A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Li Lei reassured her that Mr. Zhou was okay. He had already been rescued by someone, and his injuries were not serious. Only after hearing that was Xia Ling finally relieved.

After she was untied, the severity of the traumatic experience finally hit her. Her body was as cold as ice, and she was slightly shivering. She had been humiliatingly tied up like a desirable good that awaited to be sold at a high price… Not surprisingly, she recalled her experience in her past life when she was imprisoned by Pei Ziheng for a long and dark time. She was also trampled on, disgraced, and insulted not too long ago…

Her slender fingers were clenched into fists and curled up into a ball.

Li Lei noticed a difference in her behavior, so he took a soft fleece blanket and put it over her bare shoulders. He warmly embraced her and gently stroked her thin back.

For a while, both of them did not speak.

It was very quiet in the helicopter. Only the roar of the motor could be heard.

After flying for some time, it landed at a place. As Li Lei carried her down, she then realized that they were on the mountain where she first met him. He carried her as he walked past the parking apron and the large patch of cotton rose hibiscus flowers. On the way, the butlers and servants they met bowed respectfully and congratulated them on a safe return as if they were celebrating the triumphant return of their king and his queen.

He carried Xia Ling into a bedroom and gently placed her on the bed.

After that, he instructed someone to get some water for her. He then squatted down and personally helped her treat her wounds.

Xia Ling felt a little embarrassed and moved back a bit. “I’ll do it myself,” she said.

However, he tenderly held her hand and said, “It is not easy for you to apply the medicated cream yourself. I will help you do it.” Despite her rejection, he had already used a wet cloth to remove the dirt near her wrists carefully and applied a cream that reduced swelling.

Afterward, he did the same to her feet.

There were many wounds on her feet, all of which were caused by the thin belt of her high heels. The flesh and blood were mixed together; it was a horrifying sight. Li Lei’s expression darkened. He had a difficult time resisting the impulse of rushing out immediately and ordering the death of Nan Sheng. Taking a deep breath, he calmed down slightly, wiped away the blood from her feet, and applied the medication.

Xia Ling sat on the bed and lowered her head to look at him.

It was strange. Her Big Boss acted very high and mighty, but he was willing to lower his pride for her and do something that only servants would do. Her feet were in his arms, and she could feel that he was being very careful as not to cause her any pain, just like he was safeguarding the most precious gem in the world.

There was an inexplicable sour feeling that spread in her heart.

After Li Lei was done treating her wounds, he lifted his head to look at her just as she was gazing at him.

Xia Ling’s face turned red and she awkwardly turned her head away.

“Be my girlfriend.” She heard Li Lei say suddenly.

She was taken aback. Not much time had passed since he asked the same question. Why was he bringing up the subject again so quickly? Xia Ling was at a loss for words. She stayed quiet and did not immediately answer him.

Li Lei propped up his body and sat down next to her bed. He looked at her seriously. “Xiao Ling, be my girlfriend. The next time you have to celebrate a birthday or visit your relatives and friends, I can justifiably accompany and protect you.”

She bit her lip slightly. He was right. If he were there, she would feel very safe.

She did not know when the feeling started, but as long as he appeared, she would not feel afraid of anything that life threw at her.

But…

She already did not have the energy to love another person. Love was like a moth fluttering near a light, seeking its own doom. They met each other too late. She was a moth that had turned into ashes by someone else’s flame. Now, she was only a hollow and lifeless shell of a person.

She used all of her energy to shake her head.

“Why?” he anxiously asked. “Am I not good enough?”

“No,” she said lightly and lowered her head, not daring to look at him. “Li Lei, the person I am today will never be able to fall in love with anyone. I don’t have the strength, and also don’t the courage…”

The hopelessness of her words worried him.

Li Lei could not comprehend what sort of tragedy happened to her in the past that caused her to think that way. He had hired investigators to find out more about Xingling’s history but found nothing unusual. He guessed that she must have a deep and important secret which caused her desolation that did not match her age nor experience.

Was it related to Pei Ziheng?

Only Pei Ziheng could evade his investigation. Furthermore, he could also falsify her personal details.

Li Lei’s instincts told him that the story between Pei Ziheng and her was not simple but… so what? Right now, she would rather stay by his side than return to Pei Ziheng, which was very telling. Their old love had faded, or at least there were large cracks in their relationship. He needed to grasp the opportunity to make her his woman firmly.

“Xiao Ling,” he warmly said. “I don’t need you to love me. At least before you’re prepared to love me, you could treat me as usual. However, give me a chance to love you, alright? I will be by your side to protect you and let everyone know that you are my girlfriend so that other men won’t get any ideas.”

Let everyone know that you are my girlfriend…

Xia Ling felt her heart hurt a little. In her previous life, she had waited for another man to tell her that for a lifetime, but now she had unexpectedly heard it from Li Lei’s mouth.

“Do you know what the consequences of that are?” She fixed her eyes on him. “Li Lei, I’m an ordinary person. I come from a humble family and have a humble background. I’m also of a different social class than you. Don’t you find that very embarrassing?”

“What’s there to be embarrassed about?” Using pure male instinct, he felt that he had vaguely captured the crux of the problem in her relationship with Pei Ziheng. Thus, he started to attack his opponent and create an opportunity for himself. “Someone who truly loves you would not be willing to conceal you in the darkness and only be an unpresentable secret lover. Xiao Ling, I will announce to the whole world that you are my girlfriend.”

She looked at him for a very long time. “Are you serious?”

“As long as you are willing, I will ask the reporters to announce it to the world.”

It was the miracle that she had wished would happen for a long time. Just as she had lost all hope, looking back, she realized that her wish had already subtly been granted. Xia Ling’s nose was a bit blocked, and she turned her head away to lightly wipe away the tears from the corner of her eyes.

“Xiao Ling, just say yes.” Li Lei’s voice was as gentle as before.

“I will send you roses, chocolate, bring you to amusement parks, and climb up the snowy mountain to count stars with you…”

“I will accompany you to any place you want to go and look at any scenery you want to see.”

“From now onwards, nothing much can harm you. People can only hurt you over my dead body!”

Xia Ling could not stifle a snigger.

Li Lei became quiet. “Was that really amusing?”

“Your words sound like lines of a movie. Also ‘over your dead body’? That’s so exaggerated.” She couldn’t help but look back. Her eyes were still a little red, but she could not help but smile with sparkling eyes.

Li Lei felt a little wronged. “See, I can also make you laugh.”

He grabbed her hand with enthusiasm. “Be my girlfriend, okay?”

She tilted her head and thought about it. Finally, she lightly nodded.

Li Lei cheered and gave her a big hug, happy as a small child. She also laughed, but she had mixed feelings. What sort of ending would befall this unexpected romance?

She did not know the answer, but she knew that the sunlight she longed for was right before her eyes…