6

"Who are you looking for?" The security guard in the booth spotted the unfamiliar car and didn't raise the barrier. Stepping out of the booth for a closer look, he realized it was Zheng Lanwen. His expression immediately turned somewhat awkward.

When she was stopped by the security guard, Zheng Lanwen felt a sense of loss. This used to be her home, where security would always greet her respectfully as she came and went.

She had never thought there would come a day when she'd be barred at the gate.

But this was a luxury residential area, where strict checks were standard procedure for anyone entering or exiting. Without explicit permission from the homeowner or their direct family members, entry was generally not easy.

Now that she was divorced and no longer a resident of the neighborhood, being stopped for verification felt natural.

Even though it made her uncomfortable, Zheng Lanwen still said, "I'm here to see Lin Xin."

The security guard didn't immediately let her through but instead apologized, saying, "I'm sorry! You're no longer a resident here. If you want to see Ms. Lin, I'll need to check with her first."

Suppressing her temper, Zheng Lanwen nodded. She watched as the security guard turned and went back into the booth to make a call.

The phone system was directly connected to each villa. It wasn't long before someone picked up on the other end.

"Hello." The voice was calm, like a stream glimmering under the sunlight—cool yet tinged with warmth.

Zheng Lanwen immediately recognized it as the person who had hung up on her yesterday. She hadn't expected her to still be at Lin Xin's house. Did she spend the night there?

Unbelievable! How could Lin Xin casually bring someone back overnight?

From the moment she heard Ye Linghua's voice, Zheng Lanwen's heart began to seethe. She almost couldn't resist storming in to confront Lin Xin but knew she no longer had the standing to do so. Moreover, she had no idea where paparazzi might be lurking.

As a celebrity, even a moment of losing composure could be a mistake.

Meanwhile, Ye Linghua, on the other end of the call, responded. Recognizing her as the woman who had been with Lin Xin these past few days, the security guard awkwardly explained the situation at the gate, then asked, "She says she's here to see Ms. Lin. Could you help pass along the message and confirm whether to let her in?"

Ye Linghua clicked her tongue and turned to ask Lin Xin behind her, "Zheng Lanwen is here."

Lin Xin replied indifferently, "Let her in."

On the phone, the two were close enough for their voices to carry clearly. This only made Zheng Lanwen even more dissatisfied.

The security guard, relieved, immediately lifted the barrier for Zheng Lanwen.

Since journalists had infiltrated the neighborhood a couple of days ago, an emergency meeting had been called, resulting in stricter checks on visitors. The guard feared that refusing Zheng Lanwen entry might lead to trouble for himself.

Fortunately, the people involved were easy to deal with.

They could settle their own issues face-to-face, sparing the lower-level staff from unnecessary involvement.

The barrier slowly lifted, and Zheng Lanwen drove into the neighborhood, quickly navigating to the familiar front door.

She remembered this villa vividly. It had been bought by Lin Xin as their marital home. The first time she stepped inside, she could feel Lin Xin's meticulous preparation.

Yet two people without feelings for each other had turned this villa into a model home by forcing themselves to live together.

Every time Zheng Lanwen returned, she would head straight to her own room. Over five years, there weren't many shared memories here to look back on.

Now, looking at the winding stone path leading from the garden to the villa's front door, she suddenly recalled the day of the divorce.

On a rainy day, she had brought up divorce with Lin Xin, who was wearing revealing sleepwear. Before leaving, she had seen Lin Xin sitting on those very steps.

She had wanted to turn back several times, worried Lin Xin might misunderstand, or that she herself might waver.

These memories lingered as Zheng Lanwen once again stood at the beginning of the path and approached the villa.

As she got closer, she realized the woman sitting on the steps wasn't Lin Xin but someone unfamiliar.

The tension and guilt she had been feeling instantly dissipated, replaced by a cold indifference.

She could already guess that this unfamiliar woman was the one who had hung up on her yesterday, accompanied Lin Xin to the mall, and had dinner with her.

When Ye Linghua noticed Zheng Lanwen approaching, she stood up.

The two met for the first time, and neither liked the other at first glance.

Zheng Lanwen found Ye Linghua to be even more attractive than she had imagined. Even with a provocative gaze, she exuded a sensuality that was hard to ignore. She wore an off-shoulder caramel blouse paired with a patchwork tulle skirt, her smile as aloof as the moonlit night, yet irresistibly captivating.

The bitterness in Zheng Lanwen's heart surged. It had only been two days, and already there was a stranger here.

Was this the person Lin Xin truly liked? More than she had liked her?

No, impossible.

In just two days, how could feelings change?

"Hello, Ms. Zheng, is it?" Ye Linghua's gentle voice broke the silence.

