After Transmigrating, I Fell in Love with a Top-Tier Movie Queen - Chapter 87

【Ye Linghua must be angry, right?】

【Holy crap! Why would she be angry?】

【Should Lin Xin have endured her fear and run toward her instead?】

【Exactly, I’m scared of bugs too. If one landed on me, I’d probably die on the spot.】

【But I can understand! If my girlfriend got too close to her ex, I’d feel bad too.】

The spring sunlight, though not fierce, was still hot. Working was tiring, and they couldn’t wear short sleeves. Wearing hats, they felt suffocated and sweaty, their clothes sticking uncomfortably to their skin.

But Lin Xin was extremely worried that Ye Linghua would misunderstand. She always felt there was a very thin membrane between them, one that seemed ready to burst at a touch. Yet, that membrane was also incredibly tough, constantly separating the two.

It seemed this membrane was what kept Ye Linghua from moving forward.

Now that Ye Linghua was finally willing to get close to her, how could she let Zheng Lanwen’s actions spoil everything?

Lin Xin was aware of Zheng Lanwen’s current attempts to reconcile, and she knew that if she turned back now, all her past efforts on Zheng Lanwen would finally be rewarded.

However, just as a farmer who sows seeds in spring, diligently nurtures them, and harvests in autumn may still end up with a bad crop, Lin Xin had found a sense of calm acceptance about her previous “bad crop.”

So, she no longer cared about those past efforts.

She didn’t care about the years of effort, the hurt, or the outcome—none of it mattered anymore. Even if her relationship with Ye Linghua was a new beginning, a replay of her journey with Zheng Lanwen, which might also end up as a bad crop.

It doesn’t matter…

As long as she was with Ye Linghua, not dwelling on the past, not worrying about the future.

Lin Xin ran all the way to Ye Linghua. Only then did she clearly see the gentle expression on Ye Linghua’s face, looking at her with a helpless smile.

All the words of explanation got caught in her throat. Lin Xin’s eyes felt tender. The same effort, but this is what getting a response feels like!

Ye Linghua always faced her with tenderness. Even if she had been genuinely angry just moments ago, she was still smiling now.

It was precisely because of this Ye Linghua that even if she started over, even if the result was bad, Lin Xin would never regret it.

“Ye Linghua.” Lin Xin felt a wave of tenderness in her heart. She called her name, her sweet voice like a clear spring in summer.

Ye Linghua answered, “Hmm?”

Lin Xin lifted her straw hat, revealing her bright smile, and called out again, “Ye Linghua.”

Ye Linghua paused, then answered, “Hmm.”

Lin Xin said, “I’m very scared of bugs.”

Ye Linghua replied, “I saw.” As she spoke, she looked up at Zheng Lanwen, who was standing a short distance away, and slowly offered a gentle smile, as if speaking to a guest, saying, “Thank you.”

Zheng Lanwen: “…” Thanking me on Lin Xin’s behalf?

I’d rather she hadn’t thanked me at all!

【Hahaha, my God, Ye Linghua has such emotional maturity, doesn’t she?】

【OMG! I love her so much! She’s really so gentle.】

【Wuwuwuwu, Ye Linghua is truly wonderful!】

【Xinbao! Go for Ye Linghua! Be together!】

【Get married now, please!】

After speaking, Ye Linghua looked down at Lin Xin and asked, “I’ve finished clearing my spot. Should I go help you now?”

Lin Xin nodded emphatically. “Yes!”

So, the two walked toward Lin Xin’s row, ignoring everyone else.

When they reached the spot where Lin Xin had been scared by the bug, Zheng Lanwen was still standing there.

Watching Lin Xin tightly holding onto Ye Linghua’s sleeve, watching Lin Xin’s joyful expression, Zheng Lanwen reached up and turned off her microphone.

Ye Linghua noticed and turned off hers as well.

Seeing Ye Linghua turn hers off, Lin Xin also switched off her microphone.

Yan Li (the director): “…” No, you two are being a little too blatant about ignoring us!

【Wait, what did they have to say that we super VIPs can’t hear?】

【Damn it, where’s the top-up link? Is it because I haven’t paid enough?】

However, for a better viewing experience, the live stream had disabled the tipping feature early on. Wealthy viewers could only shout in the comments section.

