After Transmigrating, I Fell in Love with a Top-Tier Movie Queen - Chapter 57.1

This was the first time Lin Xin was having a meal with Ye Linghua’s  friends. She felt quite nervous as they took the elevator down.

Ye Linghua sensed her tension and reassured her: “My friends are a bit silly, but they’re really good people.”

Lin Xin nodded, her gaze falling on Ye Linghua’s profile.

This was the spot injured during the conflict with her fans. The wound had healed, but it left behind an extremely faint scar.

When she was first injured, Lin Xin hadn’t even offered good comfort and had managed to anger Ye Linghua into leaving.

She was still bandaged, with blood staining the gauze.

Yet, she walked away so decisively, not giving Lin Xin time to watch her recover, time to confirm if her exquisite face would be left with any regret.

During the time they were apart, Lin Xin often thought about this.

Ye Linghua noticed Lin Xin’s gaze and lightly touched the injured spot. The wound had long since healed. The initial pain and the itchiness of recovery—she had endured it all alone.

She didn’t rely on her face to make a living, and the scar wasn’t obvious or in a prominent position.

Ye Linghua had long forgotten about it. If not for Lin Xin’s gaze, she probably would have slowly forgotten the incident entirely.

Lin Xin’s eyes followed Ye Linghua’s hand. Seeing her gently stroke the scar, Lin Xin finally felt it was her fault and said, “I’m sorry.”

Ye Linghua: “? It has nothing to do with you.”

Lin Xin: “It was my fans.”

Ye Linghua: “But it wasn’t you.”

Ye Linghua’s two brief sentences softened Lin Xin’s heart. She looked up at Ye Linghua, who smiled and said: “Don’t carry the weight of others’ mistakes. You are just you.”

Only then did Lin Xin nod, the gloom in her heart dissipating, leaving behind the joy and flutter of Ye Linghua’s gentle treatment.

The two exited the elevator and quickly found the restaurant that Tang Qiaozi (湯橋姿) had mentioned.

Given that this large group had rushed to catch a flight early that morning, and considering it was year-end when everyone was busy, the rest time upon reaching the hotel was barely enough before it was already time to eat again.

Tang Qiaozi simply went downstairs and booked a table. It wasn’t her first time here, and she efficiently arranged everything.

The hotel was high-rated, and the restaurant’s environment and dishes were also upscale.

When Lin Xin followed Ye Linghua downstairs, Tang Qiaozi and the others had already found a spot by the window.

Since they were a large group, they asked the waiter to push the tables together. The ocean park’s night view was beautiful, and the restaurant’s location was superb. Sitting by the window, they not only had a view overlooking the entire ocean park, but this spot also offered the best view of the fireworks show and the princesses’ parade that night.

When they saw Lin Xin entering beside Ye Linghua, and even seemed to be holding hands as they descended, Xing Yan (邢燕) and the others inwardly scoffed: Look, just look! She was won over that easily, how spineless!

However, as the pair drew closer, they realized it was Lin Xin holding onto Ye Linghua’s sleeve. Immediately, everyone’s expressions turned more scornful: A beauty is right next to you! Are you a stainless steel tree, dammit?

Once Ye Linghua led Lin Xin to their seats, everyone’s faces instantly switched to enthusiasm. They asked Ye Linghua, “Huazi, what do you feel like eating today?”

Ye Linghua, who had just sat down, paused her hand mid-motion while tidying the table, turned to Lin Xin, and asked: “What would you like to eat?”

Lin Xin gave her a sweet smile. Honestly, as long as she was by Ye Linghua’s side, it didn’t matter what they ate. It was just that Ye Linghua tended to be quiet when she distanced herself from people.

Lin Xin had to initiate the topic herself, saying she wanted to order something she liked. But Lin Xin wasn’t actually picky about food. As she mentioned before, Lin Xin was just an ordinary person. Her palate only became refined after she started earning money, hiring a full-time housekeeper who catered to everything at home, including three meals a day.

Her previous housekeeper was responsible and an excellent cook. Lin Xin had eaten her food for several years and never once thought of firing her.

Even when she personally learned to cook for Zheng Lanwen (鄭岚雯), she occasionally thought back to that housekeeper. When things weren’t going well, of course, she would complain.

