A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

She didn’t know if she should believe him.

This man’s thoughts were too deep, and she could not differentiate the truth from the lies.

Tilting her head, she said, “I’m going back to my room to rest. Goodbye.”

He stopped her. “Xiao Ling, you don’t believe me.”

“So what if I believe you? So what if I don’t believe you?” In the cool summer, her hair fluttered in the evening wind, and she was melancholic. “Pei Ziheng, we’ve already ended a long time ago. You don’t have to pay attention to me all the time. Today, I spoke too much. I shouldn’t have asked you this question. Actually, whether you caused what happened during the concert is not important. It doesn’t matter if you or Old Master Li or the Gu family did it… All of you are the same.”

“All the same?” His voice was low and hoarse.

She walked around him and left.

He looked at her as she disappeared at the end of the garden.

In the evening breeze, the scent of unknown flowers was stronger but could not hide the smell of rottenness. Losing all his fighting power, he leaned against the wall and lit a cigarette.

“Boss.” It was Chu Chen.

Pei Ziheng did not change his stance.

However, Chu Chen knew that he was listening. Respectfully, he said, “Those few fans and those people who gave her the flowers are all dealt with. We gave them enough money to shut them up and, after threatening them, they know what to say and what not to say.” It was really Pei Ziheng who sabotaged her concert. He was also the one who deliberately stirred up the anti-fans, causing a fight.

In fact, they even planted people secretly near die-hard fans and initiated the fight.

Everything was seamless.

Except for the fact that she doubted him.

“Is it really meaningful for me to do all of this?” Pei Ziheng looked as the sun slowly descended below the horizon and asked in a low voice.

Chu Chen responded even more respectfully. “In this world, there is nothing that Boss can’t get.”

However, the man who was leaning against the wall did not seem to need his answer. He was deep in thought for a long time. For her, he relentlessly hurt her because he was confident that he could rectify the damage he did. However, what if she was unwilling to go back to him and let him help her heal?

Suddenly, he was somewhat uncertain.

However, the plan still had to proceed.

“Prepare for the next step.” He extinguished the cigarette in his hand.

At the side, in the shadow of the evergreen plants in the small garden, Chu Chen bowed respectfully.

Xia Ling returned to the hotel and found out that Sister Mai Na was already discussing the consequences with some staff members. They would postpone the rest of her tour until the period of insults were over.

She had no objections.

“Oh yes, Xiao Ling.” Sister Mai Na said, “I contacted the orphanage and confirmed with them that the funeral of the two children will be held. I suggest that you show up. You can mend your public image.”

She was startled for a moment and remembered the cheerful smiles of the two children.

“Ok.” She said after some time, a little doubtful. “Will the orphanage allow me to go?”

“I will make sure to discuss it well with them.” Sister Mai Na said, “Actually, it’s impossible that they won’t invite you. Although two children died, these two children brought many benefits for them. The resources invested by the fund have doubled, and it also promised to give children of the orphanage priority to work in Skyart Entertainment. It can be considered a blessing in disguise.”

This reasoning made Xia Ling frown unconsciously.

However, Sister Mai Na said, “Don’t be upset. This world is cold. Compared to you, the head of the orphanage is more worried about whether this event will damage the relationship between the fund and the orphanage. He already contacted the charity fund many times and tried to convey the message that you were wronged and to ask for your understanding.”

“What should I be understanding about? He was the victim.” Xia Ling said.

Thinking about the head of the orphanage’s careful and humble appearance when he faced the rich, there was a sour feeling in her heart.

Suddenly, she realized that she was too wilful in her past life. In her past life when she was in the orphanage, she used to cry and throw tantrums because she thought that the head of the orphanage wronged Xia Yu. She said that the head and the teachers were coldblooded, cruel, and unwilling to use their own money to treat Xia Yu’s illness. In reality, they had no such money. Every single cent gained after they carefully and humbly pandered to the rich. In fact, even after the children in the orphanage died, they were still worried about whether the other party would be unhappy.

Her voice was gentle. “I don’t blame them, really. I’m the one who disappointed them.”

Sister Mai Na said, “You’re a good person, then. If other celebrities were dragged in a similar situation, they might really fall out with them. It’s settled then, you will participate in the funeral of the two children. Recently, you were writing a song dedicated to the two of them. You can perform it live during the funeral. I will find someone to film in.”

“Will people think that I’m being fake?” Xia Ling asked.

