A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

The commotion was getting closer.

Xia Ling stopped in her tracks like a high and mighty queen standing in the middle of her palace.

She looked down and watched as a man made his way up step by step.

He was in an off-white shirt today with the hook and eye of his shirt unbuttoned, revealing his appealing tanned skin. His dressing was considered appropriate attire for receiving his grandfather. Yet, against her extravagant outfit, it appeared a little contrasting.

Li Lei did not expect to see her like this, and there was a hint of shock in his eyes.

But it didn’t take him longer than a split second to snap out of his shock. Without even stopping in his tracks, he continued going up the stairs towards her.

There were tons of cameras, large and small, as well as reporters, following behind him in a cluster. They had practically jammed the entire stairway of Phoenix Down, and even the main lobby was full of people. They tried as hard as they could to capture shots of Xia Ling and Li Lei.

Xia Ling smiled. This was good, he had brought all the reporters here.

Old Master Li probably did not expect that his plan to put Su Tang in an advantageous position today had turned into her obstacle in achieving her place in this relationship.

Four years back, she had tolerated and given in to Old Master Li on account that he was the elder of the man she loved. All her compromises had led to her days and nights of suffering and heartache.

At this point, she was not going to give in anymore.

It was time to prepare for battle.

She smiled radiantly, just as she had onstage for so many years. As long as she wanted it, she could be the center of attention in any situation.

Seeing how beautifully she smiled, Li Lei was enchanted.

His Xiao Ling was like a demoness who could change to various forms — innocent and charming, vulnerable and gorgeous… nobody knew what she could offer.

His footsteps became more determined, more steady.

Among the media representatives, someone had already exclaimed, albeit quietly —”Look, that’s the Second Young Master Li indeed. He’s wearing an ordinary shirt, but he doesn’t appear inadequate or sloppy even in this moment of splendor, facing a Diva dressed so extravagantly.”

“That’s right, he’s a prince wherever he goes.”

The way he wore his shirt — slightly opened at the collar — became a trend among male youths for a while, simply because he was able to present himself as a king in that outfit when faced with the queen of the palace. That outfit in itself signified masculinity and strength.

The cameras continued flashing.

Many of the reporters were excited beyond measure and felt that they had not made a wasted trip. The scene before their eyes was that of a blockbuster film, and it made their “tickets” well worth it.

In the chaos of photo-taking, Li Lei finally arrived before Xia Ling.

He stood one step below her but was still taller than her. He looked down slightly and said, “You’re dressed so beautifully, were you waiting for me?” He smiled teasingly.

Xia Ling raised her brows. He’d just arrived and was already trying to be the protagonist of the show?

Too bad, this wasn’t his day. Now that she had already played her card and decided to bring her stage presence into this setting, she was going to rein this night.

She smiled but did not answer his question. She simply put a hand out.

Li Lei blinked a few times. Under the chandelier, the expression in his eyes was unreadable.

The two of them stood face to face for the next few moments, in silence.

Her hand was still put out.

One second, two seconds…

Li Lei’s limpid eyes seemed to say to her: Today’s the day Grandpa returns, is it a good idea to be causing such an uproar here?

Meanwhile, her gaze seemed to answer his question: I’m just this high-profile, do you want to take it or not?

The reporters were whispering among one another. What was going on? Was there some conflict between the both of them, and Li Lei wasn’t here to show off their love, but rather to find fault with her?

An air of uneasiness spread around.

One of the reporters could not bear to look at the tense atmosphere anymore. “Don’t you think Ye Xingling is too much? Even if Li Lei likes her, she’s going overboard by doing something like this on the first day his grandfather returns. Isn’t she afraid that Li Lei might embarrass her in front of so many people?”

“If Second Young Master Li really doesn’t take her hand, it’ll be so disgraceful for her.” Another reporter said.

Someone else added, “That would be too hurting for her.”

Unknowingly, everybody began worrying that Li Lei was actually here to find trouble with her. The two of them were beautiful together, so much so that they overshadowed everything else at that moment. The reporters truly hoped that a couple as compatible as they were would not end up with cracks of tension between them.

But still, Li Lei did not reach out to take her hand.

He looked at her quietly, with an expression that nobody could read. Meanwhile, Xia Ling was evidently not bothered by it as she left her hand hanging in midair.

Their gazes met for a long time.

In a corner, Lin Yunan yawned and took a look at his watch.

“This actor and actress have quite a bit of self-control, I must say.” He muttered to himself. He wasn’t worried that Li Lei would do anything in Xia Ling’s disfavor. That man had taken so much effort to woo this Diva, if he messed up at this time, he could well wait for her to place that hand in Pei Ziheng’s instead.

Just as Lin Yunan was yawning a second time, Li Lei finally smiled.

He steadily reached out and took her hand in his, before bending over and planting a kiss on her hand. That kiss was elegant, gentle, and utterly gentlemanly.

In the crowd, there was a unanimous sigh of relief.

The reporters were even more uptight than either of them, and some were so tensed up they even forgot to snap a photo of the beautiful kiss. “Do you have a photo of Li Lei kissing her? Send me a copy.” One of the reporters poured at the other beside him.

The other reporter looked at him cautiously. “Hey, don’t kid with me. I want my reward.”

“But we’ve been buddies for years…”

“When I get my reward, I’ll treat you to a meal.”

Hence, those who didn’t manage to capture that scene pulled long faces.

Under the crystal chandelier, Li Lei’s magnetic voice was heard, “My beautiful queen, would you be so kind as to have dinner with me?”

The crowd burst with excitement ever so discreetly.

Most of the reporters waiting at Skyart were trying to get information and interview opportunities with regards to Old Master Li’s arrival. They were confused when Li Lei suddenly walked towards Phoenix Down, but followed along anyway, thinking: If Li Lei could forsake Old Master Li and Su Tang on the other side to come and look for Xia Ling, there must be something important.

Alas, it was just for a meal?!

What a joke!

The reporters all felt cheated.