After Transmigrating, I Fell in Love with a Top-Tier Movie Queen - Chapter 53.1

Ye Linghua couldn’t help but twitch her mouth looking at the comment section full of people stirring things up. Moreover, ever since she became aware of the existence of the CP fans, she couldn’t help but follow Lin Xin’s CP fans recently.

Naturally, she easily came across the new CP—the “Ling Xing” CP (literally “Zero Star” CP, referencing her anonymous account name and Lin Xin).

While Ye Linghua felt speechless at the time, she was also quite happy deep down. She knew this conflicted feeling stemmed from her emotions for Lin Xin. However, this feeling shouldn’t exist, so she tried hard to suppress it.

Seeing that the comment section was filled with blessings and no one was saying anything unpleasant, Ye Linghua stopped looking. She immediately used her phone to post a new Weibo message, which contained only an audio clip.

Then, she sighed, tossed her phone aside, and prepared to rest.

On Weibo, seeing the new post from the “Big Boss Small Account,” everyone knew this was the audio for those photos. The words in the audio clip would serve as solid evidence.

Netizens flocked to the new post, opened the audio, and leaned in to listen.

Initially, there were a few seconds of silence, followed by the sound of someone pulling out a chair.

“Please sit.”

On the screen, this section was labeled with the two characters “Tiān Lěi” (Heaven’s Thunder, the company name). This meant the person currently speaking was a senior executive from Tiān Lěi company.

Tiān Lěi Executive: “The main reason we invited you today is in hopes that we can reach a cooperation.”

Lin Haiqi: “I hope so too, but what about the demands I made?”

The Tiān Lěi executive chuckled: “Of course, there’s no problem. We’ve already transferred the money to you. Also, regarding the several variety show slots for Lin Wan, I’ve spoken to the higher-ups.”

Lin Haiqi seemed very satisfied, saying: “I understand. I have a plan for dealing with Lin Xin.” His tone even carried a hint of irritating pride.

The Tiān Lěi executive didn’t seem satisfied with this answer: “No, our intention is to pressure her into retiring from the industry.”

Lin Haiqi gasped, seemingly a bit surprised, and then began to say with difficulty: “That won’t be easy, will it? She’s been in this industry for many years. How could she leave so easily?”

The Tiān Lěi executive laughed softly: “Things are different now. It’s the internet age; netizens nationwide can surf the web. Unlike before, where you only needed good acting skills and a bit of luck to do well. In this era, even without acting skills, a company’s promotion is enough to succeed.”

“But at the same time, netizens have become stricter about an actor’s morals. There are more people monitoring celebrities, and once there’s a problem, netizens will drive them out for us! In our circle, just a few years ago, there was a female celebrity who was forced to retire because she fell out with her father. What I want… is that same result!”

Lin Haiqi sounded troubled: “She’s worked hard in this circle for 20 years, after all. Isn’t this going too far? Besides, she just got divorced…”

Lin Haiqi’s rare moment of paternal love was immediately cut short by the executive’s next words: “Your relationship isn’t good anyway. Do you really plan to rely on her to support you in old age? You should look at Lin Wan; she is your future hope! However, Lin Wan’s path in the entertainment industry overlaps too much with Lin Xin’s. Plus, Lin Xin’s popularity has recently surged. Do you know? There are several scripts I liked, but they only want to wait for Lin Xin.”

Lin Haiqi didn’t respond, but the netizens listening could imagine his expression at that moment—he must have already wavered, or even decided to sacrifice Lin Xin to pave the way for Lin Wan.

The Tiān Lěi executive’s voice was filled with seduction, like a devil’s bargain, as he asked Lin Haiqi: “Look at Lin Wan beside you, and consider it again!”

Lin Wan, who had not spoken the entire time, called out at this crucial moment: “Dad.”

Lin Wan had called “Dad” countless times. Lin Haiqi watched this child grow up since childhood, so the emotional bond was naturally incomparable to Lin Xin’s.

Therefore, in an instant, he made up his mind: “Okay, I understand.”

Lin Wan didn’t speak again, but a soft laugh, as if a weight had been lifted, could be heard.

The Tiān Lěi executive was also satisfied with his reply: “That’s good. Please check your account; this is the deposit. There will be the… final payment when the matter is done!”

The audio ended there. Although it wasn’t long, it completely exposed the wicked ambitions of all three people.

