After Transmigrating, I Fell in Love with a Top-Tier Movie Queen - Chapter 62

After lunch, everyone emerged from the restaurant and split into two groups.

Meng Kelin likely pulled Lin Xin away to discuss the variety show, plus Lin Xin had to rush to the film set in the next couple of days, so she was busy. Ye Linghua, meanwhile, left with her friends.

Lin Xin could only tell herself, Don’t rush, this is a long game.

When she and Meng Kelin found a tea house, Meng Kelin brought up the variety show invitation.

Lin Xin immediately felt anxious, hearing that she wouldn’t have much free time for the next half a year: “After this drama finishes filming, I’ll be unable to see her for three months. Plus the time I spent looking for her…” Lin Xin calculated that the time they had spent apart would soon be longer than the time they had been together.

Lin Xin always knew that a relationship needed maintenance. Ye Linghua’s feelings for her had perhaps sprouted during the time they lived together. Love developing over time wasn’t a bad thing, but feelings would fade if they spent too much time apart.

Lin Xin’s biggest worry wasn’t being rejected repeatedly; as long as Ye Linghua still liked her, there was still a chance.

Lin Xin’s deepest fear was that after a long separation, Ye Linghua would stop liking her.

Then, even if she persistently clung to her, it might not make her like her again. Furthermore, she had only thought of Ye Linghua as poor, but the truth was Ye Linghua was better than she imagined, and she had even more temptations around her than Lin Xin did.

Faced with so many temptations, how long could Ye Linghua continue to like her?

It was understandable for Lin Xin to worry.

Meng Kelin looked at her, amused, and asked: “If you like her so much, why did you reject her back then?”

Lin Xin lowered her head glumly. At that time, she had worried about many things, and she hadn’t felt any problem with those worries at the time. But looking back now, she couldn’t remember any necessary reason for the rejection.

Meng Kelin had always said she was someone lacking love and told her to stop being so ‘love-brained’, or she’d suffer a lesson sooner or later.

With the Zheng Lanwen  incident, she had indeed suffered the lesson Meng Kelin predicted. The unfortunate end of her first marriage was the ultimate price, and her fear and avoidance of new love was her own punishment.

But when she stood before Ye Linghua again, seeing that the fascination in her eyes was gone, Lin Xin felt regret.

She believed that if she had taken even a small step then, Ye Linghua wouldn’t have left, wouldn’t have retreated, and wouldn’t have given up!

However, there were no ‘ifs,’ and she couldn’t choose again based on her current regret. One could only look forward, which was the only way.

Seeing Lin Xin lower her head without answering, Meng Kelin sighed.

Wasn’t she, herself, the same?

Meng Kelin: “Since you like her so much, you need to be more proactive now.”

Hearing this, Lin Xin looked up at her. Seeing Meng Kelin also wearing an expression of regret, Lin Xin suggested, “Can you help me cancel my announcements?”

Meng Kelin glared at her: “You wish! Doesn’t the company need to be supported? Working for others and being your own boss are two different things. However, I do have some good news here.”

Lin Xin blinked curiously, waiting for her to share the news.

Meng Kelin wasn’t entirely certain the outcome would be good, but to encourage Lin Xin, she said: “The invitation for The Leisurely Courtyard (悠閑的小院) is for you and Ye Linghua, together.”

Lin Xin’s eyes widened in shock. Ye Linghua wasn’t in the industry!

Meng Kelin laughed: “What’s there to be surprised about? Aren’t there many dating and celebrity couple shows recently? Many people’s partners aren’t in the industry and are still invited to participate. Besides, your CP with Ye Linghua—you have a bona fide fan base. The CP Super Topic already has 980,000 fans. Do you know what that means?”

Lin Xin didn’t follow the CP Super Topic closely. The last time she checked, the CP fans were only around 560,000. But even that size was enough to attract the attention of many companies. Not to mention, 560,000 was already one of the top rankings in the Super Topic.

980,000! Lin Xin didn’t even know what material she and Ye Linghua had that was worth obsessing over. Ye Linghua wasn’t even very willing to appear on camera.

Meng Kelin was also emotional: “Since your CP fans surpassed 500,000, more than eight shows have contacted me, wanting to invite you and Ye Linghua.”

