After Transmigrating, I Fell in Love with a Top-Tier Movie Queen - Chapter 14

In the Courtyard

“When you go in, make sure you greet him enthusiastically,” Meng Kelin instructed Lin Xin, who was walking beside her.

Lin Xin nodded and glanced at the chess book in Meng Kelin’s hand. “Is this really a good idea?”

Meng Kelin rolled her eyes. “What do you know? A friend helped me find this; it’s extremely rare.”

Behind them, Ye Linghua looked doubtfully at the book and asked, “Are you sure he can understand it?”

Meng Kelin immediately became defensive. “What are you talking about? I looked into it, and Old Man Zhang is a huge chess fanatic!”

Ye Linghua looked up at the sky. “A chess fanatic is one thing… but you probably haven’t heard anyone call him a ‘chess saint,’ have you?”

Meng Kelin paused. “Are you suggesting… his chess skills aren’t good?” She then quickly reconsidered. “No, no, no, that’s impossible. It’s not easy for an ordinary person to be called a ‘chess saint,’ so it’s normal for him not to have that title, right?”

Ye Linghua chuckled softly, cleared her throat, and said, “Maybe. But given Old Man Zhang’s status, it would be normal for him to be called a ‘chess saint’ if his chess skills were just a little better.”

Meng Kelin: “…” She was suddenly unsure again.

The assistant tasked with greeting the trio, Zhou Shan, quickly emerged from the inner courtyard. Her eyes flickered for a moment as she saw them, then she smiled warmly. “Hello, I’m Teacher Zhang’s personal assistant, my name is Zhou Shan.”

Zhou Shan appeared to be in her early 30s. Although she was only a personal assistant, her presence was almost on par with Meng Kelin’s. She wore a professional black suit, her long hair was tied back in a neat bun, and she wore black-rimmed glasses.

It was Meng Kelin’s first time meeting her, and she greeted her politely. “Hello, I’m Lin Xin’s manager, my name is Meng Kelin.”

Zhou Shan smiled. “Nice to meet you.”

After a simple handshake, Meng Kelin continued the introductions. “This is Lin Xin, and next to her is her personal assistant, Ye Linghua.”

Zhou Shan’s smile widened as she looked at Ye Linghua. “This assistant doesn’t look simple at all.”

Meng Kelin had also always found Ye Linghua to be not only exceptionally beautiful but also to possess a dignified presence. When Lin Xin took her out, people would sometimes mistake her for a high-ranking professional, with Lin Xin seeming more like her secretary.

Lin Xin wasn’t angry or jealous of Zhou Shan’s praise for Ye Linghua. She was only slightly surprised that a conversation would bypass her, the main guest, to focus on her assistant.

Fortunately, Zhou Shan quickly invited them to Teacher Zhang’s office, and the brief awkwardness was forgotten.

Teacher Zhang’s courtyard was a perfect reflection of his scholarly nature. From the entrance, there were green plants, miniature mountains, and flowing water. The traditional Chinese courtyard featured a classic circular archway and a winding covered walkway. The仿古 architecture felt like a tranquil landscape painting.

They followed the winding path from the courtyard into the walkway, arriving at a colorful garden where a pavilion stood.

An old man sat on a stone stool in the middle of the garden. He slowly turned his head when he heard them, his gaze calm and filled with the wisdom of his years.

“You’re here?” At over 60 years old, Zhang Kunsheng’s hair was mostly gray. He had few wrinkles on his face, and his eyes held an unfathomable depth. The occasional photos of him that were released made him look like a reclusive, otherworldly sage.

“Hello, Teacher Zhang, I’m Meng Kelin from Yuntian Entertainment, and this is Lin Xin. She’s singing ‘Dusk’ solo and hopes to get some guidance from you. Oh, and this is a small gift, not a sign of great respect, but we hope it will be appreciated.”

Zhang Kunsheng chuckled, fanning himself with his palmetto fan. He glanced at the chess book, accepted it without much emotion, and placed it aside.

He then gestured to the table beside him for them to sit. After they were seated, Zhou Shan served them tea and moved to the side. Ye Linghua sat across from Zhang Kunsheng, quietly sipping her tea and not interrupting.

Zhang Kunsheng merely looked at her feigned humility, then carefully studied Lin Xin. He said with satisfaction, “I’ve listened to that song. It’s very good and quite powerful. It’s a great achievement for a newcomer, and she’s sure to have a promising future.”

Meng Kelin: “Thank you, thank you.”

