A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

Li Lei took her into his embrace again, this time making sure he held her hand down so she wouldn’t touch his wounds.

He kissed her on the ear and smiled. “Looking at wedding gowns?”

She nodded and used her foot to bring a catalog from the carpet to herself. “These are the newest designs from the boutiques. I like this one with pearls, and Er Mao seems to like this one with lotus leaf lace designs. Which do you like?”

He smiled again. “You’re considering Er Mao’s opinions?”

“Of course, he’s our family.” She rubbed Er Mao’s neck with her foot.

Er Mao ruffled his ears while asleep, turned over, and continued in his dreamscape.

Looking through the pages, Li Lei found them all beautiful. Each gown was conceptualized by a renowned designer, and the intricate details in each were stunning. Most importantly—”You’ll look good in any of them.”

“You’re just patronizing me.” Xia Ling bit his hand.

He let her be as he smiled on. “What does Shaohui think?”

“Shaohui is being led astray by Lin Yunan.” Xia Ling was a little unhappy about this. “He’s been into pirates lately, and keeps bugging Uncle Lin to tell him stories about them, such as the Somali pirates. He even wants you to turn up at the wedding dressed as a pirate.”

Li Lei kept quiet.

“What are you thinking?”

“I’m wondering if it’s been too long since we kept this child in check.”

Xia Ling nodded solemnly. “I think so, too. Once this busy period is over, you should start taking him in hand. He’ll be all gangster-like if he continues hanging out with Lin Yunan so much. Early this morning, Lin Yunan took him to the suburbs to watch a piracy show, and he even chose the most sensational one.”

Li Lei was speechless. So he hadn’t been seeing his son around because he’d been with Lin Yunan? He clenched his teeth. “This little jerk has forgotten who his dad is?”

Xia Ling sighed. “He doesn’t remember who his mom is, either.”

For reasons unknown to them, this child shared a strange affinity with Manager Lin. Recently, Xia Ling and Li Lei had been busying themselves with the investigation. Hence, this adult and child had come together, becoming each other’s company. They started off with pirate stories, progressed to having fun together over meals and activities, and once, Xia Ling even caught Lin Yunan teaching the child how to gamble.

Little Shaohui was having so much fun.

He went to bed the moment he reached home and did not even ask his mother to tell him bedtime stories anymore.

“If this goes on, he might really see Lin Yunan as his dad…” Xia Ling ruffled Er Mao’s fur as she thought. “I only have Er Mao with me even while I pick out my wedding gown.”

Li Lei felt bad for her. “It’s alright, I’m here with you. When that little jerk comes back, I’ll hit him.”

“Really?” Xia Ling’s eyes lit up.

“Really.” Li Lei promised her. He wasn’t one to hit his wife, but that did not imply he wouldn’t hit his child! After all, his son bullied his wife! He narrowed his eyes and thought about how he was going to discipline him.

Xia Ling clapped her hands. “We Chinese believe in hitting kids with a ruler. It hurts and helps them remember never to make their mistakes again. But few people use the ruler nowadays, most of them just use their hands. Since you’re so skilled, you should just let him have a taste of how good his dad is! There’ll be no need for him to watch martial arts shows in the future!”

Li Lei was a little stunned. “… Are you his biological mom?” Why did she not sound like it?

Xia Ling said, “I’ve never hit him before, it’s time to try it.” Many mothers on online forums had said that it was important to hit a child to discipline them. Even the maid at home said that appropriate punishment was necessary if a child did wrong.

Of course, Xia Ling had completely ignored the word “appropriate.”

Li Lei kept quiet.

He thought for a while and felt that her violent ideas were not ideal. He sighed. “Forget it, let’s just coax him back and get him to watch the pirates back here.” Maybe after watching some pirate shows at home, the child would be less dependent on Lin Yunan’s company and more willing to spend time with his parents.

“Coax him back and get him to watch the pirates?” Xia Ling was confused.

Li Lei kissed her lightly. “Do you want a pirate-themed wedding? Doesn’t he like the Somali pirates? We can get married in Somali and have a pirate crash the wedding—but don’t worry, the pirates there are my buddies. I’ll then take him along to rescue you—he’ll then think that his father is cooler and better than the pirates.”

This idea…

Xia Ling was stunned.

Li Lei thought that she was being timid. “You don’t dare to do this? Forget it, then. We’ll just stick to hitting him.” Anyway, there were several different ways they could keep him away from Lin Yunan. Hitting him was the last resort, but an option nonetheless.

“No.” Xia Ling was practically glowing. “This idea is amazing! Wow, dear, how did you come up with such a brilliant idea?! I’ve never seen real pirates! Actual, real-life ones!” She kissed him hard on the cheek. “Hubby’s the best!”

This was the first time she called him Hubby.

Li Lei was in a daze and burst with joy.

Meanwhile, Little Shaohui, who was watching the filming of a pirate show in the suburbs with Lin Yunan, was completely unaware that he’d narrowly escaped a beating.

Li Lei got back to working on Wang Jingwan’s case.

Xia Ling wasn’t so adept in this field and couldn’t do much more than asking about the progress occasionally. She spent most of her time picking out her wedding gown, his suit, Little Shaohui’s suit, the bridesmaids’ and best men’s outfits… and the types of liquor, flowers, sweets… she’d come to realize how troublesome it was to plan for a wedding.

As the wedding day drew closer, Madame Xia had come over from the village to help her out.

They excitedly discussed the wedding details. When she found out it was going to be a pirate-themed wedding, she couldn’t help but think of how romantic it must be. “This is a wonderful idea! Li Lei is way more brilliant than your dad was! Your dad simply patronized me with a traditional wedding…”

Madame Xia went on about her past and then held Xia Ling’s hand tightly. “Just enjoy the wedding thoroughly. Don’t worry about the Somali pirates, they never dared offend the Xia’s, and will definitely be nice to you. I’ll also arrange for some female bodyguards to be part of your bridesmaid group.”

“I’m not afraid.” Xia Ling said. “I trust him.”

After so much had happened, her trust towards Li Lei was practically blind. Even if she stood at the edge of a cliff, if Li Lei told her it was safe to leap off it, she would do so without hesitation.

This was the trust he got in exchange for putting his life on the line for her time and again.

Madame Xia looked at her daughter and felt comforted by her bliss. Although she would miss her daughter, she knew that marrying her to such a capable and trustworthy man was simply… wonderful.

Madame Xia turned around and quietly dried the tears of joy in her eyes.