Lin Xin: “Ah? How did I not know?”

Meng Kelin: “…Did we even know where Ye Linghua was back then? When we didn’t even know her whereabouts, how could we think about having her join a show? I naturally rejected all of them, and since I rejected them all, I didn’t tell you.”

Lin Xin didn’t pursue that, instead focusing on Meng Kelin’s intentions: “…So, what are you thinking?”

Meng Kelin: “I plan to let you participate in The Leisurely Courtyard. The recording starts in April, just after the end of your period drama. I’ll ask the director to film your scenes first, so you can make it in time for the variety show.”

Lin Xin awkwardly interrupted: “Wait, am I going alone?”

Meng Kelin smiled at her. Lin Xin’s face blushed under her gaze. Only then did Meng Kelin stop teasing her: “Xing Yan said Ye Linghua will also go.”

Lin Xin’s eyes brightened. She asked, surprised: “Ye Linghua is willing?”

Meng Kelin said with worry: “That’s what we don’t know. Xing Yan said she’ll handle it.”

Lin Xin: “…” Although it wasn’t the result she wanted, just thinking about the two of them participating in a show together…

It wasn’t entirely impossible, hehe.

Seeing her lack of motivation, Meng Kelin reminded her: “I think Ye Linghua’s friends have clearly explained Ye Linghua’s attitude. Their support for you shows Ye Linghua still has feelings for you. But that doesn’t mean she will definitely participate! Xing Yan and the others are Ye Linghua’s friends first, and only then acquaintances of ours.”

“What I mean is, Ye Linghua might not be successfully persuaded. We need to be prepared for both outcomes!”

“Ye Linghua.”

Lin Xin’s voice seemed to transcend the noisy crowd behind her and enter Ye Linghua’s ears, making her instinctively look back, only to see the area behind her empty, with no sign of Lin Xin.

Perhaps she was too used to being followed; she felt a slight discomfort at Lin Xin’s disappearance.

Ye Linghua couldn’t help but complain that she had grown accustomed to it too quickly…

She withdrew her gaze from the rear and saw the few friends walking beside her whispering to each other, making Ye Linghua feel they were plotting against her again.

Xing Yan saw Ye Linghua looking at them and asked with a frown, “What are you looking at?”

Ye Linghua: “What are you talking about?”

Xing Yan: “You’re so nosy. Why do you ask that?”

Ye Linghua narrowed her eyes: “You didn’t start a group chat without me, did you?”

Xing Yan:

Ye Fang

Tang Qiaozi

Shi Tongqi

Seeing their reaction, Ye Linghua stopped, slowly narrowing her eyes: “I hit the mark?”

Xing Yan: “Are you kidding me? Why would we do such a thing?”

Ye Linghua: “Didn’t you notify everyone about coming to the Ocean Park in a group chat?” You didn’t call everyone individually, did you?

It was obvious these people had created a group chat, but Ye Linghua didn’t care; her focus wasn’t on the chat.

Xing Yan choked, muttering as she tried to sneak away.

Ye Linghua reached out and hooked her hand into Xing Yan’s collar. Xing Yan stumbled, nearly falling, and looked up at Ye Linghua, frowning in feigned anger: “What are you doing?”

Ye Linghua scanned the group and said, “Don’t change the subject. What were you discussing this afternoon?”

Xing Yan froze, then averted her gaze guiltily…

Although Ye Linghua had only been here for two or three years, she knew Xing Yan’s personality inside out. It was not easy for a bigmouth to keep a secret.

The others stood aside, pretending they had nothing to do with it, acting as mere onlookers.

Forced by circumstance, Xing Yan could only say guiltily, “We were just talking about Lin Xin’s bright future.”

Ye Linghua was calm, as if this was someone else’s business: “Tell me about it.”

Xing Yan: “Well, Lin Xin just made a comeback, right? It’s actually quite difficult in the industry.”

Meng Kelin had also said this, so Ye Linghua temporarily believed it.

Xing Yan: “The drama you accompanied her to film last year airs tomorrow night. If the popularity doesn’t pick up, the comeback is mostly a failure. If the popularity does pick up, she still needs subsequent exposure!”

