After Transmigrating, I Fell in Love with a Top-Tier Movie Queen - Chapter 20

A Different Kind of Photoshoot

Waterwheel Village is a scenic place with a large river and over a dozen waterwheels of various sizes. The riverbank is a lush green meadow that extends to the mountains, creating a picturesque landscape. Villagers have been grazing their sheep and cattle here for years, and from a distance, it looks like a beautiful painting. The village has become a unique tourist destination, with people from nearby towns coming to camp and families bringing their children to chase sheep and cattle.

In recent years, with the rise of tourism, the village applied for government funds and has since transformed this unique landscape into an even more beautiful place.

Meng Kelin checked out several scenic spots in Youcheng and found that none of them were as natural, comfortable, or beautiful as Waterwheel Village. With a large investment, Meng Kelin’s mind started to race. It wasn’t because she was overly ambitious; it was because the investor had given them so much money.

The village had set up a number of small pavilions for tourists to enjoy the view and have barbecues. They had water taps, grills, and tables. Ye Linghua and Meng Kelin sat in one of these pavilions, enjoying the cool breeze from the river.

Ye Linghua leaned back, her eyes on Lin Xin, who was being photographed not far away. Besides the music video, Meng Kelin had also decided to do a photoshoot. In Meng Kelin’s words, “Money gives you confidence!”

Ye Linghua: “…”

They couldn’t get Director Wang, but Meng Kelin had found another good director and a photographer from overseas. Meng Kelin looked at the photographer she had hired and asked Ye Linghua, “Do you know how much this photographer is worth?”

Ye Linghua shook her head, and Meng Kelin smiled. “I figured you wouldn’t.” Ye Linghua was speechless. She realized Meng Kelin was just showing off. She didn’t bother to ask about the photographer’s worth and went straight to the point. “Does hiring this photographer help Lin Xin?”

Meng Kelin was happy that Ye Linghua genuinely cared about Lin Xin. Her tone became very gentle. “Of course. This photographer is internationally famous. Just getting a photo taken by her can get you on the trending list.” This was why she had gone through so much trouble to get the photographer. Lin Xin needed more exposure. Meng Kelin planned to use this to her advantage and get Lin Xin’s fans excited and proud, which would give the new song a good start.

Ye Linghua didn’t know much about these things, but as long as it was good for Lin Xin, that was all that mattered. She didn’t care what the investment money was used for. For an investor, a return on investment means success. For Ye Linghua, the investment was to help Lin Xin. As long as it was good for Lin Xin, that was the return. If hiring a photographer was good for her, then why not hire ten?

Ye Linghua stopped caring about the photographer. She leaned back in her chair and squinted, watching Lin Xin. Lin Xin was wearing a white spaghetti-strap dress and a large, stylish straw hat. With the vast meadow, clear river, and green mountains as the backdrop, Lin Xin looked up at the sun. Her fair skin seemed to glow, and when she smiled, the scene was as refreshing as a cool spring in the middle of summer.

Ye Linghua’s expression softened. She could tell that Lin Xin loved her job. Even after five years, she was still a natural in front of the camera. Without the photographer’s guidance, she could easily find the best position, whether she needed to use front or side lighting, and whether her movements should be big or small. With a white dress, a turn, and a smile, she could easily express innocence or a captivating sensuality.

The photographer shouted excitedly, “Perfect, perfect, so good!” He stood, squatted, and even lay down, his camera’s shutter clicking away, capturing every moment with perfect composition. The photographer was pleased. It had been a long time since he had captured such natural and atmospheric shots with soft lighting and deep shadows.

Meng Kelin looked at Lin Xin, and with every word of praise from the photographer, her face glowed with pride. “Lin Xin was born to be in front of the camera. If it weren’t for Zheng Ranwen, she would already be a superstar.”

“Is being a superstar so great?” Ye Linghua asked.

“Compared to your friend, no,” Meng Kelin said. “Being a top star means you’re still an employee. Many who start their own studios still rely on their old company, and after working their butts off, they still have to give a lot of their money to the company. In this industry, it’s rare to become successful on your own. Even if you start your own studio, it doesn’t mean you’re free from the control of others.” The importance of resources in the entertainment industry can determine a celebrity’s future, and big companies have more resources.

Ye Linghua found it odd. “I remember that when a celebrity becomes famous and has been with a company for a while, the company gives them shares.” To keep a good actress, a company would show sincerity. If they didn’t, another company would. With Lin Xin’s popularity at the time, why didn’t the company try to keep her by giving her shares? Was it all about loyalty?

“The company did offer her shares,” Meng Kelin said.

Ye Linghua was shocked. “And she didn’t take them?”

Meng Kelin cleared her throat and looked at Ye Linghua. “You don’t think she was an idiot, do you?”

Ye Linghua laughed. “She’s not an idiot. But what about you? Didn’t you try to persuade her?” Meng Kelin realized Ye Linghua was saying that both Lin Xin and her manager were foolish.

Meng Kelin had to explain. “It was a complicated situation. The day after the company offered her shares, Lin Xin’s father caused a scandal. The company helped her, and Lin Xin is a very sentimental person. She couldn’t justify taking the shares as a result.” This also explained why Lin Xin was so passive at the company. The scandal must have been a big deal for her to give up the shares.

Meng Kelin was relieved when Ye Linghua didn’t ask for more details. She started to get excited again. Her eyes twinkled as she asked Ye Linghua, “Your friend… does she want to invest in a TV show?”

