Lightning streaked across the horizon, splitting the gloomy sky in two, followed by a rumbling clap of thunder.
The rain poured down like a curtain, veiling the world before her eyes.
Ye Linghua held up a bright red umbrella. She wore a white, form-fitting knitted sweater paired with sleek black pants that outlined her graceful figure.
She stepped into the residential area slowly, as if stepping out from a monochrome ink painting.
Her strides were relaxed, her shiny black leather shoes splashing lightly through shallow puddles, scattering droplets of cool water.
Through the downpour, her gaze landed on a row of luxurious villas in the distance. These villas stood against a backdrop of verdant trees, where birds were returning to their nests, their chirps adding a touch of melancholy to the already dreary weather.
The rain drummed relentlessly against her umbrella, a constant symphony of pitter-patter.
Ye Linghua glanced toward the sky. Because it was overcast, the sunset was hidden from view today.
As she approached the row of villas, it became evident that each villa was spaced far apart. Of course, this was no surprise. This was Youcheng's most luxurious residential area. Only the wealthy and influential lived here. Due to the privacy afforded by the layout, many famous celebrities had also purchased homes here.
And the person Ye Linghua was looking for was naturally among them.
Sure enough, after passing two villas, she spotted the person she was searching for at the third.
A woman sat on the steps of the villa's entrance, her head bowed, staring at the ground. She let the rain pelt her body without moving, as still as a statue.
Ye Linghua stood silently, observing her. She didn't rush forward. She knew this woman's name: Lin Xin.
In the entertainment industry, Lin Xin was a rare figure—a child star who had remained consistently popular throughout her career.
In recent years, however, Lin Xin had gradually faded from the public eye due to her marriage.
Or at least, that was the official narrative. Ye Linghua knew the real reason for Lin Xin's withdrawal from showbiz was—Zheng Lanwen.
When Lin Xin had first met Zheng Lanwen, Zheng Lanwen was just a newcomer fresh out of a talent competition. At the time, Lin Xin was already at the top of her game, a three-time Best Actress award winner. She wasn't just a goddess to her fans but also someone with immense influence in the entertainment industry.
After marrying Zheng Lanwen, Lin Xin voluntarily stepped away from the limelight. Not only did she meticulously manage their home, but she also paved the way for Zheng Lanwen's rise to stardom.
Now, as Zheng Lanwen basked in fame as one of the industry's brightest stars, Lin Xin's contributions couldn't be overstated.
Yet, all of Lin Xin's sacrifices hadn't earned her even a shred of affection from Zheng Lanwen.
What she got instead was today—the day their divorce was finalized.
Ye Linghua raised her umbrella slightly, expanding her field of view. Through the veil of rain, she could see the woman hugging her arms around herself, still unresponsive to her presence.
Ye Linghua sighed. She didn't want to get involved in the main characters mess, but she couldn't help feeling a twinge of pity for this heroine.
Yes, this world was a novel—a book titled Late Love.
Ye Linghua had once read it during her leisure time, though she hadn't been particularly impressed with it.
The entire story could be summarized into a chasing-the-wife drama.
From the moment Zheng Lanwen abandoned Lin Xin, every plotline was steeped in melodrama and cheap emotions.
Zheng Lanwen did love Lin Xin—but she hadn't realized it until it was far too late. Her belated awareness and reluctance to express her feelings became the driving force of the narrative.
In the end, all that was left were late apologies and an overdue reunion.
'Late' was the central theme of the story, perfectly encapsulated in its title.
What a cliché soap opera.
When Ye Linghua had finished reading the novel, she'd been frustrated for days. She couldn't understand—what exactly did Lin Xin love about Zheng Lanwen?
After agonizing over it for a while, she gave up.
When Ye Linghua first arrived in this world, she'd debated whether to intervene.
After all, Lin Xin was a living, breathing person now. Knowing her fate, how could Ye Linghua remain indifferent and pretend nothing was going to happen?
But back then, Lin Xin and Zheng Lanwen were in the early stages of their marriage, and Lin Xin was deeply in love.
Lin Xin's love for Zheng Lanwen was portrayed as all-consuming in the novel. Ye Linghua didn't think she could pull Lin Xin back with just a few words of warning.
So, she chose not to interfere. Three years passed, and Ye Linghua had almost forgotten that this world was a novel.
Until one day, a trending topic caught her attention: 'Lin Wan Returns to China'.
At that moment, Ye Linghua was jolted awake. Three years had passed, and the main plotline was finally kicking off.
Sure enough, just two days after the news of Lin Wan's return, Lin Xin and Zheng Lanwen's divorce became a trending topic.
Social media erupted. Fans of Lin Xin celebrated that she'd finally gotten rid of Zheng Lanwen, whom they saw as a parasite. Zheng Lanwen's fans were equally elated, cheering that their idol was finally free of Lin Xin's arrogance.
