A Star Reborn: The Queen's Return

Li Lei wrapped her in his arms gently.

This girl was always so kind. Although she appeared a little fierce and proud sometimes, when it came to major matters, she was more soft-hearted and sympathetic than anyone else.

How could he not love her?

He looked at her with tender eyes. “As for Xiao Rui’s status, it’s your call.” If she wished to raise him, they’d keep him with them. But if she did not want to, he’d have someone send Xiao Rui away. He’d take care of Xiao Rui’s material needs and ensure that he had more than sufficient to live a good life. But as to where the child was going to live and who he would have to get along with, it was all up to Xia Ling.

Xia Ling was a little sleepy as she ate the orange. She said, “Let him and Shaohui live together. They seem to get along pretty well, and it’s good that they have each other for company.” She stroked her flat tummy. “On account that Shaohui is nice to Xiao Rui, I hope that Xiao Rui would be nice to our little baby as well.”

Li Lei smiled and bent over, placing his ear against her stomach.

Besides the gentle rise and fall of her abdomen, there was nothing new.

Xia Ling teased him. “It’s barely been two months, why are you so anxious? You still have to wait a few more weeks before you’ll be able to detect any changes.” She’d had experience in this before and was calm now.

Li Lei pouted. “I just wanted to say hi to the little one as soon as possible.” He nestled his head gently on her belly. “Hi, sweetheart. I’m Dad. Dad hopes that you’ll grow up fast, and be strong and healthy...”

Xia Ling smiled upon hearing it. She reached out to tickle his ear and ruffle his hair affectionately. It was a comforting feeling, and she began humming a tune.

They rarely had the time to rest like this and hence, treasured the moment dearly.

The following day, Li Lei went downstairs to take a look at Little Shaohui first. Seeing that he appeared alright without much injury, he then cautiously broke the news to Xia Ling. “Su Tang was hitting Xiao Rui, and Shaohui went forward to shield him. He’s not badly injured. He just knocked against the leg of the bed, but he’s fine now.”

Xia Ling was a little worried. “I’ll go check on them.”

Li Lei helped her down the stairs.

In the children’s ward, Li Rui was still lying in bed and on a drip.

In order not to get his mom worried, Little Shaohui was already sitting on the sofa and reading an adventure book to Li Rui. “The pirate ship was so tall it reached the sky. When it emerged on the horizon, Lan Lan and his buddies screamed in fear...”

The child spoke comically.

Li Rui was engrossed in the story. He did not know that besides the toys he played with, there were so many more interesting things going on in the world. He was hooked on listening to stories now.

Xia Ling stood by the door and watched them for a while, but did not bother them.

Seeing that Shaohui was alright, she was now at ease. Moreover, it seemed like the two children were getting along better than she’d expected.

She turned around and led Li Lei out of the ward. They walked for a while in the hallway before she found a bench to rest at. “I’m tired, could you make me some tea? I want fresh lemons and honey in it, something sweet and sour.”

Li Lei said, “How am I going to find lemons and honey in the hospital? I’ll get the maid to bring it over.”

“I don’t care, I want you to prepare it right now.” She acted coquettishly. “Don’t you know that expectant ladies get emotional easily? If I don’t get my honey lemon drink right now, I’ll be very... unhappy...”

Li Lei had no choice but to agree to her request. He urged her not to move about on her own as he went to find those ingredients. But once he took his leave, she called a bodyguard over to accompany her, asked a nurse for Su Tang’s ward number, and then went to look for her.

Heavy curtains were drawn in the ward.

The lights were turned off as well. Even though it was daytime, the whole room appeared dull and gloomy.

Su Tang sat in the darkness with a stoned expression.

Xia Ling called out to her.

When she looked up and saw that it was Xia Ling, a look of hatred took over her face. Seeing that Li Lei was not around, she could not be bothered with even the simplest of civilities, and coldly said to Xia Ling, “Get out of here, I don’t wish to see you.”

Xia Ling refused to. With the bodyguard by her side, she closed the door and sat down.

Su Tang was so angry her lips quivered. “This is my territory!”

“What?” Xia Ling smiled. “Your clothes, accommodation, food, and everything is provided by the Li’s. Every inch of fabric on your body, you owe it to the Li’s. What right do you have to ask me—the Li family’s Madam—to leave?”

Su Tang’s expression hardened and her menacing eyes threatened to swallow Xia Ling whole. “You’re not fit to be the Li family’s Madam!”

“Oh? If I’m not fit, are you?” Xia Ling smiled easily, completely unfazed.

Su Tang kept quiet, but her cold expression was telling Xia Ling that yes, she was fit.

“What a shame, Li Lei doesn’t like you.” When Xia Ling bickered with someone, had she ever lost? She could easily provoke and anger others by picking on their most vulnerable spots, which was why she had so many haters in both lifetimes.

Su Tang was no exception. Her bipolar disorder had been acting up recently, and she finally lost her cool. She dashed forward and was about to give Xia Ling a tight slap on the face. “You wretched woman!”

But the bodyguard beside Xia Ling held her wrist calmly and swiftly, before flinging her aside.

Su Tang knocked into the metal bed frame in the corner and ached all over. Her hair was messy and she looked utterly pathetic. She was about to get up and assault Xia Ling again when she heard Xia Ling say—

“I’ll advise you not to waste your efforts. Did you think I came without any defensive measures? Let me tell you, I’m pregnant, and I definitely won’t put myself in a dangerous situation.”

What?!

Su Tang widened her eyes in disbelief. “Y-You’re pregnant?!”

“Yup.” Xia Ling was still smiling. “Thanks to your shoving yesterday, we found out that I’m almost two months into the pregnancy. Honestly, I’ve really got to thank you. If not for you, I wouldn’t have found out until now, and I might still be going around drinking or eating the wrong foods.”

She sounded so blissful that every word felt like a stab to Su Tang’s ears.

Su Tang subconsciously clenched her fists. No, impossible! How could this wretched woman be pregnant?! She did not believe it, she simply wouldn’t! “You’re lying to me, you’re lying to me, right?!” Su Tang was manic again and rushed forward, but the bodyguard held her back. “Ye Xingling, you must be lying to me. You’re just pretending to be pregnant in order to antagonize me! You’re shameless, despicable!”

“Ha, I’m indeed here to antagonize you.” Xia Ling did not hide the fact. Su Tang had laid her hands on Little Shaohui; if Xia Ling did not come to take revenge by antagonizing her, was she really Xia Ling? “But, I also am indeed pregnant. Li Lei and I are on such good terms, we could have another half a dozen kids.”