Ye Linghua looked at her. Meng Kelin endured her intense gaze and still asked, “Investing in a TV show can be profitable, you know!”

“Don’t try to trick me,” Ye Linghua said. “Out of a hundred shows, how many actually get to air?”

“Why would I trick you?” Meng Kelin asked.

Ye Linghua corrected herself. “Don’t trick my friend…”

Meng Kelin: “…”

The two sat in silence for a moment until Lin Xin called for a break. Ye Linghua and Meng Kelin’s attention shifted back to Lin Xin.

Even though it was spring, the sun was bright. For a celebrity, even a little UV radiation was a big deal. Her assistant, Zhu Fang, immediately rushed over with an umbrella. Lin Xin took the water Zhu Fang offered and drank half the bottle. Zhu Fang took out a small fan and held it up to Lin Xin.

Ye Linghua watched for a long time before she suddenly realized something. She pointed at Lin Xin’s direction and asked Meng Kelin, “Isn’t… isn’t that my job?” She was the life assistant, after all.

Meng Kelin paused. That’s right! Isn’t she the life assistant? Why is she just sitting here? But after thinking about it, Ye Linghua had brought in a huge investment, making her a lifesaver for both Lin Xin and Meng Kelin. It would be wrong to ask her to hold an umbrella. Besides, she had heard that Ye Linghua’s investor friend had given them more money for the extra work. Meng Kelin wasn’t shameless enough to ask Ye Linghua to hold an umbrella. Her attitude was similar to Lin Xin’s: She’s a golden goose. Let’s just put up with her.

It’s just one more assistant, right? Meng Kelin thought. “Zhu Fang can handle it,” she said. “Let her do her job.”

Ye Linghua didn’t push it. She didn’t have to go anyway.

Meanwhile, Lin Xin and the photographer were talking about something. After a moment, Lin Xin waved at Ye Linghua. Meng Kelin nudged her with her shoulder. “She’s calling you!”

Ye Linghua was confused. “Me? Why?” The music video hadn’t started yet. Meng Kelin didn’t know either. She stood up and said, “Let’s go and see. They’re done with the photoshoot, so it must be something important.”

Ye Linghua was a bit puzzled, but she got up and followed Meng Kelin. Even in spring, the sun was a bit harsh. They walked into the shade of the trees, and the light streamed through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on them that moved with the wind.

Soon, Ye Linghua was standing next to Lin Xin. She looked at her in confusion, asking with her eyes what she wanted. Lin Xin didn’t answer and gave her a mysterious smile.

She slowly leaned closer to Ye Linghua and took her hand. As Ye Linghua stood there, stunned, Lin Xin tilted her head and moved closer. The world seemed to slow down. Ye Linghua felt like a stone had been dropped into her peaceful heart, causing ripples. Lin Xin’s playful smile and the way she was about to kiss her made Ye Linghua feel like everything around them had turned black and white. Only Lin Xin was a vibrant color.

Their breaths mingled. Ye Linghua could smell Lin Xin’s scent and feel the softness of her body. Lin Xin, the one who had initiated this, was also nervous. Both of their hearts were racing. It felt like they were falling into a world of flowers, a romantic and dizzying sensation.

Click.

All the illusions faded, and the world became clear again. Ye Linghua was the first to regain her senses and quickly leaned back. She looked at Lin Xin with a complicated expression. Lin Xin blinked her innocent eyes. “What are you doing?”

“Taking a picture,” Lin Xin said.

Ye Linghua was stunned. She had been so wrong.

As if to prove her point, the photographer shouted excitedly, “Yes, yes, yes, that’s the feeling! That look of affection.” He started taking photos again, squatting, lying down, and holding up his camera to them. “Get closer! Your eyes can be a little more suggestive. It’s fine.”

Ye Linghua took a deep breath. “Why are we taking this?” she asked, her voice full of confusion and a hint of accusation.

Lin Xin said, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, “We’re shooting a music video together! It’s normal to have a photo like this beforehand, right?” Her voice became quieter and quieter, showing that even she wasn’t so sure.

Ye Linghua was speechless. She had no idea if this was necessary for promotion. Lin Xin avoided her gaze, her face flushed. For the first time, she realized she could be so heartless. In that moment, she had definitely felt something for this life assistant. It turned out that some people could truly fall in love at first sight.

Ye Linghua’s heart was in turmoil. She didn’t know what Lin Xin was thinking or what Zheng Ranwen meant to her anymore. Neither of them knew that a love that happens in a moment could be a love that cannot be undone.

If I don’t update late at night, it probably means I fell asleep. By the way, I’m looking for a new idea. I’ll post it once I have one.

New Book Idea: I Got Flash-Married After Mistaking My Wife

Wei Xiatian transmigrated into a world with six genders. The worst part was that her new body had committed suicide. Wei Xiatian read the original owner’s suicide note carefully. It turned out that the original owner had worked for an entertainment company for six years and owed the company 3 million yuan.

Huh? Wei Xiatian: “…” The entertainment industry is too dark! This is not for a human! I need to die and go back!

Scared of death, Wei Xiatian was taken to a hotel by her manager to pay her debt. At the hotel entrance, in a moment of panic, Wei Xiatian grabbed a woman who was entering the hotel and yelled, “My love, save me!”

The woman froze and slowly turned to look at her. The sound of camera shutters clicking came from behind her.

“My love?” Xiao Qi looked at Wei Xiatian with a sinister smile. “Hmm?”

Wei Xiatian: “…Oh, you’re the Best Actress.”

That night, Weibo crashed.