But now, thinking about it, if she hadn’t fired the housekeeper, perhaps she would never have met Ye Linghua in this lifetime.

Her gaze involuntarily swept across the people present. If there had been no Zheng Lanwen, perhaps she would never have met this group of people.

Even if she had, with Ye Linghua’s serious nature, would she have even greeted someone who was married?

The possibility was minuscule. Thinking this way, she almost felt she should thank Zheng Lanwen for her betrayal?

Lin Xin’s mind wandered. Unwilling to think about Zheng Lanwen, she recalled the days she spent with Ye Linghua. The mundane daily life often included plans to do things together.

She remembered that during filming, Lin Xin didn’t dare to eat freely to look good on camera.

Ye Linghua joined her, eating bland, low-fat meals without ever complaining.

However, Lin Xin, bored with the blandness, often fantasized about what she would eat once they returned.

At that time, Ye Linghua indulged her every request. Hearing her fantasies, she smiled and said: “Whatever you want to eat, I will certainly bring it to you.”

Lin Xin then said: “I’ve been eating vegetables for two months. I want meat, I want something strongly flavored. How about grilled fish! Let’s go eat grilled fish together later?”

Ye Linghua indulged her every request. An easy matter like eating grilled fish was agreed to almost without thinking.

It was such a small thing that they never brought it up in daily life.

Lin Xin lowered her eyes to hide her emotions and softly said: “I want grilled fish.”

Ye Linghua: “…”

Xing Yan: “…”

Ye Fang: “…”

Meng Kelin: “…”

Wen Ze  let out a gentle laugh and said: “I’ve never felt grilled fish was so unappealing!”

Tang Qiaozi: “…Miss Lin Xin, this restaurant doesn’t sell grilled fish. That foie gras baked crab-flavored mushroom is very good. I’ve had it; the flavor permeates the ingredients. Otherwise, the crispy golden lion shrimp is good too! If you like fish, the Thai-style silver cod is also excellent.”

Shi Tongqi (師通齊) listened, sucked in a breath, and said: “Have you eaten all of those? Are they delicious?”

Ye Fang scorned her: “What good food haven’t you had? But, Qiaozi, none of what you mentioned is grilled fish!”

Tang Qiaozi stared at her and asked in shock: “Doesn’t my suggestion imply that we should abandon grilled fish and consider these more high-end ingredients?”

They were only teasing her. Seeing her reaction, the friends burst into laughter again.

Ye Linghua merely pursed her lips and smiled, then focused her attention on Lin Xin.

Lin Xin probably realized her request didn’t suit the current situation. Even though grilled fish was an inexpensive dish, not even comparable to a single stir-fry dish here, a clever cook can’t make a meal without the ingredients. A restaurant without grilled fish simply couldn’t conjure it up!

So, Lin Xin could only show a sweet smile and softly say: “I can eat anything, whatever you have.”

Ye Linghua felt that her lover’s smile was like the rarest flower in the world—a fleeting moment that made one want to preserve it carefully.

But flowers inevitably wither, and people cannot always be happy. Even if she tried her hardest to ensure Lin Xin never felt sadness, there were so many things in the world, and everything was constantly changing and developing. Even if Ye Linghua were a goddess from heaven, she couldn’t guarantee Lin Xin eternal joy.

Precisely because she saw things so clearly, every smile from her lover became precious.

Ye Linghua understood this principle and used to try her best to let Lin Xin spend every day happily.

Not to mention, the former Lin Xin had never given Ye Linghua a hard time over food. On the day of the interview, while Ye Linghua’s home-cooked meal surprised Lin Xin, she didn’t say much.

Even if Lin Xin wanted something, she would quietly go into the kitchen herself. As a paying boss, she never limited herself to just cooking her own portion.

Thinking about it now, only a day or two after her divorce, with a messy housekeeper who couldn’t do anything, Lin Xin could still face it calmly, maintain the best attitude, and even help the housekeeper with things she didn’t know how to do.

How gentle Lin Xin was!

She had crossed mountains and rivers to appear by her side. Could Ye Linghua not even provide her with a simple grilled fish, the most common dish on any street?

Ye Linghua lowered her eyes. How could such a thing happen?

So, Ye Linghua leisurely took out the napkin from her place setting and said to Lin Xin: “My friends here are masters of eighteen skills. Tang Qiaozi is a well-known chef in the country. If you want grilled fish, I think…”

At this point, Ye Linghua’s gaze subtly landed on Tang Qiaozi.