“If we immediately release it, people will really think that you’re insincere, and there will be a backlash.” Sister Mai Na said, “That’s why I will keep this recording and only release it at a suitable time.”

Xia Ling nodded.

She really wanted to sing the memorial song for the two children. They loved music and listening to her sing when they were alive. At least, within her ability, she could do her best to comfort the children in heaven.

She only felt somewhat sorrowful because a mourning ceremony like that was used by the company as a marketing strategy.

Xia Ling couldn’t blame Sister Mai Na. In fact, she really understood her. She was a very good manager and would do everything for Xia Ling, so Xia Ling was extremely grateful for her.

However, Xia Ling was still dispirited.

Even when she attended the funeral, she did not feel better.

She was dressed in black, held white flowers, and stood in the crowd.

A mild drizzle started.

Suddenly, she heard Sister Mai Na’s alarmed voice. “Chairman Pei, why are you here?”

Startled, she lifted her head to see Pei Ziheng dressed in an elegant tailored black suit. Raindrops were caught in his eyebrows, and he looked quite doleful.

“Why can’t I be here?” He asked in a low voice. In a relaxed manner, he walked beside Xia Ling and stood still.

Sister Mai Na’s expression tightened.

Seeing that an argument was about to erupt between the two parties, the head of the orphanage said in a faltering voice, “Miss Mai, you don’t know but Imperial Entertainment’s Chairman Pei has been a donor of the orphanage since 20 years ago. Every year, he would donate a large sum to our orphanage. After hearing that something bad happened to the children, he was also very upset and attended the funeral.”

“You’re a donor?” Sister Mai Na did not expect this.

“Is this strange?” Pei Ziheng’s voice remained low. Intentionally, he glanced at Xia Ling. “20 years ago, I adopted the love of my life from this place. Don’t you think this is enough to make me be a donor of the orphanage for the rest of my life?”

Sister Mai Na finally remembered that the Diva Xia Ling was adopted by Pei Ziheng from this orphanage.

She had a headache. Why did her boss and Xiao Ling have to choose this orphanage when they wanted to do charity? However, it was too late. Suppressing her anger, she said to Pei Ziheng, “It doesn’t matter if you’re a donor of the orphanage. This situation has no relation to Imperial Entertainment.”

Pei Ziheng was too lazy to argue with her. He continued to stand firmly beside Xia Ling.

Xia Ling glanced at him and quietly increased her distance from him.

It continued to rain as the eulogy was read. She recalled Shaohui’s funeral a few months ago. For a moment, she suspected if she were really a curse.

Warming the hole, sprinkling the soil, and sealing the tomb.

Supporting himself with a cane, the head of the orphanage wiped his tears with the back of his hand.

Someone invited Xia Ling up to sing.

Dressed in black with a solemn expression, she sang a memorial song in front of the tombstones that were lined with black bricks for the two children. “If there’s an afterlife, you have to be happy… If you have a family, you must cherish them. If you have parents, you must get along with them… If you have dreams, you will have light. If you have peace, you are blessed…”

Her song lingered in the cemetery that was surrounded by pine trees.

At the same time.

Deep in the mountain.

An old man held a spoon and was adding fragrance to a fire. Smoke rose. Suddenly, there was no wind. Birds flew past and made cawing sounds.

The old man looked up at the mountains.

In the depths of the dense green jungle, birds flew around in pairs and called out the same sound.

“The Phoenix… is singing.” He whispered.

Beside him, there was a young man dressed in white with a bright face and indifferent eyes. It was Xia Moyan. “Father.” Xia Moyan softly asked, “What does it mean by ‘the phoenix is singing?’”

Didn’t the stupid phoenix of their family sing every day?

The old man continued to look at the group of flying birds. They were flying towards the north and headed to the S City. They chirped loudly yet melodiously like a naturally talented band.

“A hundred birds facing the Phoenix…” The old man said. “Do you still remember the day your sister was born? These birds also called out like this, so I knew that God gave us a Phoenix. She was a singer and usually sang, but in those times, she never achieved the true song of the Phoenix. Do you know what is the true song of the Phoenix?”

Xia Moyan did not know.

He only knew that he did not have to answer his father and only needed to continue listening.

Sure enough, the old man said, “The true song of a Phoenix is a prayer. She achieved nirvana, reincarnated, and is able to communicate with the forces of nature. Anyone who is blessed by her will definitely be in good hands.”

