14

Leaving aside what Ye Linghua was planning for Zheng Lanwen, Meng Kelin had already begun preparing for the song's production.

After returning from Zhang Kunshan's place, she quickly contacted the top-tier music production team he had introduced. With lyrics, composition, and musicians in place, the song had now entered the crucial arrangement phase.

Arranging a song was like refining its beauty—it could make or break a song's success.

Fortunately, Zhang Kunshan's connections were vast, and the arranger he brought in was one of the best in the entertainment industry.

At the same time, Lin Xin had been called back to the company to undergo vocal training, ensuring she could deliver the best performance when recording began.

Since official work hadn't started yet, Meng Kelin didn't arrange for Ye Linghua to accompany Lin Xin.

Which worked out well—Ye Linghua was currently occupied with figuring out how to hinder Zheng Lanwen.

* * * *

Not long after, Meng Kelin's assistant brought her some gossip about Zheng Lanwen.

Initially, she had only heard that Zheng Lanwen was negotiating with a team—the same team that she herself had secured. At the time, her reaction was a mix of disgust and exasperation.

After Lin Xin's divorce, Meng Kelin had hoped they wouldn't have to deal with Zheng Lanwen anymore. But since they were in the same industry—and working for rival companies—it was impossible to avoid crossing paths.

The entertainment industry had many resources, but top-tier ones were limited. Clashes like this were inevitable.

But why did clashing with Zheng Lanwen specifically feel so revolting?

After overcoming her distaste, Meng Kelin understood that Zheng Lanwen wasn't someone who took losses easily.

If there was a chance to gain something, she would seize it. Otherwise, how else did she climb to fame by stepping on Lin Xin?

Prepared for a confrontation, Meng Kelin waited for Zheng Lanwen approach.

But before that could happen, her assistant brought back another juicy piece of gossip, grinning from ear to ear.

Seeing her expression, Meng Kelin was already amused before hearing the news. "What's up?"

Her assistant, Zhu Fang, was a petite girl with delicate features and large, round grape-like eyes.

Leaning in, Zhu Fang whispered excitedly, "She signed up for a variety show."

Meng Kelin blinked. "What kind of variety show?"

Zhu Fang: "A rural lifestyle reality show."

Meng Kelin frowned. "Will that even be popular?" So far, only one rural-themed variety show had ever gone viral, and that had been a low-budget underdog hit.

Zhu Fang glanced around before whispering conspiratorially, "Insider info says... this show might not even air."

Meng Kelin: "...With Zheng Lanwen's status, that doesn't make sense."

Zhu Fang chuckled. "It was a big budget production, but the director got arrested for some reason. A new director was brought in, and one of the major investors pulled out half their funding. So now, Zheng Lanwen is stuck—neither able to leave nor stay."

Meng Kelin understood how precarious the entertainment industry could be.

Every stage—from development to production, post-production, and broadcasting—was filled with challenges. Any issue in the process could have major consequences.

Among them, investors pulling out was one of the worst setbacks.

Meng Kelin couldn't understand—if the investors had already withdrawn, why was Zheng Lanwen still involved? Was she gambling on something?

Zhu Fang lowered her voice further, clearly enjoying the drama. "She's actually one of the investors."

Meng Kelin was stunned. "She dared to invest?"

Zhu Fang was even more amused. "Why wouldn't she? The proposal came from her own company, and the business plan looked excellent—aiming for a large scale production with big name guests. Even if it only relied on traffic, it wouldn't completely flop."

Meng Kelin shook her head. "It's never that easy. Everyone in the industry is chasing after big productions, but how many actually make it? There are hundreds of variety shows, dramas, and films every year that never even make it to release."

Zhu Fang, who clearly didn't like Zheng Lanwen, added, "She doesn't know any of that—Lin Xin protected her too well."

"True." Meng Kelin smirked.

With Lin Xin and herself shielding Zheng Lanwen all these years, she had lived like a flower in a greenhouse.

Too comfortable.

She had never faced real struggles in the industry.

She had always wanted to step out and experience the storms—well, now she would finally learn that the real world doesn't go easy on anyone.

* * * *

With Zheng Lanwen trapped in the countryside, Ye Linghua was just as surprised at how recklessly she had invested.

"With that brain… can she even make money?" Ye Linghua mused.

One of Ye Linghua's friends, Shi Daoqi, was a professional in the arts industry and frequently involved in large-scale music programs. While her industry connections weren't as vast as Zhang Kunshan's, she was highly knowledgeable about entertainment investments.

Upon hearing Ye Linghua's question, Shi Daoqi snorted, "Of course not!"

Ye Linghua was speechless. "If she wasn't confident, why bet everything? Anyone working with her would starve at this rate."

