After Transmigrating, I Fell in Love with a Top-Tier Movie Queen - Chapter 18

A Stand-Off in the Hallway

Ye Linghua’s powerful presence was undeniable. When she was silent, people were already cautious, but with a hint of irritation in her voice, no one dared to argue. Zhao Xiaojiao, the manager of the popular newcomer Lin Bing, first observed Ye Linghua, trying to figure out her role in the company. Lin Xin had grown up in this company, and before Zhao Xiaojiao started managing Lin Bing, she was just a small assistant. She had heard that Lin Xin, a child star, had gained popularity from her very first show, quickly becoming the nation’s sweetheart.

As her fame grew, she never left Yuntian, even during the company’s toughest times. A reporter once asked her why she didn’t switch companies or start her own studio. Lin Xin, who was only 18 at the time, answered with sincerity, “Yuntian raised me. I’ll only leave if Yuntian gives up on me.” She kept her word. Even after winning three Best Actress awards at the peak of her career, she remained loyal to Yuntian. Her unwavering loyalty had earned her immense respect and laid the foundation for her career.

Because of this, even after Lin Bing’s rise to fame, Zhao Xiaojiao’s attempts to steal Lin Xin’s resources were blocked by the company. But in the last two years, the company had changed. A new wave of leaders came in, and they were not as satisfied with Lin Xin. Five years was a long time. Lin Xin’s importance within the company gradually declined, while Lin Bing’s value increased. For Zhao Xiaojiao, stealing a director from Lin Xin was a simple task. Everything was going smoothly until Ye Linghua showed up.

Zhao Xiaojiao didn’t want to burn any bridges, so she approached Ye Linghua carefully. “Who are you?” she asked with a smile, hoping to get some information. Her cautiousness had always served her well and was the reason for her success.

Ye Linghua looked at her with a hint of mockery. “By all accounts, you shouldn’t have to ask who I am.”

Zhao Xiaojiao’s heart skipped a beat. This tone, this look, this aura of elegance… she must be someone important. Do they still have hope for Lin Xin? On one hand, she was glad she didn’t rush in and offend Ye Linghua. On the other hand, she was disappointed that the company was still protecting Lin Xin even in her current situation.

Before she could fully process this, Ye Linghua’s calm voice continued, “It’s my first day here. I’ve already heard so many rumors about me and Lin Xin. How is it that with all the gossip at this company, you don’t know who I am?”

Rumors about her and Lin Xin? Zhao Xiaojiao paused and immediately realized there was only one such rumor sweeping the company: the one about Lin Xin having a “kept woman.” So, this person is the assistant?

A wave of anger washed over Zhao Xiaojiao. She had been so cautious with a mere assistant. How dare an assistant be so arrogant? Is this okay?

Her tone turned contemptuous. “You’re her assistant?”

Ye Linghua smiled. “Nice to meet you.”

Her calm and smiling attitude caught Zhao Xiaojiao off guard. “What’s nice about it?” she said harshly. “Know your place! This isn’t your business. An assistant should do an assistant’s job!”

Meng Kelin scoffed. “What do you mean? She’s Lin Xin’s assistant. Lin Xin’s business is her business. Why can’t she get involved?”

Zhao Xiaojiao was furious. Who are you to stand up to me? And so, Zhao Xiaojiao and Meng Kelin began to argue over whether an assistant had the right to intervene.

Ye Linghua didn’t join in. She watched Zhao Xiaojiao’s arrogant attitude and fell into a deep thought. Zhao Xiaojiao wasn’t acting alone; Lin Xin must have known that. Ye Linghua turned to look at Lin Xin, who had regained some of her composure. When Ye Linghua had first walked in, Lin Xin was standing there alone, looking lifeless, just as she had the day Ye Linghua found her by the villa door. It made her heart ache. She wanted to give her the world. She wanted to move mountains and give her everything she wanted. But some people only felt fulfilled by bullying her.

Ye Linghua took a step back and stood beside Lin Xin. She leaned in and asked softly, “Do you… still want to stay at this company?”

In the novel, Lin Xin didn’t work much, but her efforts to make a comeback with her song proved she was willing to work. This suggested that she couldn’t find a job. In other words, the company had given up on her. The events in the novel were now happening in real life. The company allowing junior staff to bully a senior artist showed they had little faith in Lin Xin. While they supported her comeback, they didn’t offer much help. It was clear that the company was just watching and waiting. If her comeback was a success, they would continue to promote her. If it failed, they would cut ties.

