A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

The viewers were touched beyond words.

Li Lei and Xia Ling sat in the SUV, smiling at each other. They were amongst the richest people on the planet and didn’t have to take so much into consideration. Even if they used a tractor as their lead car on their wedding day, no one would think that they couldn’t afford it.

The fleet of cars set off.

Following right behind the lead car were the bridesmaids, best men, parents of both the bride and the groom, flower boy and girl, and many more.

Further back were the cars carrying the dowry gifts, including furniture, decorative ornaments and the like. In the past, the bride’s family often prepared extravagant items for display in order to show their power and dominance as a form of backing for their daughter in the new family.

Today, the piles of dowry gifts were considerably extravagant. Fans lined up across both sides of the streets with fresh flowers, tossing them at their own will as if the road was the aisle of the ballroom.

Xia Ling leaned her head on Li Lei’s shoulder.

Li Lei held her hand firmly but tenderly.

How lucky she was to be able to spend her life with her beloved this time around.

While everyone was busy celebrating, no one noticed that the villa just next to Xia Ling’s was locked shut as a man kept himself in the basement alone, cut off from the festivity of the world.

Pei Ziheng knew that this was Xia Ling’s wedding day.

He did not attend the ceremony, nor gave his blessings. He did not even prepare a gift for the newlyweds.

He gulped alcohol like it was water and got himself drunk the same way he did when she fell off the stage to her death. She was now gone, and she had robbed him of all hope.

How cruel.

Pei Ziheng whimpered ever so softly as he sank into the cold, hard ground.

Outside the villa, a number of reporters who did not trail behind the newlyweds arrived at his doorstep instead and asked Nanny Zhou, “Is Mr. Pei at home? What is his take on Mr. Li Lei and Miss Ling’s wedding?”

Nanny Zhou shook her head. “Please do not bother us.”

She refused to let out another word.

After Nanny Zhou finally got rid of the insistent reporters, she decided to go to the basement to take a look at Pei Ziheng. But the door was locked from the inside, and she could hear a strange sound—a cross between a howl and a cry. He sounded like an injured animal.

Mister…

Nanny Zhou was worried about him, but there was nothing she could do.

On the other end, the substantial fleet of cars arrived at their destination at a private pier. Li Lei helped Xia Ling down the car as they took slow, steady strides towards a grand cruise.

“Apparently, the manufacturing cost of this cruise was in the hundreds of millions, and it was customized by an Italian black triad leader for his grandson’s wedding gift. The entire cruise was intricately designed with a vintage touch—for instance, the wooden planks on the deck were personally nailed in one by one by more than a hundred carpenters.” The commentator was evidently excited by what he was reporting. “Many of the invited guests consider the fact that they could enter this cruise an honor in itself.”

“It’s so beautiful…” Many of the viewers were awestruck by the cruise.

Xia Ling and Li Lei posed on the deck for photos, and before long, Shaohui and the flower children had their chance to be the center of attention as well.

“Dad, Dad, can you not marry Mom anymore?” Little Shaohui’s words were shocking.

Everyone turned to look at him. Li Lei asked with a smile, “Why?”

Shaohui was in an adorable little suit. He tilted his head slightly and said, “Mom looks beautiful today, I really like it. When I’m older, I can marry her! Dad, can you marry someone else instead?”

Everyone around started laughing.

Li Lei looked at his son helplessly and pouted. “I wouldn’t have expected that after beating all my love rivals, I still have to get through my son.”

Some others played along. “Young Master Shaohui is a threatening love rival, indeed.”

Li Lei pinched his son’s chubby cheeks and smiled. “You want to marry Mom? When you grow up to Dad’s height and can defeat me, we’ll talk about it.”

Little Shaohui blinked his eyes and nodded in all seriousness. “I will work hard.”

The people around laughed their hearts out.

The cruise set sail slowly in the direction of the Li family headquarters. The weather was perfect, white clouds drifting across blue skies while seagulls danced in the background. It was a long journey in the open waters, but plenty of refreshments and drinks were provided, allowing guests to talk over their meals and rest freely.

This wedding was considerably unique. While the cruise was on its way, Xia Ling and Li Lei took the opportunity to mingle with the guests. Those invited were the couple’s close family and friends. Hence, there was no awkwardness or tension, just lightheartedness and shared joy.

Xia Ling carefully held her gown up as she made her rounds. Many of the guests gave their congratulations and she smiled in acknowledgment. All of a sudden, she saw a man approaching her. He was in an exquisite best man suit and looked extremely handsome against the clear skies.

“You really scared me,” said the man said. “You actually come from such a powerful background, the daughter of the Xia family. No wonder you always pulled off such an aura, now I see that you could afford to.”

“Du Yunfeng.” Xia Ling smiled. “Back when I asked to be your godsister, you still seemed pretty unwilling. Do you feel like you’ve benefited now?”

“Sure, I benefited lots from it. This has been the best transaction of my life.” Du Yunfeng laughed. “On account of everything that happened in the past, I’ll offer my apology. In the future, we’ll be family. Keep in close contact, shall we?”

“Who’s your family now?” It was Li Lei’s voice. He came over and nudged Du Yunfeng while holding his wife tight. “Let me set this straight, don’t you even take an interest in my wife. I’ve enough love rivals now, just dealing with Little Shaohui alone is enough. Don’t make me busier.”

“Wow, my godnephew is so impressive?” Du Yunfeng laughed. “When he succeeds in the future, I hope he’ll remember his goduncle.”

“To hell with that.” Li Lei jokingly teased. “Back when he was to acknowledge you as goduncle, you were so unwilling to give up even one bead bracelet. Such a stingy uncle!”

“Come!” Du Yunfeng was more than generous now. He couldn’t afford to offend the Xia’s. “The Du family’s treasure chest is wide open. My godnephew can take his pick from the mountains of treasure.”