A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return
chapter-872

Li Lei frowned. “I can’t accept this.”

Su Tang sounded as gracious as always but more tender than the way she spoke to others. “I know. With Miss Ling around, it isn’t too appropriate to be giving you clothes. But Xiao Rui wants to have matching outfits with you… The last time, he was envious when he saw that you and Shaohui were in matching outfits. Li Lei, you’re about to start a family with that woman, and you love Shaohui so much, Xiao Rui is actually very sad to know this. Even though he isn’t your biological child, could you… be nicer to him?”

There was some vulnerability and pleading in her voice.

Xia Ling was always sensitive to sounds and tones, and especially more so when it involved her love rival. It did not take her long to figure out what Su Tang was trying to achieve. Without waiting for Li Lei to respond, she walked past the screen and sneered. “Miss Su.”

Su Tang was startled. What was Xia Ling doing here at this time?!

She composed herself after a moment of shock and then turned around to face Xia Ling. “Miss Ling.”

Xia Ling sized her up. Su Tang had obviously put in the effort to dress up today—her long black hair fell over her shoulders beautifully and her knitted maxi dress brought out her figure. By her feet were bags of clothes, and Xia Ling recognized the packaging at once—

It was the same suit boutique she had ordered from!

“When I asked you the other day, didn’t Miss Su say you were ordering it for Li Rui?” Xia Ling couldn’t help but question her. “So what are all these suits for Li Lei doing here?”

Su Tang managed to keep her composure and elegance. “That day, I was indeed getting clothes for Xiao Rui. But Xiao Rui kept asking for matching outfits with his dad, I had no choice but…” She sighed. “Miss Ling, please be magnanimous and grant the child his little wish. Besides, as a form of blessing, I’ve even made a custom order for a dress just for you.”

She bent over and looked for the only different paper bag in the cluster, and then handed it to Xia Ling. “Although it can’t hold a handle to the haute evening gown you wore to the Nebula ceremony, it’s considered one of the best tailor-made gowns in the city. The design and material are top-notch—I remembered your measurements from a few years back and ordered it accordingly. You can try and see if it’s fitting.”

Fitting… my foot!

Xia Ling felt mocked. Back in those days, she had only just reincarnated and was a skinny set of rag and bones. She wasn’t fat now, but she was better nourished and, at the same time, a half-inch bigger than before.

To a woman, a half-inch was a lot!

Well-fitting clothes would appear too tight and low-class because of that extra half-inch!

She wanted to ask Su Tang, Are you trying to mock me for being fat?

But she wouldn’t let Su Tang get her way, and hence, swallowed her anger.

However, she didn’t reach out to receive the paper bag. “Thank you for your thought, but I don’t want it.”

Su Tang felt awkward and looked to Li Lei for help.

How would Li Lei dare to help her out? That’d be adding fuel to the fire! It wasn’t too long ago that she’d chased him out of the house for something that happened years back. Would he dare anger her again this time?

Li Lei gave a deliberate cough. “Su Tang, we appreciate your thoughts, but I think you should take these back. As for Xiao Rui, I’ll explain it to him myself.”

“But…”

“Won’t you get going?” Li Lei said.

He furrowed his brows slightly as his voice brought about a hint of command.

Su Tang did not want things to backfire and decided to go along with his wishes. Defeated, she gathered the clothes and bags on the floor and was about to leave the office.

“Hold up.” Xia Ling suddenly said. “I changed my mind, leave this here.”

“Xiao Ling?””Miss Ling?” They said at the same time.

Xia Ling gave Li Lei a glare. How dare you share such a moment with her?

Li Lei felt attacked. Who knew that even this would anger his wife-to-be? He quickly shut his mouth and pretended to be non-existent.

Xia Ling smiled at Su Tang. “I’ve thought it out. You’re right, we shouldn’t let Xiao Rui down. Matching outfits it is, then. We’ll accept it. Thank you, Miss Su.”

Not knowing what she had in mind, Su Tang had a bad feeling about it and did not want to leave these clothes to Xia Ling. Yet, she couldn’t find a good reason to take them away with her. She pursed her lips and put the clothes back down. “Thank you, Miss Ling, for your magnanimity.”

She was one of a kind, looking so dejected after gifting someone.

But how could she not bow down to others in their territory? After all, Xia Ling was Li Lei’s “official wife.” Until she got the title herself, she could only give in.

Hopefully, days like these wouldn’t last too long…

Su Tang swore to herself to get rid of Xia Ling as soon as possible.

She then bade them farewell and left.

Xia Ling glared at her back view until she disappeared behind the door, and then turned around to face Li Lei. “You! Attracting women outside! Did you not think of rejecting her?!”

Li Lei looked at her meekly. He had intended to decline her gifts, but before he had the chance to, she’d stormed in. “I won’t do it again…” Don’t talk reason with women, don’t talk reason with women… Li Lei reminded himself as he apologized to her.

Xia Ling still did not let him off. “Stay away from her next time, do you hear me!”

Li Lei nodded quietly.

“And get another personal assistant! A good one! A male! Someone who doesn’t like Su Tang!”

Li Lei was caught in a fix. “My buddies who’ve gone through life and death with me, they’re all close to Su Tang…” Meanwhile, those who had not gone through life and death with him were not to be trusted with such an important position.

Xia Ling said, “I don’t care!”

Li Lei considered for a while. “How about Ah Nuo?” Ah Nuo could handle aspects of his personal life, and as a bodyguard, he was not as emotional as the other subordinates. Moreover, he and Xia Ling were on good terms. As for his work aspect, Tan Ying and the others could handle it.

Xia Ling found that it wasn’t a bad choice. She nodded and her anger subsided.

Seeing that she was appeased now, Li Lei cautiously asked, “Why did you ask Su Tang to leave the clothes here?” He knew better than to believe Xiao Ling would allow him to wear them.