A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

“I got the lowest score in history for my singing test… I can’t live with this…” Someone moped.

Another said, “Teacher Cui already mentioned that this was a test of our understanding and grasp of the beat and layers of this song. Xia Ling’s ‘The Caged Butterfly’ is complex in terms of its emotions and technique, and really brings apart the scores of the good and the inferior candidates. Xiao Yin, you scored a 49 for this, but Xia Yingluo scored a full 100 marks!”

“She isn’t human!”

“She’s a pervert!”

“Besides Xia Ling herself, who else can score 100!”

Grievances were being voiced all around, but no one actually said that Xia Yingluo had cheated. The version of “The Caged Butterfly” that she sang for the test was put on the school’s intranet and was available for everyone to download and voice their unhappiness if they felt the score was unjustified.

On the other side, Xia Yingluo and Jin Ling’er were going to the scoreboard to have a look at their scores.

To stimulate the competitiveness among candidates, Imperial made it a point to publicly release the scores for every major test or examination, instead of releasing it in class or individually online.

They happened to hear about the discussion regarding “The Caged Butterfly”.

Jin Ling’er smiled. “Yingluo, I knew you’d be able to get the full marks when I heard you sing the other day! See, I was right!”

Xia Yingluo smiled as well as counted her blessings. Although she really did not cheat, she did have some advantage over the rest when it came to singing this song—she’d heard her mother Xia Ling talk about young girls and their puppy love stories and roughly knew what a conflicting love-hate relationship was like. Coupled with her mother personally giving her advice during her free time with regard to this song, there was no way she wouldn’t do well.

Jin Ling’er held her hand as they pushed through the crowd. “Overall first! Yingluo, you’re the first! Who’s second?… Jiang Bilian? She’s 127 marks lower than you! Hahaha, she’s going to be so embarrassed!”

Her voice was bright and clear, and everyone around heard her words.

Someone said, “Jiang Bilian is here.”

Xia Yingluo turned around and saw that Jiang Bilian and Zhu Zhu standing right there.

Jiang Bilian’s expression was awful as she said to Xia Yingluo, “Count yourself lucky this time. I’ll beat you again.”

“Don’t be so sure just yet.” Xia Yingluo smiled. “You’ve got to get a passing mark for ‘The Caged Butterfly’ first.”

That was all it took to give Jiang Bilian a slap to the face.

Jiang Bilian clenched her fists and knew that she’d just be an embarrassment if she stayed any longer. She grabbed Zhu Zhu and left the scene.

Xia Yingluo was in a fantastic mood. She’d tolerated all these people for way too long and could finally stand up for herself today. Hmph, why did it matter that she was the center of gossips? She had the substance, that’s all that mattered! “I’ll treat you guys to a good meal in a few days.” She addressed the people around them. “Once my villa is done renovating, I’ll invite all of you there for a celebration!”

“Sure. With Yingluo treating us, I’ll definitely get a good meal out of it.”

“I’m going too!”

“Count me in!”

The other trainees were excited.

That was human nature. As much as they spoke behind her back, they’d come to realize that she wasn’t someone they could afford to offend, now that they knew how good she was—she had the looks and substance, and even though she came from an ordinary family, she could have boundless potential after being groomed for her debut. For all they knew, they might need her help in the future! It was about time they got into her good books while they could.

Amidst all the congratulations, Xia Yingluo and Jin Ling’er left like idols being worshipped.

After they’d walked a distance away, Jin Ling’er began laughing. “Hahaha, Yingluo, did you see Jiang Bilian’s expression? So funny. Didn’t she think she’s very good? Well, she failed the singing test! And her total score was so much worse than yours! Hahaha… I really wish I could capture that moment and put it up on the intranet for future reference.”

“Say all you like.” Xia Yingluo’s lips curled up. “Let’s have something to eat.”

“Eat?”

“Yup, aren’t you going to have lunch anymore?” said Xia Yingluo as she walked out the school gate. “Is that beast’s card with you? Let’s go, Sister will take you to have some good food. It’d be a waste not to use that beast’s card.”

“Beast?” Jin Ling’er was stunned for a while. “Are you referring to Handsome Wei? You’ve finally thought it through to use his card?”

“So what if I haven’t?” Xia Yingluo gritted her teeth, wishing she could chew off a chunk of his flesh. “Since the only thing I can do is bleed him dry, then why not?” Why did she have to make things difficult for herself?

“Right! Bleed him dry!” Jin Ling’er was all happy now. “Let’s go to Delicacy Lounge. I heard they have really good wild quails, and bird’s nest, and abalone. I’ve never had any of them. Oh right… I forgot to tell you, I think you’ll never bleed him dry.” Jin Ling’er suddenly got all secretive. “You know what? I looked up Wei Lingnan on the web the other day, and someone has this speculation about his identity…”

“Wait!” Xia Yingluo stopped her. “I don’t want to know who he is. Can we just have a good meal?”

“Alright, alright.” Whoever forked out the money had the final say. Jin Ling’er knew her place and kept quiet as they happily walked into Delicacy Lounge.

As they did not have a prior reservation and happened to arrive during the dinner peak hour, there were no private rooms available for them. They took their seats in the main area and, without even looking at the menu, Xia Yingluo said, “Waiter, please give us a serving of every dish you have on the luxury menu.”

“But…” The waiter looked at their demeanor and appearance and hesitated.

“What, afraid we can’t pay up?” Jin Ling’er confidently placed Wei Lingnan’s card on the table. “Take it!”

The waiter took the card skeptically and returned with a smile after a while. “Ladies, the bird’s nest, abalone, shark’s fin, ginseng, fungus and everything else will cost 36,800 yuan in total. If you could just confirm the order, I’ll get the kitchen to get the dishes ready.”

Xia Yingluo signed her name without hesitation.

A while later, all sorts of mouthwatering dishes were served one after the other.

The two girls dug in without a care about their demeanor, which had the other customers turn around in disdain.

Jin Ling’er was speaking almost inaudibly with a stuffed mouth. “This is good, it’s really so good. I finally understand why all the rich people nearby like coming here, this chef is really so good!”

Xia Yingluo said while snatching the crab, “The dishes are just alright. Look at the way you’re eating, don’t steal my crab!”

Jin Ling’er rolled her eyes. “Who’s the one snatching food from me while saying that the food is ‘just alright’? The crab is mine!”

Xia Yingluo laughed and grabbed half of it from her hands. Honestly speaking, didn’t she get everything she wanted back at home? When she said that the food here was “just alright”, she really meant it.