A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

Xia Ling got a shock and hurriedly wheeled Xia Yu back to her ward.

The ward was bright and spacious. It was the solitary VIP ward on the highest floor, with abundant sunlight pouring onto the parquet flooring through full-length window panes. In the corner of the room was a vase of red roses.

Xia Ling helped her onto the bed and got the nanny to call the doctor.

Xia Yu grabbed her hand and smiled weakly. “Sister, it’s fine. I’m alright.”

Xia Ling said, “You’re a patient, you can’t be wilful. It’s better if we get the doctor to check on you.”

Xia Yu looked away as she tried to conceal her anger. It was always the case, she had to follow her sister’s wishes like a puppet with no soul! She hated this life, if only… Sister didn’t exist anymore!

A few rose petals fell off.

Xia Ling accompanied her for a while as they waited for the doctor to arrive with his stethoscope and some other apparatuses. After doing a few simple checks, he said, “Miss Xia Yu is alright. She’s probably been too fatigued, that’s all. She’ll be fine after some rest.”

Xia Ling nodded and thanked the doctor before seeing him to the door.

She’d always been a spoilt child who did not bother much about respecting others. But when it came to the people who treated and took care of Xia Yu, she was extremely polite and courteous—each time she came, she’d bring along some flowers or fruits for them, and make sure to greet them as they arrive or leave, in hopes that they would provide the best possible care to her sister.

But in Xia Yu’s eyes, she was just being pretentious.

Xia Yu remembered the day she overheard the conversation of two nurses. “Did you know that the little girl Xia Ling is really nice to her sister? After visiting her sister, she still makes the effort to speak to the doctor at length about her condition, how sensible.”

“Yup, she’s beautiful and has such a good character. Xia Yu is so lucky to have her as an older sister.”

“Exactly, but too bad Xia Yu’s condition is so serious, she looks so much worse than her sister…”

The two nurses chatted and laughed as they walked down the hallway.

Leaving Xia Yu behind, fuming in anger.

“Xiao Yu, Xiao Yu?” She heard Xia Ling call her all of a sudden.

She snapped back to her senses. “Yes, Sister?”

“Did you hear me?” Xia Ling looked at her with concern. “Am I interrupting your rest? Have a good rest first if you’re tired, I’ll come back another day to talk to you about the Summer Belle.”

Xia Yu wanted some much to scream at her to leave. Who cared about whatever this Summer Belle was?!

She did not want to hear a single word of her sister showing off, not a word at all!

But it wasn’t her choice. She knew full well that the top-class medical care she was receiving now was only possible because Brother Pei liked Sister! If… if she could make Brother Pei like her instead, would she no longer be at her sister’s mercy? Xia Yu began thinking.

Right then, Xia Ling said, “Oh right, Brother Pei got me to hand you a gift.”

She took a bottle of perfume out from her bag. “It’s handmade in Paris.”

“For me?” Xia Yu’s eyes sparkled in delight.

“Yup.” Xia Ling smiled. “There’s only one such bottle, even I didn’t manage to get some. Xiao Yu, hurry and open it up. The scent must be great!”

Hearing that Xia Ling did not manage to get any of it, Xia Yu excitedly unwrapped the packaging. The beautiful clear glass bottle glistened in the sunlight. The two sisters analyzed the bottle and fiddled with it for a long while before learning how to spray it. Once they did, they cautiously pressed the spray lightly.

The particles dissipated in the air evenly.

Xia Ling was pleasantly surprised as she reached out to touch it. “It smells so good.”

“Yup.” Xia Yu did the same and felt the moisture on her hand as her spirits lifted tremendously. This little bottle must be pretty expensive. Who knew that Brother Pei would be so good to her, giving her something that Sister wanted. She couldn’t help but side-eye Sister proudly. “Brother Pei gave this to me only? Sister, are you angry or upset?”

“Nope.” Xia Ling did not notice Xia Yu’s expression as she was caught up with the scent. “Brother Pei gave me a silk headscarf, it was also the only one to be made. Look,” She turned around and showed her sister the soft silk on her hair. “Isn’t it pretty? Brother Pei said it suits me.”

Xia Yu’s mood sank drastically.

She paused for a while before murmuring, “Why would Brother Pei give you a headscarf, and give me perfume?”

“I’m not sure why either.” Xia Ling was a little bothered on this note. “Actually, I wanted both of them, but Brother Pei refused to give me the perfume because he said I was too young. What a liar, you’re younger than me. But that’s fine, the headscarf looks nice too. I like it.”

Xia Yu’s heart sank even more. She was sick and weak, but her mind was still sharp. She quietly asked, “Did Brother Pei especially bring these two items back for us from Paris? Did he refuse to give you the perfume, and decide to give me instead, because he had already thought about giving you the headscarf when he bought it?”

Xia Ling shrugged. “Nope. It was Chu Chen who went to Paris for work and brought these back. He felt that the headscarf suited me, so he gave me that. After that, I said I was coming to visit you at the hospital but hadn’t prepared a gift yet, so he got me to bring this perfume for you.” She was a simple girl who did not think too much about it, unlike Xia Yu who had a complex thought process. Xia Ling’s honesty and matter-of-fact answers turned Xia Yu’s heart colder by the minute.

So, “getting the perfume for her” was all a lie!

It was all just out of convenience!

At least Sister’s headscarf was gifted to her after it caught Brother Pei’s eyes, but what about the perfume? It was simply a convenient gift because she had nothing prepared!

Xia Yu was heaving with unhappiness and about to burst into tears. Why was life so unfair? Sister always got the best of everything, leaving her only things that no one wanted!

She couldn’t take it lying down!

“Xiao Yu, are you sure you’re alright?” Xia Ling only just realized that her expression was a little odd. She said concernedly, “Hurry and lie down first. Listen to the doctor and get some rest, I’ll come and visit you another day.”

At this point, Xia Yu was in no mood to respond to her. She simply nodded her head and said goodbye.

Xia Ling urged her to rest some more as she headed for the door.

“Sister, wait.” She heard Xia Yu say suddenly.

Xia Ling stopped in her tracks and turned around. “What is it, Xiao Yu?”

“Could you… help me bring Brother Pei a gift?” Xia Yu quietly said, “He gave me such a nice perfume and I’m really grateful. I want to give him something in return to thank him.”