For the first time, she felt a bit concerned for Lin Xin.

Shi Daoqi found it hilarious. She teased, "If you care so much, why don't you just chase after her yourself?"

Ye Linghua: "..."

Shi Daoqi grinned. "Come on, don't go silent on me! If you really like her, so what if she's divorced? Just go for it! The whole group chat supports you. After all, it's not every day a cold hearted person like you actually falls for someone."

Ye Linghua fell silent for a moment.

Phone in hand, she stepped out onto the balcony—just in time to see Lin Xin's car pull into the driveway.

Lin Xin got out, and Meng Kelin leaned out from the car window, seemingly giving her some last-minute instructions.

Ye Linghua had been staying at Lin Xin's place for over a month now.

Everyday life was filled with cooking, grocery runs, and quiet companionship.

It felt as if she had left behind the crowded, fast-paced city and stepped into a peaceful countryside retreat.

Here, she didn't need to chase sunrise between skyscrapers, nor race against time in a world that never slowed down.

She could imagine waking up at dawn, climbing a hill to watch the sunrise.

Or lying on the grass at night, watching the stars.

There was a sense of tranquility, a longing for a simpler life.

Here…

Just the two of them.

Only the two of them.

Relying on each other.

Depending on each other.

It didn't seem bad at all.

But…

"If a person can die for another person, do you think such love can still be interfered with?"

Shi Daoqi sneered coldly, "Then interfere with what, a damn thread?"

Ye Linghua chuckled, lowering her eyes as she watched Lin Xin and Meng Kelin bid farewell on the first floor. She watched her turn around and walk up the path looking exhausted, and couldn't help but sigh: "Right! Love is just an emotion, but survival is a human instinct. Love and life could never be on the same level. After all, only by being alive can one love. But..."

Ye Linghua was not without insights into this novel, and it was precisely because she had insights that she understood—when a love transcends life itself...

"If one can truly sacrifice their life for a lover, then that lover must be their everything, their absolute... faith."

Divorce would not make Lin Xin die. What would make Lin Xin die was Lin Xin's love for Zheng Lanwen.

So, she never thought of interfering but rather of guarding her, ensuring that she could ultimately have this love in a healthy way. At this moment, Ye Linghua could still rationally and calmly judge that what Lin Xin needed was a healthy body.

* * * *

"You haven't slept yet?"

When Lin Xin returned to the villa and walked upstairs, she immediately noticed that Ye Linghua's room door was open, with the light from inside casting onto the hallway through the open doorway.

As she approached the door, she saw Ye Linghua standing on the balcony. The night breeze was slightly cool, rustling softly as it passed over the treetops.

Hearing her voice, Ye Linghua turned to look. Lin Xin was dressed in a white dress, standing in the doorway, one hand resting on the doorframe, the other naturally hanging at her side.

After asking, seeing that Ye Linghua did not answer, Lin Xin looked puzzled. She glanced at Ye Linghua's bed, which was still neatly folded, and said, "It's already 11 o'clock."

Ye Linghua responded to the person on the other end of the call and then hung up.

Then, she walked toward Lin Xin.

With a gentle smile on her face, she answered, "You hadn't come back yet."

Lin Xin let out a small "ah" sound, her cheeks flushing slightly. She reached up to scratch her ear, avoiding Ye Linghua's gaze.

Knowing that she had been waiting for her, Lin Xin felt a bit embarrassed and replied, "I can come in by myself. You don't have to wait next time."

Ye Linghua smiled, her slightly curved eyes carrying a hint of helplessness: "I was leaving the light on for you."

Leaving the light on?

Lin Xin froze there, recalling countless nights when she had returned to a dark home. In an instant, her emotions surged like a small boat in stormy waves, with no place to anchor. Lin Xin's voice softened, but she still refused: "No need."

She had long since gotten used to it—used to returning to an empty home, used to returning to a home where the lights never turned on.

"Of course, it's necessary."

Ye Linghua glanced around at the surrounding darkness. Without light, it was pitch black—who would like that?

So, she firmly told Lin Xin, "This house is very big. I won't let you return to a home without light."

Lin Xin blinked her large eyes. Before Ye Linghua could react, she suddenly stepped forward and hugged her. She wrapped her arms around her slender yet strong waist, pressing against the chest where her heartbeat had suddenly gone astray.

The sudden skin contact exchanged warmth and softness between them. The head resting against her neck already carried that familiar fragrance. How could an unexpected embrace not stir one's heart?

Even someone as composed as Ye Linghua, someone who had long seen through everything, still felt a numbing sensation in her heart at this moment, almost reaching out to embrace her back.