Since their relationship was purely about profit, Ye Linghua didn’t think there was a need to stay. But the choice was Lin Xin’s. Ye Linghua couldn’t make the decision for her, but having read the novel’s outcome, she felt she had to ask.

Lin Xin looked confused. She thought about her career, from when she started to the present. The entertainment industry was tough, but the company had always taken care of her. Over the years, they had supported each other. How did it come to this? Lin Xin couldn’t help but say, “Yuntian raised me when I was a child.” She didn’t know what to do. Her relationship with Yuntian was mutually beneficial, but no matter what she chose, she would get caught in a messy situation.

“If you hesitate, you’ll be asking for trouble,” Ye Linghua said, not saying more. Since Lin Xin hadn’t made up her mind, Ye Linghua just gave her a hint and refocused on the argument.

“Miss Zhao, is it?” Ye Linghua asked. “We’ve already found all the actors for the music video, so our plans aren’t being delayed.” Her calm voice caught Zhao Xiaojiao and Meng Kelin’s attention. Meng Kelin thought Ye Linghua was clever enough to handle Zhao Xiaojiao on her own, so she crossed her arms and watched.

Zhao Xiaojiao was already losing the argument with Meng Kelin. Lin Xin may have been discarded, but Meng Kelin was a top manager at the company. Zhao Xiaojiao was already tired of being pushed around. She shifted her attention to Ye Linghua. She felt confident, remembering that the company had given her free rein. Just as she was about to speak, Ye Linghua interrupted her calmly.

“Given the situation, are you sure you still want to steal our director?”

“What are you talking about? I’m just…” Zhao Xiaojiao began to say.

Ye Linghua lowered her eyes, and her eyelashes cast a shadow, hiding her emotions. Her voice was steady as she continued, “Not everyone in this room works for Yuntian, Miss Zhao. You should know that getting a reputation for bullying a senior artist is not a good thing.” She looked up, and Zhao Xiaojiao felt her gaze was so intense that she couldn’t move.

Is she threatening me?

“Lin Bing is just a newcomer. Lin Xin is a three-time Best Actress winner. Are you sure Lin Bing’s popularity can beat Lin Xin’s years of public recognition?” Lin Xin may have lost some fans, but that didn’t mean she was weak. If a newcomer in the entertainment industry was caught bullying a veteran, they would be torn apart by the public. The industry had a rule of respecting seniority, and Chinese people have a tradition of respecting their elders.

Yes, I am threatening you, Ye Linghua’s smile seemed to say. “Miss Zhao, you should think about it again.”

Zhao Xiaojiao’s hands clenched into fists. She looked around the room. Everyone was standing silently at their stations, their eyes on her. It was a chilling feeling, like being watched from a deep abyss. She remembered hearing that Lin Xin’s comeback song was with Mr. Zhang. It wasn’t a secret. The arranging team wasn’t from the company. If they were to leak what happened today, and with Meng Kelin’s PR skills…

Zhao Xiaojiao shivered. She shook her head, trying to regain her composure. She gave them a cold glare and said, “It’s just a director. You can have her.” With that, she turned and left, a dramatic exit that was anything but graceful.

Meng Kelin stepped forward and patted Ye Linghua’s shoulder. “Well done,” she praised. “You hit her where it hurts.”

“Thank you,” Ye Linghua said.

Meng Kelin looked at her with a knowing smile. “Just be careful next time. This method won’t always work.” Since they were at the same company, they couldn’t air their dirty laundry. Meng Kelin also had to answer to the company, so she couldn’t use this tactic against Zhao Xiaojiao. That’s why Zhao Xiaojiao had been so confident.

Ye Linghua chuckled softly. “Then I’ll make it work.”

“You’ve got a lot of nerve,” Meng Kelin said.

Once Zhao Xiaojiao was gone, the staff members started cheering and clapping. Since they didn’t work for the company, they didn’t have to worry about offending anyone. Lin Xin’s cool, calm demeanor broke, and her eyes sparkled as she looked at Ye Linghua.

Ye Linghua turned and gave her a radiant smile. In the dim light of the room, she looked like a field of flowers in full bloom in the spring. Lin Xin tried to keep her face serious.

Ye Linghua found her adorable. “Are you going home?” she asked.

Lin Xin’s face remained stern. “I’m treating everyone to dinner tonight. They’ve all worked so hard.”

“Is that so?” Ye Linghua said. “Then I’ll make the arrangements.”

With that, she felt Lin Xin’s soft and warm gaze on her.

I was so tired last night. I’ll probably write another chapter today. I can do it! The book has been officially released, so I’ll be doing a giveaway. I meant to do one earlier, but I forgot. I feel so busy every day, but I never get anything done!