Ye Linghua instinctively felt Xing Yan was tricking her and countered: “Didn’t Meng Kelin say back then that if Twilight  was successful, it would count as a successful comeback?”

Xing Yan: “…Oh!” Was that true?

Ye Linghua: “**You can trick me once, but do you think you can trick me a second time? Finally, I’m giving you a chance: Confess, and you’ll be treated leniently; resist, and you’ll be severely punished.”

Xing Yan was momentarily stunned by Ye Linghua’s trickery. Thinking about it, Ye Linghua indeed had some tactics. Finally, under duress, Xing Yan admitted: “There is a variety show! We were talking about the show this afternoon.”

Ye Linghua raised an eyebrow. Although she had guessed it, she was still slightly surprised.

Xing Yan honestly confessed: “A variety show invited Lin Xin and you. Meng Kelin means that if you’re unwilling to go, she probably won’t let Lin Xin go either. She’s worried the production team wants a combined appearance. If Lin Xin goes alone, she might be edited out entirely and become mere background scenery, which would be a huge loss.”

Ye Linghua let out an “Mm” and said no more.

Her friends looked at her reaction, unable to guess what she was thinking.

Xing Yan followed behind her, sticking out her tongue. Although she was forced to spill the beans, Xing Yan wasn’t actually worried.

Just as Ye Linghua knew her affairs inside and out, didn’t she know Ye Linghua just as well? Since that major incident three years ago, although Ye Linghua’s personality had subtly changed, the main points were still the same.

Based on Xing Yan’s understanding of Ye Linghua, when Meng Kelin asked for this favor, she was prepared to be discovered from the start. After all, she had just tricked Ye Linghua into coming here; tricking her again… the difficulty coefficient was a bit too high.

With Ye Linghua’s intelligence, being tricked once meant she wouldn’t be easily tricked a second time. This person didn’t like falling into the same trap. Someone with high cautiousness, after stumbling in one place, would never trust that place again.

So, it would be difficult for Ye Linghua to believe her in the short term.

However, it didn’t matter.

For Xing Yan, Ye Linghua was the closer person, and Lin Xin was only loved by extension because she was the person Ye Linghua liked.

How to proceed would naturally prioritize Ye Linghua’s choice. If Ye Linghua found out, it wasn’t a big deal at all.

Because if Ye Linghua truly liked Lin Xin, the answer to this matter would actually become very simple.

Three months was enough time to sort many things out.

That afternoon, everyone played on their own. Ye Linghua herself wasn’t interested in the attractions. In the end, she found a café and read the news all afternoon.

In the evening, Tang Qiaozi finally found a good restaurant. Therefore, she pulled everyone into the group chat and announced the location for dinner.

Ye Linghua followed the message prompt to find the place. When she saw Lin Xin again, it was at the dinner table.

Meng Kelin didn’t know Ye Linghua was already aware of the variety show and smiled warmly at Ye Linghua.

Lin Xin saw her coming and smiled, patting the empty seat beside her. Ye Linghua didn’t refuse and sat down.

Meng Kelin saw she was cooperative tonight and politely asked her if she had any plans recently.

Unexpectedly, Ye Linghua actually did have plans. She said coldly and dispassionately at the dinner table: “I might have to go abroad.”

Meng Kelin: “…Ah, when will you be back?”

Ye Linghua lowered her gaze, looking at the plate in front of her, and said faintly: “I haven’t decided yet. It could be half a year, it could be a year. It’s hard to say.”

Everyone at the table froze, their eyes involuntarily turning to Lin Xin. They saw the fork in her hand clatter onto the table when she heard Ye Linghua’s words.

Then, she looked up at Ye Linghua in shock, trying to find some clue on her face. But Ye Linghua was still calm and composed, her high-minded elegance evident even as she lowered her head to eat, like a golden chrysanthemum in autumn, radiating a distant fragrance.

Is she avoiding me?

Lin Xin’s face turned pale as she lowered her head, yet she couldn’t utter a single word.

Seeing Lin Xin like this, Meng Kelin couldn’t bear it. She looked at Xing Yan, only to see Xing Yan spread her hands helplessly, wearing a look that said, I can’t help you.

Meng Kelin: “…”

Meng Kelin anxiously looked back at Lin Xin, only to see her silently pick up her cutlery again and start eating.

