A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

Xia Haichao reflected on his own words and decided that the example he raised was too difficult to understand.

He reluctantly switched to an easier one. “When the little young master was brought back here, the head of the family personally gave him a jade bangle for long life. That antique blue fields jade was passed down from the time of the monarchy. It’s priceless. Both of you can go ask around to see how much it’s worth. Otherwise…”

He thought for a while, but could not think of anything that could be a good representation of the jade’s worth. The Ye Family husband-wife pair just wouldn’t understand. He sighed and said, “The head of the family said that little kids cannot be gifted with too many riches. It will be harmful to their future fortune. We’ll keep the silvers and the gold and gift them to the little young master when he’s older.”

Auntie Liu gave a cold laugh. “I knew you were trying to scam us! What ancient blue fields jade… you can just walk into any old jade shop along the streets and buy a relatively good piece for ten or twenty yuan a piece! Don’t think I can be scammed that easily!”

Xia Haichao sighed again. This Auntie Liu was truly a mountain tortoise.

Little Shaohui glanced at Xia Haichao in sympathy. It looked like he would have to take over from here. “Grandfather Ye, Grandmother Liu, if you don’t want me to be registered under their household, then just give them three-hundred-thousand yuan as compensation. When I was learning to tame animals in the circus, Grandfather and Uncle paid around the same for the school fees.”

Xia Haichao was speechless. Little Young Master, what rubbish are you talking about?

Auntie Liu regarded Shaohui suspiciously. “What taming of animals?”

“Oh, it’s like this.” The little boy said matter-of-factly. “I really like animals and asked to go to the circus to learn how to tame them. Hence, Uncle hired a master for me from the circus. Uncle said that master tames animals for a living and was afraid that teaching students would cost him his business, thus didn’t take many students. He asked for three-hundred-thousand to teach me.”

Auntie Liu believed him now, as she thought the story about the master being afraid to teach students for fear of losing business made sense. These specialized skills were expensive to learn. However, she was reluctant to part with the money. “You spendthrift little fellow… why did you learn this useless skill that can’t feed yourself? Do you want to become an animal tamer in the circus in the future?”

Little Shaohui said in mock agony, “Oh… what’s to do? I’ve learned the skill already. The fees are so expensive that Mum and I can only choose to become part of their family. Grandmother Liu, if you don’t agree to us doing so, then help me foot the school fees.”

“You wish!” Auntie Liu was furious. “Your mother hasn’t given us three-hundred-thousand in all these years combined!” It was a whole three-hundred-thousand! Father Ye and Auntie Liu didn’t have that amount of savings in their bank accounts!

“So… why don’t we come to an amicable agreement?” Xia Haichao chose this opportune moment to speak up. “If the two of you don’t wish to spend that kind of money for your grandson, and think that your daughter hasn’t paid you the equivalent all these years, why try to keep them? You’ll only get increasingly irritated with each other.”

Auntie Liu didn’t say anything. She would definitely not pay three-hundred-thousand for this child that they had no blood relation to.

Father Ye lowered his head and was quiet for a moment, before saying resolutely, “I, Ye Xiaozhong, am a useless fellow with no ability to care for my daughter and grandson. Since they want to leave, I’m willing to let them go. However…” He raised his head and looked Xia Haichao in the eyes. “I have one condition.”

“What condition?” Xia Haichao asked.

Father Ye said, “Xiao Ling might be registered under the Xia Family, but she’s still my biological child. We have blood ties; she can’t disregard that. In the future, if the Ye Family encounters any problems, she can’t refuse to help us!”

Hearing his condition, Xia Haichao silently breathed a sigh of relief. “Don’t worry. Even if Miss Ling doesn’t care for the Ye Family, regardless of whether there are sad or happy events, the Xia Family will make sure to provide you with all the support you require. I will give you my direct line. If there are any issues in the future, feel free to call me.”

Father Ye accepted Xia Haichao’s proposition reluctantly and ambled off with Auntie Liu to the guest room to take a rest.

Having completed his mission, Xia Haichao went in search of the Xia Family Head to report the success.

Walking through the long Zhennan wood corridor that seemed to meld with the forest backdrop, Xia Haichao knocked on the door of the room at the end.

The room was filled with the fragrance of tea and the exquisitely flower-carved window was half-open, letting in the cool autumn breeze and sounds of birds chirping. He saw the Xia Family Head and Li Lei sitting cross-legged facing each other playing an intense game of chess. The Xia Family Head’s joyous voice rang out, “Young Master Li, what do you think of this clever move? I’ve trapped two of your pieces! Heheheh… you didn’t think of that, did you? I’ll kill off your big dragon very soon!”

Li Lei was also engrossed in the game as he slapped his thigh and exclaimed, “Clever, indeed! Dad, that’s a stroke of genius right there! Why didn’t I think of that? Now I have a problem…”

The Xia Family Head laughed heartily.

Li Lei fell into deep thought for a moment before suddenly slapping his thigh again. “Got it! I’ll do this… Look, now you can’t take my piece anymore!”

The Xia Family Head looked down at the chessboard and remarked. “Rascal! You’re a clever one, aren’t you? But did you forget about the pieces on this side? Doing this might save your big dragon, but this entire area is mine now!” The old man laughed out loud again, happily claiming half of Li Lei’s territory on the board.

Li Lei’s face fell. “You’re still one step ahead of me! I still couldn’t prevent you from conquering my pieces! Dad, you’re really a grand master! Little Shaohui was right when he told me how good you were!”

The Xia Family Head reveled in his praises as his laughter became louder.

Xia Haichao stood by the door watching this scene, admiring the boot-licking prowess of a certain son-in-law-to-be. Was he really unable to win the old man in the game? Clearly, he had calculated it perfectly. He was letting the Xia Family Head win while making it as unobvious as possible, such that the Old Master would have a great sense of satisfaction!

He hadn’t seen the Old Master this happy in a long time.

Usually, the Old Master was friendly and wise. When he was playing chess, he was like a big child as he glared and smacked the table passionately. Mostly that was because he was at the losing end, and was angry at Young Master Moyan…

Being this happy from winning in chess was pretty much a first.

Xia Haichao suddenly felt that Miss Ling had found a great partner in Li Lei. The Xia Family was rich and powerful, and all they lacked was a caring personality. Mr. Li was so caring in his interactions with the Old Master Xia, and must be even more so in his interactions with Miss Ling…

They would be happy.

Xia Haichao knocked on the open door of the room again.

The two men turned towards the door. The Xia Family Head smiled and said, “Oh, it’s Haichao! Come over and take a look! I’ve not met another chess player that’s so close in standard to me! Young Master Li here has talent! Talent!”

Xia Haichao thought to himself, That’s because he’s purposefully losing to you.

He respectfully said out loud, “Old Master, the Ye Family couple has agreed for Miss Ling to be registered under the Xia Family. I’ve already arranged for someone to explain to them the agenda for the Phoenix Comeback Ceremony. There shouldn’t be any problems during the ceremony.”

The Xia Family Head commended Haichao for his good work and pulled him over to the table to watch their chess game.

Xia Haichao didn’t want to watch the game and found an excuse to escape.

“Did you see that? None of them are willing to accompany this old man… how sad…” Old Master Xia shook his head and sighed. “Come, let us continue!”

Li Lei laughed. “How can they understand the beauty of your chess game? Dad, after I get married to Xiao Ling, I’ll come play with you every day!”

“Great!” The Old Master agreed happily. “When you get married…” He stopped abruptly and scolded in amusement. “Young Master Li, you rascal! How can you trap me like that? Who’s agreed to your marriage?”