A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

Xia Ling smiled.

She still did not say a word as he helped her down the stairs. Their height difference was even more perfect when they walked side by side, his tall build complementing her petite figure beautifully.

“Tsk, these photos easily beat the ones we took of Su Tang just now.” One of the reporters said as he continued snapping photos.

Another said, “Of course, the photos with Su Tang are of the family theme. With Old Master Li and Li Rui right in the middle, it was impossible to snap any ‘couple shot.’ There was this time where I finally found the perfect angle and was about to take a photo of just Second Young Master Li and Su Tang, but he moved away instantly. How could the family theme be more appealing to readers than the couple theme, right? Moreover, Miss Ye is a celebrity.”

The others nodded in agreement.

Celebrities always had a special appeal for readers, which was way stronger than Su Tang’s.

Seeing that Xia Ling and Li Lei were about to leave, the reporters hustled to follow behind them, when bodyguards suddenly appeared to stop them.

“Show’s over, everyone. Time to go.” Lin Yunan raised his voice. “Let’s give Xiao Ling and him some personal space, shall we? Everyone’s been busy, feel free to have some refreshments provided by the company.”

The reporters stopped giving chase, realizing that they could not catch up anyway.

Phoenix Down was very particular about their refreshments and was serving top-grade Big Red Robe Chinese tea. These reporters had been out and about for years, and had usually only been offered tea brewed with tea stems; they rarely ever got to drink such good tea like they did today. It was apparent that they were being shown respect, and that improved their impression of Phoenix Down greatly.

They were subconsciously already more inclined to be in favor of Xia Ling.

They also had a rough idea of how they were going to write their articles for the day.

Lin Yunan watched as the reporters gradually relaxed as they sipped their tea, and was more than satisfied with this outcome — if there was anything that Phoenix Down Corporation had an abundance of, it was money. Other companies were after profits, but theirs was after favors and advantages for Xia Ling. Moreover, she had just pumped another few billions of yuan into the company.

Even Lin Yunan had no idea where did it come from.

He was starting to feel that this diva he had been grooming was a little too mysterious. She managed to gather so many funds so discreetly, how was this normal? “Hey, are you some kind of rich girl from a secretly wealthy family?” He asked half-teasingly one day.

Xia Ling only responded with a smile, “Guess.”

These billions of yuan were the allowance that Xia Moyan had brought along for her when he visited. In fact, he had brought tens of billions for her, but she had no idea how to spend them and was too lazy to go to the bank. Hence, she pumped part of it into the company, and simply told Lin Yunan, “Use it for the employees’ welfare.”

Since it wasn’t his money anyway, Lin Yunan instructed the Finance and Human Resource departments as per her wishes. Not only were there for privileges for the employees, but all the drinks, lunches and even plants in and around the company were also of the best quality.

All things aside, just the tea alone was of a better grade than those in managerial-level pantries in most other companies.

After finishing the tea, the reporters left in satisfaction.

As for Xia Ling, she was in Li Lei’s car and on the way the high-end restaurant nearby that they often patronized.

The supervisor of the restaurant was obviously well-acquainted with them as he guided them to the private dining room they were used to dine in. Meanwhile, the waiters served up the dishes they loved without them having to place any order.

The red wine in the tall glass reflected the light from the candle.

Only then did Li Lei start talking. “Angry?”

Xia Ling glanced at him and swirled the wineglass in her hand without replying.

Li Lei laughed. “You’re really angry? Can you have more confidence in yourself, so what if my grandpa is back? I only love one person, and nobody can change that.”

Xia Ling smiled coldly. “Have confidence in myself? I was pretty confident four years back.”

When it came to the past, Li Lei had no words.

He awkwardly poured more wine into her glass and diverted the topic. “Why are you dressed so beautifully today? Were you planning to look for me at Skyart? Actually, you could’ve just waited for me, that’d save you the trouble of bumping into my grandpa.” When he arrived, she happened to be making her way downstairs. Hence, he assumed that she was going to look for him.

Xia Ling gave the same sneer. “Don’t think so highly of yourself.”

Shocked, he pouted pitifully. “You weren’t going to look for me?”

The candlelight continued flickering.

In the dim light — part streaming in from the windows and part coming off the candles — she looked at this man’s beautiful facial features. He was so handsome, and when he pouted, it made it hard for anyone to reject him… no wonder so many ladies went crazy over him. In this world full of possibilities, would they be able to walk through this life journey together?

She was never sure of it.

She jabbed him gently with her stiletto, and half-jokingly said, “If you didn’t come today, I’d go look for another man and create some gossip.”

He blinked, slightly hurt. “But, I came.”

“Which is why I’m sitting here.” She smiled.

Li Lei looked at her and slowly began to smile as well. His Xiao Ling was a demoness indeed. Whether she was a butterfly or a phoenix, she never failed to enchant him, making him so afraid to lose her.

He suddenly felt as if his sole purpose in this world was to meet her.

“I’ll settle the issue on Grandpa’s side.” He said firmly.

At least this time, he had not disappointed her.

After receiving Old Master Li, Li Lei had put aside his grandfather and Su Tang, and went to Phoenix Down to pick her up for dinner. Many of the reporters asked, “Second Young Master Li, why did you do this? Is it really more important to have dinner with Miss Ye than to attend a welcome feast for the Old Master?”

Li Lei smiled innocently. “Grandpa has Su Tang to accompany him. He’s said that he always treated Ah Tang as his biological granddaughter, so I’m more than at ease knowing that she’s there with him. But as you know, Xiao Ling had been alone all these years, and Shaohui told me yesterday that she’s been having some gastric issues lately, and asked me to take good care of her. How could I let this child down?” This statement was not entirely true nor false, but no one could pick out any loophole.

Many speculations were going around in the news — would Second Young Master Li get back together with Xia Ling because of the child?

Countless fans joined the discussion as well, providing their own perspectives. Along with the beautiful moments captured by the reporters, the majority was in support of them getting back together.

Old Master Li was fuming, “What a sin! Is it impossible to get you to stay away from Ye Xingling?!”

“Yes.” Li Lei looked at his grandfather in the eye. “In this lifetime, she is my only woman, and will be my only wife.” He was more determined now than ever before, and Old Master Li could not do anything, even if these words angered him.