A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

Xia Ling shook her head in disappointment, unable to utter a word.

The lighting in the hallway was dim, and it made her look exceptionally haggard, almost as if she’d been drained of all energy and had nothing but an empty shell left. She did not want to talk to anyone nor make any expression. Scenes of the encounter with the snakes flashed before her eyes repeatedly. She remembered how confident and assuring his voice was when he told her to hold him tight, and how she just knew she could depend on him. But now?

When he needed her support most, she couldn’t do a thing.

Just next to her, a lady said, “How could you possibly not get him awake? Don’t you love him the most, or is it that he doesn’t love you enough? Otherwise, how could he have no reaction when he heard your voice?”

She did not know whose voice that was as she remained caught up in her own bubble.

Xia Moyan, who was standing right next to Xia Ling, glanced at Su Tang. He did not know her, but it wasn’t difficult to see through the enmity in her tone and the jealousy rising inside her. He questioned Old Master Li calmly, “Is this place open to random troublemakers as well?”

Old Master Li was stunned for a moment before realizing that he was referring to Su Tang. He hurriedly tried to diffuse the tension. “Ah Tang didn’t mean it that way. She’s just too anxious, that’s why she…”

“Ah Nuo.” Xia Moyan didn’t hear him out. He called the quiet bodyguard who’d been holding Shaohui. “Invite the irrelevant people out of here.”

“Yes.” Ah Nuo handed Little Shaohui to Madam Xia and said to Su Tang, “Miss Su, please leave this place.” Although he was the Li family’s bodyguard, he had taken orders from Li Lei—this brother-in-law was to be treated as family, while Su Tang would just be a subordinate, an outsider.

Su Tang widened her eyes in disbelief. Was he rebelling?!

A Li family member was helping an outsider then against her?!

“Ah Nuo, you!” Su Tang was shocked and humiliated. Her pitch went up several keys. “Don’t forget which family you’re from!”

Ah Nuo was firm in his stand but remained polite. “Miss Su, please don’t force me to take action.”

He had rebelled indeed! Su Tang bit her lip and looked towards Old Master Li for help. This was the first time she’d been issued an order, and in front of her love rival at that. How was she supposed to save her image?!

But all Old Master Li did was sigh before saying, “Ah Tang, you’ve been keeping watch for so many days, it’s about time you took a good rest.” Old Master was advanced in age, but his eyesight hadn’t failed him completely. He could see that Preceptor Xia was evidently very unhappy, and he did not want to create more trouble at a time like this. Moreover, Li Lei had taken over his power a long time ago; even if he ordered Ah Nuo, Ah Nuo wouldn’t abide by it. All he could do was make things less awkward for Su Tang by putting in some words for her.

Su Tang’s heart went cold—during crucial moments, she meant nothing to Old Master.

Old Master had always prioritized his family’s interests, but today she was alone and helpless in the Li family…

“Miss Su, it’s time to go.” Ah Nuo hurried her and reached out to grab her elbow. He said diplomatically, “Apologies.” And headed right out the hallway.

Su Tang staggered upon being dragged along by him and spat. “Let go of me, I can walk on my own!”

Biting her lower lip, she left the crowd with a face as white as sheet.

The atmosphere was a little awkward.

Xia Moyan saw that his sister was in a bad state and told the nurse’s aide, “Wheel her back to her ward.”

The nurse’s aide nodded, but just as she began wheeling Xia Ling away, she jolted up as if awoken from a dream. She immediately held down the wheels of the wheelchair and said, “No, I’m not leaving! I want to stay and accompany Li Lei!” She looked up at Xia Moyan hopefully. “Brother, save Li Lei. Can you save him?”

Xia Moyan said, “It’s too late, I can’t.”

Xia Ling shook her head in disbelief. “How could you not have a way? Brother, stop lying to me, you surely have a way, right?” She looked up at him and tried to spot any clue, but all she got was silence. The spark in her eyes slowly died down.

Old Master Li had been rejected by Xia Moyan a few days back and did not find it surprising. “My poor grandson…” he murmured agonizingly and staggered shakily to the bench.

Xia Ling lowered her head and kept watch beside him.

Her lashes drooped as her eyes went dark and gloomy. No one knew what she was thinking.

Madam Xia’s heart ached for her. “You should go back, Xiao Ling. You’ve been staying out here for so long. You have to take good care of yourself, your body hasn’t recovered yet.”

Xia Ling looked up and forced a smile. “Mom, I’m alright. You and Brother can go back first, I’ll stay with him for an hour more before getting the nurse aide to wheel me back.”

Madam Xia saw that there was no point in coercing her and sighed. “I’ll stay here and accompany you then.”

Xia Ling shook her head. “I’m really alright. You and Brother can leave first, I’d like some time on my own. Oh right, take Shaohui along with you. I’m afraid he’ll fall sick if he doesn’t sleep well here. I’ll be fine, Ah Nuo is here anyway.”

Madam Xia looked at Ah Nuo, the big man with few words. He appeared very reliable and seemed to be loyal to Xia Ling. She took another look at Shaohui who was sound asleep and her heart went out to the child. Receiving the child from Ah Nuo, she gave Xia Ling a few more words of advice before leaving with her son.

Only Xia Ling, Old Master Li, and Ah Nuo were left in the hallway.

Xia Ling whispered to Old Master Li, “Grandpa, I’m asking for you to help me with something.”

Old Master raised a brow at her but did not say a word. He detested this granddaughter-in-law. If not for her, his grandson wouldn’t be in so much trouble.

Xia Ling did not mind his attitude towards her and went on. “I’m asking you to help me leave this hospital. I’m going to look for Wei Lingnan, he might be the only one who’s able to save Li Lei now.”

Old Master Li broke his stone-cold expression a little. “The Preceptor can’t even save him, but he’d be able to?”

“We have to try,” Xia Ling said. Her brother had told her about Wei Lingnan’s background before. She knew that this mysterious man was the only one in the world who was capable of going against the Xia family. Since he was that powerful and was also involved in the drug manufacturing business, he might really have a way to save Li Lei. At this point, they just had to give it a shot.

Old Master Li was for the idea; this was his grandson, after all, any ounce of hope was worth pursuing. He stood up and told Ah Nuo, “You’ll wheel Ye Xingling and follow me. Be careful on the way, don’t let anyone sense something fishy.”

Ah Nuo did not look too pleasant. “Old Master, Madam?! This is too risky. Madam, you’re still weak, what if something happens along the way?!”