The Salted-Fish Alpha and the Actress Got Their Marriage Certificate - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

In the end, Meng Gujin was paired with the male actor, while the sisters formed another group.

The director, chuckling, arranged for Xi Ling and Ye Cike to ride in the same car, his gaze so kindly it made Ye Cike’s scalp tingle.

After all, this was a flood of attention. Xi Ling and Ye Cike had dominated the trending lists not long ago, and even after the clarifications, all sorts of topics kept popping up. This was exactly why he’d insisted on including Ye Cike.

A rookie shunned by the internet paired with an actress universally praised—didn’t that have more buzz than Meng Gujin?

The director’s calculations were sharp, and how could Ye Cike not see through it? But more than that, she was curious about Xi Ling’s thoughts.

Most actors guarded their reputations fiercely and would steer clear of her, so why was Xi Ling leaning in? Did she know about her background, or was there another reason?

In the spacious back seat, a wide gap separated her and Xi Ling—big enough to fit two more slim people.

From the corner of her eye, Ye Cike noticed Xi Ling’s hands folded neatly in front, a strand of soft hair falling across her face, her posture prim and composed.

She didn’t bring up the pheromone issue, so Ye Cike subtly took a deep breath and started searching for a conversation topic.

“We’ve got some time before we reach the destination. Want to listen to music to relax?” Ye Cike pulled out her phone, connecting it via Bluetooth to the screen in front of them.

Xi Ling tilted her head, inching closer to Ye Cike like a curious animal, peering at the playlist on the screen.

The music app displayed Ye Cike’s usual songs, but unsure of Xi Ling’s tastes, she asked, “Or do you want to pick?”

“I want this one!” Xi Ling didn’t hesitate, her slender finger scrolling down the list and landing precisely on a playlist titled ‘Kitchen BGM’.

Ye Cike paused, her face expressionless as she said, “Not that one.”

Xi Ling’s straight posture slumped instantly. She slid back to her original spot, head lowered, and murmured softly, “Okay, something else then. I’m fine with anything.”

The car’s atmosphere grew heavy for a few seconds.

Ye Cike frowned, explaining, “Those are songs I play while cooking. They’re a bit… unique. I was worried you wouldn’t like them.”

“Oh, okay.”

Xi Ling’s quiet three-word reply carried no hint of displeasure, perfectly polite.

But Ye Cike couldn’t stand it.

She looked like a reserved kitten, retreating to its nest the moment a request was denied, unwilling to try again.

“It’s not like you can’t listen,” Ye Cike said after a brief internal struggle. She hit play, telling herself an alpha shouldn’t be too uptight.

A cheerful prelude filled the car, piano notes flowing like a gentle stream.

Ye Cike watched as Xi Ling tilted her head, a trace of confusion crossing her beautiful face, which turned to astonishment when a childlike voice kicked in.

Blinking, Xi Ling’s lips curved upward. “What’s this song?”

“Little Leaping Frog. Never heard it?”

Ye Cike crossed her long legs, her expression devoid of joy or sorrow, her casual posture hinting at a touch of resignation.

Sunlight traced a golden edge along her profile, her sharp features making her seem unapproachable.

But with the ridiculously upbeat ‘Little Leaping Frog’ playing in the background, Xi Ling couldn’t muster any fear.

Her smile grew wider until she lifted a hand to cover her mouth, her pretty eyes crinkling into slits.

Ye Cike stared at her, stone-faced.

Xi Ling turned away, curling up, her shoulders trembling with suppressed laughter.

“Is it that funny?” Ye Cike asked calmly.

“Pfft.”

This time, the sound came from the cameraman in the front seat, who, after a sidelong glance from Ye Cike, faked a coughing fit.

Ye Cike said coldly, “Cut this part.”

The cameraman gave an OK gesture. It took Xi Ling a while to stop laughing, and then she scooted closer to Ye Cike again, eyeing the other songs on the playlist.

She leaned in close, her thick lashes casting a small shadow on her face, her cheeks flushed and vibrant, her whole demeanor coming alive.

Glancing at the screen, then back at Ye Cike, Xi Ling read out the play count. “Two hundred sixty times. So, Ye Cike, can you sing ‘Little Leaping Frog’?”

Her tone carried a hint of teasing.

Under Xi Ling’s sparkling, star-like gaze, Ye Cike’s sliver of embarrassment vanished.

Leaning back against the cushion, she chuckled lightly. “I could play it, but it’ll cost extra.”

She was leaving anyway, so what did it matter if she broke character? Ning Lan wouldn’t scold her for it.

The cameraman nodded, noting it down.

After one mortifying moment, her threshold for embarrassment plummeted, and Ye Cike grew more relaxed in front of the camera. Her half-lowered eyes softened the chill in her expression into languid ease.

The SUV rolled into the mountains, accompanied by one cheerful background tune after another, finally stopping in front of a tranquil village.

Before them stretched vast fields, newly planted rice seedlings swaying in the breeze, creating green waves that warmed the heart.

There were also a few empty paddies, marked off with red string into three sections—clearly set up by the production team.

“I know! We’re planting rice!” a petite girl exclaimed, raising her hand.

The sisters, Xu Chaochao and Xu Mumu, looked and sounded identical, and Ye Cike couldn’t tell them apart.

The director nodded. “Exactly. Every grain of rice is hard-earned, so today, you’ll experience the toil of farming firsthand. Each group gets one plot, and you can only rest once it’s fully planted! The slowest group picks the worst hut tonight.”

“We’ve brought in an expert to demonstrate planting techniques. Slacking off means redoing it, so take it seriously.”