【Turn it back on! I’ll throw you a Carnival, just turn the mics back on!】

【Where is Director Yan? If he doesn’t say something now, he’s truly a ‘Face Dog’ (obsessed with good looks).】

The Unspoken Conversation

Ye Linghua and the others were unaware of the commotion in the comments. After seeing that the two across from her had also turned off their microphones, Zheng Lanwen finally spoke: “I took the bug off her just now; I didn’t mean anything else by it.”

So, she wanted to explain things on Lin Xin’s behalf!

Ye Linghua gave a light laugh. “My thanks weren’t superficial. I know she’s truly terrified, and I couldn’t get to her in time. So, I was genuinely happy that someone was there to help her.”

Zheng Lanwen was a little surprised by her words. But since she said it that way, it no longer mattered whether the thanks was sincere or a declaration of ownership.

Zheng Lanwen then said, “Fine, I’ll accept the thanks. I hope you treat her well in the future.”

Ye Linghua: “I certainly will treat her well.”

Lin Xin turned her head, looked at one, then the other, and frowned at Zheng Lanwen. “Why do you get to say that?”

Zheng Lanwen looked at her and finally gave a bitter smile. “I don’t have the right. I just wanted to help…”

Lin Xin still frowned deeply. “I don’t need your help.” You’re just causing trouble. What does this have to do with you, helping out?

Ye Linghua reached out and touched Lin Xin’s head. “It’s okay, Lin Xin. It’s okay.”

Lin Xin was startled. She looked at Ye Linghua. Ye Linghua’s hat shaded her entire face from the glaring sunlight, keeping her expression hidden.

At that moment, perhaps to comfort her, or perhaps spontaneously, Ye Linghua spoke with a smile: “I knew about you and Zheng Lanwen before we got together. Maybe in the future, I’ll do many things poorly, maybe I’ll even be jealous, or feel inadequate, but Lin Xin, you must know…”

When Lin Xin heard Ye Linghua say the word jealous, she gripped Ye Linghua’s sleeve, even wanting to lean in to comfort her.

Ye Linghua: “No matter what I do or say, nothing is more important than your safety. Ye Linghua will compromise anything for your safety. So, as long as you are safe, everything is fine. As for everything else, that will pass. Even my jealousy, my inadequacy, my fear, they will all pass.”

Ye Linghua lowered her gaze. She reached out and held Lin Xin’s hand, and in front of Zheng Lanwen, she told Lin Xin: “All the memories and ‘firsts’ you had with Zheng Lanwen cannot be changed, but that is only the past. We are the future. We will create my memories, the ‘firsts’ that belong to us.”

Lin Xin immediately calmed down, a sudden sense of security washing over her. She nodded, touched, and promised, “That’s a certainty.”

Zheng Lanwen’s pupils contracted slightly. She watched their clasped hands, listening to Ye Linghua’s words, which sounded as if the end of her and Lin Xin’s relationship was utterly insignificant.

【Aaaaaaaah, Ye Linghua reached out… and held her hand! Aaaaaaaah!!!】

【I’m screaming like a chicken!!!】

【Is it real or not?! Is it real or not?! It must be real, right?!】

If they were a heterosexual couple, this hand-holding would be 90% considered an official announcement.

But in this world, although same-sex marriage was possible, many same-sex friendships also existed. And female friends often held hands.

Therefore, although Ye Linghua’s hand-holding was intensely ambiguous, it couldn’t be taken as 100% proof that they were a couple.

It was precisely this ambiguous certainty that made the fans feel so excited, eliciting enthusiastic shouts.

【Seriously, given all this, it must be real, right?】

【Qiming Star fans, calm down! We’ll wait for the official announcement!!!】

【Are the fans above really convinced they’re dating? Honestly, I’ll tell you: it’s probably staged. After all, Qiming Star has passed a million followers—they’re practically minor celebrities now.】

【I do admire Qiming Star for that. For a CP fandom, that achievement is amazing.】

【Crucially, the numbers are still growing. That’s what’s truly impressive.】

【So, it’s not surprising if the production team set up a script.】

Privacy and the Next Challenge

Zheng Lanwen knew the sound could be turned off, but the camera could not. She took a deep breath, suppressing all the turmoil in her heart. Then, she turned back to her row and knelt down to work.

Ye Linghua finally let go of Lin Xin’s hand. She had spoken beautifully, and she truly didn’t care that Lin Xin had a past relationship. She never cared about the past; she cared about the future.

It was precisely because she knew the plot of the novel so well that she felt a sense of crisis.

