A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Vague noises were coming from the surroundings, and there seemed to be some sort of commotion. However, Xia Ling had no time to pay attention to it.

She was already deeply immersed in her role. In this beautiful dance, she was the best dancer and also the best assassin. She was in this unsuspecting town for one reason — an assassination.

The more she twirled around, the more urgent she grew, and the desire in her heart became more and more eager. She looked at the emperor on the dragon throne. His eyes were intoxicated and his throat was fragile… She could almost imagine the beautiful scene of the edge of her sword plundering his throat.

The taste of victory…

Her heart was jumping, and her short sword was buzzing. As she continued dancing, her eagerness burned.

She felt the peony in her mouth become destroyed. The petals scattered everywhere and brushed across her face and the tip of her sword.

As whirling in the dance increased, her body’s center of gravity became lower, and she became closer to the earth… The commotion in her surroundings started again, with rising exclamations. They sounded like they came from somewhere far away as if they came from another world.

After some time, the speed of the dance instinctively slowed down. However, the dancers were still spinning around in circles. They danced emotionally and ceaselessly like flowers blooming throughout the darkest areas, slowly turning into phantoms and ghosts. They were like inconspicuous ripples in the dark… All the colors converged, and it was as if life was also exhausted.

Speeding up the spinning dance was hard, but slowing it down was even more difficult.

However, she instinctively knew from the depths of her soul. Knowing how to perform the dance in the best way seemed inherent in her. She was a natural dancer. Perhaps, this was God’s blessing…

The music sped up and slowed down according to her dancing.

After the completion of her last spin, Xia Ling leisurely pressed her body to the lowest position of the dance, folded her legs, and supported her forehead on the ground.

In the illusion of light and shadow, she seemed to see the emperor smiling at her, getting up and holding out his hand.

She also smiled. Her body was like a folded flower which was in its most gloomy yet most beautiful state. It was the moment she had been anticipating — attack!

Dong! A sound was heard.

The large drums suddenly sounded.

At that moment, she turned her body and leaped, twisting her waist and spinning her short sword. With a determination to kill, she pierced the air!

A sudden stop.

An exclamation, followed by clashing sounds as equipment collapsed.

After that, the air was still.

The dance had ended.

Xia Ling panted as she tried to maintain the last stance of the assassination dance. She was surprised to find out that the short sword she was holding was currently pointing at a person in front of her — Jin Yifei. At this point, he had fallen to the ground with a confounded look. His body was buried in a large pile of photographic equipment which had collapsed as he gaped and looked at her in shock. He looked like he wanted to say something, but no sound came out.

Could it be that a prop scared him to this extent?

On second thought, pointing something at someone was rather impolite.

Xia Ling kept the sword and apologized to Jin Yifei. “Director Jin, I didn’t do it on purpose.”

He seemed as if he did not hear her and continued to look at her in shock.

Xia Ling raised her hand to wipe away the sweat on her forehead. Although she had only danced for a few minutes, the physical exertion was immense. She was very thirsty, so she turned to look for some water to drink. However, she found out that the small temporary stage was filled with people. All of the staff members in the room were standing at the side and looking at her enthusiastically.

“You danced really well!” Someone took the lead and shouted from the audience.

Cheers and applause followed suit.

Xia Ling was startled. That was only her first audition, and she did not expect such a huge reaction. Feeling happy, she waved at them, and the feeling she had at this moment was akin to that in her past life when she had thousands of fans chasing after her. She smiled as she gave the crowd a light and elegant curtsy to acknowledge them.

“Ye Xingling!” Someone shouted her name from behind her.

She turned around to find that Jin Yifei had already stood up from the equipment pile. He supported his tripod with one hand and pointed his other trembling hand at her. “You, it has to be you! The genius dancer, the perfect assassin! This role was made for you!”

He was so emotional that he looked like he was going to faint.

He stumbled as he ran towards her and shook her hand furiously. “Ye Xingling, you must accept this role! As an award-winning director, I guarantee that if you act in this role, you will definitely become famous! Definitely famous! Oh my god… I’m too lucky this time! Thank heavens I didn’t directly accept Li Beier. Thank heavens the position is open for a change of actress! This is wonderful!”

Xia Ling fell silent. This time, did she rob Li Beier of her role and indirectly exacted her revenge on that woman?

Jin Yifei held her hand tightly and refused to let go.

Suddenly, a hand emerged, pulled Jin Yifei by the collar, and dragged him away.

“Congratulations Miss Ye.” It was Zheng Desong, handing her a cup of tea. “We would like to warmly welcome you as a member of our cast. A while later, we will assign a few staff members to finalize the contract with your manager. We look forward to working with you.”

Xia Ling took the cup of tea, slightly sipped it, and tilted her head to look at the still overly emotional director beside Zheng Desong.

The role was not the problem. The problem was whether Jin Yifei was reliable.

Zheng Desong followed her gaze and also looked at Jin Yifei. He smiled. “Yifei is usually quite vocal, but once he starts filming, he does not speak much. He has amazing intuition and control. Humbly speaking, whatever he shoots becomes famous, and whatever he promotes gains attention. Yifei’s professionalism far exceeds other directors’.”

Alright. Since even Sister Mai Na said that it was a good opportunity. Sister Mai Na would never lie to her.

Xia Ling nodded and said, “I have no problem with that. If there is nothing else, I will be leaving first.” The audition had ended, and the only thing left was her manager’s finalization which did not concern her much. In her heart, she kept thinking about going to find Li Lei, but she did not know if he had finished his call.

Zheng Desong stopped her. “Miss Ye, please wait for a while. I have already asked some staff members to buy a new set of shirt and pants for you. If you don’t mind, you can go to the dressing room and change out of the dancing costume you are wearing now.”

As the highest ranking person in charge, it was no surprise that he was so attentive.

Xia Ling thanked him and went to the small changing room to get changed. The fabric of the clothes the staff had bought for her had a good texture, and the clothes were comfortable to wear. The size was a little too big for her; however, she felt that it was fine as they looked like they fit her quite well on the outside.

She looked at herself in the mirror and decided to pack up properly before leaving. Just then, she heard a knocking sound on the door.

Once she opened the door, she saw Jin Yifei’s slender body leaning against the door and smiling at her. He was still wearing the well-made flower shirt. The first two buttons were unbuttoned and revealed the gold and emerald pendant he was wearing. Paired with the shiny branded watch on his wrist, they enhanced his beauty. He was the perfect example of a rich second-generation heir.

“Aren’t you going to invite me to sit down, Xiao Ling?” He smiled and said. The tone he used was as if they had known each other for ten thousand years.

Xia Ling did not move. “Xiao Ling?” Half an hour ago, he was still calling her “Miss Ye.”

He smiled rather shamelessly. “I heard that the employees in Skyart Entertainment call you that. You see, Xiao Ling, we’re about to be co-workers. Calling you by your surname sounds too strange, don’t you agree? Oh yes, you can just call me Yifei oppa.”

Yifei… oppa?!

Director Jin, have you watched too many Korean dramas?