The afternoon sun blazed, and the humidity near the paddies felt stifling.

The expert bent over, planting seedlings, sweat soon soaking through their clothes.

Xi Ling watched intently from the field’s edge, then turned to a crew member. “Make sure to give that uncle a bottle of water later.”

Ye Cike couldn’t help but think Xi Ling’s popularity made sense. She was courteous to everyone, regardless of status—a mark of deep-rooted grace.

But her sense of boundaries was just as precise. A closer look revealed she kept everyone at arm’s length, like there was a pane of glass between her and the world.

Close, yet untouchable.

The demonstration ended, and with a whistle, the task began.

The seemingly delicate sisters dove fearlessly into the mud, nearly slipping.

Ye Cike glanced at Xi Ling, even more delicate than the sisters, and discreetly scanned their surroundings.

The director called out, “Watch out for leeches!”

Xi Ling was already rolling up her pant legs, revealing pale, delicate ankles that looked tenderer than the new seedlings, as if a pinch could leave a red mark.

Ye Cike’s brow furrowed slightly.

Meng Gujin, ready to work, sauntered over to Xi Ling, feigning casual chatter. “The sun’s strong today. You could get sunburned, so be careful.”

Xi Ling smiled. “Mm.”

“You should watch the time, too. Staying in the water too long isn’t good for you.”

“Okay.”

Having made his presence known, Meng Gujin turned to Ye Cike with a half-joking tone. “If Xi Ling were in my group, I wouldn’t let her lift a finger. Ye Cike, we alphas need to lead by example.”

Ye Cike, silent until now, lifted her gaze. Hands in her pockets, she stood lazily, her eyes completely ignoring Meng Gujin.

“With all that kindness, why don’t you do everyone’s work while you’re at it?”

Meng Gujin’s expression didn’t falter, his smile intact. “No way. You’re planning to drag Xi Ling into the work? I could help you two out, you know.”

Ye Cike was about to fire back a retort when someone tugged her sleeve, forcing her to swallow her words.

Xi Ling tied her hair into a bun and hoisted a basket of seedlings, her movements swift and efficient.

“I can handle it myself. I can’t always rely on others.”

With that, Meng Gujin couldn’t push further. After a few more concerned words, he reluctantly returned to his own plot.

Xi Ling kicked off her shoes, eyes gleaming with enthusiasm, but as she stepped toward the field, Ye Cike grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.

Ye Cike raised an eyebrow. “You really want to do this?”

“We’re here, so of course I’ll give it my all.” Xi Ling’s eyes curved with a smile. “Too bad all my research on farming machines won’t be useful.”

Ye Cike stared at her, silent, until Xi Ling’s smile faded. Looking down, Xi Ling said softly, “We can take our time. I don’t mind the accommodations, and I don’t eat much.”

Ye Cike’s fingers trembled, a sour feeling spreading through her chest, as if a lemon had been lodged in her heart.

She asked quietly, “You really know how to use a rice planter?”

The sudden question puzzled Xi Ling, but she nodded. “I haven’t tried it, but I know the process clearly.”

Ye Cike’s smile was dazzling, brighter than the May sun. Without hesitation, she took the basket from Xi Ling’s hands, carrying it easily.

“That’s enough. Where’s our group’s budget?”

Confused, Xi Ling handed her two hundred yuan. “What are you doing?”

“Putting your efforts to good use.”

Taking the money, Ye Cike told Xi Ling to stay put and walked off in a direction.

Xi Ling’s gaze followed her until her tall figure vanished at the road’s end. Then she lowered her eyes, standing still, lost in thought.

Half an hour later, Ye Cike returned. The roar of an engine echoed across the fields, startling those toiling away. The director, lounging with a drink, nearly choked when he saw a mid-sized rice planter chugging along the path.

The machine rolled into the paddy with a splash. Xu Chaochao stood frozen, muttering, “Can you do that?”

Xu Mumu chimed in, “Is this scripted? Is this their script?”

Most variety shows had scripts, and the sisters had received theirs, so their suspicion was reasonable.

Ye Cike, in the driver’s seat, waved at Xi Ling. “Come on, show me how to use it.”

Xi Ling hesitated before carefully climbing onto the machine. The space was tight, so the camera stayed on the field’s edge.

Standing close to Ye Cike, Xi Ling could feel her warmth.

Following Xi Ling’s instructions, Ye Cike pressed the buttons in sequence. As the machine hummed to life, rows of tender seedlings were planted neatly into the soil, perfectly spaced.

Machines were no match for manual labor. In no time, they caught up on their progress.

“You didn’t have to do this for me,” Xi Ling said, her eyes shimmering as she looked at Ye Cike, focused on operating the machine.

Ye Cike replied bluntly, “Don’t overthink it. I’m just too lazy to work hard when I can slack off.”

“Besides, the director only said to plant the field, not how to do it.” She smirked, satisfied. “Others don’t know how to use machines, but you do. In the end, Xi Ling’s the capable one.”

Xi Ling fell silent, focusing on her task, occasionally tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. With her hair up, her slender nape was exposed.

Ye Cike sat upright, eyes fixed ahead.

But the air gradually filled with a sweet, tangy orange scent, mingling with the grassy aroma of the fields, evoking a rain-soaked orchard.

Instinct told Ye Cike this was an alpha’s pheromone.

But she was the only alpha nearby.

Unable to stay calm, despite the blazing sun, Ye Cike’s palms grew clammy.

Ridiculous—how had her pheromones changed like that?!