She wasn’t as nonchalant as she claimed, but her words were sincere. Moreover, Lin Xin provided such a strong sense of security.

Ye Linghua led Lin Xin back down and began to work diligently.

Yan Li: “… You two! Turn your mics back on!”

Ye Linghua: “…”

The three silently turned on their microphones. Yan Li reminded them, “If there’s nothing wrong, don’t keep turning off my mics.”

Lin Xin: “…Ye Linghua isn’t in the industry; she doesn’t know about this.”

Yan Li: “…She knows best. How else would she know to turn it off?”

Not only does she know to turn off the mic, but she knows to cover the camera and whisper secretly. She knows more than you people who are actually in the industry.

Ye Linghua: “…Thank you. I just value my privacy!”

Yan Li: “You can only fool yourself with that one!”

【Hahahahaha, talking about valuing privacy on a reality show! (Crying-laughing emoji)】

【I can sense Little Qiming’s helplessness. She really wants to maintain her privacy.】

【How much does Little Qiming not want to appear in public?】

【Yet, she still obediently came to film the reality show.】

【Director Yan, how many times has she turned off the mic? You need to pay attention! You only do a live stream this long once in a while. Don’t let the edited version be completely silent!】

【Hahaha, is the person above serious?】

【Ye Linghua, if you turn off the mic again, I’m going to report you!】

At this moment, everyone, who knew nothing about Ye Linghua’s true identity, was unaware that Ye Linghua was truly a person who valued her privacy.

This would be proven in the future.

The Evening Announcement

At noon, Mao Heng and the others finished lunch just as Lin Xin’s group returned.

The bathroom in the leisurely courtyard was on the first floor. Lin Xin quickly took her clothes and rushed to shower, followed by Ye Linghua and then Zheng Lanwen. After washing up, the three sat down together for lunch.

Because the midday sun was strong, everyone decided to eat in the main hall instead of the courtyard.

Everyone talked about the interesting things that happened while working outside. The atmosphere at the table was harmonious, with everyone laughing and chatting.

Although they were filming a show, the work they did was real. After lunch, the group helped clean up.

Then, everyone returned to their rooms to rest and recharge.

Ye Linghua and Lin Xin, having just showered, lay on the bed. They turned on the electric fan that had just been delivered that day, feeling lazy and sleepy.

When Ye Linghua woke up again, the sun was setting.

Ye Linghua yawned drowsily. It had been too long since she had done farm work. Working all morning—standing, sitting, tying, and picking—had stiffened her whole body.

Ye Linghua sat up and stretched forcefully. She suddenly noticed that Lin Xin was not in the bed beside her.

She was startled and quickly got up to leave the room. Just as she opened the door, she saw Lin Xin bringing a bowl of something in. Ye Linghua’s timing was perfect; she nearly bumped into her.

Fortunately, Ye Linghua quickly moved aside, and Lin Xin safely entered the room.

Ye Linghua glanced at the bowl; it contained yellow-colored tea. Before she could ask, Lin Xin smiled and said, “An old person from the village sent it. They saw us working in the fields today. This tea is what the locals love to drink. It’s refreshing and relieves heat.”

Ye Linghua looked at her. “Did you go and boil it specifically?”

Since there were no tasks planned for the afternoon, most people went to rest. The editor would have enough material, anyway.

It was only 3 PM. Lin Xin had brought the tea, which meant she hadn’t slept much at noon and had gone to boil water.

Lin Xin gave a shy laugh and didn’t deny it. “Yes, it’s ‘Love Tea.'”

Ye Linghua’s heart settled. She took the tea and drank half the bowl, then fed the remaining half to Lin Xin.

If the live stream hadn’t been closed, the sight of them indirectly kissing while drinking from the same bowl would surely have caused another round of fan shrieks.

After drinking the cool tea, the two went downstairs again.

Life in the leisurely courtyard was not always as exciting as it appeared on TV.

Most of the boring hours were edited out. In the evening, everyone prepared dinner as usual.

During dinner, Mao Heng announced the new task.

Mao Heng: “This isn’t really from me! Director Yan assigned this task. He said it’s to welcome everyone to the leisurely courtyard. Tomorrow, the production team will treat everyone to a barbecue and water fun at the seaside!”

Zhuo Yaxin and the others cheered immediately, shouting, “Yay! That’s great!”