The dinner was somewhat tasteless. Lin Xin couldn’t eat past halfway and left first. Ye Linghua didn’t show much reaction from beginning to end. After Lin Xin left, she remained calmly seated, only stopping her movements after finishing her own portion.

But when everyone went to watch the fireworks show, Ye Linghua finally couldn’t resist and walked toward the hotel…

Upon returning to the hotel, she found all the lights in the room were off. Ye Linghua had to turn them on one by one.

Lin Xin was already lying in bed, hiding under the blanket, which formed a mound on the bed.

Ye Linghua paused and walked to her side. Gently pulling back the edge of the blanket, she saw Lin Xin curled up in a ball.

She had changed into a loose set of pajamas, revealing one smooth shoulder, which was so round it seemed to reflect the light.

As soon as Lin Xin returned, she had simply changed and gotten into bed. Not only was the dark blanket free of sight, but the obstruction of the duvet made Ye Linghua’s footsteps sound muffled.

It wasn’t until Ye Linghua reached the bedside and made a sound that Lin Xin grew nervous.

Next, she felt the bed dip slightly toward the middle—Ye Linghua had sat down.

Lin Xin grew even more anxious and wanted to reach out to pull the blanket tighter, but before she could lift her hand, Ye Linghua gently tugged the duvet down.

The bright light suddenly spilled over. Lin Xin reflexively closed her eyes from the sudden glare.

Ye Linghua saw this and reached out her palm to shield Lin Xin’s eyes, allowing her to slowly adjust to the bright environment.

“Why didn’t you finish eating? Are you hungry?”

Ye Linghua was still the same Ye Linghua, her gentle voice and caring words captivating.

Thinking of her saying she was going abroad, and her cold expression.

Lin Xin suddenly felt wronged, her eyes turning red. She asked her: “Are you going abroad to hide from me?”

Being rejected was expected, and she was prepared to be rejected many times.

However, hearing that Ye Linghua was planning to hide abroad made Lin Xin suddenly realize a fact. To Ye Linghua, she was like a flood or a ferocious beast (洪水猛獸), causing Ye Linghua to be willing to leave her familiar environment just to avoid her.

This made Lin Xin suddenly feel confused about her own actions.

Does she still like me? If she likes me, why is she avoiding me like this?

If she doesn’t like me, am I annoying her by getting close?

Leaving the dinner table early, hiding under the covers, she constantly pondered these two questions. She also considered what she should do next, regardless of the answer.

Should she respect Ye Linghua’s choice, let her go abroad, and cut off contact? Or should she cancel all her announcements and follow her footsteps?

She thought too much but couldn’t find an answer.

Therefore, when she asked Ye Linghua the question to her face, Lin Xin was afraid to hear the answer.

Ye Linghua looked at her wet, tearful eyes and slowly nodded. Because Lin Xin had just emerged from under the covers, her hair was scattered messily on the white sheets. The visual contrast of black and white was stunning.

But even such beauty couldn’t shake Ye Linghua’s resolve.

Lin Xin felt even more wronged: “Do you hate me that much? Do you have to avoid seeing me even if you hide abroad?”

Ye Linghua: “No, it’s because I like you too much.”

In the quiet room, only Ye Linghua’s sudden confession lingered. Outside the window, a loud bang signaled the official start of the fireworks show.

The two had missed the fireworks show and the parade again. The noisy excitement faintly drifted in. Even across the great distance and behind the high-definition glass, the bustle couldn’t be completely blocked out.

But Lin Xin couldn’t hear the excitement outside at all. She lay on the bed, looking at Ye Linghua blankly.

She was prepared for Ye Linghua to be angry, and she was prepared to be disliked. The only thing she hadn’t expected was Ye Linghua’s sudden confession at this moment.

It was so fast that Lin Xin didn’t even have time to react, or even feel happy.

Ye Linghua sat on the edge of the bed, one hand supporting her body, the other holding the blanket on Lin Xin. Seeing Lin Xin’s stunned, shocked look, Ye Linghua smiled helplessly: “Why are you surprised? It’s not the first time I’ve confessed.”

It was her favorite Ye Linghua!

