A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“You’ve got the guts to bring a chauffeur along in such a lousy car. And why’s your chauffeur dressed so casually, I supposed he isn’t professional? Miss, let me advise you, do not get someone to boost your image at the last minute. Just look at how shabbily your chauffeur is dressed, doesn’t it further bring your image down?”

Xia Ling was tongue-tied as she looked at the security officer. She then turned towards Li Lei.

“He… isn’t too… professional.” She had no other way of putting it.

“Isn’t that right?” The young security officer was staring closer at Li Lei. “You came here sad and all alone, without even an assistant to say the least, what point was there in making up the fact that you have a chauffeur? Look at Miss Li, she has two to three assistants, her manager, a makeup artist[a], and even a bag carrier… That’s what privilege is called, get it in your head.”

True enough. Xia Ling thought. Boss, I just knew that you wouldn’t boost my image as well as an assistant would.

“Ahem.” The other security officer coughed. He was a lot older than the younger officer, and probably in his forties.

He nudged the younger security officer and then smiled apologetically to Xia Ling. “I’m so sorry, Miss. Xiao Zhang is new here and often says the wrong things. If he’s offended you in any way, please be magnanimous. However, based on our regulations, those inappropriately dressed are not allowed to enter. We will have to trouble you to come back again after you’ve had a change of clothes.”

The young security officer was unhappy. “When have I said the wrong things? What did I say wrong? It’s a fact that she’s shabby, what use is there trying to boost her image…”

“Who’s shabby?” An attractive male voice interrupted.

She turned around and saw Li Lei standing beside her.

“Xiao Ling, why haven’t you gone in?” He frowned. “And what happened to your clothes?”

Xia Ling briefly told him what had just happened.

Li Lei looked a little somber. “Which Li Beier?”

Xia Ling was quiet for a while. Alright then, it seemed like girls who walked alongside wealthy men were simply insignificant to people like Li Lei. But, it’s only been a while, and he actually forgot all the drama that had taken place at the Southern Mountains Equestrian Club.

She was about to say something when the young security officer sneered. “You people don’t even know who Li Beier is? I guess you don’t watch movies. She’s a star that Director Jin has groomed and brought to fame personally; her potential is boundless.”

Director Jin was the chief director of “War and Death.” He was extremely well-known and way higher in status than the Lin Yuanyi who approached her to try out for the audition the other day. Li Lei did not watch movies often indeed, but that did not stop him from smiling grimly. “Jin Yifei is tired of living.”

Xia Ling was shocked, what was this Big Boss thinking of doing to Director Jin?

She tugged at his sleeve, whispering. “Don’t bring up fighting and such stuff all the time.”

What an innocent victim.

The young security officer overheard what she said and mocked them even louder than before. “Fight? So you’re a gangster, I’ve seen too many little gangsters like you. Miss, let me advise you, don’t get a gangster to act as your chauffeur, don’t you know it’s very embarrassing…”

Li Lei glared at that security officer fiercely.

It did not matter that he was being laughed at, but no one was allowed to laugh at his Xiao Ling!

The old security officer got a shock when he saw Li Lei’s expression. He was way more experienced than the young officer and was a lot sharper in judging people. This man before him might be in a casual t-shirt and not flaunting in any way, but in his eyes was a subtle but threatening look of power, one that was more intimidating than even the rich and powerful. He appeared like one who could get others to bow down to him even without any show of extravagance.

This could only be achieved by those who had lived a life of luxury and authority since they were young.

The old security officer guessed that Li Lei was someone of a certain status, and frantically got the young security officer to stand behind him to stop him from talking further.

“I’m really sorry, Xiao Zhang is new here and doesn’t know any better. Please do not put yourself at his level… Oh, right. Mister, may I know how I should address you?” The old security officer smiled apologetically and looked only toward Li Lei.

Xia Ling was amazed. Experience came with age indeed, with just a little interaction he knew exactly who had the upper hand.

Li Lei did not even bother to entertain him as he whipped his cell phone out. “Hey, Yunfeng, I’m at the audition venue for “War and Death,” get your highest level personnel to the phone. Yes? What am I here for? I sent my Xiao Ling here for the audition… Yes, she’s my precious, and I finally got her to agree to be with me. Why? Do you have an objection?… Haha, alright, I’ll treat you to a drink sometime.”

He went on teasing for a while before hanging up.

The old security officer was stunned and then turned awful. “You… called Director Du?”

Xia Ling recalled that the biggest investor of “War and Death” was not Jin Peng Media, the party that invited her to the audition, but the renowned Fan Hua Entertainment. And the executive director of Fan Hua Entertainment happened to be the Du Yunfeng she met at the equestrian club, who was also Li Lei’s brother-in-arms.

Li Lei did not even glance at the security officers and simply told Xia Ling, “When you go in later, I’ll get someone to find you a change of clothes. Next time, remember to put a set of spare change in my car, okay?”

Xia Ling nodded obediently.

A while later, a man walked out of the audition studio hurriedly. In his 40s, he was dressed in high-grade formal wear, even the buttons on his shirt were gold-plated. The moment he saw Xia Ling, he began sizing her up discreetly and then turned towards Li Lei, to whom he presented a pleasant smile. “This must be Mr. Li? Hello, I’m the producer of “War and Death,” Zheng Desong. I did not know you’d be here today, please pardon me for my lack in hosting and welcoming you.”

Xia Ling was awed. Li Lei was dressed so casually and simply, how did they so accurately judge that he was of a higher status than her? Comparison is really the devil . She thought as she glared at Li Lei, and then smiled in her heart — having a boyfriend who was so suave and powerful, she was… a little proud of it.

After his introduction, Zheng Desong respectfully bent over slightly and offered both his hands in a handshake, to which Li Lei had only offered one. After that, he straightened up and extended his right hand to Xia Ling. “I looked through today’s audition list, this must be Miss Ye? My pleasure to meet you.”

Xia Ling did not reach her hand out and merely apologized. “I’m sorry, my hands are dirty.”

Li Beier’s spilled coffee had caused her to become a mess.

Zheng Desong suddenly looked shocked, as if he had just noticed how miserable she looked. “This is…?”

“Met a mad dog,” said Li Lei. “What’s she called? Li… what?”

Xia Ling replied, “Li Beier.”

“Yes, Li Beier.” Li Lei’s voice was cold now. “She spilled coffee all over Xiao Ling, and not only did these two security officers not stop her, they even stopped Xiao Ling from entering. Is Jin Yifei so extraordinary now? He thinks he can bully my people with his lackeys?”

[a]artiste?