A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

Xia Ling had no idea how long the car had been parked there for, but in the morning glow, it looked almost like it was covered in a beautiful rose-gold coating.

She dared not approach it. It took her immense courage to return to that villa each time.

She subconsciously reached for the area under her collarbone and realized something was missing — the amulet Li Lei had given her was no longer on her, and their token of love, the titanium ring pendant, was gone as well.

She felt like a part of her heart went missing.

Xia Ling took a few steps back, into the shade offered by a large tree. As if every ounce of courage had dissipated, she leaned against the trunk, lowered herself into a squat and curled herself up. Everything was only just beginning to sink in; the harsh words she had said to him, the breakup, the cutting of ties… even the last token of love that bound them together was gone for good — he had vanished from her life.

Li Lei. Li Lei.

The two words rang in her head repeatedly. Strange, she had already made things clear, but why was it still so hard to accept this change? At this point, she heard a faint and unfamiliar song coming from a nearby office —

[Look for the person you’ve been longing for, while the sun is up and the breeze is cool…]

She remembered their first few encounters and how Li Lei always called her “Little Beauty” smilingly. He had said he wanted to make her his mistress, had given her flowers, and even took good care of her when she was ill in the mountains…

[Look for the person you’ve been longing for, while he still lives in your memories, and while time still permits…]

When they returned to the city thereafter, he had called her in the middle of the night, lent his apartment to her, and even given her some of Er Mao’s milk…

[Look for the person you’ve been longing for, while the road ahead still has much to hold, and you’ve got words of love and yearning so bold…]

When Pei Ziheng abducted her and made her a mute, it was he who saved her. When she was facing trouble in the hometown village, he was her hero once again. He hugged her in her red wedding gown and confessed with all sincerity… When they argued and tensions rose, he was always the one who apologized first in a quiet voice so they could reconcile. Whenever he had grievances, he would say, Xiao Ling, you don’t care about me…

She was hurting too much.

This song drifting in the early breeze was bringing back too many memories.

[Look for the person you’ve been longing for, while you still have your arms to offer an embrace, while you still have your chance to catch a breath…

Look for the person you’ve been longing for, forget the distance, and count your blessings…

Look for the person you’ve been longing for, while you’re still alive, while you’re still alive…]

Xia Ling’s hand trembled as she reached for the amulet, only to realize it was still not there.

She would never be able to find another man like him in this lifetime. Nobody else would hold her tight and soothe her when she screamed in fear, nobody else would bicker with her over the trivial things, nobody else would smile at her so lazily, as if nothing in this world could trouble him.

Nobody else… Nobody else…

Nobody else… Nobody else…

There were no more tears left to cry as the song reverberated in the air ever so softly: [Look for the person you’ve been longing for, go wild one last time for the sake of yourself, one last time…]

But she could not look for him.

The vow was made, and the only way to go was forward. The cold, majestic Rolls-Royce was her new home instead, regardless of all the bad memories it held.

The summer breeze swept against her, and she felt an odd and uncomfortable coldness.

She wrapped her arms against her knees and buried her head in them. She did not know how much time had passed before a hand appeared before her.

“Here.” It was a familiar voice.

Xia Ling thought it was a delusion, but when she looked up, it was really him standing before her, looking more haggard than ever. On his palm was the wooden amulet.

Xia Ling looked at him, stunned. All the laughter and voices of faded into the background and everything felt like a dream.

“Here.” He said once again, and when she did not respond, he bent over and placed it by her feet.

“I know very well whether you’re living happily or not.” His voice was still hoarse. “So, you don’t have to lie to me. Xiao Ling, wait for me, I will take you away with me someday.”

Saying that he turned around and left.

Xia Ling had her eyes on him as she bade him farewell in her heart. She was still hearing disjointed segments of the song —

Look for the person you’ve been longing for, while you still love him, while he still loves you…

If I miss you too,

I’ll walk a thousand miles, scale the mountain ranges, and cross all rivers in between,

So I could embrace you.

…

Li Lei’s back view finally vanished into the distance.

Xia Ling was still curled up under the tree. As the streets got busier, the office workers who passed by shot her curious glances.

“Miss Ye.” It was the chauffeur.

He bent over and knelt before her. “Mr. Pei has been waiting long, please follow me to the car.”

Xia Ling felt a chill down her spine but did not move.

The chauffeur repeated once more in his usual gentle tone. “Please follow me to the car.”

She still did not move.

“You know Mister’s temperament,” said the chauffeur. “Miss Ye, please don’t make things difficult for me.”

Pei Ziheng had many loyal servants and men under him. She looked up at the chauffeur and found him a silly man. What good was there to stay with that master? “Look for another master while you still can. Don’t end up like me, it’s all too late now.”

The chauffeur was stunned for a moment and dared not carry on the topic with her. He simply urged her once again. “Miss Ye, it’s time to get in the car.”

Xia Ling gave a smirk, mocking herself. Before she left, she picked the amulet up and held it tightly in her hand. As she followed the chauffeur to the car, she saw that the shade it was parked under seemed to have coalesced with the car itself, giving off an ominous, threatening impression of a predator awaiting its prey.

The chauffeur opened the back door and politely helped her in.

In the back seat was someone else — the handsome man dressed in a shirt vest was leaning on the back seat with his eyes closed. In the morning light that shone on his side profile, his features were even more defined and so sharp that he looked cold and ruthless.

At that point, Xia Ling held her breath and felt every ounce of blood in her stiffen. It took her all her willpower to stop herself from making an escape.

Pei Ziheng opened his eyes slowly and looked at her. That was a different expression in his eyes — they looked as if they could look past her skin and inside her. She remembered that the car had been parked here a long time, from when she dashed out of the building and Li Lei came after her…

Gosh, how much did Pei Ziheng see?