A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

Chu Chen raised his head to look at Pei Ziheng.

His boss was looking intensely at the girl fighting below.

In Chu Chen’s memories, he had never seen Boss look at anyone or anything with such an expression before. At that moment, he understood the importance of the girl in Boss’ heart. After all, he had been able to stay by Boss’ side for so many years not merely due to luck. He was able to weigh someone’s thoughts just by their expression. He thus asked the chairman, “Who is that girl?”

The chairman had also seen the fighting children. He looked embarrassedly at them and told them that the girl’s name was Xia Ling. She was used to living without rules and would often fight with the other children.

Pei Ziheng cut off the chairman. “I want to adopt her.”

He had used an absolute word and was without hesitation.

The Chairman was surprised. A hint of joy flashed across his face, but he continued to say carefully, “She is the most beautiful girl in our orphanage. She sings well, is good in sports, and is even smart and healthy. Many families want to adopt her. However, she has a sister who is extremely ill. Xiao Ling has already sworn that if anyone wants to adopt her, they will have to take her sister along to receive treatment for her illness. Otherwise, she will not agree to the adoption.”

Pei Ziheng glanced at Chu Chen. “Go carry out the adoption papers for the sisters.”

The Chairman was ecstatic. To be able to be with such a powerful and respectful person, the two children would definitely be saved.

The Chairman escorted Chu Chen eagerly to handle the adoption papers. Chu Chen asked the chairman, “What does Xia Ling like normally? How’s her usual lifestyle? Tell me all about her.” He was not only capable of reading expressions, but he was also attentive. Since it was a person that Boss thought highly of, he had to take care of her with consideration. This was an essential quality of a trusted aide.

That day, when Pei Ziheng was bringing Xia Ling back to his residence, all the events that had happened in her lifetime, her usual diet, her interests and hobbies, even the story of how she was a little scared of dogs now because she had been bitten by a poodle when she was young… all these information was already stacked neatly in a thick pile on Pei Ziheng’s table.

Chu Chen knew exactly what the appropriate behavior was.

He did not arrange anything for Xia Ling directly and was not anxious to gain her favor. He simply handed everything he had investigated to his owner and let him take care of that beautiful toy himself.

Yes, in Chu Chen’s eyes, Xia Ling was a toy.

Just like a stalk of a delicate flower in a flower shop on the roadside, or like a beautiful kitten in the pet shop, passers-by would find it new and fresh, and would thus purchase it home to play with for a few days. They would feed her, change her water, and build her an expensive den. Everything would be fine when she was still being pampered, and even the slightest disobedience and willfulness would be considered adorable. However, once she was no longer adored, she would be the world’s most worthless garbage that was ready to be abandoned anytime.

Chu Chen always saw things clearly.

His perfect actions made Pei Ziheng trust him even more. He handed the task of taking care of this elegant kitten to him. Hence, he became Xia Ling’s manager, nanny, bodyguard, helper and punching bag…

As well as all other positions you could think of.

Under Pei Ziheng’s indulgence, the girl was willful and arrogant, and was so undisciplined she would cause trouble everywhere.

At first, Chu Chen had been taking care of her with an even-temper, but when she had thrown a prop she did not like in his face during a concert, everything changed. “I said I didn’t want the blue one! It’s so ugly!” She had screamed in anger and continued to take her anger out on him. “Where’s Pei Ziheng? Are you all doing things half-heartedly and neglecting me just because he’s not coming to watch me?!”

Chu Chen knew that her mood was not good that day. She had fought with Pei Ziheng before leaving the house. Pei Ziheng had been unable to attend her concert because he had an important investment meeting.

She was used to being spoilt and had not intended on going against him. The prop only hit his face because it leaned to the side when she smashed it.

He rubbed his face. His nose bridge had been damaged, and fresh blood was flowing out profusely, making it very scary. He still said calmly to her, “Xiao Ling, go up on stage first. I will fire the prop artist and watch Boss attentively. I will tell you once he has ended his meeting.”

“I don’t care whether he has ended his meeting or not!” She was still in a fit and turned her head to stomp up the stage.

The backstage staff members who had been keeping quiet out of fear only dared to come out now. They moved quickly in helping him treat his wounds. One of the make-up artists said, “Ms. Xia is too much to hit you in the face…”

Chu Chen glared at her fiercely.

“Don’t speak ill of Xiao Ling.” He warned gravely.

The dressing room was quiet once again. From afar, the prop artist’s protesting voice could be heard. “You can’t just fire me like this! The prop was originally blue. Ms. Xia also confirmed it yesterday, I didn’t bring the wrong one!”

Chu Chen closed his eyes.

He knew in his heart that the prop artist was right. He had indeed let Xia Ling confirm the props yesterday. However, she had demanded to change the prop today, and there was just no time for that to happen. But so what if that had happened? Xia Ling was still under Pei Ziheng’s adoration and regardless of what happened, Boss would be on her side nonetheless. In the face of power, justice would not even withstand a blow—her lightly saying “I don’t like it” was enough to make everyone here, including Chu Chen, lose their job. Just like back then, so what if his father had been just? In the face of authority, justice for the weak was just a joke.

Chu Chen raised his head. The fresh blood in his nose flowed backward and made him cough. It was so bitter and fishy.

Xia Ling was the kind of person he loathed most. She was unreasonable and lived willfully while being pampered. He thought back to how when he was twelve, his family had met with a mishap and their fate had turned completely into a most disastrous and miserable life. But what about when she was twelve? She was luckily adopted by the huge alligator in the entertainment world, relying just on her beautiful face. Without even a need to use her brain, she had obtained so easily what others had fought with their youth for… Moreover, Chu Chen had fought for so many years, yet now that he was in Imperial Entertainment, he was still incomparable to his “toy” in Pei Ziheng’s eyes.

He felt extremely frustrated and worked hard to suppress the disgust he felt towards her.

Once the concert was over, Xia Ling returned backstage and was startled to see that he had a plaster on his nose. “How’s your nose?” She had long forgotten about hurting him just now.

Chu Chen smiled and replied peacefully, “It’s just a tiny scratch, nothing serious.”

She stared at him for a long time before remembering that she was the one who had injured him. Startled, she fumbled on. “Sorry, sorry, Chu Chen. I didn’t do it on purpose… I was too angry and was careless… and I was in a rush to get on stage… I’m sorry, are you okay?”

He smiled. “I already told you I’m fine. I’m touched that you care for me so much.”

Compared to the prop artist who had just been fired in ill-luck, what was his tiny wound? Chu Chen’s heart hardened. He stared at the gorgeous girl in front of him and calculated silently. How long more would it take for Boss to be fed up with her?