A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

Xia Ling had been through too much in recent days.

Like a string on the zither, it was painful and it would be a struggle to pluck at it initially. However, when it was pulled and plucked to its breaking point, it would lax and become quiet. She knew that it was pointless for her to beg these people that were irrelevant to her — Old Master Li, Tan Ying, etc.

She was the Xia Family Phoenix and her father and brother were well-respected and held in high regard.

Her family traveled the Earth to protect her and give her everything… Why should she degrade herself like this and bear with all this nonsense?

She did not reincarnate to be bullied.

After thinking these through, she was peaceful as she regarded Tan Ying. “I want to break my contract with Skyart Entertainment.”

Tan Ying was taken aback before he gave a cold laugh. “Break your contract? Ye Xingling, have you read the contract in detail? The penalty for a breach of contract is massive. What are you going to use to pay that off?”

Xia Ling sneered. “I’m sorry, General Manager Tan. I think you might have misunderstood. A mere hundred or two hundred million might be a massive amount to you, but it’s just spare change to me. Please don’t use your poor imagination to estimate what I’m worth.”

With that, she turned and left the room, ignoring Tan Ying’s shocked expression.

The senior managers in the room took a long time to regain their senses. What did she just say? Hundred or two hundred million for a breach of contract was spare change to her? Was this woman nuts?! Had she lost her mind after being thrown aside by Boss?! That was just too…

Arrogant and preposterous!

Tan Ying’s fist clenched together, and the fountain pen in his hands was almost snapped into two. Where did this woman get that much money? Boss must have spoiled her rotten if he gave her that much cash!

“Tan Ying, you’re going to regret chasing Xiao Ling away!” Sister Mai Na hurried after Xiao Ling.

Xia Ling walked out of Skyart Entertainment and lifted her head towards the sky.

In the square in front of the building, the air had the chill of early autumn, but the sun was shining brightly in the sky.

She breathed in deeply and told herself. Xiao Ling, what has passed has passed. Don’t look back now, forget Skyart. Forget that man… it’s not as if you haven’t fallen out of love before. It’s nothing much… you managed to free yourself of all the heartache in the years that you were with Pei Ziheng. This time… you can do the same.

There was an ache deep in the depths of her heart.

She intentionally pushed that away from her mind and murmured, “Everything will be fine.”

“Xiao Ling.” She heard a shout behind her. It was Sister Mai Na’s voice.

She turned around and saw Sister Mai Na running out of the building after her in her usual wine-red pantsuit and heels. Sister Mai Na stood in front of her with a thin layer of sweat forming on her brows. “Have you really decided to leave?” Sister Mai Na asked worriedly.

Xia Ling said, “You saw their attitude. I have no reason to stay.”

“Tan Ying is just being an idiot!” Sister Mai Na said. “Xiao Ling, don’t bother about it. Stay strong and wait for Boss to return. Boss will definitely seek justice for you!”

“And if… he doesn’t come back?” Xia Ling asked in a soft voice.

Sister Mai Na did not respond.

Xia Ling laughed and said calmly, “Sister Mai Na, I know you care for me. But I’ve been waiting a full week for him at the airport… No, I should count the days that I locked myself in the house… It’s already been half a month. Li Lei still hasn’t returned. Why should I still believe in him?”

“Maybe he’s held back because of something… ” Sister Mai Na weakly responded.

“Yes… held back by Su Tang’s pregnancy… ” Xia Ling’s tone remained calm, but she paused mid-sentence to quash the rising ache in her heart. “Sister Mai Na, if he still loves me, he wouldn’t care if I was still at Skyart. However, if he doesn’t love me anymore… why should I stay at Skyart Entertainment?”

To put herself in the way of more insults?

Sister Mai Na knew she had nothing to retort Xia Ling with.

Xia Ling laughed again and suddenly gave Sister Mai Na a deep bow. “You’ve taken good care of me ever since I debuted. I’m eternally grateful for that. But now… goodbye.”

After she said her piece, Xia Ling turned and left without looking back.

Sister Mai Na stared at her back disappearing amidst the crowd as tears filled her eyes.

“This child… ” She murmured. “This child… the poor thing!”

She covered her mouth with her hand to muffle her sobs.

With her decision made, Xia Ling felt liberated. She returned to the bungalow and logged into her Weibo to announce her departure from Skyart. There was an immediate response from her fans and the media.

Before long, her mobile was ringing on end.

Everyone seemed to be asking about the same thing.

“Xiao Ling, are you really leaving Skyart?”

“Miss Ye, what exactly happened? Did you fall out of love with Skyart’s Boss Li again?”

“Miss Ye, do you want to join our company? We have great benefits and will be sure to offer you a handsome sign-on package!”

She shut off her mobile.

Not long later, her doorbell rang.

She opened the door and saw Pei Ziheng standing outside the vine-filled fence in front of her bungalow in an exquisite shirt.

“You didn’t pick up when I called, so I decided to come to have a look.” Pei Ziheng said. He was really reaping the benefits of staying so close by. The security in this area was stringent and people from the outside would struggle to be let into the compound. He, on the other hand, was just next door.

Yet, she shut him off immediately. “I’m not returning to Imperial Entertainment.”

Pei Ziheng smiled gently. “Imperial Entertainment is the best entertainment company in the business. If you don’t come back, where will you go?”

Xia Ling had not thought through this issue yet. After all, her decision to leave Skyart was a spur of the moment matter. Who knows where she will go next?

“I know you don’t lack money and have enough to last you several lifetimes.” Ever since finding out about her family background, Pei Ziheng knew that money wasn’t the way to entice her. He started to sell nostalgia. “However, you need a place for your singing career to prosper. You’ve loved singing since you were a kid, and singing is like your second life. You should do justice to your voice and to your fans. Imperial Entertainment is your best choice.”

Xia Ling quietly looked at him before breaking into laughter.

“Pei Ziheng,” She said. “I’ve never realized that you were such a good salesman. If you ever lose your position as Imperial Entertainment’s chairman, you can consider going into sales.”

Pei Ziheng’s gaze darkened but he smiled. “If going into sales will make you return to Imperial Entertainment, I would do that immediately.” He responded.

“Give up.” Xia Ling was not prepared to give in on this matter. “I’m tired and want to rest now. You should go home.”

She turned and made to enter her house.

Pei Ziheng grabbed her arm over the low fence. “Xiao Ling.”

She turned back with a look of confusion.

“If you ever need help, feel free to tell me.” His voice was warm and gentle.

Her gaze became gentler as she replied, “Thanks, but no thanks.” She would take time to consider what her next step would be. However, this time, she wasn’t going to rely on anyone at all.