A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

The two stared angrily at each other, neither intending to back off.

Li Lei felt a headache coming. Grandfather was stubborn and had the worst temper, and Xiao Ling was not any better. She resembled him more than him! He put little Shaohui down, hoping to prevent them from fighting in front of the child. “You…”

Before he could finish his sentence, Su Tang smilingly said to Shaohui, “Little Shaohui, why would great-grandfather lock you up? You’re his beloved great-grandson and he can’t wait to shower you with love! You look exactly like…” Her voice caught a little and she paused before continuing, “Your face shape is exactly like the Li Family’s.”

Fortunately or unfortunately, little Shaohui resembled his mother more and there was little resemblance to Li Lei.

Old Master Li looked towards Shaohui hearing Su Tang’s words and found that while the child had similar mannerisms to Li Lei when he was young, his features were more effeminate and less sculpted and defined than Li Lei’s.

Su Tang nonchalantly said, “Thankfully, there is the DNA test to check for parental relationships… It’s great that the three of you can reunite.”

The listener understood the meaning.

Old Master Li thought to himself, Is Shaohui truly my great-grandson? If Ye Xingling can lie to the Pei Family about her pregnancy, why wouldn’t she be lying to the Li Family as well?

He said, “Let’s do another DNA test.”

Li Lei frowned. “Grandfather, you don’t believe me?”

Old Master Li’s gaze was cold. “This matter affects the bloodline of the Li Family. There can’t be any mistake.”

Xia Ling said, “We’re not doing it.”

Old Master Li turned his cold gaze to her. “Miss Ye, are you feeling guilty? Are you afraid that the DNA test will expose your lies?” Seeing Xia Ling reject the test so quickly, Old Master Li was even more suspicious of Shaohui’s identity.

Perhaps that was why the child didn’t like him. They didn’t share the same blood.

Xia Ling smiled, but her tone was full of disdain. “Old Master, do you think everybody worships the Li Family? Do you think everyone wants to marry into the Li Family? I’m sorry, from my perspective, the Li Family is not worth the effort of scheming so much to marry into. If not for Li Lei, I wouldn’t want to be associated with the Li Family in this life, or the next life, or any life after that!”

“Xiao Ling…” Li Lei rubbed his temples. Was she about to start a rampage at the Old Master now?

Xia Ling glared at Li Lei. “Did I say anything wrong?!”

“Okay, okay, you’re right. You didn’t say anything wrong…” Li Lei was close to tears. He was aware that she was the Xia Family’s Phoenix and that anyone that married her was the fortunate one. Everything that she said was her true feelings and she was not being hypocritical. But the Old Master wouldn’t be happy hearing that… how was he going to maintain the harmony in the family like this?

He was tempted to bring this question to online forums for netizens to help give him some pointers.

On the other end, the Old Master lost his temper as Li Lei expected. He banged his dragon-head walking stick on the ground hard. “I’m going to make sure you do that DNA test! If you don’t do it, don’t blame me for not accepting this great-grandson!”

Xia Ling responded, “Who wants you to accept him?” This child had both parents, a doting uncle, and a maternal grandfather to care for him. What importance was there in having another great-grandfather? She was determined not to do the DNA test as she felt that it was an insult to her and her child. The Li Family was not showing her basic respect and trust… how were they going to become a family?

Li Lei said, “Fine, we won’t do it if you don’t want to. Grandfather, Shaohui is really my biological son!”

“Rubbish!” The Old Master didn’t believe him. This grandson was prepared to do anything for this girl, and accepting a random kid as his biological son was perfectly within reason!

Xia Ling bent over and took little Shaohui’s hand in hers. “You guys can argue all you want. I’m going to bring my child home now.” Little Shaohui had finished all the hazelnuts and was rubbing his eyes sleepily. It was time for his nap.

“Don’t go…” Li Lei was at wits’ end. How was he going to salvage the situation?

Suddenly, the room door opened and another little boy crashed in. “Where is Ye Shaohui?” The child shouted out angrily. “Why are you stealing my father from me?!”

“Xiao Rui!” Su Tang called out.

The boy that had crashed in was Li Rui.

Li Rui was bored in the party earlier amidst all the adults and had snuck out to the little garden out front to have some snacks. He had just heard that his father had announced the presence of another son and felt extremely threatened. As such, he ran over to look for Shaohui.

Little Shaohui was walking down the steps from the tatami cushions.

Li Rui ran over and pushed him. “Who are you?! Why are you stealing my father?!”

“Aiya!” Little Shaohui was taken by surprise and slipped, falling on the hard wooden floor. His head hit the edge of the tatami stairs and blood started to flow.

“Shaohui!” Xia Ling anxiously ran over and carried the child in her arms.

“Let me take a look!” Li Lei grew anxious as well, running over to check on the injury. Thankfully, it was just a small cut in the corner of Shaohui’s forehead, and while it was starting to swell, it didn’t look too serious.

“It’s painful…” Little Shaohui whined.

Li Lei’s face darkened and said to Li Rui coldly, “Where are your manners? Is this how you treat your older brother?!”

“He’s not my older brother!” Li Rui screamed.

Li Lei turned and said to Su Tang, “Su Tang, I’ve never truly disciplined this child too much because I thought you would have your own way of educating your child into a fine gentleman. But now? How is he any different from a wild child?”

Su Tang’s face turned pale at Li Lei’s statement and lowered her head.

Li Lei had never truly cared about Li Rui’s education and discipline. Even if Li Rui went as far as burning a house down, he would merely ask, “Is Li Rui alright?” However, Li Rui had just given Shaohui a shove, causing Li Lei to become overcome with anger!

That b*tch Ye Xingling’s child was truly different to him!

Su Tang’s heart was filled with hatred.

Old Master Li scolded Li Lei. “Why are you scolding Xiao Rui?! He’s your son!”

The Old Master treasured family relationships, and since he had accepted Li Rui, he truly saw Li Rui as part of the family. He was prepared to shower Li Rui with all the worldly riches and dote on him… how could Li Lei scold him like that?

Li Lei didn’t relent. “No one can touch Shaohui.”

Old Master Li was furious. “Who knows if Shaohui is truly part of the Li Family?!” The Old Master Li was sure that the child had no relation to them given Xia Ling’s vehemence when it came to the DNA test.

Li Lei wanted to say something but heard a voice pipe up.

“Wow, what a commotion. What’s going on? Someone doesn’t want to accept his great-grandson?”

Everyone turned to look towards the door, where they saw a young man dressed in an Italian-style white shirt and a full suit, regarding them with a calm expression.

All the adults quietened down in the room.

“Preceptor… Xia!” Old Master Li was the first to snap back to his senses and acknowledge Xia Moyan respectfully.

Xia Moyan strolled over slowly like a silent wind from far out.

Xia Ling snapped at him. “What are you doing here?!” She didn’t recall sending her brother an invite to today’s event. Why was he suddenly interested in parties? If he were going to come, he should’ve arrived earlier! That would save her from having to argue with the Old Master Li for so long. He should’ve come to help her earlier!

Seeing the way Xia Ling was speaking to Xia Moyan, the Old Master was close to hysterics. Given all the fluster of activity today, he seemed to have forgotten that Xia Ling treated Xia Moyan in a similar fashion on the ship the last time they met.

“How rude!” The Old Master chided. “How can you treat the reverent Preceptor Xia so discourteously?”