A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return
chapter-561

Chapter 561: You’ve Always Been the Outsider

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Xia Ling stared at them with renewed clarity.

She understood that the security guards were finding fault with her likely at the orders of the Old Master. The Old Master wanted her to move out of Li Lei’s house—she had acceded to that. He made her stay in the house next to Pei Ziheng’s for a period of three years—she had also acceded to that. However, she did not think that, despite all these compromises on her part, the Old Master was still not prepared to let her go. He was bent on breaking Li Lei and her up.

The “wife selection” ceremony? Chasing her out?

She was not someone that would just take this lying down!

“Is this how you usually treat your guests?” She said in a clear, loud voice. “Okay, I’ll leave, that’s not a problem. Maybe I should contact my manager and investigate the issue of the invitation card. And then maybe I should hold a press conference and let everyone see for themselves how the respected Old Master Li treats female artistes with less reputable family backgrounds!”

The security guards exchanged glances. Her threat was beyond the scope they were able to handle.

If this matter became publicized at such a scale, how would they be able to quash all the rumors? The Li Family would take the brunt of all the cursing of her fans if it were to get out that they were bullying a singer because she did not come from a wealthy background. What’s more, this Miss Ye wasn’t without backers. What if their own Young Master Li decided to go against his grandfather and support her in her crazy endeavors?

“Miss Ye, it doesn’t do anyone any good to blow this matter out of proportion.” The head of security responded.

Xia Ling merely sneered.

Wang Tao, who was watching from the side, commented with disgust, “What now? You’re not letting her speak her mind after having to suffer your bullying?”

His gaze swept past the faces of the security guards, Miss Nangong and Gu Lin, before landing on Xia Ling’s small, exquisite face. “Let me escort you out.”

Gu Lin was right in that his biological mother was just the second wife of his father. As a result, he had been ostracized in the Wang Family since he was a kid, and had to suffer at the hands of his stepmother, the first wife, and all his step-siblings. His “contaminated” blood did not fit in with this luxurious upper echelons of society, and he had had enough of the hypocritical mannerisms of these wealthy socialites. On the other hand, while Xia Ling was already a little Diva in her own right, she was quick for stand up for him and had thrown that cocktail in his defense. Her defiance to protocol and arrogance, which prevented her from being hypocritical, was something he admired very much.

Xia Ling turned to him and smiled. “Thank you for your trouble.” She had to tolerate all kinds of spiteful comments at this dinner and was grateful to have Wang Tao on her side so that she didn’t feel all alone.

Her line of vision looked to a point in the distance. Why hadn’t Li Lei come back yet?

“Let’s go.” Wang Tao offered his arm for her to hold on to.

“Please stay where you are, the both of you.” Now, the security guards were in a dilemma. If the matter were really to be publicized, the Old Master would skin them alive.

“Why are you asking them to stay? Just chase them out of here!” Gu Lin was still holding onto her wet dress, looking utterly disheveled with her hair in a mess. She shouted furiously, “B*tch, you threw a cocktail on me! My dad will never let you off!”

Xia Ling did not even turn to look at her as she stretched out her hand towards Wang Tao’s proffered arm.

From her side, another outstretched arm reached across and pulled her lightly towards him. Xia Ling caught a whiff of a familiar scent from his body — it was an intoxicating mixture of sunshine, cigarettes, and flowers.

“Li Lei.” She lifted her head to look up at him.

The Li Lei in front of her was dressed in a light-colored suit, his tie neatly around his neck, all prim and proper, making him look as dashing as the starry sky. Even Xia Ling, who saw Li Lei so often that they were like an old couple, felt her heart skip a beat when seeing him like that, let alone Miss Nangong and Gu Lin.

Now, this handsome gentleman was glaring at Wang Tao.

If a glare could kill, Wang Tao would have died several times over.

Wang Tao gave him an innocent expression. This Second Young Master Li was being unreasonable. Wasn’t this his “wife selection” ceremony? Now, he was still monopolizing Xia Ling… how could he keep so many beautiful ladies to himself? He should leave some for the rest of them. What’s more, Second Young Master Li couldn’t even protect his girl. If it weren’t for him, Wang Tao, stepping in to save the poor damsel in distress, Xia Ling would still have been bullied by the two ladies.

Unfortunately, Wang Tao could only say these things to himself.

Li Lei’s death glare made him take a few steps backward.

It was only then that Li Lei lowered his head to look at Xia Ling, his gaze becoming exceedingly gentle. “Here, hazelnut cake for you.” He placed a small plate with a slice of cake in front of her as he released his hold slightly.

Xia Ling took the plate from him and stood up straight.

She wanted to ask him what had taken him so long and then recalled that this was his “wife selection” ceremony. This made her feel out of place and upset. “Why are you giving me this cake?” She asked in a small voice.

Seeing her expression, Li Lei realized that she had probably found out about the objective of the dinner tonight and felt ready to rip the person who had sent her an invitation apart. He opened his mouth ready to explain himself, but Miss Nangong piped up before he could say anything.

“Second Young Master Li? You’re Second Young Master Li, right? Nice to meet you. I’m Nangong Qingya.”

Nangong Qingya? Li Lei glanced over at this charming lady in a silver-white gown. She appeared to have the same aura as Su Tang, but perhaps because of her upbringing, she seemed to be a little more refined and had an air of arrogance that Su Tang did not. Of all people, why did Xiao Ling bump into her?

The Old Master had introduced a few of the ladies’ profiles to him before the dinner, who were ladies that he considered suitable to be Li Lei’s future wife. Nangong Qingya was one of them. “Qingya’s personality is similar to Su Tang’s. You’ve been amicable with Su Tang all these years, so you should get along with Qingya as well.” The Old Master had said. “If you don’t like Su Tang’s self-deprecating manner, then try going out with Qingya. She’s from a wealthy family and has quite a lot of pride.”

The Old Master had put great thought into Li Lei’s future marriage. Su Tang was still in the running to be his wife, but if Li Lei did not like her, then there were always other options. Anyone was fine, as long as it wasn’t Ye Xingling.

The Old Master was intent on chasing Ye Xingling out of Li Lei’s life as soon as possible.

Li Lei was more than aware of his intentions.

However, there was no way that he could reject this dinner.

Nangong Qingya stood next to the water feature, her hair blowing in the wind, and elegantly stretched her hand out for Li Lei to kiss as a greeting.

Li Lei stole a glance at Xia Ling, and seeing that her expression was dark, he merely reached out and shook Nangong Qingya’s hand.

Xia Ling’s expression lifted a little.

On the other hand, Nangong Qingya’s face fell. What was the meaning of this? Did this man consider her inferior to Ye Xingling?! Yet, this did not mean that she would give up. The Nangong and Li families were similar in that they had both made their fortunes overseas. However, the Nangong Family’s wealth paled in comparison to the Li Family’s. Her marrying into the Li Family would bring honor to the Nangong Family and was her responsibility as a good daughter.

Moreover, this man was so handsome.

She flashed a wide smile. “Second Young Master Li, you’re making me feel like an outsider.”

“You’re an outsider, after all. Why are you trying to pretend to be close?” Xia Ling jeered.