Tang Qiaozi’s eyes widened as she stared at her. Ye Linghua gave a slight smile, a smile so gentle and endearing, like sunshine after the rain, illuminating the earth through layers of white clouds.

Tang Qiaozi surrendered, raising both hands and shouting: “Fine, fine, fine! I’ll cook! Even without the ingredients, I’ll figure out how to cook grilled fish for you!”

Ye Linghua smiled gently and looked at Lin Xin. “See? You’ll have grilled fish soon.”

Lin Xin felt embarrassed. She said: “…You don’t have to. Besides, she’ll be unhappy.”

Tang Qiaozi said sincerely: “Miss Lin Xin, I’m delighted to do it.”

Ye Linghua smiled contentedly…

Meng Kelin stared wide-eyed at Ye Linghua. In the past, Ye Linghua was practically at their beck and call, buying water when asked, cleaning the floor when told, and even driving for them when the chauffeur took leave.

Now, looking back, she and Lin Xin had truly been ignorant of the times! Look at Ye Linghua now: one glance, and a prominent figure gets up to cook a meal.

Thinking of her former life assistant, who used to pour water and wipe floors for her, seemed quite elevated now.

Tang Qiaozi was genuinely willing. They were ready to go to great lengths for their friend, and they sincerely wanted Ye Linghua to find love. To them, Lin Xin was their ‘little sister-in-law’. Meeting the little sister-in-law for the first time, cooking a pot of grilled fish for her was proper!

Meng Kelin, however, felt awkward and said: “You don’t have to go to the trouble.”

Tang Qiaozi was already standing up. “No trouble at all. I was born to do this; it’s easy for me. Wait up!”

With that, she really rushed off to the kitchen.

Meng Kelin pursed her lips and asked, unsure: “Is it really okay?”

Ye Linghua smiled and comforted her: “Don’t worry, Sister Meng. It’s not the first time. She has experience.”

Meng Kelin: “…Huh?”

Ye Linghua: “Qiaozi brought her girlfriend here before and did this once.”

Xing Yan nodded: “As long as the money is right, she’ll do it.”

Ye Fang also reassured her: “The kitchen here is huge. They can free up a stove for her.”

Meng Kelin finally relaxed, but couldn’t help looking at Lin Xin, wanting to ask: Why did you have to order grilled fish of all things?

Lin Xin was also embarrassed. Her mind had just blanked, and she felt that leaving that regret unresolved was too painful.

In that moment, she just wanted to fill that void. She hadn’t thought about asking Ye Linghua’s friends to help cook!

Ye Linghua saw her expression, reached for a bottle of red wine, and poured Lin Xin a glass.

She softly comforted her: “Don’t worry too much. We often do this. Qiaozi is a chef. When we eat out, we often push her to the kitchen to add a dish or two.”

Lin Xin watched her lean in, speaking softly at a close distance. Her breath wafted over Lin Xin’s neck, gently brushing it like a feather.

Lin Xin felt a shiver, and her pores stood on end.

Her eyes couldn’t help but become moist again. She blinked at Ye Linghua, looking like a pear blossom after a rain.

Ye Linghua choked on her half-spoken sentence. She wanted to ask what was with that sudden look in her eyes, but she chose to take a deep breath, suppress her inappropriate emotions, and ask Lin Xin: “Is there anything else you want to eat?” She handed her a menu.

Lin Xin: “But, but, shouldn’t we wait for Miss Tang…”

Tang Qiaozi’s close friends simultaneously and matter-of-factly shouted: “Don’t worry about her! Let’s order quickly!”

Meng Kelin: “…” Are you really good friends?

However, since Tang Qiaozi was the food expert, everyone ordered a few of their favorites and then asked the waiter to take the menu to the kitchen to consult Tang Qiaozi for the rest.

When the dishes were served one by one, Tang Qiaozi reappeared before them with her signature grace. She was followed by a waiter, carrying the grilled fish Tang Qiaozi had personally made. It was brought to Lin Xin amid the curious gazes of all the other patrons.

Tang Qiaozi performed a gentlemanly half-bow, then stood up and smiled. “Little sister-in-law, here is the grilled fish you ordered.”