Zhang Kunsheng looked at her, exasperated. “…” I wasn’t complimenting you.

Sighing, Zhang Kunsheng continued, “However, I’ve also listened to some of Lin Xin’s previous songs. To be honest, this song has a high technical demand.”

Lin Xin froze. Zhang Kunsheng then asked her, “The songs you used to sing were technically simple. Of course, this new song is so good that it might still become popular with just a simple performance, but… it would be a waste of the song.”

Lin Xin immediately straightened her posture. “I will work hard.” Although he said her skills weren’t good enough, Lin Xin didn’t feel offended. Zhang Kunsheng also had a certain talent for music, and though he couldn’t compose, he had his own unique insights into musical appreciation.

No matter how harsh his criticism was, Zhang Kunsheng couldn’t say it in front of Ye Linghua. Thankfully, Lin Xin’s attitude was respectful.

Zhang Kunsheng didn’t dislike her, and so he gave her some genuine advice. “Your old team isn’t good enough. If you want to sing well, you need to change your team.”

Lin Xin and Meng Kelin looked at each other, seeing confusion in each other’s eyes. Change? Lin Xin wasn’t a professional singer, and her music team wasn’t a professional one either. They had always worked with the teams assigned by the company. They didn’t know if they were the right fit, but they had always managed to produce good music, and that was enough for Lin Xin and Meng Kelin.

“What’s wrong? Can’t find anyone?” Seeing their lack of a response, Zhang Kunsheng glanced at them and asked.

Meng Kelin could only honestly reply, “We can find one, but their skill level is pretty much the same.”

Zhang Kunsheng chuckled again. “Since I helped with the lyrics, I can’t just stand by and watch the song I contributed to become ordinary. So, I can help. I happen to have a team in mind. I wonder if you’re interested.”

Lin Xin and Meng Kelin were astonished. They were already surprised that Teacher Zhang agreed to write the lyrics, but now he was also offering to help with the production? Who are we to deserve this?

Meng Kelin immediately said, “We would be more than willing, but… it’s too much trouble for you, Teacher.”

Whether it’s trouble or not, I’ve already taken the job. What’s one more connection? Zhang Kunsheng thought to himself. He then looked at Ye Linghua across from him, and pointed his palmetto fan in her direction. “If you’re so worried about troubling me, then accompany me for a couple of games! I’ve noticed this young lady across from me looking at the board since she came in. Her skills must be good. Let her accompany this old man for a few rounds.”

Ye Linghua: “… A little.” Did I agree to play chess with you today?

Meng Kelin quickly winked at Ye Linghua, urging her to accept.

So, Ye Linghua politely said, “Teacher Zhang, my chess skills are not very refined, I’ll only embarrass myself.”

Zhang Kunsheng was overjoyed. He thought to himself, I don’t know why she’s hiding her skills, but now she has to listen to me. This is a rare opportunity! I won’t let it slip away.

With someone to play chess with, Zhang Kunsheng’s mood improved greatly, and his words became gentler. He even immediately gave Meng Kelin the contact information for the production team he mentioned. For the rest of the afternoon, Meng Kelin was busy contacting people for the song “Dusk.” Zhang Kunsheng and Ye Linghua played five consecutive games, while Lin Xin, the main character, was left to watch.

She watched with a sense of dread, after all, who asks for a favor and then proceeds to win five games in a row? Probably only Ye Linghua.

After the first game was won, Lin Xin was shocked, but seeing Zhang Kunsheng’s calm expression, she assumed the old man had great composure.

When the second game was won, Lin Xin became a little worried, but she saw Zhang Kunsheng still calmly fanning himself, and she admired his composure.

When the third game was won, Lin Xin was a little worried that Zhang Kunsheng would go back on his word, but he never mentioned it.

When the fourth game was won, Lin Xin was expressionless. If Teacher Zhang wasn’t worried, why should she be?

When the fifth game was won, Lin Xin thought for sure Teacher Zhang would remain composed. To her surprise, his face suddenly dropped, and he stood up unhappily.

Lin Xin and Meng Kelin stood up as well, wondering how to comfort him, but they heard Zhang Kunsheng wave his hand wearily. “You can leave now! I’m tired of losing. I won’t be in the mood to play chess for the next couple of days, so I’ll go write the lyrics for you.”

Meng Kelin: “… Thank you, Teacher.” But with this mood, can you really write the lyrics? Don’t worry, I’ll deduct her salary this month!

News of Lin Xin asking Zhang Kunsheng to write her lyrics quickly spread in the industry.