Moreover, as a father, Lin Haiqi had never fulfilled his duties to Lin Xin. That huge gambling debt later on was even repaid by Lin Xin.

Never mind a daughter, even a stranger who helped repay that debt would be owed a great debt of gratitude.

Yet, this Lin Haiqi actually repaid kindness with enmity and was so cruel to his own daughter; he was simply worse than a beast.

Comments quickly popped up beneath the “Big Boss Small Account’s” audio post.

Ye Linghua, who wasn’t very familiar with Weibo, naturally hadn’t turned off the comments. Amidst the netizens’ furious cursing, Lin Haiqi was once again pushed onto the hot search list.

【WTF!!! I’m so angry!!!】

【Poor our Xin Bao (Xin Baby), to have such a father. I’m furious.】

【Wuwuwuwu, can’t she sever ties with him? My heart aches thinking about her having to support this bastard in his old age.】

【Exactly! He loves @Lin Wan so much, shouldn’t he ask @Lin Wan for old-age support?】

【Even if you don’t look at the monk, look at the Buddha! Doesn’t he think about his own mother? This is Grandma Lin’s most beloved granddaughter!】

【Even a dog barks a few times when you raise it. This Lin Haiqi is worse than a dog.】

【Lin Xin helped you pay back one or two million yuan right after she became an adult. How dare you agree to this kind of thing?】

【Throwing money into the water at least makes a splash! But she paid back her own father’s debt and then got stabbed in the back.】

Although everyone knew Lin Haiqi was a terrible person from the start, hearing these words still angered them to the point of almost spitting blood.

Not to mention Meng Kelin, who treated Lin Xin like a daughter.

Hearing this, she truly wanted to rush over and confront Lin Haiqi; two knife strikes wouldn’t even be enough to vent her anger.

Damaging Lin Xin’s reputation and trying to force her out of the entertainment industry was already disgusting enough. But doing it for Lin Wan made it even more repulsive.

He had never once met Lin Xin because of Lin Wan.

The year Lin Xin was born, Shen Yueyue worried that contact with Lin Haiqi would create an inappropriate paternal bond.

After all, children, especially one’s own, would naturally elicit such feelings if one spent enough time with them.

Shen Yueyue didn’t want Lin Haiqi and Lin Xin to interact, so she stubbornly prevented him from going back home.

Lin Haiqi and Shen Yueyue were in their honeymoon phase, and the passion of youth is always fierce. To prove his devotion to Shen Yueyue, Lin Haiqi complied with her request and never returned.

To keep Lin Haiqi tied down, Shen Yueyue gave birth to their daughter, Lin Wan, the year she graduated.

The first time Lin Haiqi held his daughter, he felt a surging paternal love. From then on, Lin Wan became his little princess, and Lin Haiqi adored her.

For the sake of Shen Yueyue and Lin Wan, Lin Haiqi had never met or properly interacted with Lin Xin.

A father who had never gone back to see Lin Xin was now audacious enough to conspire with outsiders to harm his own daughter.

Meng Kelin was truly about to pass out from anger. She worried that hearing these conversations would upset Lin Xin, so she quickly called her.

Lin Xin must have just finished listening to the audio, as she answered the phone very quickly.

Hearing Lin Xin’s greeting from the other end: “Hello.”

Meng Kelin thought for a moment and then asked: “Did you listen to the audio?”

Unlike the shock delivered by the photos, knowing about their collaboration from the beginning meant that seeing the photos only confirmed their suspicions.

However, the audio gave a more immersive feeling, hearing Lin Haiqi’s meager paternal love, his incredibly swift change of heart, and his final agreement to conspire. No matter how disappointed she was in him, hearing his voice would still be hurtful, right?

“I heard it.” Lin Xin smiled slightly and asked a little bashfully: “It must have been very difficult to obtain this evidence, right?”

Meng Kelin was stunned. Why did she sound so happy? She decided it must be her own misconception and replied: “Huh? Yes, it certainly wasn’t easy to get.”

Lin Xin said: “I figured as much.” The joy in her voice was unconcealed, and she even laughed, a clear, crisp sound like wind chimes, refreshing to hear and not at all forced.

This left Meng Kelin completely bewildered: “??? Wait, what are you so happy about?”

Lin Xin replied: “Of course, I’m happy! Although Lin Haiqi doesn’t like me and is even plotting against me, it doesn’t matter. We already knew what kind of person he is, didn’t we? Don’t be sad, Sister Meng.”

