A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Faced with Li Lei’s question, Xia Ling was unable to answer him.

The private and festering wounds were too deep and too severe. Even if he was her boyfriend, she could not reveal them to him. Xia Ying turned her head to avoid his probing eyes and whispered. “Yes, I’m not feeling too well.”

He knew instantly that she was lying.

However, he did not dare to expose her. When she met Gu Lin just now, the way she resolutely turned away from him still lingered in his heart. He was afraid that if he pressured her to tell him the truth, their fragile relationship would fall apart. How much exactly did Xiao Ling like him? He did not know. He only knew that she seemed to have many secrets in her heart, and they were probably related to Pei Ziheng. Every time she met that man, including now that they were in his territory, she always looked rather strange.

His love rival was near, and he did not dare to provoke her at all as he did not want to risk the chance of losing her.

As such, he forced a smile, pretending that nothing happened, and said, “Not feeling well? Then we should go back.”

Leave the conference. They should leave this dangerous conference that caused him to be on guard the entire time.

Xia Ling nodded her head.

Both of them were in the back garden. When they traced back their footsteps and returned to the reception hall, the release of “The Caged Butterfly” had already ended. The smartly dressed violin quartet once again played a melodious tune.

The men and women in the hall paired up, and many people were dancing on the packed dance floor.

Xia Ling followed Li Lei and walked through the crowd. Suddenly, a girl walked up to them. She had long curly hair, was wearing a gorgeous dress, and had a peacock brooch on her chest. It was Gu Lin. She looked at Xia Ling unkindly before turning to give Li Lei a sweet smile. “Brother Lei, where did you go just now? I was looking everywhere for you.”

When “The Caged Butterfly” was being released, Li Lei had brushed Gu Lin off to chase after Xia Ling. This caused Gu Lin to feel resentful and also strengthened her belief that that irritating woman’s relationship with Brother Lei was unusual. That woman was probably just his mistress, how dare she compete with an aristocrat like her? Gu Lin’s fighting spirit was heightened, and she vowed to chase Xia Ling away from Li Lei.

She pulled Li Lei’s arm towards her again. “Brother Lei, can you dance with me?”

This time around, Li Lei was more obedient and absolutely did not want to make the same mistake. He removed her hand from his arm and said, “Lin Lin, I’m sorry, I can’t dance with you. Xiao Ling is not feeling well, so I have to send her home.”

What? Li Lei was a big boss, yet he had to send that irritating woman of no status or background home?!

Gu Lin was becoming upset. “Brother Lei, you can just call for any random driver to send her home. Why do you have to take on the trouble? I don’t care! You have to dance with me!” As she spoke, she tried to grab on to Li Lei again, but Li Lei quietly avoided her.

Gu Lin was even more upset. “Brother Lei, why are you ignoring me?!”

Xia Ling simply could not watch the scene any longer. That Gu Lin was considered a socialite. Did she not find the way she shamelessly flirted with Li Lei embarrassing? If it was the Pei Family instead… In her past life, she had seen Pei Ziheng deal with a shameless female family member that flirted excessively during social events. That was really an extreme measure in their family rules. It was so strict that for a long period of time, the entire family kept silent like cicadas in cold weather, and that female family member no longer dared to commit the same mistake.

Both families were of high social class, how could their family values differ so greatly?

Xia Ling was lost in her thoughts, but after she came back to reality, she felt that something was not right. Gu Lin’s poor upbringing did not mean that Pei Ziheng’s family upbringing was much better. Otherwise, how could that raise such a pervert like Pei Ziheng?

She felt a little pain in her heart and forced herself to stop thinking about it.

“Are we leaving or not?” she asked Li Lei with some impatience.

“We’re leaving,” Li Lei immediately replied. He was now as obedient as a large pet dog. He accommodated whatever her request was as he was afraid he would provoke her again and cause her to be unhappy.

He carefully held out his hand, signaling Xia Ling to hold it.

Xia Ling had never held his hand and never thought that he would do that, so she was somewhat taken aback. He looked at her deeply with eyes as green as a forest, hoping that he had gained her favor. It was as if he was saying, “Look at how obedient I am! How about you give me a little reward?”

Gu Lin also did not think that her Brother Lei would actually hold his hand out to another woman. Her eyes were almost about to spit fire.

In the corner of her eye, Xia Ling saw the way Gu Lin was gritting her teeth. She initially was hesitant about keeping Li Lei by her side, but suddenly, she became determined. She reached her hand out with a smile and gently held Li Lei’s hand.

She also gave Gu Lin a provocative look.

Li Lei had a full view of what she was doing, but instead of being angry, he was jumping in joy in his heart. His Xiao Ling was finally not indifferent towards him. When a love rival showed up, she would also try to counter her.

Li Lei was feeling extremely great as he held Xia Ling’s hand and walked in the direction of the main entrance.

“Slow down!” Gu Lin’s voice was filled with fury as she blocked them. “Brother Lei, you can’t treat me like this!”

“I’ve already said that Xiao Ling is not feeling well.” Li Lei took into account the relations of their two families and maintained the gentleness in his voice while being very firm. “Lin Lin, can I trouble you to make way for us.”

“I want to dance with you!” Gu Lin was still unwilling to compromise. As she was very emotional, she increased the volume of her voice.

That attracted the stares of a few nearby guests.

“What is going on?” A man’s voice was heard.

Xia Ling lifted her head and saw a middle-aged man dressed in a black suit. His face had a few similarities to Gu Lin’s.

“Uncle Gu.” Li Lei had already called out.

Uncle Gu? Xia Ling guessed in her heart that he was probably Gu Lin’s father.

She guessed correctly. Gu Lin turned around to look at the middle-aged man and suddenly became relieved. She resentfully glared at Xia Ling, indignantly pointed at Li Lei, and said, “Dad, Brother Lei refuses to dance with me!”

After clearly hearing what she said, more of the surrounding guests started staring at them.

Not only did she capture the attention of the group of high society people, the ordinary people who loved gossip were also intrigued. Many people started to walk towards the commotion, trying to be near to find out what had happened.

There was a ghastly expression on Father Gu’s face.

According to the rules of social etiquette, if a girl invited a man to dance with her, that man could not reject her. Otherwise, it would be akin to giving her a tight slap and announcing to everyone that he thought poorly of her.

How could Father Gu witness his daughter endure that sort of humiliation and do nothing?

“Li Lei,” he angrily asked. “our families are considered friends. Can you explain clearly to me what this is all about? Otherwise, don’t blame me for not considering out relations!”

Li Lei also realized that the situation had become a little troublesome, but he remained fearless. “I’m sorry if I have offended you, Uncle Gu. However, Xiao Ling is not feeling well, and I have to send her home quickly, so I really do not have time to accept Lin Lin’s invitation. I’m very sorry.”

So what if he had offended the father and daughter of the Gu Family?

It was better than offending Xiao Ling.

After Father Gu heard what Li Lei said, he finally realized that he was holding a girl’s hand. That girl’s face was full of mockery and indifference. She was also standing elegantly and straight, and did not look like she was not feeling well at all! Excuses, they were all excuses.

Father Gu became even more infuriated and asked Xia Ling, “Who are you?”