A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

Xia Ling recognized this old man.

He looked like he was in his late 60s or 70s, dressed in a white Chinese traditional outfit with canvas shoes, and was in good spirits. He sat peacefully on the sofa as he watched her come through the door, his gaze unreadable. Many of his subordinates stood around him, and the one closest to him was an elegant female — Su Tang.

Xia Ling was silent for a while as she took in the scene in front of her and then greeted him. “Old Master.”

She was a little afraid of this old man, perhaps due to the traumatic experience that she had at the Li Family headquarters.

The Old Master was watching her intently. He had heard Su Tang speak at length about her. With what exactly did this divorcee manage to bewitch his grandson? There was nothing apparent to him on the surface – she was petite and her looks were, at best, innocent and pleasant. There was no way that she could match up to Su Tang, who was both elegant and beautiful, and even that bimbo Gu Lin seemed more attractive.

So why did Li Lei like her so much?

“Miss Ye, you’re not a good fit for Li Lei.” The Old Master made no effort to hide the objective of his visit. “I don’t care what your motivation is in staying with him. Now, I want you to leave immediately.”

Xia Ling was stunned. She had not expected him to be quite so direct.

When they first met at the Calming Heart Garden in the Li Family headquarters, the Old Master had clearly not liked her but did not immediately chase her away, maintaining his basic courtesy. This time, his words were akin to slapping her in the face right in front of the whole house of people.

Su Tang lowered her head slightly and smiled discretely.

Wasn’t this a direct insult? Ever since she handed the recording to the Old Master, and the Old Master realized that the girl he had personally groomed and placed by Li Lei’s side was being chased out by this wild woman, he had been upset with her. How could he simply let this go? He had to mete out the same treatment to this wild woman!

Xia Ling’s clear, bright eyes looked directly at the Old Master, and she replied as calmly as she could. “Old Master, this is Li Lei’s house.” She wanted to say that the Old Master had no right to decide if she should go or stay. If it were anybody else, she would have already shouted back. However, the Old Master Li was Li Lei’s family, and she had to control herself.

The Old Master returned her stare and asked, “Why not you tell me… why do you think you are a good fit for Li Lei?”

Xia Ling was taken aback by his question.

“Looks? Talent? Family background? Intelligence? What do you have?” The Old Master continued coldly. “You’re just a jinx that is destined to be alone. Miss Ye, please stay away from my grandson and don’t bring harm to him!”

Xia Ling didn’t know if Li Lei had mentioned the amulet to the Old Master, but regardless, Li Lei had already given half his life to her. They were tied together by that sacrifice, and that wouldn’t change even if they were apart from each other.

She did not reply to his question directly and only said, “I love Li Lei, and Li Lei loves me. Even if I end up with nothing, and he ends up with nothing, our feelings for each other will never change.” She had only managed to free herself from Pei Ziheng with great difficulty to return to Li Lei’s side. They knew that they needed to treasure each other, and she would not be threatened by a few sentences from the Old Master.

Yes, she might not be the prettiest, but her beauty in her past life did not mean that she could match up to the man that she loved. She might not have a good family background, but Wang Jingwan, who had a great family background, did not come to a good end either. She might not be the most intelligent, but the intelligent Xia Yu, too, was unable to win the heart of the man of her dreams…

The storms in her past life made her realize something. Beauty, intelligence, and family background were all superficial, and only love was real and could not be weighed by these characteristics.

Love was the thing that bound two people together. It was that simple.

Old Master Li laughed in irritation. “Even if Li Lei has nothing, you will still love him? Miss Ye, I’d really question your love for him. I’ve investigated the things that Xiao Lei has done for you. He can even accept the fact that you’ve married and borne a child with another man?! When you said that you didn’t love him, he still gave you everything that he could! If it were you, would you still love him if he hurt you badly by getting married and having a child with another woman? Would you still be so committed to him?”

Xia Ling could not say anything to retort the Old Master.

She loved Li Lei, but if the person she loved hurt her deeply…

She recalled the experiences in her past life with Pei Ziheng. Her deep love for him came to naught after he dished out all the pain and cruelty. She had no confidence in staying committed even if Li Lei hurt her as Pei Ziheng did before. She lowered her head.

“Why aren’t you speaking?!” The Old Master signaled for two bodyguards to come forward, and they placed several suitcases in front of her. “Miss Ye, please leave Xiao Lei’s house. Save some dignity for yourself, and save Xiao Lei some face. Don’t force me to do this the hard way.”

“Old Master,” Su Tang’s gentle voice rang out. “Should we wait for Young Master to come back before…”

“Leave now!” The Old Master shouted in anger.

Su Tang knew the Old Master’s temper and lifted her eyes to look at Xia Ling, a triumphant smile on her face.

Xia Ling’s heart clenched. She could guess without a doubt who was behind this sudden visit from the Old Master. She slowly lifted her head, her neckline slender and regal. “I’ll leave on my own accord.”

She turned and left the house, under the watchful eyes of the Li Family bodyguards.

The Li Family bodyguards carried her suitcases as they followed her. All her personal items in Li Lei’s apartment had been packed into them, including the hidden box of jewels that Pei Ziheng had given to her.

“Flirtatious b*itch!” That was the Old Master’s response at seeing the box.

Su Tang elegantly walked forward and picked up a knitted handbag, which was what Xia Ling was carrying when she entered the house and did not take with her. She glanced into the bag before confidently handing it over to a bodyguard and instructing him, “This… bring it back to Miss Ye…”

The bodyguard nodded and left to chase after Xia Ling.

The Old Master was still fuming on the sofa. “This jinx! She can’t do anything, and she’s still depending on my grandson to take care of her! What has she done at all for Xiao Lei?!” Su Tang, who he picked personally, was way better than her. She was polite and intelligent, skilled in the kitchen and perfect as a dinner date. She was the best fit for Xiao Lei.

“Cool down, Old Master.” Su Tang turned back to the Old Master and said with a gentle voice. “The Young Master just had a moment of folly.”

Old Master Li looked up at the bride that he had chosen for his grandson, his expression lifting a little. He asked, “You sent one of the guys off to return something to that woman. What was it?”

“Nothing much.” Su Tang said with a calm smile. “Just some song sheets.”

“Song sheets?! That idiot only knows about her song sheets! Has she ever had a glimmer of concern for Xiao Lei?!” Old Master Li became agitated again.

Su Tang’s smile became even more prominent. When she glanced into the bag, she had been shocked to see that it was filled with recipe books. But so what? That divorcee was in no place to shower any concern over the Young Master.

Xia Ling was sent out of the apartment complex by the bodyguards.

“Miss Ye.” The head of security of the apartment complex came to greet her, concern written on his face. His loyalty was with Li Lei, and he was concerned about her safety, unlike the subordinates under the Old Master.