A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

Xia Ling took a few steps forward and took the opportunity to scrutinize Old Master Li as he looked at her.

This old man’s eyes were similar to Li Lei’s, but with more understanding of the world and calmness in his knowledge. His eyes were kind and serene, but deep beyond her understanding. Xia Ling did not know what to think about it, but she wondered: When Li Lei grows old, would this be how he’ll look like?

Old Master Li sized her up for a rather long time before saying simply, “Since you’re here, you should stay with Xiao Lei for a few days. There are many restricted zones on this island, be careful not to trespass them. Xiao Lei, be a good host to our guest.” He then went on to drink his tea.

Li Lei felt his heart sink, “guest” was such a distant term.

In the Zen garden, the bamboo leaves rustled in the breeze. Li Lei felt uneasy but forced a smile. “Grandpa, Xiao Ling specially brought you a gift. Xiao Ling, let Grandpa take a look at it.”

Xia Ling held the gift before Old Master Li’s face, she respectfully greeted him. “Grandpa…”

Old Master Li raised his hand to stop her. “Don’t, Miss Ye, I don’t deserve you calling me Grandpa. Leave the gift on the table.” He gestured to the table by his side. “Have a happy new year here in the Li family, don’t make this a wasted trip.”

Xia Ling was stunned.

Before coming over to visit the Old Mister of the Li family, she had thought of countless possibilities, including one that he would not like her. But, she never expected it to be such a direct and explicit rejection. She stood still, not knowing how to react.

“Grandpa!” Li Lei was stunned as well. Wasn’t Grandpa very particular about the background of his granddaughter-in-law? Why did he not consider her? He tried once again. “Won’t you open the gift and take a look at it? Xiao Ling took a lot of effort to pick it…”

“I’m tired.” Old Master Li interrupted him. “Xiao Lei, take Miss Ye back to rest. Come to my study room tonight.”

Seeing Grandpa’s attitude, Li Lei knew there was no room for negotiation at this point, much as he wanted to fight for Xia Ling. He held Xia Ling’s hand to give her some strength and excused themselves before returning to Thunderous Yard.

Xia Ling was dejected. “Why doesn’t your grandfather like me?”

“Maybe there’s some misunderstanding somewhere.” Li Lei consoled her. “Don’t worry, I’ll have a good talk with him tonight.” It took a lot for both of them to finally get together, he could not bear to think about having to leave her because of his family’s disapproval.

That night, he went to Old Master Li’s study room.

In the room were rows of sturdy bookshelves lined with valuable sequels. Old Master Li was sitting alone by the teapot, steeping his tea while waiting for him.

“You can’t be with this girl.” He said the moment Li Lei opened the door.

“Why!” Li Lei was flustered. “I love her!”

“Love?” Old Master Li did not seem to think much about what Li Lei had just said. “Xiao Lei, love does not assure your safety, neither does it help you gain power and authority. Love is just a balancing tool in your life, treat it no more than as a dispensable embellishment. If she was an ordinary girl, it’s alright even if she has a humble background; we have enough to support her anyway. But, this girl…”

“What about Xiao Ling?” Li Lei was anxious.

Old Master Li carefully removed the foam from the tea he had steeped, his brows furrowed seriously under the dim lights. “This girl doesn’t have a good fortune. Her destiny is weak, and she has the life of a widow. Xiao Lei, you need to remember that people like us depend on blessings from the Heavens to stay safe — those who are lucky can survive unarmed even in a gunfire exchange, while those who have a weak destiny could be killed even by a stray bullet. You must not marry a lady with such a destiny, she will bring you ill luck.”

So that was his reason.

Old Master Li was advanced in age and particular about such beliefs.

Still, Li Lei was not taking it. “Grandpa, those are groundless talk, how is Xiao Ling’s life bad? Look at her, she’s making it big in the entertainment circle at such a young age, how could someone with a bad life achieve this?”

Old Master Li shook his head slowly. “In any case, I do not approve of things between you and her. Xiao Lei, listen to me, there must be members in her family who faced disease or early death in the last three generations. You need to believe me.”

Li Lei felt his heart sink a little.

Old Master Li was actually right. Didn’t her sister, Ye Xingfei, become a vegetable after a car accident?

He wavered a little. Did Xiao Ling really have the life of a widow? But, even so, he was not going to give her up. “Grandpa, haven’t you always said that I have a good life? I’m blessed, I won’t be affected by that ‘weak destiny.’ Moreover, with me around, Xiao Ling will definitely come to no harm. Also, who’s to say that what happened in her family wasn’t just a coincidence?”

They had different sentiments, but none was able to convince the other.

Xia Ling was full of uncertainty as she waited for Li Lei in Thunderous Yard. If Old Master Li did not accept her, what was she to do? Smile and let it go? No… she could not do it, she had had enough of not being accepted by her lover’s family.

She had to work for it, for Old Master Li to accept her.

While thinking about it, she fell asleep on the couch.

She woke up on the bed the next day, in a wooden hut filled with faint flower scents. Li Lei was lying by her side in his pajamas, holding onto her like an octopus. As she fidgeted in bed, he woke up and greeted her with a warm smile. “Hi, Xiao Ling.”

She felt a lot better seeing the smile on his face. “Good morning.” Then, she asked, “What did you and Old Master Li talk about in the study room yesterday?” She was upset that Old Master Li did not accept her, but did not want to stoop so low as to address him as ‘Grandpa’ anymore. She civilly spoke of him as ‘Old Master Li’ instead.

Li Lei felt an ache in his heart but pretended not being bothered about it. “Nothing much, just some family matters.”

“You talked bad about me, didn’t you?” Xia Ling was simple and straightforward, but she sure was not silly.

“No such thing,” Li Lei reassured her. “It’s his first time meeting you, but it’ll be fine once he warms up to you with time.” He then hurried her to get changed. “There’ll be a lot of people coming over today to meet you, all my aunts and uncles and the like.”

Xia Ling’s attention was successfully diverted. “They’re coming to see me? Shouldn’t I be the one paying the elders a visit?”

“No need for that.” Li Lei said. “Your man over here is higher in status than them.” He was the Little Emperor, Old Master Li’s favorite grandchild, how could anybody ask him to visit them?

Xia Ling’s status was quickly inflated as well, and became the center of attention in the house…