Meanwhile, Ye Linghua spent the whole night lying on her bed, clutching her phone. She knew this divorce marked the beginning of Lin Xin's tragic downfall. Lin Xin, who would wait endlessly for Zheng Lanwen to come back, would harm herself in the process. Even after they reconciled later, Lin Xin would eventually pass away far too young.
What should she do?
Should she intervene?
But what power did she have?
Caught in her own indecision, Ye Linghua ultimately found herself standing here today.
The woman sat right in front of her, wearing a white gauzy nightgown soaked through by the rain, clinging to her skin. She looked utterly disheveled yet heartbreakingly fragile.
Ye Linghua sighed once more.
Since she was already here...
She slowly stepped into Lin Xin's yard, finally getting a closer look at her. Even with just a side profile visible, Lin Xin's beauty surpassed Ye Linghua's expectations.
She was far more stunning than her photos suggested.
So, this was the kind of person who didn't photograph well?
Lin Xin hadn't noticed Ye Linghua's approach. She continued staring blankly at the ground. Rain pooled in the uneven cracks of the stone path, forming small puddles that reflected the dark, clouded sky.
Lin Xin didn't understand. How had things come to this?
Five years of love and devotion couldn't compare to a single headline about Lin Wan returning to China? Was Zheng Lanwen really so blind to her worth?
The rain poured mercilessly from above, soaking her hair and washing away the traces of her once-passionate love.
She wiped her tears away, determination gradually hardening her expression.
From a short distance away, Ye Linghua watched her futile attempt at composure. With a sigh of resignation, she thought, Fine, I'll intervene. Since I've ended up in this story, I might as well follow my heart.
I know the plot. It won't be hard to avoid the pitfalls. And when the time comes, I'll return a healthy and happy Lin Xin to her rightful place. Mission accomplished.
Whether she succeeded or not didn't matter—doing nothing would guarantee failure.
Having made up her mind, Ye Linghua took a step toward Lin Xin.
The rain drizzled on relentlessly, a mournful backdrop to the events of the day.
Unbeknownst to Lin Xin, her decision to let go of this relationship had solidified in the hours she'd sat here.
If this was how it was meant to be, so be it. She'd let them love each other if they wanted.
She could live brilliantly on her own. Sitting here brooding was pointless—if anything, it only cheapened her.
The more Lin Xin thought about it, the angrier she became. Just as she prepared to stand up and leave, a shadow suddenly loomed over her. The rain above her stopped, and a figure appeared in her line of sight.
The rustling sound of the rain seemed to grow louder, filling her ears and tugging at her heartstrings.
Later, when Lin Xin recalled this first encounter countless times, she couldn't stop her heart from fluttering anew.
At that moment, she dazedly looked up to find a bright red umbrella above her and a woman dressed in white standing before her. The stark contrast of colors was striking.
The woman's delicate face was incongruous with the pair of soulful, peach blossom eyes she possessed. Her gaze was so tender it seemed to carry a hint of affection. Even Lin Xin, who was used to beauty, found herself momentarily captivated.
The woman, apparently unaware of how abrupt her appearance was, offered Lin Xin a gentle smile.
In Lin Xin's confused gaze, the woman spoke softly, "I like rainy days."
Lin Xin blinked her large phoenix eyes, unsure how to respond. "Huh?"
Ye Linghua chuckled at her bewildered reaction and crouched down to meet her at eye level. Only then did she notice how flawless Lin Xin's skin was—so fair and smooth that it seemed to glow.
No wonder there were online posts claiming Lin Xin could appear on camera without makeup. It wasn't an exaggeration.
Ye Linghua was momentarily distracted, but she quickly snapped herself out of it. This is the heroine. The heroine! Zheng Lanwen's heroine!
She reminded herself of her mission, then smiled brightly. Her peach blossom eyes curved like crescent moons, sparkling with faint starlight.
She asked Lin Xin, "Have you ever seen a princess cry in the rain?"
Lin Xin shook her head.
Ye Linghua smiled and said, "I have." Then, she took out a pack of tissues and handed them to Lin Xin, chuckling softly. "You're even more beautiful than I imagined."
Lin Xin blinked, finally understanding her words. After a brief moment of surprise, she burst out laughing.
Somehow, the stranger's simple compliment had eased the heavy weight in her heart.
Was she still heartbroken? Of course. She wasn't just upset about the emotional investment; even as a colleague or friend, she had helped Zheng Lanwen so much, only to be discarded like this. And she had truly loved her, after all.
"A princess shouldn't cry." Ye Linghua continued.
"And one day, you'll be happier than anyone else."
Lin Xin didn't know who this woman was, but her words, spoken so earnestly, inexplicably comforted her.
It wasn't profound wisdom, but at this moment, it sounded like the most beautiful melody.
Maybe it was her warm voice, or maybe it was the gentleness she radiated. Whatever it was, Lin Xin accepted this kindness willingly.
After a moment, Lin Xin smiled faintly and asked, "Who are you?"
Ye Linghua froze, realizing she was standing too close, which was somewhat inappropriate.
