A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return
chapter-440

Chapter 440: Photographed by the Paparazzi

That was not taking into account the hellish days that she was imprisoned. Then, she had created a ruckus, but all her grousings and unreasonable requests were to hide her pain from him.

Now, he understood.

Her tears silently fell onto the deck.

He gently draped a jacket over her body. The soft, wool fabric had his familiar smell on it. “Xiao Ling.” Pei Ziheng’s gentle and husky voice rang out from behind. “It’s cold outside. Come back with me. Let’s… have a good life together.”

He had said this same phrase countless times since she had come back with him.

Xia Ling had not believed that they could lead a good life together. However, looking at the man that had gone through so much for her, she thought despondently that perhaps this was her destiny. After all the detours, she was back by his side. While she hated him for his cruelty, she could not help but feel for his pain as well.

Since she could not escape, maybe she should try to live a good life with him.

She stopped throwing her temper at him, and when they sat together at the dinner table, they would make simple conversation. She would talk about her day, or about fellow artistes releasing new songs, or even about the beautiful flowers that she had seen blooming by the roadside during the day. He, in turn, would be the perfect listener, as if she were reporting to him about the most important business matters. His gaze would be gentle, happy, and contented.

He would find time to accompany her to shop for maternity and kids items.

They were like a normal couple and would pick necessities for the baby. The little clothes and bed that she picked were all in colors and patterns that she preferred — pink, pastel, sweet, and princess-like. Pei Ziheng asked her what she would do if the baby were a boy. She lowered her head with her hand on her stomach and wilfully said, “I just want a girl.”

Pei Ziheng smiled at her dotingly.

She was unlike many women who wanted to marry him and would be anxious for the first child to be a son. Only she would disregard the coveted “family heir” position and just wanted to have a girl.

However, whether the baby was a boy or girl was not up to her. This would not change despite how many female baby items she prepared.

He watched her buy a pile of girly items, and before they went to the cashier to pay, he instructed one of the bodyguards that were following them: “Buy a set of the same items but for a boy baby. Don’t let madam find out.”

Even though they were not officially married yet, he had already begun calling her madam in front of the subordinates.

The bodyguard was aware that Boss cared strongly for the baby that madam was carrying, and thus, he respectfully bowed and went off to carry out Boss’ instructions.

Pei Ziheng gently held onto Xia Ling and guided her out of the glass doors of the shop.

Paparazzi were waiting outside the shop, and they snapped several photos of them before they had time to react. The flash of the cameras made Xia Ling’s eyes squint, whereas Pei Ziheng’s expression darkened. He signaled to the bodyguard to deal with the paparazzi.

Xia Ling tugged on his arm and said, “Forget it.” Being an artiste for two lifetimes, she was used to having photos of her taken by the paparazzi. It would be an endless task to deal with each and every one of them. What’s more, she was pregnant now. It was easier to just ignore them and take it as she was amassing good karma for her child.

Pei Ziheng let the matter rest after hearing her words.

She was much more mild-mannered in recent days, as well as more emotional. Occasionally, he would see her crying while watching soap operas at home. Pei Ziheng did not know what to do, and he thought to himself: Is she so emotional because she’s carrying a girl? He would give a start at the thought. No, his Xiao Ling needed to bear a son, who was to become heir to his dynasty. A girl would not cut it.

In two months, they would be able to ascertain the gender of the child. He would accompany her to the doctor’s to find out at first instance.

Pei Ziheng decided.

Seeing that the bodyguards were not going to chase them away, the paparazzi became bolder and openly snapped several more shots from a more open position and with a better angle.

Pei Ziheng started to feel his temper rising, but he remembered that Xia Ling wanted him to let them be. This irritated him, and he suddenly felt the urge to take revenge. He pulled her over and lifted her fair face to him, planting a light kiss on her lips.

He did not dare kiss her too deeply for fear that she would blow her top.

“Hey, you!” Xia Ling glared at him in shock, a hand raised to her lips. She said accusingly, “What are you doing?!”

He did not explain but turned to look at the paparazzi.

The paparazzi gleefully clicked the shutter several more times. From his angle, the photo would come out as if they had a deep, long kiss in the streets.

“What a steal, what a steal…” The paparazzi murmured as he took more photos. “Wahaha… my dumb competitors are all staking out at Imperial Entertainment. Luckily I had that brainwave to stake out at high-end maternity and kidswear shops! This must be the first photograph of Boss Pei and Ye Xingling kissing. It’s going to be a massive exclusive!” He had originally just wanted to try his luck to see if he could get a photo of Ye Xingling shopping at the store alone, but he did not expect to chance upon Pei Ziheng accompanying her to the store and to get this additional benefit of a shot of them kissing. This was bound to garner the envy and jealousy of all those singletons out there.

The paparazzi was pumped, and at seeing both of them look over at him, he gleefully waved at them and blew them a big kiss before turning around and running away.

Xia Ling’s face was dark.

Pei Ziheng’s voice was gentle as he said, “I told you to chase him away.”

So, he was taking revenge?! Xia Ling was speechless and sternly reprimanded him. “Don’t surprise me like that anymore! You will not be able to pay for it if you scare the baby and something bad happens.”

“Then we’ll just have another one.” He said nonchalantly.

“No!” Xia Ling became furious. “Did you hear me?! Don’t… surprise… me… like… that… anymore!”

She emphasized each word through gritted teeth.

Pei Ziheng’s gaze darkened, but he did not say anything. He merely helped her onto the backseat of the Rolls-Royce. On one hand, that kiss was indeed for a little bit of revenge, as well as to stake his claim over her in public. However, it was also a test as to how accepting she was to him and if he could become more intimate with her.

That night they spent together when they were drunk was just an accident. Normally, she still refused to let him touch her.

Pei Ziheng wanted to know if she were just trying to be amicable with him for the child, or she was ready to start their relationship over.

Unfortunately, her reaction was a disappointing one.

Even though he did not want to admit it, he knew rationally that Xiao Ling was only staying by him for the child. She did not fall in love with him again, and he was still a loser when it came to love.

The atmosphere in the car was a repressed one on the way back.

Xia Ling was too sensitive to the change of mood. When they returned to the bungalow, she hurriedly got out of the car and locked herself in her study room. Worries entered her mind. Now that she was carrying a child, he would not try anything with her. However, what about after she had had the child and completed her confinement? How long would he be able to resist?

Fear gripped her heart as she thought about this.

She looked into the mirror at her abdomen, which was still relatively flat, and consoled herself that she was thinking too far ahead. Now, she just needed to ensure that the child was safe and Pei Ziheng did not find out that the child was not his.