After Transmigrating, I Fell in Love with a Top-Tier Movie Queen - Chapter 89.1

The fans’ screams rose and fell, one wave louder than the last, like the relentless ocean waves, each covering the one before.

Ye Linghua realized for the first time that the people around her were not just celebrities, but some of the most popular stars of the moment.

For instance, resident guests Gong Chen and Bai Xueyu were only moderately famous before joining The Leisurely Courtyard. However, in the last two years, they had produced representative works, and their fame had soared, with their fan following already exceeding ten million.

Not to mention Zhuo Yaxin, who became a sensation from a web drama this year; Zheng Lanwen, who exploded in popularity through variety shows; Lin Xin, whose songs were a massive hit; and Qu Hejing, the diva who had been popular for over 20 years.

The fans of each celebrity were packed tightly outside the perimeter, along with curious onlookers. The scene was truly a sea of people.

Those who were used to this kind of commotion took it in stride. But Lin Xin worried that Ye Linghua would be uncomfortable. Though they were on different teams, Lin Xin secretly rushed over to her side.

Ye Linghua smiled sweetly when she saw her approach. Lin Xin was momentarily dazed but still asked with concern: “Are you used to this?”

Ye Linghua: “Of course, I’m not used to it, but I can handle it for now. The fans are very enthusiastic.”

Lin Xin looked slightly apologetic: “I’m sorry.”

Ye Linghua glanced at her, asking with a smile: “Why do you say that?”

Lin Xin fidgeted: “Because I’m the reason you came.”

Ye Linghua laughed softly, leaned into her ear, and whispered: “I want to be here.”

That one sentence made Lin Xin’s face flush crimson. Immediately, the CP fans mixed in with the crowd screamed with excitement.

“Aaaaaaaah!!!”

【They got together! What did they say!!!】

Mao Heng, walking ahead, heard the noise and looked back. Against the backdrop of the azure sea, he saw Lin Xin’s shyly lowered head and Ye Linghua’s side-tilted, pleased smile.

Mao Heng raised an eyebrow and shouted: “Lin Xin, which team are you on?”

Lin Xin was startled and quickly ran back, returning to the Star Team.

【Hahahahaha, Xinbao got scared.】

【Senior Mao, are you allergic to romance?】

【I just screenshotted that moment. It’s going to be the best desktop background!】

Amidst the fans’ cheers, the guests finally reached the beach.

Only then did they realize that the designated area wasn’t actually very large. The production team hadn’t been generous enough to rent the entire beach; they had only cordoned off a small corner.

On both sides of this area were two goalposts. Ye Linghua looked around. Besides the visible fixed cameras, there were also crew members carrying cameras nearby.

Ye Linghua stood in the field, looking at Lin Xin, who was three meters away. Lin Xin was in her team, laughing and chatting with her teammates. Her face, bathed in the brilliant sunlight, was full of vibrant energy that had a captivating effect on everyone. And all of this was now partly her strength.

Ye Linghua put aside the discomfort of being in front of the camera. She told herself that the price for anything was worth paying.

Standing in the same frame as Lin Xin, not hiding myself from the world…

That was the price for being with a radiant superstar, and it was a price she could and was happy to accept.

Lin Xin felt Ye Linghua’s gaze, looked over, paused in confusion, and then broke into a smile. It was as if a ray of sunshine had pierced the depths of Ye Linghua’s heart, allowing her to find a stable home in this world.

“All team members, please take your positions.”

Ye Linghua and Lin Xin put on the T-shirts they had been handed—the black Star Team uniform and the white Moon Team uniform—clearly defining the two sides.

As captains, Mao Heng and Tan Wenchang naturally stood at the center of their teams. The other members were spread out on either side of them. Ye Linghua and Lin Xin ended up on the far ends of the two teams, separated by a significant distance.

The host was a sharp-tongued member of Yan Li’s crew. He held a microphone, wearing a beach shirt and shorts, and stood in the middle of the two teams, smiling as he greeted everyone.

Lin Xin listened to the host rattle off his speech, which, besides introducing himself, naturally included advertisements for various sponsors.

Taking advantage of the time, Lin Xin secretly turned her head to look at Ye Linghua at the other end. Her gaze crossed over person after person in the middle. When she met Zheng Lanwen’s eyes, Lin Xin paused, then naturally shifted her attention away from her, continuing to look toward Ye Linghua on the far edge.

Zheng Lanwen was startled, and her heart ached. She stepped further outward, completely blocking the line of sight to Ye Linghua.

