A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

Friendship was a very subtle thing. The two girls had a meal together, and they ridiculed Pei Zhenyuan and Pei Ziheng together, replacing wine with tea, and started to sympathize with each other.

Pei Jingyu looked to Xia Ling and smiled. “I have always hated you. I felt that you were very despicable, what qualifications do you have to be my family’s big lady? But you saved me this time. If it was Pei Jingshan and the rest standing there, they might not be willing to risk their lives to save me. I was wrong, you are really… noble.”

Xia Ling raised her head arrogantly. “Of course! I have always been the best!”

Pei Jingyu didn’t refute her and just looked at her. “You’re still pregnant, have you never thought that if you were dragged into the water at that time, you might not be able to keep the child?”

Xia Ling’s expression dimmed. “Didn’t Pei Zhenyuan tell you about it? I asked him for help for an abortion last time. The person who wants this child is not me but Pei Ziheng. I don’t want him to be an illegitimate child.”

Pei Jingyu didn’t expect her to think like this. She paused for a long time before sighing. “What an enmity. If you had known sooner, why would it have to come to this?” In fact, it was more troublesome for the child to be born—car accident, poisoning, disease… anything could take the child’s life, and nobody could prevent it. Pei Zhenyuan wouldn’t let go of this child.

She pitied the girl in front of her, and she stayed with her for a long time.

Pei Ziheng was simply not willing to return home for the Chinese New Year, and Pei Jingyu was afraid to go back to get scolded by Grandpa, so she stayed behind and refused to leave. She had a good time with Xia Ling and even Pei Ziheng let them be.

It was New Year’s Eve night.

A staff member came to inform them. “Miss Pei, Miss Xia, Mr. Pei has told the people to hold a dinner in the banquet hall, we’re just waiting for you two.”

Pei Jingyu stood up and helped Xia Ling. “Slow down, be careful of the baby in your stomach.”

As she walked slowly to the banquet hall, Xia Ling said, “Why are you so concerned about how my baby is doing. If I lose it, shouldn’t your family be happy?”

Pei Jingyu glanced at her. “You saved my life, of course I have to pay back your life and help you protect your baby. We big ladies are destined to have a joint marriage with another family, so why should we care so much about our own family’s matters? Grandpa loves how to fight with Big Cousin, so let them fight. But I must pay for your help.”

Xia Ling was silent. When she almost reached the restaurant door, she suddenly whispered in a self-deprecating manner. “I used to be too stupid, innocent, and delusional. He never thought about treating me as a wife. If the child was lost and left him, maybe everyone will be happier.”

Pei Jingyu looked at her in surprise. “It would have been good if you had understood this two years ago.” Now, it was too late. Everyone was in the middle of the game and couldn’t be extricated.

The door to the banquet hall was close at hand.

Far away, you could see a tall figure sitting inside, wearing a finely tailored haute couture suit, his face cold and unsmiling. The space in the banquet hall was very spacious, but because of his existence, it was full of oppression, making people feel uncomfortable breathing.

Pei Jingyu supported Xia Ling as they stopped at the door and said, “My Big Cousin gets anything he wants, so just accept it. At least he will pamper you.”

Xia Ling only smiled bitterly.

Walking to the mahogany table with a white napkin, the waiter pulled the cushioned chair on the right-hand side of Pei Ziheng to serve her. Pei Ziheng personally gave her a dish, and his voice was warm. “Look at this grilled venison and see if it’s delicious. I specially hired the star chef, and this is his special dish.”

Xia Ling hated him in her heart and didn’t want to eat it originally. But because of the presence of Pei Jingyu, she didn’t want to throw a tantrum on New Year’s Eve, so she barely took a bite. The venison melted instantly, soft and tender like a cloud on the horizon, and it was sweet and delicious. No wonder it was a dish from a star chef. Unconsciously, she finished eating a piece.

Pei Ziheng looked at her tenderly. “Do you want more??”

Pei Jingyu saw their love and was very jealous. So, she whined. “Big Cousin, I want one too.”

Pei Ziheng said to the waiter on the side, “Cut one piece for Miss Pei.”

Pei Jingyu: “…” Well, she had long known that her Big Cousin favored Xia Ling terribly ever since he adopted her more than a decade ago. She herself had long been not worth mentioning and was simply a speck of dust. When Pei Jingyu realized this, she suddenly had a feeling like she was a light bulb.

The New Year’s Eve meal was very scrumptious. Everyone was very full and the atmosphere was remarkably harmonious.

After eating the meal, Pei Jingyu noticed Big Cousin’s expression and didn’t continue being a light bulb there. She casually found an excuse to leave. Pei Ziheng said to Xia Ling, “I’ll take you to see the fireworks.”

Xia Ling said, “I’m a little sleepy.”

Pei Ziheng nodded. “Then I’ll help you bathe, then sleep.”

Xia Ling said, “… Let’s just go see the fireworks.”

Pei Ziheng smiled, took her hand and walked out along the long corridor. Outside the corridor was the endless Xi Cui Lake. The night scene was beautiful, the starlight sprinkled on the blue lake and in the cold wind, there was the faint sound of the water waves. Xia Ling’s delicate, jade-like hand rested gently in his big hand. At that time, it gave him the illusion that they were back to the past when all the damage had not yet occurred.

The two walked side by side, close together, their breaths audible.

Xia Ling was also a bit shocked. How many years had they not spent the New Year’s Eve together?

Too long…

She couldn’t even remember properly anymore.

She said, “Pei Ziheng.”

Pei Ziheng stopped and looked down at her very gently. “Yes?” His voice just fell when the distant night sky behind him suddenly exploded with the first cluster of fireworks. It was colorful and magnificent, and suddenly reflected his beauty. His side face was like a god, so unrealistic it looked like a dream.

She looked at him in a daze and forgot what she was going to say.

Pei Ziheng went to see the fireworks and turned back to smile at her. “It shouldn’t be put at this time.” According to the original itinerary, it should be that after they arrived at the pavilion by the lakeside. The staff would send some hot tea and indicate to him before putting the fireworks. But somewhere something had gone wrong.

Xia Ling returned to her senses and shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.”

She was shocked for having stared at him for so long, so she hurriedly looked down.

Pei Ziheng took off his suit jacket and put it on the wooden bench under the shelter. He said to her, “Come and sit here, watch it from here.” It was too far from the pavilion, they would miss it.

Xia Ling looked at the jacket and looked at him wearing only a shirt vest. “You will catch a cold.”

He bowed his head and kissed her. “I’ll get someone to bring clothes.” He held her and sat down.