and would affect a living person’s magnetic field. But Gu Li cut her off before she could speak.

“Then let’s go. Let’s make it a quick trip. I finally have a chance to see Diwu Ju’s true face; I’m dying to know how much the textbook portraits differ from the real woman. After all, I am a loyal fan of hers,” Gu Li said, finding a convenient excuse.

Fan or no fan, it didn’t matter when it came to life and death. She had the “Koi” constitution and Ye Lin had no luck; perhaps she could help Ye Lin out in a pinch.

Hearing that Gu Li wanted to come along, a sweetness spread through Ye Lin’s heart. She’s worried about me, right? She cares. She’s afraid I can’t handle it. “Ah, Gu Li, how can you play so dirty? If you keep this up.” Ye Lin closed her eyes. She really was going to fall for her.

Gu Li was not a person who easily walked into danger, nor was she the type to be understanding and proactively build relationships. On the contrary, she was opportunistic, vengeful, and even a bit cold-blooded—but Ye Lin was the exception. Gu Li just hadn’t realized it yet; she told herself she was merely repaying a life-saving debt.

“Wait a moment.” Gu Li went back into the room to grab mosquito repellent, spraying Ye Lin from head to toe before giving herself a light spritz.

The scent of the spray was quite strong. Ye Lin stood in the sun, pinching her nose to let the smell dissipate. Her spiritual aura was far more powerful than this pungent spray—otherwise, Gu Li wouldn’t be without a single bite. (Of course, Ye Lin’s own “simulated” bites didn’t count.) However, she bit her tongue and said nothing, silently enjoying the gesture.

It felt wonderful to be cared for and looked after.

“Master.” Dijiu Li didn’t float to Ye Lin’s side until Gu Li had entered the room to grab her jacket.

“Master, I see our destiny together is drawing to a close. There are words I wish to say—take them as the kind words of a soul nearing its end,” Dijiu Li said. “Since ancient times, fate has been the most unpredictable thing, something even the Heavenly Dao cannot control. To meet at all is a great destiny. I spent a thousand years with Diwu Ju, yet our bond is not as deep as the two days you have shared with Miss Gu. These past two days, watching you two interact has reminded me of many things from when I was alive. Back then, if I had been a little more persistent, a little braver, would the ending have been different?”

Dijiu Li gave a bitter, helpless laugh. “Haha, they say people get talkative when they grow old. It turns out ghosts are the same.”

Throughout it all, Ye Lin remained silent, staring down at the fragile yet vibrant Red Thread by her ankle. She understood exactly what Dijiu Li meant, but some things weren’t as simple as they appeared. Certain memories can never be erased; they remain vivid, and even someone as powerful as her can feel fear.

By now, Gu Li had returned with her jacket. Dijiu Li drifted away to give them space. Ye Lin’s expression was perfectly composed, as if the conversation had never happened.

“You lead the way,” Ye Lin said, signaling for Gu Li to go first. As she passed the stove, she discreetly flicked two dried soybeans into her palm.