Zheng Ranwen and Lin Wan naturally heard about it from the company. Zheng Ranwen was especially shocked. After all, she had debuted as a singer through a talent show. How many contestants don’t know how to sing and dance?

Zheng Ranwen had considered creating her own music several times, but she didn’t have the talent or the connections, so she reluctantly became an actress.

In their five years of marriage, Lin Xin had never mentioned knowing Zhang Kunsheng.

What made Zhang Kunsheng so intimidating wasn’t just his talent, but his extensive network of contacts. Many of them were music professionals. Getting to know Zhang Kunsheng was like taking a direct escalator to heaven in the music world.

If Ye Linghua heard this, she would probably mock her, saying it was a sure way to get herself killed.

But for Zheng Ranwen, the temptation of knowing Zhang Kunsheng was too great, and she couldn’t help but feel resentful of Lin Xin for hiding such a powerful connection.

And that wasn’t the worst part. The music production team that she and Lin Wan were in talks with was taken by Lin Xin.

Calling it “stolen” might be a bit of an exaggeration, as the team was only in negotiations with Zheng Ranwen’s manager and a deal hadn’t been finalized. Now that the team chose Lin Xin’s side, her side had failed.

But Zheng Ranwen was truly upset, and Lin Wan’s brows were furrowed. She had just returned to the country, and the situation with Zheng Ranwen and Lin Xin was already bad enough.

She was hoping to get off to a good start with her music, but now Lin Xin had interfered.

Lin Wan found it hard to believe that Lin Xin didn’t do it on purpose. As two women who both loved the same person, Lin Wan understood the feeling of having the person you love taken from you.

It was normal for Lin Xin to feel sad, hurt, and jealous. Therefore, any tactics she might use would be normal.

But having these tactics used against her wasn’t a pleasant feeling.

After finding out that the team wasn’t available, Lin Wan’s scowl didn’t ease. “Wenwen, can you ask Lin Xin to stop hounding us?”

Zheng Ranwen: “I’m not afraid of her…” but the thought of the woman she saw in the courtyard made her… a little scared.

Lin Wan sighed. “The release of our song will likely clash with hers. Now, the team we were in talks with has been snatched away. It’s clear she’s targeting us. If we let her continue this, she’ll interfere with anyone we try to contact. Interference is one thing, but being cut off like this is truly frustrating. Just like today.”

Zheng Ranwen’s brows also slowly furrowed. Anyone would be annoyed by constant harassment. Not to mention, it was an obstacle in her career, which made it even more frustrating.

With this thought, Zheng Ranwen decided that things had to come to a head. So, she chose to call Lin Xin.

“Hello!”

However, the person who answered wasn’t Lin Xin. It was a female voice that Zheng Ranwen was extremely wary of.

Zheng Ranwen: “…” Heh, interesting. You called me first, but you’re not saying anything? And how dare you even call? Aren’t you afraid I’ll send out the photos?

Zheng Ranwen: “… Why are you answering the phone?”

Ye Linghua: “Who were you expecting? Or have you figured out who you love yet?”

Zheng Ranwen: “Why are you always so concerned with my love life?”

Ye Linghua was shocked by her audacity. “Am I concerned about your love life?! If it weren’t for Lin Xin, would I care about your love life?! How conceited are you?”

Zheng Ranwen became annoyed. “Just talk properly.”

Ye Linghua: “Do I look like I’d talk to you properly? If I could, would I have to threaten you with photos?”

Zheng Ranwen: “… Stop talking about the photos. Push me too far, and you’ll see if I’m afraid.” After all, she couldn’t be held hostage forever.

“Heh.” Ye Linghua chuckled. “You think the photos are the real reason you’re afraid? You think I’m threatening you? What a joke! What value do you have that I would even bother threatening you?”

Zheng Ranwen: “…” That’s a bit much!

Ye Linghua: “It’s because the photos would hurt Lin Xin. I don’t want her to know how the person she truly loves cheated on her while they were married. If I wasn’t so worried about her feelings, I would have released those photos long ago.”

Zheng Ranwen was speechless again. But because of what Ye Linghua had, she still didn’t dare to act rashly. After listening to Ye Linghua’s rant, she knew there was no hope of reaching Lin Xin today and simply hung up.

Ye Linghua looked at the disconnected call screen and slowly narrowed her eyes. If Lin Xin hadn’t gone to the bathroom, and she had answered the phone, who knows how this person would have twisted things.

It seems that just using the photos isn’t enough to control these two.