Zheng Lanwen was momentarily stunned, thinking to herself, Even her voice is pleasant.

Pulling herself together, Zheng Lanwen's tone remained curt, "Yes, I am."

Ye Linghua smiled. "Lin Xin is inside preparing refreshments. I came out to greet you."

Zheng Lanwen responded with a perfunctory "Oh" and attempted to brush past Ye Linghua to go inside.

However, Ye Linghua stood firmly in place, still smiling as she asked, "Would you mind if I asked you a question?"

Zheng Lanwen frowned but, mindful of the possibility of journalists nearby, maintained her composure and nodded.

Ye Linghua didn't hold back. "When I received your call earlier, I was honestly surprised. Lin Xin told me that when you left two days ago, she made every effort to persuade you to stay, but you said you never wanted to come back here. Am I wrong? So, I thought it'd be a long time before we'd see you again. What brings you back now?"

Zheng Lanwen's frown deepened. The bluntness of the question made her uncomfortable.

Ye Linghua gave her no time to respond, adding, "Is it about Lin Wan?"

Zheng Lanwen sneered and rolled her eyes. "What business is it of yours?"

In truth, Lin Xin had decent taste. After all, her attraction to Zheng Lanwen had started with love at first sight. Zheng Lanwen's striking appearance had always been a draw.

During her debut, she had cultivated an image of aloofness that perfectly contrasted with Lin Wan's lively charm, making them a popular on-screen pairing. Unfortunately, after Lin Wan went abroad and Zheng Lanwen got married, the ship sank completely.

Though Lin Xin's timing had been opportunistic, she hadn't expected Zheng Lanwen to maintain her cold persona even in marriage, which persisted throughout their five years together.

Zheng Lanwen was genuinely cold-hearted, and Lin Xin's genuine efforts to warm her had failed. Now, the Zheng Lanwen who had returned was the same cold-hearted person she had always been.

Toward those she didn't like, she was unapologetically rude.

Toward Ye Linghua, her icy gaze was sharp enough to cut, and her words were just as harsh.

Yet Ye Linghua seemed unfazed, smiling lightly as she remarked, "I told you yesterday, didn't I? We're all adults here. Can't you settle your matters on your own?"

Zheng Lanwen sneered again. "Who do you think you are? This has nothing to do with you. Get lost."

Seeing that Zheng Lanwen was impervious, Ye Linghua privately felt an urge to hit her. But since Lin Xin was involved, she suppressed the impulse and said, "True, it has nothing to do with me. But does Lin Wan's matter have anything to do with Lin Xin?"

She patted Zheng Lanwen on the shoulder and advised, "Leave some room for decency; you never know when you might cross paths again. Think carefully about who you truly like. Don't waste your time on people who don't matter."

People who don't matter?

At that moment, Ye Linghua didn't realize that Lin Xin, who had been about to call them inside, had overheard her last sentence.

Lin Xin froze in place, a chill spreading through her.

People who don't matter? A waste of time?

Everyone knew Zheng Lanwen didn't love her, only Lin Wan.

Was Ye Linghua talking about her?

Why would you say that about me? If you dislike me as much as Zheng Lanwen does, then why have you stayed by my side these past two days?

Staying by someone you dislike…

Is it… for work?

Lin Xin tightened her grip on the doorknob, wanting to shut the door but unable to move.

Zheng Lanwen scoffed, scanning Ye Linghua from head to toe.

"I know better than you who I like," she said, pushing past Ye Linghua. If she didn't love Lin Wan, why would she have waited five years? Why endure a five-year platonic marriage with Lin Xin?

"You and I are not the same. I can choose to be with the person I love. But does Lin Xin love you?" Zheng Lanwen had lived with Lin Xin for five years. Even if she didn't love her, she knew well enough that Lin Xin was not someone who acted impulsively.

It was impossible for Lin Xin to cheat while still legally married to her. Which meant Ye Linghua must have entered the picture only in the past two days since the divorce.

With that in mind, it was highly likely Ye Linghua was someone Lin Xin had brought in to provoke her jealousy. A hired player, a penniless nobody—what right did she have to lecture her?

The more Zheng Lanwen thought about it, the more she disliked Ye Linghua. "You're just a toy she paid for. Know your place. Don't meddle in things that don't concern you. Our world is not the same as yours."

Ye Linghua paused. "Huh?"

After a moment, Ye Linghua realized what Zheng Lanwen was implying. This woman thought she was Lin Xin's sugar baby. At that moment, anger flared in Ye Linghua's heart.

She toyed with the small button on her sleeve and softly asked, "Is that really what you think of her?" Her fury stemmed from Zheng Lanwen's blatant disregard for Lin Xin.

"Or is it…" Ye Linghua's eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze sharp as she looked at Zheng Lanwen, "...because that's the kind of person you are, and you assume everyone else is the same?"

