A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return
chapter-118

Xia Ling furrowed her brows as she detected the sarcasm in her words. She was about to counter that statement but decided against it as she looked up and saw Grandma Ye. It was true that her temper had never been good, but when she was with people she cared about, she was always tolerant.

She kept her smile on. “Grandma, I got you an outfit.”

She gave the beautifully packaged box to Grandma Ye.

Grandma Ye received it and touched it all around, smiling even more tenderly, “Good girl, it’s nice enough that you’re back, why did you go to such expense? A little girl like you making a name for yourself out there, it’s hard on you, you should save whatever you earn alright? Don’t spend it unnecessarily.”

Xia Ling felt a warm, fuzzy feeling in her heart. This was the first time since she returned to this home that she heard such sincere words. There was no criticism, no false wishes, and insincere congratulations, only Grandma Ye had seen the hard work and challenges behind her glamour.

This blind old lady saw things more clearly than anyone else.

Xia Ling gently said, “Grandma, I know my limits.”

Fourth Aunt, who was standing by the side, feigned a cough. “It’s just a paper box, what outfit is that? Open it up and enlighten us.”

SSD’s outfit packaging was beautiful, but they never overdid it, so it simply looked like a nicer-looking paper box, no different from those purchased at typical stores. Fourth Aunt was sure that it was an ordinary outfit from just another store and probably was not even a branded good. She wanted Xia Ling to show it to everyone and embarrass her. Hmph, so what if she was a star? Didn’t she have to bow down to this rich Missus anyway?

Xia Ling ignored her and held Grandma Ye’s hands. “Grandma, open it this way.” She guided Grandma Ye as they unwrapped the big box. She was old and visually impaired, hence her actions were slow as well, but Xia Ling was meticulous and patient, with not a hint of rushing her. She even let Grandma undo the bigger parts herself to give her the joy of unwrapping her own gift.

Finally, the box was opened, and Grandma Ye lay her hands on the outfit made of camel fur.

“It’s so soft.” Grandma Ye stroked it before her wrinkled hands came to a stop. “Little girl, you must’ve spent a lot on this.” She worked in a ranch when she was younger and had to deal with fur and textures as part of her job. Just by touching this, she knew that it was the best material and must have cost a bomb…

Instead, Xia Ling replied. “I didn’t spend much.” She did not want Grandma to worry for her, and tens of thousands of dollars was indeed “not much” to her. That was what Li Lei thought as well, only giving her the simplest and most basic designs. If he gave her anything more expensive and exceeded her financial ability, she would return it immediately.

Grandma Ye expressed her concern again. “You don’t have it easy out there on your own. Next time, don’t spend so much money on Grandma. I’m an old lady, how many more years can I wear these clothes for?”

“It’s your birthday, Mother, how could you say such things?” Fourth Aunt interrupted as she darted some glances towards the outfit. “Xiao Ling has already said she didn’t spend much, so don’t worry too much for her. Right, Xiao Ling? You might as well tell us how much the outfit cost, that’ll put Grandma at ease.”

Xia Ling had not even started speaking when Aunt Liu decided to make a point. “Fourth Aunt, Xiao Ling is young and immature, are you as immature as her? Xiao Ling’s a big star now, how cheap could that outfit be? She’s saying that it doesn’t cost much because she doesn’t want to worry Mom, and you actually believed her words? If Xiao Ling actually tells us the price, it’ll be so expensive our mother wouldn’t feel good, right?” Her words came like a machine gun, stopping Fourth Aunt in her tracks. How could she let that family steal their limelight!

Seeing that somebody was putting his wife down, Fourth Uncle joined the “battle”. “Third Sis-in-law, you can’t put it this way. It can’t get any more expensive than the bed we gave, right? Xiao Ling is a star, but I doubt she earns much, or that she can afford anything too pricey. Even if it’s cheap, she can reveal the price and let Mom feel better about it.”

“You!” Aunt Liu was so angry her eyes could burst out of their sockets. It’s all Xia Ling’s fault! I told her to get a more expensive gift, but all she bought was an outfit! How could she be so stingy and brainless, leaving me in no position to look at Fourth Uncle’s family with dignity.

Xia Ling did not want to join in the fight. She had already handed over the gift, as long as Grandma liked it and felt warm and comfortable, nothing else mattered.

As for all the prestige and fame, she had already achieved the highest possible in her previous life, more than anybody present could reach. Having seen greater things, was there really a need to argue with these commoners about such small matters?

Her priority was simply to make Grandma Ye happy.

Hence, she calmly said, “I really didn’t spend too much on this. In terms of price, it’s way below Fourth Uncle’s bed.” The fourth Uncle of the Ye family owned a furniture firm, and the gift he gave his mother was truly top quality goods and worth more than just tens of thousands.

Hearing what she had just said, Fourth Aunt and Fourth Uncle were content again.

Fourth Aunt darted a haughty glance towards Aunt Liu. “Did you hear that? Xiao Ling’s smart to get the cheap stuff.”

Aunt Liu was fuming mad but had no reason to counter that statement. All she could do was glare at Xia Ling.

Xia Ling pretended not to see it. Instead, she folded the outfit slowly, handed it to Grandma, and advised. “Grandma, keep this well and be careful when you’re washing it. Also take note of how you store it, in case it gets damaged by moths or worms.” Initially, she only knew about wearing these outfits and had no knowledge about washing and storing and such. But Li Lei was thoughtful and had written these cautions on a little card to remind her. He said that materials like this which were 100% natural were high in protein, and were more prone to being damaged by bugs, especially in the rural areas.

Fourth Aunt laughed. “It’s not like it’s anything valuable, just buy another one if this gets damaged.”

Fourth Aunt’s repeated snide remarks were getting to Xia Ling and she was finally about to lose it. She must have been drunk to have let it slide time and again on Grandma Ye’s account. Did others really treat her as somebody to be trampled on?

Just as she was considering whether to give Fourth Aunt a piece of her mind, a man dressed primly interrupted. “Fourth Aunt over here, you can’t be more wrong. This outfit is indeed less pricey than the bed you’ve gifted the old lady, but being able to afford the bed does not mean that you’d be able to purchase that outfit. This outfit is way more valuable than you imagine, it simply can’t be bought with money.”

Hearing these words, the crowd turned towards him.

The one who spoke was a young man in a white shirt, smiling graciously and politely.