Tan Wenchang chuckled, “Don’t get too happy too soon. Based on past experience, this kind of unexpected reward always comes with a price.”

Mao Heng laughed and told Tan Wenchang, “You know Director Yan’s nature too well.” Then he looked at everyone and said, “Yes, Director Yan has initiated a competition mode!”

Qu Hejing was most afraid of competitions. Being older, she was worried about doing poorly and asked, “Is there a penalty for losing?”

Mao Heng said, “The show is called the Leisurely Courtyard, so there will be a penalty, but it won’t be a big one. At most, it will involve small chores like helping cook, gathering firewood on the mountain, or weeding. So, there’s no need to be too nervous.”

Zhuo Yaxin asked again, “So… how will the teams be divided?”

At that question, everyone looked at Mao Heng, their eyes full of expectation, causing Mao Heng to open his mouth, then close it again.

Suddenly, everyone felt a sinking feeling, anticipating bad news.

Ye Linghua asked, “If Senior Mao is hesitant, it seems things won’t go the way everyone wants.”

Mao Heng laughed loudly: “It’s not that bad! It’s just that people from the same room cannot be on the same team. That’s all.”

At this, everyone showed a crestfallen expression.

Lin Xin let out a wail: “Why!!! That’s not fair!”

Yan Li’s voice cut in from off-camera: “What fairness is there in life? And why is it unfair? Who did you want to be on a team with?”

The shout Lin Xin was about to make was instantly muffled by Ye Linghua covering her mouth.

Ye Linghua smiled as she reminded her: “Director Yan is setting a trap for you! Be careful.”

Lin Xin immediately came to her senses. She glared at Yan Li with her large, phoenix eyes, full of feigned hurt: “You lied to me.”

Yan Li chuckled: “I didn’t! You just didn’t trust me.”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Next, Mao Heng took out two slips of paper and said, “Each room has two slips of paper—one with a ‘Moon’ and one with a ‘Star.’ They represent the two teams. You can choose the slip you like, and the teams will be divided tomorrow.”

Gong Chen suddenly counted and said, “That’s not right. There are nine of us!”

Tan Wenchang said, “It’s fine. It’s just a small competition. One extra or one fewer person isn’t the point.”

After announcing the competition for the next day, everyone went back to their rooms to rest.

The Choice of the Slips

Lin Xin was very upset when they returned to the room. She said, “Director Yan knows our relationship. Why would he separate us?”

Ye Linghua, searching for pajamas in the wardrobe, said, “Isn’t it precisely because he knows our relationship that he’s separating us?”

Lin Xin was stunned and sighed.

She should have expected the grouping before the choice. Separating her and Ye Linghua would definitely make for good television.

Lin Xin resignedly held up the two slips of paper and asked, “Ye Linghua, there’s a Star and a Moon. Which one do you want to pick?”

Ye Linghua placed her pajamas on the bed and said amusingly, “I’m not in the entertainment industry, and I don’t know anyone well. Since I won’t be on your team, the choice of sides is meaningless to me.”

Lin Xin realized this was true. For Ye Linghua, being on one team or the other probably made no difference.

“But…” Ye Linghua’s words emerged again. “If I end up on the same team as Zheng Lanwen, that’s another matter.”

Lin Xin paused and asked Ye Linghua softly, “Then you don’t want to be on her team?” After all, she’s your girlfriend’s ex-wife.

Ye Linghua chuckled. “I can’t decide this choice. If we aren’t on the same team, then either I’ll be with Zheng Lanwen or you will be. Honestly, I don’t like either outcome very much. But since we have no choice, I’d rather be on her team than have you be on hers.”

Lin Xin blushed and laughed happily. “You’re actually jealous, too.”

Ye Linghua said, “Oh?” She leaned close to Lin Xin. Their breaths mingled, their noses filled with each other’s scent.

Despite the already intimate gesture, Ye Linghua asked, “Why do you think that is?”

Lin Xin was annoyed and glared at her, You know the answer! Then she turned her head away.

Ye Linghua found her amusing and answered her own question: “I understand. It must be because of you!”

Lin Xin glared at her again. Shameless!

However, Ye Linghua found teasing her fun and had no shame. She took Lin Xin’s small hand and said earnestly, “It’s okay. If you really end up on Zheng Lanwen’s team, I promise I won’t get mad or overly jealous.”

Lin Xin snorted. “Then you better stick to your word!”

Ye Linghua: “I promise.”