A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

A gust of wind blew.

In the snow-capped mountains, Xia Ling took off her hood and finally was able to breathe and pour out the snow that fell into her jacket. They were climbing towards the peak and already made it very far. Li Lei walked in front, Shaohui walked in the middle, and she walked behind them.

Looking at the big and small figure in front of her, she was a little lightheaded.

She usually did not feel it, but right now, Shaohui really looked like Li Lei. His back view, hair color, and even the way he walked were exact copies. The little child had been imitating his father and looked up as he walked, seeming like a confident young man. He was probably too young, and his father’s pace was a little too fast, so he had to skip a few steps from time to time before he could accurately step on his father’s footprints.

Luckily, his father took care of his son and his mother and did not walk too fast.

“Take it slow. Don’t rush.” He said, “Step on my footprints so you won’t step on air.” He created a path for them and ensured that the snow was safe to step on so they would not encounter any danger.

Sporadic snowflakes flew around in the cold wind that blew his short hair.

Looking at his back view, Xia Ling slowly had a sense of security, as if the snow-capped mountain and any other danger were all not worth mentioning as long as this man was there.

They walked for a long time.

Suddenly, Li Lei stopped in his footsteps.

The small child did not stop in time and bumped into his dad.

Li Lei turned around and supported the child.

“What’s wrong?” Xia Ling asked.

“Someone is following us.” Li Lei said.

“What?” Xia Ling’s heart skipped a beat and turned around. Sure enough, a tour group was walking in their direction not far away and gossiping on the way. When they realized that the family of three were looking at them, they turned away and acted indifferently. They pretended to look at the scenery and ignored them.

It seemed that something was wrong.

Xia Ling frowned. “Why are they following us? Could it be that they are coincidently on the same path as us?”

“This is not the normal tourist route.” Li Lei simply replied, then took out his binoculars and looked down. After that, he smiled. “They suspect that we’re traffickers. Some people think that we’re treasure hunters or tomb thieves… and we’re bringing a child as a sacrifice to unlock some secret.”

Xia Ling was baffled. What sort of rubbish was this?

“Have they watched too many episodes of ‘Grave Robbers’ Chronicles’?” She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Li Lei was also in disbelief. “The imagination of this group is really wild.”

Xia Ling remembered something. “We’re so far away from them. How do you know what they’re talking about?”

Li Lei said, “I can read lips.” Since a young age, he grew up in the triad. When he was ten years old, he left home to become a mercenary. If he did not have any extraordinary skills, he would have died many times over.

Xia Ling nodded. She was no longer surprised that this man had so many skills.

However, Shaohui was very excited. “Dad, I want to learn it too! Can you teach me how to read lips?”

“Sure.” Li Lei smiled and touched Shaohui’s small head. However, he only touched a layer of snow. It was not snowing in the mountains but the cold wind was very strong, and it caused sporadic snowflakes to fall from the top of the mountain which accumulated on their clothes. Looking around, Li Lei said, “Let’s go and persevere for a while longer. If we climb up a little more, there will be a small cave for us to spend the night in.”

This was the result of the investigation by the troops he sent in advance.

Xia Ling and Shaohui nodded and followed him.

Sure enough, after a long walk, they arrived at a cave. The cave was very dry, and there was food and dry wood left by the troops half a month ago. Li Lei started a fire, placed a stainless steel pot on it to melt some snow, and placed a few pieces of dried meat and some other grains in it.

The family waited for dinner around the campfire.

The glow of the fire dyed Xia Ling’s delicate eyebrows a blushing red, making her look extraordinarily beautiful. As she warmed herself by the fire, she asked Li Lei, “Will those people keep following us?”

“It’s hard to say.” Li Lei replied. “They’re only ordinary tourists and followed us out of curiosity. It’s possible that they may follow us for ten days to a month.”

“Hateful.” Xia Ling was unhappy.

She was already annoyed that she had to climb such a dangerous snow-capped mountain with her young son. However, people were intrusive and wanted to investigate them. “How can get we get rid of them?” She asked.

Li Lei opened the map in front of the fire and pointed out some locations to her. “The tourist area is here. There is still a half-day journey left for us. If we continue upwards, it will be too dangerous for tourists. As they are traveling with a group, the tour guide will not allow them to enter the restricted area. Tomorrow, let’s go there fast and enter the restricted area first.”

Xia Ling nodded. It seemed that this was the only way now.

In the howling wind, the family ate their meal. Li Lei even found a pack of hot chocolate in the supplies left by the troops that he sent in advance, so he melted some snow and added in it in boiled water.

Once they were full, Xia Ling felt warm and fell asleep holding Shaohui. Li Lei stayed by their side but did not sleep. Looking at the fire that was slowly dying, he looked warmly at them. “Xiao Ling…” He mumbled affectionately.

He only woke Xia Ling up at daybreak when it was time for her to keep watch and slept for a while.

They continued on their way.

After a long time, they left the safe tourist zone and entered the danger zone.

“From here, it’s going to get dangerous.” Li Lei looked serious, but his voice was very soft. “Do you remember the key points of your training? You must step on my footsteps, and when you walk, you can’t look around. Also, don’t speak too loudly. If it causes an avalanche by chance, everyone will be buried alive.”

Xia Ling nodded seriously.

Shaohui also nodded seriously.

Only then did Li Lei started to walk forward. He walked step by step and was slower and more careful than before. At first glance, they looked like they walked very far due to the meandering snow, but in reality, the route was difficult and steep and it was impossible to walk very far.

Suddenly, a faint voice was heard from below.

Xia Ling turned around. It turned out to be the tour group from yesterday that had caught up to them at the edge of the restricted area. The tour group stopped at the edge and did not enter. Several people pointed at them, but she could not hear what they were saying.

For some reason, Xia Ling started to feel uneasy and pulled Li Lei.

At this time, Li Lei also noticed the commotion below them. His expression changed, and just as he thought that things were far from good, a tourist used his hands to amplify his voice and shouted at them loudly. “Hey! Where are you going?! That’s a restricted area. It’s dangerous!”

That man’s voice echoed in the snow-capped mountains.

Vaguely, a dull booming sound came from the mountains.