A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

That kraft paper envelope was very thick. At first glance, it appeared normal, but Xia Ling knew that the value of the items inside was definitely not low.

However, she still said, “Take it back.”

Chu Chen did not move. “Open it and see. It won’t take much of your time.”

Xia Ling did not even want to deal with him. However, Sister Mai Na reached out to take the envelope and pulled out a thick file from inside. “Ha. A gift agreement, an affidavit, and a house deed?” Sister Mai Na lifted up her head to look at Chu Chen and said, “Imperial Entertainment really does know how to spend money.”

Chu Chen smiled and replied. “The best villa in the suburbs. A villa that resides in a priceless location. Miss Ye, this is something many small celebrities like you spend their whole lives chasing after yet few achieve. I would advise you to accept it.”

Xia Ling frowned and, without looking at the real estate license Sister Mai Na was holding, asked directly, “Green Hill Pavilions?”

“Looks like you know about that place.” Chu Chen smiled profoundly and thought. This little girl appears to be aloof on the surface, but in reality, she is well aware of the wealthy districts. Once I mentioned that the villa was the best one in the suburbs, she immediately guessed that it was Green Hill Pavilions… Green Hill Pavilions is such a hidden and discreet rich area that only the truly affluent would understand its value. Even the new upstarts and nouveau riche would often mistakenly think that the best property location in the city is elsewhere.

There was only one reason why a small starlet with no status and background would know about a district like Green Hill Pavilions. She must have put in much effort to study the rich and powerful to get close to them. Chu Chen had met many similar girls before.

Anyone that could be bought over using money was not difficult to deal with.

Chu Chen smiled even more delightedly and said, “Accept it. In the future, you will also be part of their community.”

He really thought that the girl in front of him would be overwhelmed with flattery and moved to tears. Instead, Xia Ling frowned even more and took the thick file from Sister Mai Na’s hands. One look confirmed her thoughts. It was Green Hill Pavilions Number 666.

Xia Ling knew that place.

In her previous life, Pei Ziheng had bought two properties in Green Hill Pavilions. One was Number 666 and the other was Number 1314.

Number 1314. For eternity.

That was his birthday gift to her three years ago. It was supposed to be built according to her preference to feature a pure white fairytale-style castle. Unfortunately, she was obsessed with the dark version of Grimm’s Fairytales at that point in time. After looking at it, she requested for a lot of changes to be made to the castle. Pei Ziheng accommodated her and renovated the place. The renovation went on for a long time such that even after they fell out and she was taken hostage by him, it was not completed.

Afterward, what happened to the villa?

She did not know.

She also knew a little about the situation of the other property, Number 666, which was currently in Sister Mai Na’s hands. This villa should have been Xia Yu’s. That year when Pei Ziheng gave Xia Ling a villa as a gift, Xia Yu was unhappy and said that she lived too far away from her sister. As such, he bought another villa as a gift for Xia Yu.

Why was this villa currently being gifted to her by Pei Ziheng?

Xia Ling’s heart was filled with many questions, but due to her identity in her current life, she could not ask them.

Chu Chen confidently smiled. “You’re intelligent, Miss Ye. I’m sure you will make the right decision. If you follow Mr. Pei, in the future, there will be many more presents like this. As for your boss in Skyart Entertainment… I know that his business is very successful, but he may not be as generous to you.”

Startled, Xia Ling realized the meaning behind his words. She was furious. What sort of person did he think she was?

Sister Mai Na was also fuming. “Xiao Ling is not that sort of person. Pei Ziheng should just give up as early as possible!”

Chu Chen slowly put his hand down and slowly said, “Mai Na, Ye Xingling is still a small child. I can excuse her insensible behavior. But how is it that even you don’t understand? In this industry, there are more who sell their bodies than those who don’t. Who is purer than who? Let’s not talk about others. Let’s talk about you. Even the recent stars you have guided such as Liu Yun and Zhou Feifei… Who doesn’t use their body to get ahead?”

Sister Mai Na was livid with rage but did not say anything.

Xia Ling recalled that those two starlets that were famous for a period of time and realized that it was probably because something clandestine was going on behind the scenes.

Chu Chen continued, “Ye Xingling is luckier than them. Even without attending numerous social events with sponsors and cycling through them, she has already found a top backer. Mai Na, ask yourself, this industry has so many investors, how many are like my boss that has money and power, is generous, and is willing to help someone out?”

As he spoke, he turned to look at Xia Ling. “Little girl, don’t be too stubborn. Being overconfident is no good. Seize the opportunity when you are still young and clean. Otherwise…” He laughed and looked at her eyes. “After this beautiful pair of eyes has been tainted, I’m afraid it won’t be worth much anymore.”

Infuriated, Xia Ling immediately grabbed the gift agreement that was on the table, crushed it and threw it at his face.

Chu Chen blocked it with his hands. The large file slid down his high-quality suit and landed on the floor.

He bent down to pick it up and slowly unfolded the crushed file and placed it on the table once again. “You don’t have to vent your anger on this villa. My boss only wants to express his apology to you. This is unrelated to anything else. Just relax and accept it. However, if you ever happen to change your mind and agree to join us, you’re welcome to look for me anytime.”

He stood up, slightly bowed to Xia Ling and Sister Mai Na and said, “With that, I will be leaving.”

“Get lost!” Xia Ling was still very angry. She grabbed the file again and hurled it in his direction.

The door of the guest room closed and the file hit the large wooden door before falling to the floor. Xia Ling glared at it and, in the heat of anger, rushed to grab it and tear it apart.

“Don’t!” Sister Mai Na hurriedly stopped her.

“What are you doing?” asked Xia Ling angrily.

“The villa was given to you as a gift, just accept it,” said Sister Mai Na. “He already said it was just an apology gift and nothing else. Don’t just reject it for the sake of rejecting it!” She hurriedly approached Xia Ling and snatched the crumpled file from Xia Ling’s hands. After smoothing it, she placed it back in the brown paper envelope before returning it to Xia Ling. “Keep it properly. Don’t be rash.”

Confused, Xia Ling looked at her. “You want me to keep it?”

“It’s money! Remember that this is money!” Sister Mai Na did not know whether to cry or laugh. “If he dares to give it to us, why should we not dare to accept it?”

Xia Ling was still not impressed and gritted her teeth. “I don’t want it.”

“When did you start being so stubborn?” Sister Mai Na chided her. “You are not well off and this is a large sum of money.” She looked at Xia Ling’s enraged face and sighed softly. “Xiao Ling, I know you don’t feel at ease accepting this, but no matter how despicable Chu Chen was, one thing he said was right. This villa is something many small celebrities like you spend their whole lives chasing after yet few achieve. With it, you will have a safety net and will not have to worry about your livelihood. Then, you can truly focus on what you want to do. Understand?”

Xia Ling slowly sighed. Of course, she understood.

Money was something good. Who would not want it?

However, she just did not want Pei Ziheng’s money and did not want to have any relations with that man.

Sister Mai Na said, “This thin piece of paper can change your life. Xiao Ling, don’t make an impulsive decision. Calm down and think about it carefully. If you’re still unwilling to accept it after a few days, it’ll still not too late to deal with it.”