A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return
chapter-142

Li Lei was slightly upset. His Xiao Ling was good in all aspects, but she was simply too serious when it came to this.

But as her good boyfriend, he adhered to her request and kept it as low-profile as possible. He even deliberately chose the most ordinary car he had — the Land Rover — to drive her in.

Only when they reached the venue did she notice how many branded cars there were; the number of BMW’s and Cadillac’s that lined the entrance was enough to host an expo. Li Lei drove along those cars for a round before finding a spot, and when he finally got his car parked, his phone rang.

He peered at the number on his cell phone and told Xia Ling, “You go on in first, I’ll come once I’m done with this call.”

Xia Ling nodded her head and got off.

The audition studio was not very far in, and two security officers stood at the entrance talking.

She was about to enter when a group of people made their way out. The first one among them was a girl in a pompous outfit with a cup of coffee in her hand. She was talking to the people around her while exiting the studio.

Xia Ling could not move in time and got bumped into by her.

With a “whoosh,” the whole cup of hot coffee had landed on Xia Ling.

Xia Ling took a few steps back from the impact and felt the sting from the hot coffee. She looked down at herself, only to see her light-colored outfit ruined, and a big blotch of coffee stains on her top. The coffee was still dripping from her outfit, making her look pathetic.

“Have you got no eyes!” The girl in front of her lost her temper first.

Xia Ling looked up and realized it was a familiar face — Li Beier. What ill luck, they had turned enemies at the Southern Mountains Equestrian Club, and today they met again.

Realizing who it was, Li Beier was first shocked before she sneered. “Ye Xingling? Who do you think you are, don’t block the way. Move!” The last time she had embarrassed herself in front of such a big crowd at the club was all because of this woman. On that day, she had been dumped by Second Young Master Zhou the moment she got back, losing a financial backer. It took her much effort before she managed to find herself another one, but even so, the hatred had not faded.

Xia Ling’s chest area was still stinging; she was afraid she might have been scalded. Coupled with Li Beier’s false accusations, she lost her temper. “The last time when you lost in the race, did your brain suffer a kick from the horse as well? Are you blind?”

Among the people around Li Beier, one man spoke up. “Who do you think you are, being rude after you’ve knocked into Miss Li? If Miss Li got hurt, would you be able to pay for it? Scram!” He turned towards Li Beier and kindly asked, “Miss Li, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?”

A few other people streaming out had begun to crowd around to enjoy the show.

Li Beier looked at Xia Ling, pleased that she had so many people with her while Xia Ling was alone. She became more condescending than angry. “You’re here for the audition? Did everyone in Skyart die or what, not a single person’s here with you. Or have you… lost your backing?”

Her last three words were vile.

She had seen Xia Ling and Li Lei together when they were at the Southern Mountains Equestrian Club and thought that Xia Ling was the sort of selling her body. Given that Second Young Master Li was well-known to change his female partners every so often, and that it had been long since they last met, it was no surprise that Xia Ling was no longer his woman.

She scrutinized Xia Ling from head to toe. “Huh, cheap goods. You actually dare to wear them out?”

To be fair, Xia Ling’s outfit was not lacking in any way. In fact, it was a limited edition brand item that she got in Paris. But the brand was not too popular, and many of the locals in their country had never seen that brand.

Li Beier was now of a different status, she was no longer the lady who vied with others for an outfit in Lucas’ store. Now, she was decked in Chanel from head to toe and prouder than before.

Li Beier was even surer now that Xia Ling had lost her backer. Elated, she said, “Look at how drenched you are, haha. Ye Xingling… did you not see this day coming for you back when we were at the club? Let me tell you, you can forget about the audition today and just go home. How do you expect to compete with me in your pathetic state?”

“Compete? You’re not fit,” Xia Ling calmly said. Though she was stained in coffee, her cool demeanor made her seem like a queen in her grand robe, and everyone around began shrinking back.

Li Beier was about to explode with anger, and a spark of hatred flashed past her eyes. She held her head up high and looked even more arrogant than before. “I see you’re here for the audition. Haha, what a pity, I should let you know that this role has been internally decided, and the chosen one is none other than me. The whole audition is just a formality. Oh well, I’m sorry you made a wasted trip.”

With that, she observed Xia Ling’s face carefully, hoping to see a look of disappointment, defeat or indignance. And yet, the one who was disappointed was herself. Xia Ling’s expression remained calm as usual, as she looked toward Li Beier like she was a fool.

Internally decided? She did not know if Li Beier was speaking the truth, and even if she was, the production team actually dared make her, Xia Ling, somebody else’s stepping stone and even a spare candidate… Ha, she would make them regret it.

Li Beier was extremely disturbed by her sarcastic look and shot her a cold look before simply leaving. Forget it. Anyway, she is already soaked in coffee, there is no need to argue with her further. Hmph, Director Jin’s criteria are so stringent, there is no way this bitch will make it through anyway.

A whole line of haughty people strode past Xia Ling.

Xia Ling remembered her audition time slot and lost the heart to continue bickering with her. She would remember this and take her revenge another day.

Peace was restored at the entrance of the audition studio. As Xia Ling took her first step towards the studio, the security officer at the entrance stopped her.

“I’m sorry, Miss.” It was a young security officer. “Those who are in inappropriate clothing are not allowed to enter.”

Xia Ling was stunned for a moment. She looked down at her stained clothes and said, “I didn’t arrive in inappropriate clothing intentionally, this happened because I knocked into someone, as you would have seen. Please let me enter, I’m here for the audition.” She did not prepare an extra set of clothes when she left in the morning, and the place she was at was not near any clothing store. The only way was to get into the audition studio and get to a washroom before her audition; it was the only chance for her to salvage her outfit.”

“You want to audition in this outfit?” The young security officer could not recognize her limited edition apparel from Paris as well. The design and cut of the outfit were very low key, and while it was presentable, it was nowhere near that fanciful or eye-catching. The young security officer appeared to be slighting her. “Miss, just look at the line of cars parked at the entrance, do you know who the other audition candidates are? As for the car you arrived in…”

He looked towards the direction she came from and saw Li Lei in a casual sleeved t-shirt, walking from his parked car.