A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

Xia Ling’s hands stopped searching for the accessories in her hair for a while before quietly acknowledging what she’d heard.

It was an indubitable fact that Li Lei loved her a lot, but she did not expect that he’d take such a minor detail into consideration. Standardizing school attire was something that invited unhappiness and unpleasant attitudes. If he had not handled it this way, every student in the training camp might turn against her. And although she did not find it a bother… he did.

Her lips curled up at the tips ever so slightly. She got up and said, “Let’s go look for Li Lei.”

Li Lei was having a conference call in the top floor meeting room. Now that he had taken over the family business, he was much busier than before. Besides the time he spent with Xia Ling, he was occupied with negotiations and meetings on all sorts of policies.

He had lost some weight, and there was more coldness in his expression now. However, the moment he saw Xia Ling walk through the door, his initially stern expression softened and he broke into a wide smile. “Xiao Ling, you’re here.” He pressed the red button on the phone and said, “That’s all for today’s meeting, we’ll continue tomorrow.”

He got up and gave Xia Ling a hug.

Xia Ling looked up at him and stroked his face. “Been bush lately?”

“Not too bad.” Li Lei smiled and brought her hand to his lips for a kiss. “What do you want for dinner?”

She shook her head. “Have you forgotten something?”

“Huh?” He was a little bewildered.

Xia Ling jabbed his cheek. It was stiff and hard, unlike Shaohui, whose face was soft and tender. She jabbed it again before saying, “You don’t remember? Forget it, then.”

She turned around and was about to walk out.

Li Lei hugged her from behind and gently said, “What is it? What have I done wrong, or forgotten, can you tell me?” He kissed her on the ear.

Xia Ling was blushing from his touch against her skin.

She pretended to struggle but did not manage to wrench herself out. “I’m not telling you, you’d better think about it. If you don’t recall, I’ll…”

“You will…?” He bit her ear gently and affectionately.

Xia Ling felt her body go numb and soft as she leaned against his strong, sturdy chest. She was locked in an embrace with a man who exuded an attractively threatening aura.

He chuckled as his calloused hands found their way beneath her clothes. “What did I forget? Come, tell me…”

“I… I won’t…” Her voice was trembling as she tried to escape from those claws of his. Yet, she had unknowingly sunk deeper into this entanglement. “Li Lei, y-you…” She glared at him with a now clouded vision. “Your hands are…”

“Hmm? Here? Or here?” He smiled a little deviously and lifted her, and then tossed her onto the long couch by the full-length window. Thereafter, he held both her wrists down with his hand and admired her in the dim light.

She was really beautiful, with eyes and brows that came straight out of a portrait. Her fair skin had now been dusted with some natural blush, and her pink lips were even more appealing.

He vaguely recalled some people saying that she wasn’t pretty. Did they even know how to admire her beauty?

She wasn’t a stunning beauty at first glance, but her looks were unique in that she looked all the more exquisite each time one saw her. Every inch of her skin was flawless, just like a portraited China doll.

“Xiao Ling…” He called out in a low husky voice.

Xia Ling blinked, her long, soft lashes fluttering like a butterfly’s wings. Her body had gone soft, and now her voice as well. “L-Let go of me. You’re horrid.”

He smiled and pressed his body against hers. “Then tell me, what exactly did I forget?”

“Hmph.” She turned her head away. How could he forget such an important thing, and even expect her to remind him? She refused! No way…”Ah!” She suddenly screamed in embarrassment. “Don’t pull my clothes! This is the office!”

But it was too late.

Boss had pressed his lips against hers to keep her quiet.

Xia Ling did not know when this ended. Her mind was a mess, and all she remembered was his overbearing acts… his eight-pack… his all too attractive body…

Yup, it was pretty comfortable…

Xia Ling’s face turned red. It was weird, no matter how many times they engaged in this in bed, she would blush and feel embarrassed each time. She wanted so badly to cover her flushed face with a pillow, but it was as if her body parts had been taken apart—she had no energy to even lift a finger.

She curled up against his body weakly. Their bodies were pressed against each other on the narrow couch, its decorative jewels complimenting her fair skin, and the red marks it had left on the canvas of her skin.

Li Lei kisses her over and over. “Can you tell me now?”

Her mind was still miles away and it took her a while to respond to that. She looked at him with her clouded eyes and said, “You’re horrid! I’m not telling you!”

Li Lei smiled again. “So it didn’t work, should I try again?”

He went ahead with those inappropriate acts again.

Xia Ling was defenseless against him. Why was he so strong?!

“I… I’ll say…” She started. “I-I just wanted to ask, since the matchmaker has already done his part, why you haven’t come over to my place to ask for my hand in marriage?” It was tough on her, having to be taken advantage of in such a setting, and even to be the one to bring this up! All this while, she had been waiting for him to ask for her hand. But ever since the matchmaker Wei Lingnan returned, nothing was done. What about the next step? Why was he acting as if nothing had happened?! Was he not going to do it if she didn’t bring it up?!

She was but a rich girl!

Couldn’t he be a little more thoughtful and proactive?

Li Lei was stunned for a while and then realized what she was referring to. He laughed and teased her. “Oh, I’ve forgotten about it. The rituals are so troublesome, I think I’d better not go ahead with it.”

“Don’t you dare abandon me!” At that moment, she was so anxious she forgot about her aching body. She got up and sat on him. “You’ve already taken advantage of me, now be responsible for it! Did you hear me!”

Her eyes were sparkling in the dim light as her hair flowed over her fair shoulders. She was simply beautiful. Li Lei watched her quietly as she sat on his abdomen, and broke into a smile looking at how adorable she looked when angry.

Xia Ling figured out something was amiss.

She hurriedly covered her chest and got off him, not forgetting to say, “What a jerk!”