Meng Kelin: “…” I was worried you would be sad.

But Lin Xin was clearly not sad and even had the presence of mind to talk about other things: “Leaving Lin Haiqi aside, don’t you think the Big Boss who obtained such difficult evidence must have paid a considerable sum of money?”

Meng Kelin paused. Thinking about it, that was true.

Because “Zero,” or the small account, was so wealthy, people tended to overlook how hard it must have been to get the photos and audio.

Because of this, Meng Kelin couldn’t help but sigh: “We’re lucky to have met Zero on Douyin (TikTok)…” Her voice trailed off there.

A thought suddenly flashed, making her feel that something had been overlooked.

Meng Kelin had been too preoccupied with Lin Haiqi’s affairs to spare any thought for “Zero” or the small account. But now that the dust had settled, Meng Kelin could relax and handle the aftermath. With a relaxed mind, she began to ponder and had a strange thought about “Zero…”

“If ‘Zero’ was attracted to you during the Douyin live stream…” Meng Kelin’s tone became hesitant: “Then why did he tell Lin Wan’s fans that he could respond to Lin Wan’s reply at any time? How could he have known about this audio back then?”

That was naturally impossible. Someone with “Zero’s” personality wouldn’t bluff.

His character seemed methodical, like an old cadre; he must be very steady in his actions. He must have already had the evidence in hand to be able to say something like that.

Which meant…

Meng Kelin: “‘Zero’ must have already possessed this evidence when he joined your Douyin live stream.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Xin felt the speculation was confirmed, and her heart softened.

Meng Kelin: “This kind of evidence should not be easily obtained by an ordinary person.”

After careful thought, something felt wrong. Meng Kelin suddenly became vigilant. She utilized her sharp instincts as an agent and began to consider…

“Most people wouldn’t eavesdrop on others’ conversations. But Lin Wan is not an ordinary person, not to mention Lin Haiqi, Lin Wan, and your complicated relationship. You also have a lot of popularity in the entertainment circle.”

Analyzing all these reasons and relationships, the source of the eavesdropping was likely from…: “Paparazzi!”

The news about Lin Wan, Lin Haiqi, and the Tiān Lěi executive meeting must have been leaked beforehand. This unusual meeting would naturally attract the attention of the paparazzi. So, it was not strange that they were eavesdropped upon.

Meng Kelin stated with certainty: “Only paparazzi would eavesdrop, even monitoring targets day and night without rest. They must have known the meeting location in advance and installed a bug there.”

The profession of paparazzi is deeply loathed in the entertainment industry.

However, truthfully, paparazzi do serve to keep celebrities in check.

You never know when you might be photographed by a paparazzo, so you are more careful in your daily life. Even if someone does something illegal, a paparazzo’s exposé can promptly clean up the garbage in the entertainment circle.

However, professional paparazzi are rarely disinterested in money.

They monitor major celebrities in the entertainment circle day and night, and if they catch any explosive news, they often choose to accept money from the celebrity and sell the information.

When something like the Tiān Lěi incident is recorded, a typical paparazzo would first try to release the news. Once attention is drawn, the person involved, such as Tiān Lěi, will know that the person the paparazzo is about to expose is himself. To resolve the matter, they must contact the paparazzo and buy the evidence with money.

Similarly, this evidence, concerning Lin Xin, Lin Wan, and Tiān Lěi, should be worth a lot of money. The paparazzi wouldn’t just release something this valuable casually.

—Unless someone had already bought it!

Neither “Zero” nor the small account is a paparazzo. And since this person has the photos and audio, the buyer of this exposé is obvious!

The more Meng Kelin thought about it, the more convinced she was, and she couldn’t help but exclaim: “Maybe that ‘Zero’ is actually your fan! This exposé must have cost at least several million!”

Lin Xin felt a pang of distress upon hearing this: “Actually, it would have been fine without the evidence.”

Meng Kelin clicked her tongue: “How can it be fine? Being able to nail these scumbags is a tremendous thing. But who is it? To call them a fan, spending several million at once is too much of an exaggeration.”

Spending millions clearly means this isn’t an ordinary fan. If she had such a fan, they must genuinely like Lin Xin. But how could she not know someone who met such criteria?

If she had to name someone who deeply liked Lin Xin, the only person Meng Kelin could think of during this time was: “Ye Linghua?”

