A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

She stayed in the mountains for a few days to recuperate. The scars on her hands and feet slowly vanished, and her emotions also stabilized.

She found him in a large field of cotton rose hibiscus flowers and asked, “There was a luggage bag in the white BMW that you arranged for Mr. Zhou to pick me up in. Have you seen it?”

Li Lei put down his gardening shears and thought for a moment. “I recall hearing Mr. Zhou say that there was a large luggage bag. He said that it was yours. I have already asked someone to move it to your room. Do you want it now? I’ll get someone to retrieve it.”

“Yes,” said Xia Ling decisively. “That’s my war trophy.”

“War trophy?” asked Li Lei.

Xia Ling delightedly told him about Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt’s failed plan to sabotage her such that they even ended up paying her for their release. Li Lei had already heard the story from Mr. Zhou, but he was equally horrified after hearing it personally from Xia Ling. He wanted to rush out in that instant and kill all of them: Fourth Uncle, Fourth Aunt, and that damned Nan Sheng.

However, Xia Ling laughed like a triumphant general. After the servants brought the luggage bag over, she opened it for Li Lei to see. “Look! One million dollars, no less! There are also gold bars and a Rolex watch!”

She was very proud of her achievement and boasted it to him.

Looking at her in her pile of wealth, Li Lei did not know whether to laugh or cry. A mere million dollars was nothing in his eyes. As long as she wanted it, he could give her more than that. However, until now, she still refused to accept such gifts and would rather work herself to death to earn that small amount of money. Furthermore, she was so delighted after obtaining it.

“Aren’t I impressive?” She proudly raised her chin and asked.

Li Lei hesitated to agree with her although he felt the exact opposite.

As such, Xia Ling was even more delighted and took the Rolex Watch. “Take it. I want you to have this.”

“A gift for me?” Li Lei was stunned.

“Yes!” She said matter-of-factly. “Everyone who helped me has a share. I also gave Mr. Zhou a handful of money.”

Li Lei instantly turned from being touched to jealous. What was it with her? He initially thought that that silly little girl had opened up and knew how to give her boyfriend a gift, but it turned out that… even though he was officially her boyfriend, he was being treated the same as a chauffeur!

Li Lei was entirely saddened by that fact.

Xia Ling grabbed his hand and started to help him put on the brand new silver-white Rolex. Suddenly, after she was halfway done, she stopped and removed the watch. “On second thought, I don’t think I should give this to you,” she said.

“Why?!” He was worried and quickly stopped her from removing the watch. Even though he was given the same treatment as a chauffeur, it was a little better than being treated less important than a chauffeur!

Xia Ling was a bit sullen. “Even Ah Wei is wearing a Patek Philippe watch. You can’t wear just a Rolex.” Patek Philippe was undisputedly the most revered watch brand among the brands of luxury goods. She had even custom-made one for Pei Ziheng before. Compared to Patek Philippe, a Rolex watch was just too common and could be easily seen on the wrist of any nouveau riche on the street.

Li Lei was a Big Boss. How could he wear a watch that was of less value than his staff member?

Li Lei laughed after he realized what the reason was. He happily said, “That’s alright. I like Rolex watches. I like anything that you give me.” He took off the waterproof military watch on his wrist and replaced it with the Rolex at lightning speed.

Xia Ling looked at the watch he replaced. It was neither a Patek Philippe nor a Vacheron Constantin and had no brand prestige. The watch was thick, concise, boorish, and black-coated. It was unremarkable, but it had subtle strength and power. Its strap was metallic, and there was a little wear and tear in parts that were not obvious. Her intuition told her that it was a watch that had been with him for a long time, and perhaps, it was much better than the Rolex…

She gave Li Lei a somewhat perplexed look. A watch signified a man’s status. He did not have to sacrifice so much for her.

Li Lei just laughed and gave her a toothy smile. “Xiao Ling, you’re so considerate. Look at my old watch, the straps are worn out. I have wanted to change it for a long time. You gave me a replacement just in time. A Rolex is not bad. I like its design.”

Half doubtful, Xia Ling asked, “Really?”

Li Lei readily nodded his head.

Actually, she did not know that the waterproof military watch that he wore had many functions. Whether he was in the jungle, desert or tundra environment, the watch had many uses and could save his life during crucial moments. In actuality, it had saved his life a few times in the past. Just because of what she said, he replaced his important and useful watch with an ordinary Rolex.

However, he did not mind taking the risk.

Seeing that he really enjoyed wearing and looking at the Rolex, Xia Ling just went with it.

She half-knelt on the floor and counted the money in the luggage bag. Then, she took a breath and pushed all the money and the two gold bars in front of Li Lei.

“You’re giving me these too?” Li Lei was shocked again. “Xiao Ling, you’re so nice to me.”

“In your dreams.” Xia Ling threw him a quick glance. “I’m returning you back the money I owe you. I still owe the company more money.” After she said that, she sighed disappointedly. Then, Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt had promised her ten million dollars. Unfortunately, the luggage bag only had a million dollars in cash. If she had tried to blackmail them a bit more, perhaps she could have paid back the debt she owed the company in full.

Li Lei slightly tilted his head. “Xiao Ling,” he said.

Xia Ling supported her chin using her hands. “Honestly, you can earn more money from robbing someone than being in the entertainment industry. Just a couple of million more and I will be rich.”

“Yes.” Li Lei sternly nodded his head. “After you have married into the Li Family, there will be chances for you to rob others. I’ll bring you and a bunch of men with guns and ammunition to the Caribbean, South Africa, and…”

Xia Ling was speechless.

How could she forget that he was part of the underworld?

“Forget it, I don’t want to be wanted by the Interpol.” She replied unenthusiastically.

Li Lei blinked and said, “I just finished a job. We won’t be wanted.”

She became worried. “What?” They were within the boundaries of their country and not in a foreign country like the Caribbean or South Africa. Could it be that he killed someone or committed arson and robbery here? She remembered that he usually abided by the law.

Li Lei laughed and imitated the delighted state she was in. “The Fourth Ye Family couple still owe you nine million dollars, right? I have already gotten the money from them for you.” Mr. Zhou had mentioned this to Li Lei, and since Li Lei did not like being taken advantaged of, he unsurprisingly helped his woman get back her money.

Xia Ling was shocked. He had to be kidding! Thinking about it again, Li Lei was rich and powerful. If he wanted to bully Old Man Ye who was of low status, he could do it as easy as turning his own hand.

She quietly pitied Fourth Uncle in her head but excitedly exclaimed. “Nine million dollars? That’s awesome! That means I have repaid my entire debt to Skyart Entertainment! I can even give you the remaining money as interest!”

“There’s still a lot left after deducting the interest.” Li Lei looked at her slyly. “There’s still around two million dollars remaining. Take the money and spend it.”

“Boss, you’re so impressive!” Xia Ling was thrilled and gave him a big hug. “I want to go shopping, eat, drink, and have fun!” It was too good to be true. She finally had some money. In her previous life, she could be considered a billionaire’s wife. Ever since she was reborn, she had been extremely poor. She could not even buy a single thing she liked. At last, she could now indulge a little.

“What did you call me?” On the other hand, Li Lei was not pleased. They were already boyfriend and girlfriend, but she still did not change the way she addressed him. Sometimes, she called him “Li Lei” and other times she called him “Boss.” He had objected to it many times to no avail.

“Knock it off, Boss.” She stood up and smiled as she stroked his hair like she was stroking a puppy and jumped out in glee. “I’m going to buy everything on my list and see how I can spend this sum of money!”