A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

It was Su Tang?

She did not know whether to believe Xia Yu. Did she really regain her conscience, or was she still trying to stir up trouble?

In any case, it didn’t hurt to have her guard up. In the evening, when Lin Yunan sent Shaohui home, she told him about Xia Yu’s warning regarding Su Tang. “You have to be very careful when you take Little Shaohui out. I’ll appoint another bodyguard to him.”

Lin Yunan frowned. “What about you?”

Xia Ling said, “I’ll take note, too.”

Lin Yunan asked, “You don’t intend to let Li Lei know about this?”

Xia Ling was a little down. “I don’t have any evidence, and I don’t even know if it’s true, how would I expect Li Lei to believe it? Su Tang is his benefactor, I don’t wish to make things hard for him.” She wasn’t afraid, she just didn’t want to see her beloved man caught between love and loyalty. If she really wanted to go against Su Tang, she’d do it herself.

Lin Yunan shook his head. “How noble, you don’t even know if he’ll appreciate it.”

Xia Ling said, “I actually wish Su Tang wasn’t behind all that. She could just take Li Rui far, far away and live a life by themselves. As long as we don’t cross paths, all is well.”

Lin Yunan said, “She isn’t a simple person.”

Xia Ling replied, “But that doesn’t mean she’s a match for me.” As of now, Xia Ling had had the upper hand in any of their “battles,” be it in terms of status or in getting Li Lei to change his clothes and dressing… Other than the incident Xia Yu mentioned in her will, in which Xia Ling did not take action since she could not confirm Su Tang’s involvement. But even then, Su Tang did not stand to gain from it.

Lin Yunan looked at her a while longer.

Xia Ling snapped. “What are you looking at?”

Lin Yunan smiled. “Actually, Su Tang is way more scheming and calculating than you are. It’s strange how she hasn’t managed to outdo someone who doesn’t even take her brain out with her.”

“Who are you referring to, not bringing her brain out with her?!” Xia Ling glared at him.

Lin Yunan raised his hand as he laughed, patronizing her. “Sure, you bring your brain along. Today’s the day you do it best.”

He said his farewell and whistled as he walked off.

Although Xia Ling had already mentioned she wouldn’t bother Li Lei with this, the whole issue revolving Su Tang still weighted on her mind. She went to look for her brother instead. “Is there a way for us to check whether Su Tang was behind it?”

Xia Moyan was calm as usual. “Is it important?”

“Of course it’s important!” Xia Ling looked at him with a serious expression. “Only then can I find out how mean she is! I need to know how much she’ll hurt Shaohui and me!”

“Her destiny is bound to clash with yours, it’s long been the case.” Xia Moyan was composed. “I’d be finding it strange if she didn’t try to hurt you.”

Xia Ling was speechless.

“But don’t worry,” he added. “You have the life of a Phoenix, the worst you ever have to face is already over. From now on, everything will get better, she doesn’t have any way of actually hurting you.”

“How about Little Shaohui?”

“That child is way smarter than you.”

Xia Ling felt like punching someone. Why was everybody hinting that she wasn’t intelligent? She swung her head aside. “Hmph, I’m not inviting you to my wedding anymore.”

“That little bastard wouldn’t dare to not invite me.” The Preceptor said calmly and certainly.

Poor Li Lei, how would he ever dare to offend this ruthless brother-in-law of his!

Xia Ling felt pathetic, too. Why did her husband appear so small before her brother?!

She had no choice but to send him an invite.

The wedding day finally arrived.

Guests came to give their blessings.

Countless media representatives from all over the world reported it in real-time. Dressed in a white wedding gown, she slowly made her way out of the red-brick villa. The pearls studding her gown gleamed and glistened in the sunlight, leaving an afterglow in her tracks. Equally well dressed were her bridesmaids, friends, and family, whose eyes followed wherever she went as they wished her well. Meanwhile, she glowed with a radiant smile that shone even in her eyes.

“Xiao Ling… Our Xiao Ling is finally getting married…” Tons of her fans stationed themselves before the television, watching the live telecast more agitated than Xia Ling herself. A number of young girls even held their best friends as they teared with joy. “Xiao Ling and Li Lei had it so tough and went through so much. They can finally be together, I envy them so much…”

They laughed and cried, and exclaimed in both delight and envy.

When Xia Ling finally exited the villa, she turned around and took a look at this place she’d resided in for many years.

This building was a “gift” from Old Master Li. Back then, this was his compensation to her when he asked her to leave Li Lei for good. He had forced her out of the house and into this new villa under the watch of several bodyguards. She had been so miserable at that time, lacking money, status, and the support of her powerful household. All she had was the little popularity as a singer and her love with Li Lei, and even that was robbed from her. Old Master Li had told her: [Live here for three full years and I’ll agree to you and Li Lei’s relationship.]

But too much had happened in these three years, a wave of peril after another.

But it was all in the past, and there was a sense of detachment now as she looked back.

“Goodbye, villa.” She quietly said to the house.

People crowded around now, yelling words of congratulations and blessings. The matron of honor hurried her up the bridal car. “The bride should get in the car now, it’s an auspicious time—”

Hence, she turned away from the villa and walked towards the car.

The leading car was the SUV that Li Lei often drove. It was decorated according to tradition—a floral bouquet in the front, red ribbon all around, exuding an air of festivity and celebration. Li Lei was dressed in an extravagant suit and standing by the car. With that perfect smile on, he appeared even more handsome than usually.

Many of the ladies stole glances at him.

But he only had eyes for Xia Ling. He opened the car door for her and carefully helped her into the car. The camera shutters were going off nonstop, as with the flashes the cameramen jostled to get the best shots. The matron of honor recited well wishes as she tried her best to speak over the chattering between the flower girl and flower boy. It was a joyous occasion.

Before the television, some of the fans even tugged at their partners. “Li Lei is so handsome, and Xiao Ling is so beautiful today.”

“That’s true. But why are they using his SUV as the leading car?” Li Lei’s SUV was used for his day-to-day transport, and it was getting a little old. Moreover, it wasn’t branded or luxurious. Hence, no one understood why this was the case.

The commentator for the live telecast quelled their curiosity. “As you can see, the choice of their leading car has shocked us, but they have a good reason for it… We’ve interviewed Mr. Li, asking why he chose this car as the lead. He said that he had driven this car for his first date with Xiao Ling, and from then on, it has been a part of their lives, in good times and bad, in both major and trivial incidences. It holds a lot of memories. Hence, they decided that this was the perfect vehicle for all of their shared moments.”