Chapter 623: Variable
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
She was even more dedicated to this concert.
To make up for her loss in popularity, she carefully selected her set list, tried a few costumes with the stylist, and even created new choreography for the show. She made many changes and improvements before finalizing the show.
On the day of the concert, the venue was bustling with noise and excitement.
Many fans came to support her, and there were banners saying “Good Luck Xiao Ling” everywhere. There were also posters, small billboards, and colorful balloons…
They used their actions to show their support for her.
Seeing this, Xia Ling’s depressed mood in the past few days improved.
A photographer entered the dressing room and took photos of her. He used a retro Polaroid camera, so she could immediately get the photos after they were taken. “These are going to be given to the VIP audience members. Xiao Ling, please sign them.” The photographer said and handed a pen to her.
She easily signed each photo.
The photographer took the photos out.
Not long after, Sister Mai Na walked in with an uneasy expression.
Xia Ling felt that it was a bit strange and asked Sister Mai Na, “What’s wrong?”
“This Pei Ziheng!” Sister Mai Na was fuming. “Why is he always around?! Just now when the staff was distributing the photos to the VIP seats, he saw him again!”
Pei Ziheng was here again?
Xia Ling stopped combing her hair and lowered her eyes.
Sister Mai Na remarked very coldly, “I really wish I could shoot him.” Today, she was wearing a red leather jacket and looked like a murderous queen.
Xia Ling quietly continued to comb her hair.
Sister Mai Na continued to vent her anger. “Isn’t he just doing this because Boss is overseas? Otherwise, Boss will deal with him in minutes!”
Xia Ling comforted her. “Just let him be. We can’t possibly chase him out. After he watches a few concerts, he will find it meaningless and will leave by himself.” Although she said this, she felt that the possibility of him leaving by himself was very low.
Sister Mai Na viciously concluded. “From the next concert onwards, I will raise the price of the VIP tickets!”
Xia Ling laughed. “Do you think he won’t be able to pay?”
Sister Mai Na replied, “We’ll cancel the VIP tickets and change them to give away tickets.”
Xia Ling was not convinced. “Do you think he won’t be able to get them?”
Sister Mai Na was speechless.
Both of them stared at each other in silence for a while.
Sister Mai Na became angrier. “Why are you always siding with Pei Ziheng?!”
“I only said the truth.” Xia Ling started to comb her hair absentmindedly. Suddenly, she said, “I have a platinum ring pendant with letters engraved on it. Ask someone to go to the hotel to help me get it.”
“You…” Sister Mai Na looked at her suspiciously.
Xia Ling said, “Li Lei gave it to me.” Perhaps when Pei Ziheng sees it, he might give up.
Although her hope was small.
Sister Mai Na sent someone to get it.
Soon, the platinum ring pendant was delivered to her. Xia Ling took the ring off the chain and put it on her left middle finger. The icy platinum’s metallic surface shimmered when she wore it on her slender finger. Later, when she stood on stage and held the microphone, everyone would be drawn to this delicate ring.
Sister Mai Na’s expression darkened.
“Xiao Ling, do you know that once you wear this and appear in front of others, it’s hard to retract what you did?” She asked. As a famous celebrity and a public figure, anything she wore on her left fingers was a signal that she was betrothed to someone and was engaged. This was not a casual thing and would really create a huge uproar.
“I know.” Xia Ling said. “The media will definitely ask me who I’m engaged to, and I will tell them that Li Lei and I have already pledged our love for each other. Even if Li Lei is not by my side, I will continue to stay loyal to him.”
Sister Mai Na looked at her deeply. “If anything bad happens to your relationship with him, everyone will laugh at you.” She was not a girl anymore. In fact, she had married, divorced, and lost a child. The public was very harsh to a woman like her compared to an innocent and young lady. Once there were difficulties in her relationship, they would be happy to see it fall apart.
“I only want to know if what I do will affect my managerial team.” Xia Ling looked at her seriously. “As for whether I will get hurt in the future, Sister Mai Na, let’s just ignore it for now.”
Seeing that she had already made up her mind, Sister Mai Na said, “Just wear it, then. You’re a star, so it’s natural that you’ll have a few scandals to stay relevant. Based on this ring alone, the media can spin stories for days guessing its origins. When Boss is back, you can announce the answer to the media and your love story will be complete.”
The only thing she was worried about was that both of them might not even be together after two days.
Sister Mai Na had been in Skyart Entertainment for years and was well aware of Old Master Li’s tactics.
From the looks of it, although everything seemed peaceful, who knew how long this fragile peace would last? She lightly hugged Xia Ling. “Good luck.”
Xia Ling smiled and touched her ring.
Her phone rang.
She picked it up and saw Li Lei’s number.
She was excited. This was the first time in over a month that Li Lei called her voluntarily. She missed him too much and also did not know if he was done with his job, healthy or when he was returning back to China.
She answered the call. “Li…”
Before she could say his name, a stern old voice could be heard from the other end of the phone. “Ye Xingling, stop pestering my grandson. He’s already with Su Tang.”
What?!
There was a buzzing sound in Xia Ling’s brain, and she couldn’t react instantly. After a few seconds, her voice quivered as she asked, “Old Master, what are you saying? Don’t lie to me… Let Li Lei answer the phone.”
On the other end, Old Master Li snorted. “He’s busy taking care of Su Tang, so he has no time for you. Su Tang is already pregnant and will give birth to a child for the Li family very soon. What about you? Ye Xingling! You’re a woman who can’t give birth. You don’t even have the basic ability of a woman. What right do you have to cling on to my grandson?! Quickly get lost as soon as possible! Scram!”
Xia Ling felt like her world was falling apart as she held her phone.
Su Tang was pregnant with Li Lei’s child? How was it possible?!
Furthermore, how did Old Master know that she was unable to give birth? Besides Pei Ziheng, only Li Lei knew about it. Could it be that Li Lei really…
She dared not think further.
Trying to suppress her emotions, she said, “I want to speak to Li Lei. I won’t leave him.”
Old Master immediately scolded her for being shameless and said, “Xiao Lei is accompanying Su Tang for a check-up. You should really see how much he’s looking forward to the child’s birth. He told me that he always felt regretful that you could not give birth but did not ditch you because of past feelings. However, it’s different now. Su Tang has his child, and they will become a complete family. As for you? Just stop disturbing their family!”
Old Master’s words were like knives that stabbed her heart.
“I want to speak to Li Lei…” She repeated futilely.
Bam— The line went dead.