Zheng Lanwen froze, then erupted. "What did you say?" How could this woman know anything about her and Lin Wan? Yet here she was, implying that she was a freeloader.

Ever since she married Lin Xin, the thing Zheng Lanwen hated most was people accusing her of living off someone else.

Ye Linghua, however, didn't back down. With a cold smile, she said, "That kind of thinking is called 'projection' in psychology. In simple terms, it's a cognitive distortion. Let me make it even simpler: you're trash, so you think everyone else is trash. But in reality, they're not."

Ye Linghua's unrelenting provocations finally pushed Zheng Lanwen over the edge. Though still young and relatively new to the entertainment industry, she had always had Lin Xin's protection. Being challenged like this, her temper flared uncontrollably.

She took a step forward and, recalling the boxing moves she had learned for a shoot, threw a punch toward Ye Linghua.

Ye Linghua tilted her head slightly, easily dodging the attack, then gently shoved her, causing Zheng Lanwen to land on the ground.

Zheng Lanwen had no idea how Ye Linghua had done it. When she picked herself up from the ground, she could only look up at Ye Linghua in shock, unable to believe that this woman had dared to retaliate.

Ye Linghua sneered, taking a few steps forward and crouching down in front of Zheng Lanwen. "Remember this, Zheng. In this world, the only person willing to put up with you like Lin Xin did—is her. Do you think anyone else would?"

But Lin Xin's endless indulgence had only made Zheng Lanwen feel incompetent. Hearing Ye Linghua call her out so directly didn't move her; it only made her feel humiliated.

Amid the greenery of spring, the chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects filled the air like a symphony heralding the season's arrival.

Lin Xin, seeing the two about to fight at the gate, had no choice but to open the door and confront them.

For the first time, she saw the once-pristine Zheng Lanwen in such a sorry state.

Love should be a mutual exchange, but she had naively believed it could change a one-sided reality.

Yet even so, what right did Zheng Lanwen have to be so indignant? For five years, she had accepted every resource Lin Xin provided without refusal, climbing to her current position through Lin Xin's connections. And now she dared to preach about equality and righteousness? How laughable.

And then there was Ye Linghua. Why was she encouraging Zheng Lanwen to be with the person she loved? Even if everyone deserved to be with the person they loved, how could Zheng Lanwen move on to happiness after exploiting and abandoning her?

Why didn't Ye Linghua stand up for her?

Lin Xin's frustration deepened, especially with the realization that the person she had come to value over the past two days—Ye Linghua—might not even like her.

How foolish her affection seemed.

Zheng Lanwen soon noticed Lin Xin standing at the door, one hand on the doorknob, the other at her side. Lin Xin wore a classic black-and-white ensemble, exuding a composed and professional aura. The warmth that had once filled her gaze was replaced with an icy coldness.

This stung Zheng Lanwen's already bruised pride. Struggling to her feet, she dusted off her clothes and asked, as if it were her right, "Who is this person? Why are you letting just anyone into your home?"

Lin Xin turned to look at Ye Linghua, her expression equally cold. Ye Linghua, caught off guard by the sudden hostility, lowered her head obediently, unsure how she had offended Lin Xin.

Only then did Lin Xin shift her gaze back to Zheng Lanwen, her tone uncharacteristically firm. "It's none of your business."

Zheng Lanwen sneered, "None of my business? Fine, we're divorced. You can support whoever you want now—it's none of my business."

Ye Linghua quietly chimed in, "It never was your business."

Zheng Lanwen: "…" Shut up.

Momentarily silenced by Ye Linghua's comment, Zheng Lanwen reminded herself of her real reason for coming here.

She took a deep breath, softened her tone, and said, "Lin Xin, can we talk?"

Lin Xin: "What is there to talk about?"

Ye Linghua interjected, "There's really nothing to talk about."

Lin Xin gave Ye Linghua a pointed look, and Ye Linghua raised her hands in a gesture of surrender, signaling that she wouldn't interfere. Lin Xin then turned back to Zheng Lanwen and asked, "Are you here because of Lin Wan?"

Zheng Lanwen nodded. Confronted so directly, her sense of entitlement wavered, and she averted her gaze. "It's about Wanwan. I need your help."

Lin Xin stared at her for a long moment before replying, "I have no grudge against Lin Wan, but I'm not someone who repays wrongdoing with kindness. She's never helped me, so I have no reason to take risks for her. You understand the potential backlash as well as I do. Even if I spoke up, it might not have the effect you want. It could even backfire. I have no reason to take that risk for her."

"But it could also have a positive outcome," Zheng Lanwen argued. "People would see you as upright and honest."

Lin Xin let out a cold laugh. "And if it doesn't?"