Hearing Meng Kelin say this, Lin Xin’s heart jumped, beating rapidly. Meng Kelin sharing her suspicion gave Lin Xin a bit more confidence.

Recalling how resolutely Ye Linghua disappeared, and how their last memory together was of her own actions hurting Ye Linghua, Lin Xin felt a sense of empathy.

During this time, she deeply regretted, deeply regretted being so cold to Ye Linghua that night. She regretted her fear, regretted her unwillingness to take that step, all of which had deeply hurt her.

When divorcing Zheng Lanwen, she only felt resentment, and she didn’t regret giving her all for love.

But Ye Linghua’s departure made her regret it so much that she wished she could turn back time…

She constantly wished Ye Linghua would reappear, but she didn’t. Lin Xin could only rely on herself, trying every means to find her.

“Zero” and the small account were the closest she had been to Ye Linghua during this period.

Meng Kelin suspected Ye Linghua but didn’t dare to believe it: “But could she have that much money? She’s spent at least seven or eight million on Lin Xin in the past two days alone. If she had that money, why was she working as Lin Xin’s nanny?”

Lin Xin on the other end of the phone suppressed her excitement and quietly asked Meng Kelin: “It might be her, right?”

Meng Kelin paused, realizing her mistake. She shouldn’t have brought up Ye Linghua in front of Lin Xin. At least, before she was certain it was Ye Linghua, she shouldn’t have given her this hope.

Ye Linghua had disappeared too completely. The owners of those two shops couldn’t be found. They finally tracked down one or two owners through a website, but when they went to ask, they were merely shareholders. They couldn’t even find Ye Linghua’s friends, let alone Ye Linghua herself.

Lin Xin’s excited question choked Meng Kelin, who didn’t know how to respond.

Lin Xin continued regardless: “This morning, when she replied to me on Weibo, my first instinct was that it was her. Seriously, that feeling can’t be wrong.”

Meng Kelin really didn’t want to discourage her, but how could there be such a coincidence in the world? She didn’t want Lin Xin to be disappointed later, or rather, she didn’t want her to hold such high expectations. She could only say: “But you know, Ye Linghua was a poor student!”

Lin Xin: “Huh? I thought the poor student was the other girl my mom interviewed? Ye Linghua never said she was a poor student!”

Meng Kelin reminded her: “Even if she wasn’t the poor student who was interviewed, she worked in place of that poor student. If she wasn’t short on money, why would she do it?”

Lin Xin frowned and asked weakly: “Could it be that she’s my fan?”

Meng Kelin could only be honest: “I have to be truthful; since the first time we met, there was no sign of that tendency.” If she were truly a fan, could she comfortably lie around waiting for her idol to cook noodles for her?

Several times when she came over to see Lin Xin, she thought Lin Xin was Ye Linghua’s nanny!

What kind of fan is that incredible? Treating their idol like a servant.

“But, but…” Lin Xin explained anxiously: “Ye Linghua should be quite rich.”

Meng Kelin’s face was cold: “If she’s rich, I really can’t understand why a rich person would enjoy being a nanny for someone else.”

Lin Xin reminded her: “Did you see the umbrella she carried the first day she came to my house?”

Meng Kelin paused: “I don’t remember.” This was the first time she’d heard this!

Lin Xin chuckled: “It doesn’t matter if you don’t remember. I checked her umbrella, and it’s not sold anywhere.”

Meng Kelin could only frown and remind her: “There are tons of generic umbrellas. You can’t possibly know every single one.” Neither she nor Lin Xin were umbrella enthusiasts; they weren’t familiar with all the umbrella brands in the world. The ones they usually used were bought casually, and only for formal events would they look for high-quality ones.

How could one umbrella be so easy to trace?

Lin Xin quickly explained: “It’s different.”

Meng Kelin: “What’s different?”

Lin Xin said: “That umbrella felt different. The handle was solid wood, and the feel in the hand wasn’t like an ordinary umbrella. The canopy was silk; it looked very elegant and dignified.” Although Lin Xin’s understanding of umbrellas was limited to keeping out wind, rain, and sun, such an exceptionally beautiful umbrella always gave a different impression from others.

Lin Xin: “I found an umbrella exchange group with many umbrella enthusiasts and connoisseurs. I took a photo of her umbrella and uploaded it. Many people told me that this umbrella was definitely customized and must have been made by a top craftsman.”

With that, she sent Meng Kelin a screenshot of the umbrella and the comments.