A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

She knew very well what Little Shaohui was going through.

She couldn’t believe that Old Master Li would actually hand the child to a sadistic pervert and leave him to treat him like a slave. This was the most inhumane form of hurt anyone could inflict on others; she had been through it herself and refused to recall it, but today, the memory had been forced upon her again.

She was trembling all over and needed support from a table to able to stand.

Old Master Li’s voice remained steady. “Miss Ye, I’m not sure if you know what the child is going through now. Let’s put it this way, there are a lot of perverts in this world who have a fetish for children, and would buy them home for their pleasure. Perhaps to treat them as a slave, or perhaps as living anatomy, or even to feed a beast… they love these.”

“Don’t do this to him.” Her pleaded meekly.

She used to think that she would be able to deal with whatever Old Master Li could come up with against her. But not this. Shaohui was practically her life, he was her bottom line. She had lost him once before, and would not allow him to suffer a second time.

Old Master Li said, “Leave Li Lei.”

Xia Ling closed her eyes slowly. A few seconds later, she surrendered. “Alright.” She had no other choice; this was nothing in comparison to the pain Shaohui could potentially be put through. Moreover, they had to wait just 20-odd days before Shaohui’s identity would be announced. By then, Old Master’s attitude would change for the better.

They just needed to drag this out for the next 20 days or so.

Old Master Li was very satisfied with her answer, and it reflected in his voice. “I’ll get someone to take good care of the child. As long as you and Li Lei are not together, the child will be well and fine. Miss Ye, don’t even bear the thought of ‘agreeing for now, and then getting back with Li Lei once the child is released.’ I will never return this child to you, but your decision will affect his fate in my hands.”

“What did you say?!” Xia Ling was all tense. “You’ll never return him to me?”

“Yes.” Old Master smiled. “Otherwise, how am I going to keep you in control?”

Xia Ling’s face turned paler by the second. She couldn’t trust the word of this sly old man — for each day Shaohui wasn’t back, she would not live in peace.

Even though it was just 20-odd days to the announcement…

Who knew what could happen in this period of time? In her last life, she had suffered under Pei Ziheng’s sadistic ways, and those memories continued to haunt her. She knew full well that many people wouldn’t be able to pull through 20 days, much less a child.

What if he was tortured into no more than a ragdoll — soulless and irreversibly damaged — in less than 20 days? Or what if, he couldn’t hang in there…?

Her heart raced faster as she thought of these scenarios. “Return the child to me, I promise I’ll leave Li Lei!”

“I won’t believe your promise, Miss Ye.” Old Master Li said. “Give it up, Shaohui is never coming back. If you do as I say, I can show you some videos of him safe and sound. But if you try pulling any tricks, then you’ll bear the consequences.” Old Master threatened.

Her expression turned awful.

Old Master Li went on, “You’re not allowed to breathe a single word to anyone. If I find out that Xiao Lei has heard about this, take my word for it — Shaohui will die faster than any help you can send.”

He hung up.

Xia Ling took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. This was not the time to be crying worriedly. Her child was in crisis and awaiting her rescue.

Xia Ling, you can do this…

You definitely can save your child!

She ran through his words from memory: Old Master said that Shaohui would be safe for as long as she stayed away from Li Lei, which meant that she could not be seen in close proximity with him for the time being. He even warned her not to tell anyone about this.

How was that possible?!

There was no way she could rescue Shaohui on her own, she really required someone else’s help. Only one person had the capacity to help her, and that person was so powerful that even Old Master could not do anything…

She dialed her brother’s number.

Her voice was still trembling, but she managed to take her brother through the whole situation briefly. Xia Moyan sneered on the other end. “Li Shanhe is tired of living.”

Xia Ling was close to tears. “Brother, think of something.”

Xia Moyan consoled her. “Little Shaohui has a good life, he’ll be fine this time, don’t worry. But… Xiao Ling, this is the destiny of your love, I cannot interfere. Only you and Li Lei can work this problem out together.”

This time, Xia Ling was really crying “But, Li Shanhe won’t let me tell Li Lei!” If that old man discovered it, wouldn’t Shaohui be in danger?

Xia Moyan was calm as usual. “He is your parasol tree and is more than capable of protecting you and your son.” There was one more thing, but he chose not to say it — If Li Lei couldn’t protect them, then just let things happen.

Shaohui’s life was a good one, even if he encountered trouble, it wouldn’t be a cause for concern.

But… he couldn’t say the same for Li Lei.

But Xia Moyan didn’t bother much about this. Given the way the Li family was treating his little nephew, they should be counting themselves lucky that he wasn’t destroying their entire household. Li Shanhe… you’d better pray that Li Lei is able to protect Xiao Ling this time. Otherwise, once the Phoenix changes her parasol tree…

It’ll be time for the Li family to crash and burn!

A flash of hatred appeared in his eyes.

Xia Ling was in a daze after she hung up.

Then, she got up and spoke to the bodyguards taking their positions near the villa. She instructed them to split into two groups — one group would check for suspicious-looking persons nearby while the other would be doing the same near Li Lei’s apartment.

She waited until both groups had guaranteed that the surroundings were safe before giving herself a cleaning attendant makeover. It was past midnight when she drove a garbage truck into Li Lei’s estate and found her way to his apartment.

It was all silent.

Li Lei was already sleeping.

It was Er Mao who heard her arrive and reached up with both paws to open the door for her, before walking her to Li Lei’s bedroom. It raised its front paw and tapped its owner, waking him up.

Li Lei was shocked and sat up immediately. “Xiao Ling, why are you here?” The dim moonlight shone on his white duvet and beautifully tanned skin, making him look extremely sexy.

But Xia Ling was not in the mood to admire the view. “Shaohui is in trouble.”

She told him what was going on in the fewest words possible. When she finished, Li Lei’s expression darkened.

“Grandpa…” his voice was deep. “He’s too much.”