Zheng Lanwen faltered, recalling the words of Lin Wan's manager and the memories of their shared struggles during their time on the reality show. She thought of Lin Wan's decision to return to China and how she now faced such a devastating blow.

Unwilling to give up, Zheng Lanwen said, "With your reputation, even if it doesn't work out, the damage to you wouldn't be that significant."

Lin Xin's laughter grew louder. "I may not be as good as Lin Wan, but I'm still human. Do I deserve to be hurt just because I can handle it?"

"That's not what I meant!" Zheng Lanwen protested. "I just meant that Wanwan being labeled a mistress is a much bigger blow than anything that might happen to you."

Lin Xin clenched her fists, too angry to speak.

Ye Linghua had finally had enough. Stepping forward, she coldly interrupted, "Stop treating your precious Lin Wan as if she's everyone else's responsibility. None of us owe her anything. When Lin Xin was being slandered, why didn't Lin Wan step forward to clear things up? Wouldn't the words of the person involved carry the most weight? Why didn't you tell Lin Wan to help Lin Xin back then? Zheng Lanwen, if you can't be fair, don't demand fairness from others."

Lin Xin froze, staring at Ye Linghua in astonishment.

But Ye Linghua continued, her cold smile unwavering. "The day you knocked on Lin Wan's door, she opened it, and you walked into her room. That's how you ended up trending online. Did Lin Xin open that door for you? No. You didn't handle your own affairs properly, and now you expect someone else to clean up after you? Why should they?"

Zheng Lanwen, having been interrupted repeatedly, was already on edge. Ye Linghua's pointed questions pushed her to the breaking point, and she raised her hand to retaliate.

But Ye Linghua caught her wrist with ease, her grip firm. "Are you sure you want to fight me? Do you think you can win?"

Realizing she couldn't break free, Zheng Lanwen was shocked by Ye Linghua's strength. "Who are you?" she asked, a hint of fear creeping into her voice.

Still holding her wrist, Ye Linghua glanced at Lin Xin before leaning in to whisper, "If you're not here to reconcile, then get out of her sight."

The gentle, smiling demeanor Ye Linghua had shown earlier was gone, replaced by a chilling aura that sent shivers down Zheng Lanwen's spine.

Zheng Lanwen stammered, "But Lin Wan—"

Ye Linghua's voice dropped even lower. "You and Lin Wan were in contact before the divorce, weren't you? When you went abroad for work, didn't you watch fireworks together? Remember that?"

Zheng Lanwen trembled, her defiance replaced by fear as she stared at Ye Linghua.

Ye Linghua smiled faintly. "I know nothing happened between you two, but if you're not here to make amends, don't show up again. Lin Xin doesn't need to know about Lin Wan, understand?"

This was a threat.

Zheng Lanwen understood it clearly. If photos of her and Lin Wan together ever surfaced, her career—and Lin Wan's—would be over.

Under Ye Linghua's combination of physical intimidation and psychological pressure, Zheng Lanwen finally backed down. After weighing her options, she turned and left.

Ye Linghua let out a sigh of relief, silently marveling that such dramatic moments could actually happen in real life.

Once Zheng Lanwen's car disappeared from view, Ye Linghua turned back to Lin Xin, only to find her standing motionless in the doorway, her gaze fixed not on Zheng Lanwen's retreating figure but on Ye Linghua herself.

Caught off guard, Ye Linghua called out, "Ms. Lin?"

Lin Xin snapped out of her daze, her expression complicated. After a moment of hesitation, she gave a bitter smile and said, "You should leave too."

Ye Linghua froze. "Huh?"

The words left her completely confused.

Just yesterday, they had gone shopping together, eaten a good meal, and even installed a small fridge in her room for convenience during the summer. Everything had pointed to Lin Xin accepting her presence.

And now this?

"I'll tell my mother to find a replacement. We used to have a housekeeper here who did a great job," Lin Xin said, her voice distant.

The realization hit Ye Linghua like a bucket of cold water. Lin Xin was asking her to leave.

Taking a deep breath, Ye Linghua suppressed her frustration. What had she done wrong? She had gone out of her way to defend Lin Xin, even driving Zheng Lanwen away.

Was it because she had been too harsh on Zheng Lanwen?

Ye Linghua's emotions simmered as she stood there. The novel had shown that Lin Xin had once defended Lin Wan, only to be left with nothing in return. She had only wanted to prevent that future, to protect her from further harm.

But now she was being dismissed.

Ye Linghua met Lin Xin's gaze and asked, "Can I at least ask why?"

Lin Xin smiled faintly. "Because you can't cook."

"That's an excuse." Ye Linghua looked at her deeply. "But I won't press further. If your wish is for me to leave, I'll respect it."