A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

Xia Ling looked at her, confused. “Tell me what?”

Sister Mai Na replied, “He took the red-eye flight back to the Li Family headquarters today. There’s a big problem at the headquarters, and they’ve summoned him back urgently.” When Xiao Ling was singing on stage, Li Lei had sought out Sister Mai Na and told her this. He also reminded Sister Mai Na to take good care of Xiao Ling, saying that it would be while before he could come back.

Sister Mai Na looked at Xia Ling and said, “When Boss catches a breather, I’m sure he will contact you.”

Xia Ling was silent in her chair for a moment, before nodding. “Okay, I got it.” She guessed that he had left in a hurry or he would have informed her first. This was not far from the truth. Li Lei was still wondering how to tell her about him having to leave for the headquarters and had not been able to find an opportune moment to do so. He had intended to tell her after the concert but was urgently summoned by the Old Master mid-way through.

The Old Master told him that Li Feng had gotten into another huge brawl and had managed to offend all the underworld gangs in the world.

Li Lei was speechless at his trouble-making brother.

The Old Master was hopping mad over the phone, saying that both of them were problematic in so many ways. Suddenly, the berating stopped and he heard the anxious shouts of people on the other end of the line saying, “Old Master, Old Master… Are you okay?”

The Old Master was getting on in years… what if something bad had happened?

Li Lei had booked a flight for the next day but decided to rush back immediately, not even staying for the rest of the concert.

While Xia Ling did not know the entire backstory, she knew that he would not just leave without a word. She was already starting to miss him, but she reined in her emotions. They had a lifetime ahead of them, she would be able to speak to him again soon.

As for the scandal that she was stuck in now? She would make sure to stay strong and hang in there, so as to not let him have more to worry about.

She removed the last of her jewelry and placed it on the makeup counter, before standing and saying to Sister Mai Na. “Let’s go.”

SIster Mai Na called her bodyguards and assistant over to keep Xia Ling well protected as they walked towards the parking area.

There were still many people in the front and backstage, but it was considerably fewer compared to when the concert had just ended. At the end of the concert, some fans and activists had gotten into a conflict, and it almost evolved into a stampede. Luckily, the security guards reacted quickly and managed to separate the two groups of people. They increased the security vigilance in the place and even activated the police to help out.

Now, many people had cleared out of the concert venue, and there was only a small group left hanging around.

“What’s happening over there?” Xia Ling asked, pointing towards the crowd in the distance.

Sister Mai Na looked at where she was pointing to. “The fan club had initially planned for a fan-sign event after the concert. However, I think we won’t be having that anymore. I’ve asked the security guards to get them to leave. However, there are many fans that are still waiting for you to get your autograph.”

Xia Ling paused mid-step.

Sister Mai Na said, “You don’t have to bother about them. They will leave after a while.”

Xia Ling asked, “What about all the activists and anti-fans?”

Sister Mai Na said, “I told someone to drive a van out of the concert venue earlier. The activists thought that you left already, and thus, have also left.” Activists were different from her fans in that her fans were more willing to wait and hope for a miracle.

Xia Ling said, “There aren’t many fans left, anyway. Since they’ve waited patiently for so long, can’t I go give them my autograph?”

Sister Mai Na replied, “There’s no need for that, right?”

Xia Ling lowered her gaze to the floor, feeling sad. In her past life, she was arrogant and wasn’t particularly good to her fans. However, when she was imprisoned and put in cold storage, and even killed, all her friends deserted her, but her fans were the ones that remained stoic in helping her seek justice.

She wanted to treat them better.

Sister Mai Na knew that she was in a depressed state and did not want to stand in the way of what she wanted to do. She thought for a while before giving some instructions to the security guards. The guards did a quick scan of the premises, before nodding at Sister Mai Na.

“Let’s go to the parking lot.” Sister Mai Na told Xia Ling. “I’ll get the remaining fans to queue up over there. We’ll leave immediately after you’ve given them your signatures.”

Xia Ling’s eyes lit up when she heard this and agreed to Sister Mai Na’s arrangements.

The fans were overjoyed and obediently queued up by the parking lot, waiting patiently to get her signature.

It was a cool summer’s night, and stars peppered the night sky.

Those that were still present were her die-hard fans. Even though she was embroiled in the de-worming medicine scandal, they chose to believe that Xia Ling was innocent. As she was giving them her signature, many fans encouraged her. “Xiao Ling, hang in there. You’re the best.”

“Xiao Ling, I believe that you are innocent. You need to keep pressing on.”

“Xiao Ling, the concert was great! You’re the best!”

“Xiao Ling, I will love and support you always!”

Their words helped to energize her tired spirit from the happenings in the past few days. Even Sister Mai Na was feeling happy at her decision of allowing this mini fan-sign as she felt that the words of encouragement were good for Xia Ling.

There weren’t many people — just over thirty perhaps — and the fan-sign was over in a jiffy.

Those that had obtained her autograph joyfully departed and disappeared from the dark parking lot.

She reached the last person in the queue.

Xia Ling’s head was lowered as she reached her hand out to receive the item that was passed to her. Some fans would hand her posters to sign, others might pass her photographs, and then others would pass her notebooks.

However, this person stretched out his palm for a signature.

It was the clean hand of a man.

The joints on his five fingers were defined, and there was a watch on his wrist. The watch’s face was slightly damaged and the hands had already stopped, but she could tell that it was a custom-made Patek Phillippe.

Xia Ling lifted her head and took in a familiar face.

That man had cold, defined features, and his tall stature towered over her petite frame, leaving a long shadow on the ground. His head was lowered as he watched her wordlessly, quietly opening up his palm like there was a butterfly resting on it.

Pei Ziheng.

She subconsciously took a step back.

“Why are you here?” Sister Mai Na recognized him as well and came forward to stand in front of Xia Ling protectively.

Pei Ziheng didn’t even so much as glance at Sister Mai Na.

He stared at Xia Ling and asked in a hoarse, deep voice. “Why? Aren’t you going to give me your autograph?”

His long black trench coat was flapping in the wind.

Xia Ling’s breathing stopped for a split second, before she said softly, “You’re not my fan.”

He smiled. “But I am.” Without waiting for her response, he continued. “I’ve been your fan for half my life, didn’t you know?”

She was speechless.

Sister Mai Na frowned as she regarded Pei Ziheng. “Chairman Pei, Xiao Ling is exhausted. Please don’t make trouble for her. We have to leave now, goodbye.” As she spoke, she made to pull Xia Ling away.

Xia Ling obediently followed after Sister Mai Na.

However, Pei Ziheng caught one of her arms.

“Xiao Ling,” His deep voice rang out as he slowly enunciated her name. “is this how you treat your fans?”

“Can you please let me go?” She responded softly.

“Give me your signature. Is it that hard?” He had made the trip all the way from S City to watch her concert, pushing away many important meetings to do so. After the concert, he had to wait in the night for her for a long time.

That was how much he missed her.