A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Xia Ling was startled. She did not expect that he would bring that up.

About half a year ago, when she was still a trainee, she once did a cover of “Sea Demon.” At that time, she was urgently pressed by Imperial Entertainment to do so. To prove her capability, she spared no effort in singing and did not think that the video would be circulated so widely. Many of the vocal techniques she used in the song were exactly the same as those she used in her previous life. As such, she was worried that Feng Kun might have realized something.

Feng Kun said, “I personally made that song. I know how difficult it is to sing it. In fact, besides Xia Ling and you, no one else could sing it. There were too many whistle notes, and only very few people could sing them.”

Whistle notes were also known as dolphin sounds.

It was true that in the whole world, only a few singers could control the whistle range well.

Xia Ling maintained her composure and said, “That was why I made a few changes.” The talent she had in this world was not as good as her previous life’s. She could not sing the high dolphin whistle notes, so she changed them all into a suitable melody that Ye Xingling’s voice could handle. As such, she presented a different sort of beauty to the song. In her previous life, the song was like icy flames. In this life, the song was like forlorn fog.

However, Feng Kun smiled and said, “How coincidental.”

Xia Ling suddenly had an ominous premonition. It was as if there was something… not quite right?

Wei Shaoyin, who was standing beside her, asked, “What’s the coincidence?”

Feng Kun replied, “Miss Ye, I’m very curious about something. Where did you get the inspiration for the changes in the whistle part of ‘Sea Demon’?”

Before Xia Ling could answer, Wei Shaoyin had already displeasedly interrupted him. “Hey, Feng Kun, don’t try to strike up a conversation with my singer.”

That posture resembled a cat being protective of its meal.

Feng Kun laughed. “Don’t be nervous, Ah Wei. We’re just having a casual conversation.”

“Casual conversation?” Wei Shaoyin narrowed his eyes and coldly snorted. “I think you’re just jealous that Xiao Ling sings better than Xia Ling.”

“Uh…” Mumbled Xia Ling as she became quiet.

Although she felt very happy that he talked about her in that way, in this lifetime, she did not necessarily sing better than in her past life. In the past, her singing was more exquisite, but now, her singing was more arrogant. Both singing methods seemed to have their own merits when compared.

Furthermore, Xia Ling was also a huge star.

Feng Kun and Xia Ling were already long considered a legendary duo. Why would he be jealous of a small star like “Ye Xingling”?

Ah Wei, please wake up.

Although Ah Wei made many controversial claims about him, Feng Kun just smiled. “I’m actually a little jealous.”

What?!

“The song remains the same, but the person singing it is no longer there.” His voice was low and a little sorrowful, but he quickly suppressed his emotions. “Miss Ye, your musicality is very similar to hers.”

She was similar to her past life in what way?

To maintain her façade, she purposefully frowned. “Mr. Feng, are you trying to praise me? I’m very sorry, but I don’t feel honored. Perhaps, being the second Xia Ling is the dream of many. However, it is not mine. After my modifications, ‘Sea Demon’ became very different from the original.”

Feng Kun looked at her inquiringly. “The difference is not as big as you say it is. In reality, your singing style is very similar to one that she abandoned in the past. Until now, a recording of that old style is still locked in a drawer in my office.”

Xia Ling’s palms started to turn cold. She finally realized what was wrong.

She almost forgot that “Sea Demon” originally had two versions. That year when Imperial Entertainment was creating the song, the sunlight in the recording studio was just right. Cascading radiant summer flowers landed outside the window and butterflies fluttered around.

She was wearing a gorgeous dress and had a glass of fruit juice in her hand. She laid on the sofa, looked at the pile of manuscript papers, slightly tilted her head, and asked the man next to her, “Ah Kun, which of these two versions do you think is better?”

Feng Kun looked at her kindly like he was looking at his younger sister. “Both are very good, Xiao Ling. One of them shows off more skills while the other one needs to be polished with more delicate emotions.”

“Argh, that sounds rather troublesome. Let’s choose the first one then.”

“Xiao Ling, you can’t be impulsive when making music.”

“Impulsive? I was always more suited for this type of pompous singing style. Besides, you can blame that hateful music critic who said I only sing with my raw talent without refined training. Hmph, I will sing with my raw talent on purpose to infuriate him!”

“You…”

In the spacious recording studio in midsummer, a man named Feng Kun smiled and shook his head.

Memories of the past emerged in Xia Ling’s mind. She suddenly remembered that the version that required more delicate emotions was really similar to the version that she sang at Skyart Entertainment’s Trainee Center.

Wei Shaoyin blew up in anger. “What do you mean by that, Feng Kun? Are you accusing Xiao Ling of plagiarism by claiming that she copied a version of the song that your company never released publicly before?! You’re trying to frame her! We reserve the right to sue you.”

“‘Never released publicly before’? That’s right.” Feng Kun looked at Xia Ling deeply.

Xia Ling had a guilty conscience and evaded his gaze. She pretended to turn angry from embarrassment and added on to Wei Shaoyin’s accusation. “Mr. Feng Kun, I respect you as a senior in the industry, but I hope you can be mindful of your words and not slander others as you please!” Turning her body, she walked around Feng Kun and said, “Ah Wei, let’s go!”

Wei Shaoyin fiercely glared at Feng Kun before catching up to her.

Feng Kun stood in the same place and watched them leave. He was even more lost in his thoughts.

Xia Ling’s emotions were in a mess, and she did not know why she walked into the dressing room. Opening the door, she was hit by a wave of noises and blinding lights. Sister Mai Na, Bai Murong, and Xie Linlang were all there. There were also a few makeup artists and assistants waiting upon the artistes. Seeing that she and Wei Shaoyin had entered, they smiled and greeted them. “Quickly freshen up to appear onstage in your best state later.”

As such, Xia Ling sat in front of the mirror and let the makeup artists do their job.

There was another group of people in the same dressing room as them. They were artistes from Galloping Horse Entertainment. After taking a phone call, their team leader said a few words before loudly calling out. “Those from Galloping Horse Entertainment, our dressing room has been changed. Follow me please.”

The group of people made a racket as they exited the dressing room.

In the beginning, Xia Ling did not mind it.

However, soon, another group of people that were dressed magnificently flooded the room. One of the girls who was wearing a cute princess dress bounced towards Xia Ling and threw herself on Xia Ling like an octopus. “Xiao Ling! Xiao Ling!” the girl eagerly said. “I can’t believe it is really you. I missed you to death!”

Xia Ling was caught off guard and lost her balance. She even fell to the ground with the chair and the girl. She was very dizzy and could not breathe as she was held down with the weight of Mt. Tai.

The girl joyfully moved her face closer to Xia Ling’s.

“It’s me, Luo Luo! Xiao Ling, did you miss me?”

It was Luo Luo from Imperial Entertainment.

That being said, the group of people that left were actually replaced with people from Imperial Entertainment?

Xia Ling felt extremely unwell. She used the hand that was not crushed to push Luo Luo away. Looking out from a crack in the crowd, sure enough, she saw Feng Kun immaculately dressed in a suit standing at the doorway. At this moment, his calm and deep gaze fell on her.