Lin Xin’s heart began to pound uncontrollably. Tears spilled from her eyes, and she pressed her lips tightly together.

Ye Linghua smiled, reached out, and wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes, unable to bear her crying.

Ye Linghua finally followed her heart. She asked Lin Xin: “Miss Lin, may I ask a very childish question: Compared to Zheng Lanwen, do you like me more?”

Lin Xin was stunned. First, she looked at Ye Linghua and thought about the question, then she widened her eyes, staring at her. Is this person rejecting her because of Zheng Lanwen?

But Lin Xin no longer remembered what she had liked about Zheng Lanwen, or how much she had liked her.

However, based on the current Lin Xin, she liked Ye Linghua. She liked her a lot, a lot—more than she liked Zheng Lanwen.

Ye Linghua asked coaxingly: “Will you?”

The voice drifted softly, seeping into Lin Xin’s appreciation, making her feel enchanted. She nodded blankly: “I like you more.”

Ye Linghua smiled at this. She sat up straight and said seriously: “Then prove it to me.”

Lin Xin: “Huh? How do I prove this?”

Ye Linghua also thought for a moment: “You can think about it.”

Lin Xin was completely baffled by Ye Linghua’s words. Two lovers confessing to each other but failing to immediately get together was already outrageous enough for Lin Xin. She hadn’t expected Ye Linghua to have something even more outrageous in mind.

But, prove it? Miss Lin?

Although Lin Xin still didn’t fully understand what was going on, and hadn’t figured out how to prove it yet.

Since Ye Linghua had given her a new chance, she would start properly.

Therefore, Lin Xin seized the opportunity and said: “Then don’t call me ‘Miss Lin’ anymore. Call me Xinxin!”

Ye Linghua turned her head and gently rejected the proposal: “That won’t do. That name is what you forbade me to call you.”

Lin Xin held her hand and said loudly: “Stingy.”

Ye Linghua laughed, not angry about the matter, but she did have concerns about the proposal: “Miss Lin, do you know what it feels like to have a heart full of fervor suddenly doused with ice water?”

Lin Xin paused and withdrew her hand. She knew Ye Linghua was referring to the incident that night. Feeling she was in the wrong, Lin Xin lowered her head and apologized sincerely: “I’m sorry.”

Ye Linghua: “I’m very worried that you’ll say something like that again when you’re angry next time. When I call your name, I almost feel like I’ve become someone you despise. So, if we’re bound to encounter such a situation, it’s better to nip it in the bud from the start.”

Lin Xin quickly promised: “I won’t say things like that again. I promise.”

Ye Linghua: “Good, I believe you.”

What she thought would be a prolonged argument, Ye Linghua agreed to almost immediately.

But this was only a small step. Lin Xin never knew Ye Linghua’s cautiousness was this intense. That night she confessed to her was the only time she had dropped her armor.

And now, she had retreated back into her shell. Repairing their relationship couldn’t be solved with just one sentence.

It required passionate love, and constantly telling her she was loved…

Lin Xin’s spirits, which had been low due to the news that Ye Linghua was going abroad, were finally lifted by Ye Linghua’s comfort. Her energy immediately returned.

She quickly sat up on the bed and looked at Ye Linghua, saying: “I will definitely prove it to you. In exchange, can you not avoid me?”

Ye Linghua thought for two or three seconds before replying: “I can.”

Lin Xin’s eyes widened again: “Then are you still going abroad?”

Ye Linghua looked at her wide-open eyes. Under her expectant gaze, she slowly shook her head: “I’m not going.”

Huge success!!!

Lin Xin jumped out of bed and stood in front of Ye Linghua, her chest puffed out happily, her smile blossoming like a flower.

In that moment, Ye Linghua could visibly see Lin Xin change.

She was no longer cautious, no longer melancholic. It was as if she had rediscovered the meaning of life. She had a new goal and a direction to strive for.

Her confidence, the smile that broke out when she was happy—this was the most radiant Lin Xin Ye Linghua had ever seen.

“I will definitely, definitely make you accept me again! When that happens, will you call me Xinxin?”

Ye Linghua: “Okay.”

Lin Xin beamed, her smile like a hundred flowers in spring, dazzling enough to steal one’s gaze.