Lin Xin: “…”

Meeting Lin Xin’s speechless gaze, Zheng Lanwen looked back at her with a hint of awkwardness.

Lin Xin frowned and glared at her.

She didn’t understand what Zheng Lanwen was trying to do. If the situation hadn’t been what it was, she would have rushed over to confront her.

With this distraction, Lin Xin’s desire to look at Ye Linghua faded, having gotten frustrated. She was about to look away.

Suddenly, Ye Linghua, who had been staring blankly at the sea, emerged from behind Zheng Lanwen. She bent forward slightly, looked toward Lin Xin, first showing confusion, then seeming to understand. She flashed a bright smile and waved.

Her expressive peach blossom eyes were soft and clear when she smiled, forming crescents. Her waving hand messed with the peace that Lin Xin had just restored in her heart.

In the background, the deep blue, clear sea, with its white waves, surged forward like a giant skirt hem.

Lin Xin felt her heart pounding, louder and louder, deafeningly so.

“Aaaaaaaah~~~~”

“Aaaaaaaah”

“Aaaaaaaah!!!”

【Aaaaaaaah】

【Aaaaaaaah】

【So cute! That eye contact over such a distance is amazing!】

Screams erupted simultaneously on the beach and in the comments, with the live screams overwhelming everything else.

Even the sound of the waves couldn’t be heard.

The host and the other guests were stunned for a moment, then naturally looked toward Lin Xin and Ye Linghua. After all, the show had invested heavily in this CP!

They then saw Ye Linghua stand straight and turn her head toward the distant sea. The ocean waves seemed intimidated by the noise, weakly receding into the water.

Ye Linghua scratched her face, trying to relieve the embarrassment brought on by all the attention.

Lin Xin, however, smiled. Then she also turned her head to look in the other direction—the way they had come—which was filled with fans and passersby.

The two went from looking directly at each other to turning their heads away, yet they still provoked loud screams from the CP fans.

The comments section was completely obscured by lines of text; nothing on the screen could be clearly seen.

Mao Heng, holding his microphone, teased: “What did you two do?”

The two people involved naturally wouldn’t admit anything. Tan Wenchang smiled and said to Mao Heng: “I don’t know whether to worry about my team defecting or yours defecting during the game later.”

Mao Heng snorted: “You must be joking! My team consists of old pros who have been in this industry for decades. Do you think they’d make a mistake like that? Right?”

He looked to Lin Xin for confirmation.

Lin Xin nodded vigorously: “Right!”

Tan Wenchang looked at Ye Linghua, who didn’t take the bait and was still staring blankly at the sea.

Angrily, he said: “We’ll see about that.”

The Rules of the Game

At this point, the host saw that they had talked enough and stepped forward to continue: “I believe everyone has seen our two magnificent goalposts…”

The lonely goalposts on either side of the beach only had poles and a crossbar, without any netting. Could you even call them a goalpost? And magnificent?

Mao Heng and Tan Wenchang immediately scoffed: “Come on!”

The host coughed: “You two, don’t interrupt!” He then continued with dramatic flair: “On this bright and sunny day, we welcome our guests to this magnificent, boundless beach. Today marks the 6th Anniversary of The Leisurely Courtyard. Therefore, we have decided to hold a competition!”

Mao Heng and Tan Wenchang immediately burst out laughing, scolding: “What’s the connection? Director Yan, come out and explain!”

Tan Wenchang: “Exactly! What’s the connection between the anniversary and this?” Why did they suddenly decide to hold a competition?

Yan Li said: “The connection is profound. Don’t worry if you don’t understand; just listen.”

The guests were amused by his forced logic. The host cleared his throat again and said: “Today, we’re going to play a game involving a ball. First, you can see I have a soccer ball in my hand. There is a goalpost on each side of the field. Your objective is to throw this ball into the goal.”

“Huh?” Everyone was stunned, then a wave of silence and confusion spread: “…”

The host continued to explain the rules emotionally: “Of course, if you don’t want to throw it, you can kick it with your feet. In short, as long as the ball gets into the goal, even carrying it in is allowed. Oh, by the way, although you can carry it, you can’t run for more than three steps while holding it. Otherwise, it’s a foul. The first team to score five goals wins!”

Mao Heng: “…This has rules from both soccer and basketball. What kind of rules are these?”

The host smiled: “Simple, easy-to-understand, and clearly violent rules! Any goal counts as a score! Everyone, please prepare!”

So, the Star Team and the Moon Team gathered in their respective areas to discuss strategy.

