A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

“I am not a beggar!” Xia Ling glared at them angrily.

“Forget it, she’s not leaving,” Pei Jingyu said with an evil grin. “Let’s go and tell Meng Yu, An Ning and the rest that there is a beggar here who thinks she’s better than all of us.” As the heiresses of big families, they had a reputation to uphold. Even though they had to compete amongst each other, they would never allow a beggar from nowhere to challenge their status.

The news that the orphan Pei Ziheng brought wanted to compete for the “Midsummer Lady” title soon spread.

All the other girls felt that she was too full of herself and treated her like a joke. Originally, some of them wanted to become “friends” with her in order to get closer to Pei Ziheng. However, Pei Jingyu said, “You think that my Big Cousin really adores her? No way! He was just doing a little extra for her as a charity, but who knew this brat is so immature? Big Cousin already had enough of her. He brought her here for her to see the difference between us and her, just so she knows her place! Look, Big Cousin isn’t even by her side now. If he really doted on her, he wouldn’t her left her alone!”

The girls all thought that Pei Jingyu made sense.

Those who wanted to use Xia Ling to get closer to Pei Ziheng decided against it. They did not want Pei Ziheng to dislike them for being friends with someone he hated.

In that instant, all the other girls began to isolate Xia Ling.

Xia Ling noticed their hostility. She knew that Pei Jingyu was telling tales about her, but she refused to explain herself. The girls could hate her all they wanted, she could do well without them.

Angrily, she walked along the garden and sat down by a lily lake.

“Miss Xia?” A warm voice echoed through the wind.

Xia Ling turned around and saw a youngster in white standing by the lily lake. He looked to be around 15 years old. His soft short hair ruffled in the wind as he smiled at her respectfully.

“You are…?” She asked.

“I am Xun An. Legend has it that my family were descendants of Xun Yu from the Three Kingdoms times.” He walked towards her and asked, “May I sit here?”

Xia Ling nodded and shifted over to make space.

Xun An sat beside her and watched the lotuses and lilies with her. “You don’t really act like an heiress of a rich family.”

“I am not,” she said sulkily.

Xun An chuckled. “Unhappy? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.”

His voice was gentle and soft, causing her to look up and stare. “Why are you talking to me? They don’t seem to like me.”

“You mean those girls? They are jealous of your good looks. Look around, many of the guys are stealing glances at you.”

Xia Ling was amused by his comments. She glanced around and found one of the bachelors staring at her. The moment their eyes met, the bachelor blushed and looked away.

Instantly, her mood was lifted.

“See, I wasn’t lying.” Xun An said, “Men lust for pretty girls. Xiao Ling—can I call you that? You are more charming than you think.”

She asked, “Why are you telling me all these?”

“I’m hitting on you, can’t you tell?” Xun An said with a light-hearted chuckle. “My family is in the theater business and always wanted to collaborate with Director Pei. Before I came here, my father reminded me to bring a Pei family girl home. I’m still underage and he’s already trying to sell me out. Well, I’m not gonna sell myself out.”

Xia Ling laughed. This boy was interesting.

“Why me? Everyone here knows that I was adopted and have no blood relations with Brother Pei. Even if you marry me, it wouldn’t help you,” she asked.

“You are happier than them. Look at them, on the outside, they look so glamorous. But actually, they have no say in the major things in their lives, such as their marriage. Even for the guys, we don’t have a choice on who we marry. But you’re different, you’re free to choose,” he said.

Xia Ling did not really understand. “You are so rich, how could you be less free than us commoners?”

“That’s a really philosophical question.” Xun An laughed. “Yes, there is no point in me marrying you, but that isn’t my intention anyway. I only want to know Director Pei through you. My family would be proud of me if I could do that.”

Xia Ling laughed. This guy was so direct with his intentions.

“They are saying Brother Pei dislikes me.” Xia Ling had heard the rumors going around. “Aren’t you afraid that Brother Pei would despise you for being close to me?”

Xun An sneered at the comment. He took a lotus leaf and played with it. “They must be blind to think that. Didn’t they see Director Pei holding your hand? He had you standing on the inner side to protect you. I have no talent, but I am adept at observation. Director Pei is fond of you, I’m sure of it.”

His words pleased her. “Yup, he is quite nice to me.”

“I knew it. How about we make a deal? I’ll tell you the rules around the ‘Midsummer Lady’ and rally for you. In return you put in good words for me to Director Pei,” the boy said.

“I can’t sway his decisions, nor will I lie to him. I can tell him that you were nice to me, but I can’t tell him that you are very capable. I don’t know if you truly are,” Xia Ling said.

Xun An laughed. “Alright, he was right to dote on you. Telling him that I was nice to you would be enough. Brother Pei protects his lovers very well. If you tell him I was good to you, he will be nice to me as well.” With that, he started whistling casually.

They started to chat about all kinds of things. Xun An told her, for the ‘Midsummer Lady’, the girls got to choose which talents they wanted to showcase. Some would dance, and others would play the piano. As long as they informed the organizers beforehand, they would prepare the stage and necessary equipment.

Xia Ling said, “Well, I can sing and dance.”