Xia Moyan slightly raised his eyebrows as he did not expect his stupid sister to have such an ability.

No wonder, the Phoenix was the noblest person in the family since ancient times.

He fell into a trance as he looked at the birds dancing in the sky.

In the cemetery.

After Xia Ling finished her song, everyone was mesmerized by her. Her singing was so good and made everyone feel peaceful. At that moment, everyone felt that their troubles were gone and were tranquil.

A sound of nature.

Vaguely, they had a feeling that this girl would not just be a Diva of the entertainment industry in the future.

Xia Ling turned around and walked back. Suddenly, a child rushed out and threw a stone viciously at her. “Bad woman! You killed Xiao Hai and Songsong!”

She was still immersed in sadness and was caught off guard.

There was an uproar in the crowd. The stone was the size of a fist. If it really hit her, she would definitely be hurt. No sooner after it, suddenly, a man ran out and protected her in his arms. That stone severely hit that man’s arm. The man stumbled and unsteadily, both of them fell to the ground.

Xia Ling’s eyes widen as she saw Pei Ziheng’s beautiful face inches away from hers.

She tried her best to push him away to no avail.

“Let go of me!” She said, rather embarrassed.

Only then did Pei Ziheng let her go and helped her up. “Are you ok?”

She shook her head. Her black dress was covered in mud, and there was grass all over her hair. She was in a mess. On the other hand, the child was already under control. However, he looked emotional as he struggled and screamed.

The adults pulled the child away.

As Xia Ling recovered from the shock, the teachers of the orphanage already surrounded her. “Miss Ye and Chairman Pei, are you ok? We’re really sorry. The child is too insensible. The two people who died were his friends, and he only did this because he’s overly upset.”

Xia Ling shook her head. “I’m fine.”

The teachers looked at Pei Ziheng with concern. “Chairman Pei, what about you? Just now, that child hit you. Are you hurt?”

Pei Ziheng rolled up his sleeve to reveal his arm. On it was a large bruise, and it was a little swollen. The teachers gasped and quickly insisted for him to get medical help.

However, Pei Ziheng said, “I’m fine. Luckily, it did not hit you.”

He said the last sentence to Xia Ling.

Seeing that his arm was injured, Xia Ling felt a little guilty. “Thank you.”

He was very gentle. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.” His voice was low, dark and ambiguous.

Xia Ling took a step back. “I should be going.” She left with Sister Mai Na and a few other staff members. After a few steps, she turned around to look at him one last time.

Pei Ziheng observed as she disappeared.

Chu Chen appeared beside Pei Ziheng. “Boss, let me deal with your injury.”

Pei Ziheng lowered his gaze. “Don’t interfere. Let it be there a few more days.” He was the one who hired someone to provoke the child who threw the stone. He also deliberately stood the nearest to her so that he could rush up at once to protect her once the stone was thrown. Xiao Ling was a very soft-hearted girl. Sure enough, after he shielded her from the stone, even though she still maintained her distance from him, she couldn’t help but look back.

This was a good sign.

“Let’s go back to Imperial Entertainment.” He said to Chu Chen. “I have to work overtime for the next few days. After Xiao Ling resumes her tour, I will continue the plan.”

Chu Chen respectfully acknowledged him.

Xia Ling returned home and recalled what happened during the funeral. She was devastated. It turned out no matter how the orphanage tried to fixed the situation, the children still hated her. This hatred was like a sword that caused her immense pain.

Habitually, she took out her phone and wanted to call Li Lei.

However, she remembered that he sounded very busy these days over the phone, and she did not have the heart to disturb him frequently. Sister Mai Na and the others were also very busy. She put down the phone and slowly went into a trance. She only thought of how big the world ass but there was no one she could talk to.

She kept less contact with Li Lei than before.

After a few days, she did not even contact him.

She was very worried and asked Tan Ying if he knew if something was going on. Was he in any danger? Tan Ying said vaguely, “Boss just received a new task and there’s no signal there. After about 10 days to a month, he will be back.”

She was still very worried and continued to ask questions, but she did not manage to get more information.

She knew that Tan Ying did not like her.

A few of Li Lei’s subordinates such as Ah Nuo had a good relationship with her. Unfortunately, they did not know what had happened.

She spent this period of time worrying.

The anthelmintic drug scandal slowly ended.

Sister Mai Na told her that she could continue with the third stop of her tour.