A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return
chapter-1278

Xia Yingluo knew what was going on at once.

As a daughter in the Li family, she'd undergone anti-kidnapping training before. While she was enraged that they were holding her friend hostage now, she was able to remain rational. "Zhao Yixuan, what are you trying to do?"

Zhao Yixuan looked at her with a distorted smile. "Yingluo, you ask what I'm trying to do? Be good and hop into the van. Otherwise, you're losing this friend here." He pressed the knife against Jin Ling'er's throat as he said that, and blood was beginning to trickle down.

Xia Yingluo felt a pain in her heart as if the cut on her friend's neck had been on her heart instead. She said to Zhao Yixuan coldly, "Let go of her and I'll go with you."

"No!" Jin Ling'er yelled before Zhao Yixuan even said a thing. "Don't bother about me, just leave!" Although she had no idea what Zhao Yixuan was up to, she was sure it wasn't anything good. How could she possibly put her friend in danger?

Xia Yingluo frowned. "Ling'er, don't move about. I'll make sure you'll be fine, and I will be too, don't worry." She tried not to look at the increasing amount of blood flowing down her neck as she directed her attention to Zhao Yixuan. "I know you still love me. You love me too much, that's why you're using such extreme measures. I will go with you, both of us can settle our private affairs on our own. Let Ling'er go, it's better for everyone."

Zhao Yixuan smiled. "Yingluo, I just knew you were a sensible girl. But you're too naive, how could I possibly release Jin Ling'er at this juncture? As long as you're good, I'll let her go eventually. At this point, you aren't in any position to negotiate terms with me, so you'd better listen to me."

Xia Yingluo frowned again as rage rose inside her.

But she wasn't about to offend Zhao Yixuan at a time like this, lest he do something rash. "Alright, I'll get in."

Zhao Yixuan smiled again. "That's right, don't you pull any tricks around here. Administer this first." He retrieved a syringe and needle with his foot and kicked it to Xia Yingluo.

Xia Yingluo had a bad feeling. "What's this?"

Zhao Yixuan looked gleeful. "I know you've hurt lots of people in your class, and you're skilled and agile. In order to prevent any accidents, it's better to administer some muscle relaxant first. Yingluo, don't worry, this is harmless to the human body. It just makes you lose your strength temporarily so you won't resist."

How despicable.

Xia Yingluo cursed at him in her heart, but she understood that this wasn't the time to go hard against him. She held the needle to her forearm and injected herself.

"Yingluo, no!" Jin Ling'er cried out as more blood came trickling down.

Xia Yingluo said, "I'll be fine." She could roughly guess what Zhao Yixuan was after. He simply wanted to get back together with her as a couple. Zhao Yixuan had found out that she was the Miss of the Li's, but he dared not offend the Li family. Hence, he wouldn't go as far as to kill or injure her. What he could do, however, was to bed her and make her "do it". He thought that once he had her body, she would fall hopelessly in love with him.

Xia Yingluo mocked him for being naive, but this wasn't a good time to be talking to him with logic. She had to take it one step at a time and prioritize Jin Ling'er's escape first.

Zhao Yixuan watched her administer the drug closely before breaking into a grin. "That's right, Yingluo. I won't hurt you. You know me so well, we're really a match made in Heaven."

The ice-cold liquid entered her bloodstream. Xia Yingluo could feel herself getting weaker and weaker and barely was able to keep herself upright.

She struggled to say, "You can let Jin Ling'er off now."

Zhao Yixuan was still unwilling to release her. He kept Jin Ling'er trapped and personally dragged Xia Yingluo into the van, holding her in his arms. "Yingluo, you are mine." He kissed her on the cheek in satisfaction.

Xia Yingluo was about to puke from disgust. She gave a cold "hmph" and turned away. "When exactly will you let Jin Ling'er off?"

"Close as sisters, indeed." Zhao Yixuan smiled. "Of course that'll have to wait until we've had a happy ending. Yingluo, I've got a room ready in the hotel. I'll take you there now. Although it's a pity that I didn't get to take away your 'first time', this isn't all too late. Your body will fall in love with me, and then we'll get married, alright?"

Xia Yingluo wanted very much to call him a despicable man, but she swallowed it anyway.

There was no point in reasoning things out with a man like this. She did not want to waste her time and energy, and hence, simply said, "Give Ling'er a bandage, don't let her bleed too much. If anything happens to her, I'll never forgive you."

Zhao Yixuan smiled. "Your wish is my command."

He got a piece of bandage and covered Jin Ling'er's wound.

Jin Ling'er could guess what Zhao Yixuan was planning to do to Xia Yingluo as well. She couldn't help but yell, "You despicable, horrid man!"

Zhao Yixuan smiled. "Thank you for the compliment. Since Yingluo is still muddle-headed, I had no choice but to resort to this. Yingluo, someday you'll appreciate the lengths I've gone to." With that, he gazed at Xia Yingluo affectionately.

Xia Yingluo's expression was stone-cold. She refused to acknowledge his words.

She'd been thinking of a way out this whole time. There was no way she could let Zhao Yixuan have his way, the thought of him touching her made her want to puke.

The small van arrived at a hotel and stopped. The chauffeur was probably Zhao Yixuan's right-hand man. He got off the driver's seat and supported Jin Ling'er as they made their way to the room. Zhao Yixuan himself was helping Xia Yingluo—who was now extremely weak—into the same room.

It was a suite with a bed lined with maroon sheets. The fragrance in the air was rather enchanting.

"Do you like it here? I specially prepared this for you." Zhao Yixuan carefully lowered her onto the bed.

The muscle relaxant had taken full effect, and Xia Yingluo was having difficulty lifting even one finger. "It's a pretty nice place."

Zhao Yixuan was satisfied with her answer. "You're a good girl. I like it here. Red really suits you."

Xia Yingluo gave a look of resignation. "So what if I'm not a good girl. In any case, I'm not getting out of here today, I might as well make myself comfortable." She looked up at Zhao Yixuan with an alluring gaze. "You've got to be gentle with me today."

Zhao Yixuan laughed and nodded.

Only Jin Ling'er was busy worrying by the side. "Yinglyo, you can't do this, even if it's for me! Zhao Yixuan, let her off. I'm begging you not to treat her this way!"

Zhao Yixuan said, "What a nag. If you're going to make more noise, I'm getting someone to settle you once and for all."