She quickly stood up, scratched her head awkwardly, and introduced herself. "My surname is Ye. My name is Ye Linghua."
"Ye Linghua?" Lin Xin repeated.
Through the rain, the two of them—one seated, one standing—gazed at each other. The sound of the drizzle seemed to accompany their first meeting like background music.
The sky grew darker as time passed, and the streetlights flickered on, casting a kaleidoscope of light and shadow between them.
Ye Linghua, huh?
For a moment, Lin Xin's gaze grew distant...
Suddenly, a faint 'click' came from the bushes outside the yard.
As someone who'd been in the entertainment industry for years, Lin Xin immediately recognized the sound.
Her expression darkened. The pleasant mood from moments ago was instantly soured. "Even on rainy days, they're this dedicated," she muttered.
Standing abruptly,"If they want a headline, I'll give them one."
Her tone was fierce.
Clearly, she had no intention of tolerating the paparazzi any longer. If they wanted a scoop, she'd make sure they got more than they bargained for.
But as she marched past Ye Linghua, heading for the bushes, Ye Linghua grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
Due to the force, Lin Xin stumbled backward and collided with Ye Linghua's chest.
Ye Linghua was warm—her body heat seeped through the thin fabric of Lin Xin's nightgown.
Lin Xin frowned and glanced up at Ye Linghua.
Ye Linghua wasn't fazed by her sharp look. Instead, she smiled gently and said, "I forgot to introduce my job earlier. I'm the housekeeper your parents hired."
"Housekeeper...? What?""
At that moment, Lin Xin forgot all about confronting the paparazzi. She was too baffled by the idea that her parents had hired such a refined and well-mannered 'housekeeper'.
She stared at Ye Linghua with suspicion, but Ye Linghua offered no further explanation. Instead, she tightened her grip slightly and ushered Lin Xin back into the villa.
"Wait, wait a minute…" Lin Xin protested, trying to free her arm.
Ye Linghua, however, was quick and decisive. Lin Xin couldn't break free.
"You've forgotten what you're wearing, haven't you?" Ye Linghua reminded her calmly.
That simple statement brought Lin Xin back to reality.
She was wearing a sheer nightgown.
In the brief moment of realization, Ye Linghua successfully pulled her into the villa and shut the door behind them, sealing out the paparazzi and the chilly night air.
Lin Xin finally yanked her arm free and rotated her wrist before turning toward the interior of the house.
Ye Linghua chuckled softly, shook her head, and placed her umbrella in the rack near the entrance before following her.
When they reached the living room, Ye Linghua paused. The room was a mess—almost as if there'd been a fight earlier.
That can't be right, Ye Linghua thought. The book didn't mention this.
Lin Xin glanced at the living room and was reminded of her argument with Zheng Lanwen that afternoon. The coffee table was littered with scattered papers, and shards of a shattered glass lay near the bar.
A bitter taste rose in her mouth, but before she could dwell on it, Ye Linghua stepped forward and began tidying up.
Ye Linghua's lowered head and the soft curve of her neck, combined with her focused expression, radiated a gentle warmth.
Lin Xin walked to the bar, retrieved a wineglass, and poured herself some red wine. Taking a seat on one of the swivel chairs, she smiled faintly and asked, "So, are you really the housekeeper my parents hired?"
Ye Linghua nodded lightly. "I am."
According to the novel, Lin Xin's altercation with the reporters during this incident marked the beginning of her decline in the entertainment industry.
Already controversial for marrying the then-unknown Zheng Lanwen, the backlash had sparked fierce fan wars. After their divorce, the brawl with the reporters further cemented a negative public image.
Photos of Lin Xin disheveled and poorly dressed had been plastered online and ridiculed with sexual jokes.
In the novel, this event left Lin Xin depressed for a long time.
That was why, the moment Ye Linghua saw Lin Xin storming toward the bushes earlier, she had pulled her back into the villa.
Ye Linghua wanted to change Lin Xin's fate and had tried to intervene. Unexpectedly, her attempt was successful.
Now, she methodically picked up the trash and placed it into a garbage bag, moving from the living room to the bar as she tidied up.
When she came back to her senses, she realized Lin Xin was seated on a chair beside her, legs crossed elegantly. Her bright, clear eyes scanned Ye Linghua from head to toe with a faintly amused look.
Under the transparent nightgown, her two jade-like legs were partially visible.
Ye Linghua quickly averted her gaze, wearing an expression of pure innocence.
Lin Xin raised a brow. "You're really… a housekeeper?"
Without hesitation, Ye Linghua answered, "I am."
Lin Xin's eyes narrowed with even more skepticism. "Don't you think the room looks messier after you've 'cleaned' it?"
Ye Linghua froze and glanced behind her at the living room she had just tidied.
After an awkward pause, she replied stiffly, "Could you… give a newcomer a chance?"
If her mission to accompany Lin Xin was over before it even started, she'd be in trouble…
Lin Xin stared at her for a moment, then unexpectedly gave a faint smile. "…Alright."