A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

Li Lei was still expressionless as he watched Wang Long panic.

Somebody else mentioned. “Wang Long, aren’t you getting your men to put their guns down?”

Only then did Wang Long realize that they were still in an aggressive stance. He ordered his two subordinates. “Put the guns down.”

They heeded.

The same partner who reminded Wang Long about the guns smiled at Li Lei. “Second Young Master, please calm down. Wang Long is just being insensible, don’t take his words to heart. Could you get your men to lower their guns too?”

The Lis’ subordinates still had their guns pointed at Wang Long.

Li Lei’s expression did not change a bit even after hearing those words. Instead, he held up two fingers. Just as everyone was about to heave a sigh of relief, they suddenly heard two gunshots, and the two subordinates standing behind Wang Long fell to the ground. Each of them had a bleeding hole on their head.

A few women screamed, and some had covered their eyes.

The woman who came along with Wang Long turned pale and fell into her seat.

“Second Young Master Li, what do you mean by this?” Wang Long was enraged. “I’d already told my men to put their guns down, don’t you go too far!”

This time, Li Lei did not say a word.

It was his subordinate who spoke for him. “Whoever points a gun at Young Master has to die.”

The malice in his voice sent a chill down Wang Long’s spine as he turned pale as well. The banquet hadn’t even started, and he had already lost his two subordinates; what an embarrassment. However, he couldn’t go on looking Li Lei in the eye. Li Lei seemed to exude a ferocious aura that intimidated people and made them fear for their lives. Finally, between the options of face and survival, he chose survival.

He fell into his chair and kept quiet.

At that moment, everyone went silent. The air was stale and heavy.

Everyone was shocked by what Li Lei had just done. Nobody would’ve thought that this Second Young Master Li—who was known for his good nature and even temper—could be this cruel as well? He wasn’t too different from Old Master Li, after all.

Meanwhile, it was Li Lei who lightened the mood first. He smiled. “Why have you gone quiet? I invited you here for a good meal. It’ll only taste good when you’re in a good mood.”

He clapped his hand, signaling for the waiters to serve the food.

A generous amount of delicacies—birds’ nest, shark fin, and more—was served to each table.

Somebody finally reacted accordingly and smiled. “Come, let’s eat. Today’s Second Young Master Li’s good day, we should all celebrate. Second Young Master, congratulations on taking over the leadership of the Lis, and for getting together with your beloved woman. Here’s a toast to you.” With that, he downed a glass of alcohol.

The atmosphere livened up gradually.

The two corpses were dragged away by employees discreetly and swiftly.

Everything went on as per normal as if that tragedy had not taken place.

In between dishes, some people came along to congratulate Li Lei. “Second Young Master Li, you really have good judgment. If I remember correctly, Miss Ye was never in the triad world? The way she maintained her composure during the exchange just now was really admirable.”

Throughout the event—whether Xia Ling was being targeted by a gun or witnessing the death of others—she maintained her usual nonchalant demeanor, displaying a stark contrast from the other flustered girls.

But this was all a facade.

Xia Ling was actually falling apart inside.

She never liked seeing blood, as it reminded her of her unhappy past. It took her a lot of effort and will to keep her emotions in check. But she understood that this was a crucial moment, and she absolutely could not embarrass Li Lei at this juncture. Hence, she put her acting skills to use and tried to portray her calmest self.

Only Li Lei knew that her hands beneath the table had been shaking this whole time.

He held her hand firmly, hoping that his warm, coarse hand would give her strength and support.

Upon hearing the big boss’ compliments, Li Lei turned to her and smiled. “Uncle Ouyang hardly ever praises people.”

As such, Xia Ling smiled as well. “You’re too kind. Our lives are but a dream, life and death are part and parcel of it.”

“Life and death are part and parcel of it! Well said!” A man named Qian Kaifu laughed. “Miss Ye, here’s a toast to what you just said. I’ll down this glass first!”

He finished it in a gulp.

Xia Ling raised her glass and took a sip before putting it down.

Before attending the banquet, Xia Ling had asked Li Lei who they could afford to offend, and who they had to be civil to. Li Lei had said: [Xiao Ling, there’s no one here that we can’t afford to offend. Do you know who the Li family is in the triad world? We set the rules, we are King! Although they’re all big bosses, you actually can offend any of them.]

This was how confident the Li family was.

Xia Ling had not much understanding of a huge family like his, but with Li Lei’s words, she could now behave at ease. In fact, she could even just take a sip of alcohol when the bosses toasted to her.

Being a singer, she needed to take good care of her voice, and should not be drinking too much alcohol in the first place. There was no need to sacrifice herself for the sake of socializing.

True enough, nobody dared say a word about how she acted. Some of them were even in awe of how she reacted—she appeared petite and new to this industry, but she truly acted like the Madam of their family.

Qian Dafu laughed again. “To congratulate you, I even brought a singing hostess along today. Of course, her voice can’t hold a candle to Miss Ye’s, but she’s not too bad. Please allow her to sing a couple of songs for the two of you.”

Xia Ling turned around to look at Li Lei.

Li Lei nodded.

Qian Dafu clapped his hands, and before long, the singing hostess appeared on stage. She was beautiful in the way that appealed to men at first sight—her eyes were large and bright, and her makeup was thick and expressive. Her figure was good as well, with beautiful curves and a slim waist that could not be concealed even with her layered dress.

Xia Ling wasn’t too happy, she did not like ladies who dressed so seductively.

The singing hostess bowed to all the guests before beginning her performance. She sang and danced at the same time, bewitching those present.

It did not take long for everyone to be immersed in her voice.

She swayed her hips and exchanged seductive glances with the audience, with her eyes on Li Lei most of the time. At one point, she even gave him a flying kiss.

Xia Ling was even more unhappy now. Each time the hostess darted a glance at Li Lei, she’d pinch his thigh under the table. Li Lei felt the pain but had to put on a front and pretend nothing was going on.

Li Xiaoyao, who was standing behind them throughout, saw everything. His facial muscles spasmed a little—how could this woman be so cruel to his Second Young Master?!