The Match Begins

In reality, what strategy could they have?

Mao Heng said: “I used to play basketball. I’m good at this. Pass the ball to me later.”

The Star Team members all believed him.

Tan Wenchang of the Moon Team said: “I’m good at soccer, but running on the sand with my old arms and legs…”

Then he looked around and realized, Good heavens, their team is all women! Not a single man.

Unlike the Star Team, which had five people, including Gong Chen, a young, strong man.

Tan Wenchang asked: “Who among you has the best stamina?”

Everyone was momentarily stunned, then they all quietly raised their hands. Only Ye Linghua did not.

Tan Wenchang asked her: “Why aren’t you raising your hand?”

Ye Linghua: “…Ah? I don’t know why I should raise my hand.”

Tan Wenchang said: “A lot of viewers are watching!” How can you deny having good stamina? Although, wait, it seems to be a live broadcast now.

Ye Linghua: “…But whether I have good stamina or not has nothing to do with them.”

Tan Wenchang was speechless: “…You really won’t budge, will you!”

【Hahahahaha, true to our Little Qiming’s style.】

【So, she didn’t raise her hand because it ‘has nothing to do with us.’ Is she unhappy she’s not on the same team as Xinbao?】

【Does she need to say it? She has no chance to show off in front of Xinbao.】

【Who says she doesn’t? Just because they’re not on the same team doesn’t mean there’s no chance!】

【Hahahahaha, that’s mean. If she wins against Xinbao, won’t she have to kneel on durian when they go home tonight?】

【Ah, well…】

Ye Linghua was unaware that everything was being live-streamed across the internet. On the question of stamina, she ultimately said nothing more.

Once both teams had finished discussing, they quickly took their places in their respective fields.

The Moon Team had Tan Wenchang and Bai Xueyu leading the attack, with Zhuo Yaxin and Ye Linghua defending the rear.

The Star Team had Mao Heng and Gong Chen leading, with Lin Xin and Zheng Lanwen defending the rear, and Qu Hejing guarding the goal.

With the blow of a whistle, silence finally fell. Captains Mao Heng and Tan Wenchang stepped forward together. The host, holding the soccer ball, stood at the center of the field. Like in basketball, the host tossed the ball into the air for the first play. Whoever grabbed it first got possession.

Both Mao Heng and Tan Wenchang were older and didn’t dare to commit too intensely to this physically demanding game. However, Mao Heng was a basketball player, and although the sandy beach limited his performance, he still managed to snag the ball more easily than the less confident Tan Wenchang. As soon as he got the ball, he saw Tan Wenchang, who had landed simultaneously, running over to steal it. Mao Heng quickly threw the ball to Gong Chen behind him.

The distance between them immediately widened. However, their goal was the opponent’s goalpost. Pulling away from Tan Wenchang was meaningless because they had to carry the ball past him into the Moon Team’s field to score.

But in the first round, everyone still had their energy.

Seeing the ball go to the Star Team’s side, Tan Wenchang and Bai Xueyu followed their initial plan and immediately rushed into the Star Team’s field to steal the ball. Ye Linghua and Zhuo Yaxin stayed back to guard the goal and wait for the ball.

Gong Chen caught the ball. Seeing Tan Wenchang rushing at him again, he initially wanted to throw the ball back to Mao Heng, but Bai Xueyu had already run up to Mao Heng, making a return pass dangerous.

In a split second, Gong Chen turned and threw the ball to Zheng Lanwen behind him.

However, Gong Chen threw the ball too high. Even though Zheng Lanwen jumped as high as she could, she only managed to tip the ball with her fingertips. Lin Xin had anticipated this outcome and ran to catch the ball. She caught the ball, and the falling Zheng Lanwen… also caught her.

The two fell in a tangle, their exposed skin touching. The close contact she had once longed for was now easily achieved.

Zheng Lanwen suppressed her excitement, looking at Lin Xin lying on the ground. Lin Xin’s eyes were wide, staring at her with shock and confusion.

Thanks to the sand, she hadn’t been hurt by the fall.

But Zheng Lanwen still asked as she got up: “Did you hurt yourself?”

Lin Xin shook her head, avoiding her gaze, and didn’t speak.

She stood up and saw Ye Linghua standing in the opposing field. Ye Linghua had turned her head to look at their side, her face utterly cold.

Unhappy? It was clearly visible.

Lin Xin: “…” You said you wouldn’t be jealous!

Zheng Lanwen still wanted to step forward to show more concern, but Bai Xueyu and the others were quickly running toward them.