The Rebirth of a Diva

Episode 34

The ward was very spacious, with intricately patterned parquet floors, full-size windows, and ceilings with a design resembling fog.

On the side of Ye Xingfei's hospital bed was a set of expensive leather sofas, and a man sat on it. His fur coat was casually hung on his arm, while he, wearing a black shirt embraced, sat quietly in the window smoking.

Xia Ling suddenly stopped. In the next few seconds, his mind was blank.

He turned his head and examined it without winking – tall and strong, like an emperor.

He took a few steps back, suddenly turned around and grabbed the door. As if that thick and sturdy door was stuck a root in the ground, it did not move in the slightest no matter how hard he pulled. He hit himself several times, and then Pei Ziheng's voice came from behind –

"Don't waste your efforts. As you walk in the door locked from the outside."

Xia Ling turned around, terrified, as she faced her dark and serious eyes that seemed too deep to decipher even in light. He subconsciously tried to shrink himself; his back was glued to the delicate wooden door, eager to be integrated into it.

“You are so afraid of me,” he looked at her and slowly asked, “Why is that?”

He stiffened, unable to say anything.

He took the time to put his cigarette out in the ashtray. "Chu Chen was a bit rude when he occasionally handled things. If that scares you, I'm sorry. Right, I haven't introduced myself, I …"

“Pei Ziheng.” Xia Ling tried to suppress the trembling in her voice. "Tell your men to open the door. Let me out."

“So, you know who I am,” she smiled gently as she spoke. "A few dare to use that tone with me. I admire your courage."

In fact, he had no courage at all, his legs gave way and all he wanted was to run out the door.

Hiding his hands behind his back, he secretly tried to pull the door handle. But no matter how he tried, the door remained as strong as a mountain. Xia Ling broke out in cold sweat and lost her mind, at the same time she was worried about how the old man had not arrived yet. It would be nice if they could arrive now and open the door for him. . .

Pei Ziheng seemed to be reading his thoughts. "Give up, there is no point pinning hope on your parents – I asked Chu Chen to contact them, which is why they brought you here today."

He was trembling, his heart was sinking.

So, they all conspired to deceive him, this trip had nothing to do with visiting Feifei.

In this life, he was extremely cautious, consciously distancing himself from everyone around him. Still, it was impossible to protect everyone; he was completely betrayed by those around him.

"What ... benefits do you offer them?" he asked, wounded.

“Just a little money is enough to overwhelm them with gratitude.” Pei Ziheng smiled, as usual. "Rather than thinking of others, let's talk about us. Come sit here, I'm not used to looking up when I talk."

“Just a little money is enough to overwhelm them with gratitude.” Pei Ziheng smiled, as usual. "Rather than thinking of others, let's talk about us. Come sit here, I'm not used to looking up when I talk."

He pointed to the sofa opposite him.

Xia Ling did not move, she simply said, "There is nothing to talk about between us."

He calmly replied, "There's a limit to my patience, Ye Xingling. Do you want to come here alone, or do you need me to help you with that?"

Xia Ling felt danger lurking in her voice. Over ten years of knowing this man taught him that the softer his voice and gentler nature, the more terrible his way of dealing with someone.

In this instant, the trauma buried deep within his soul took over like a curse within him. He instinctively moved his legs, and before he jolted back to himself, he was already standing right before him and heading to his designated seat.

He smiled with satisfaction. "That's a good girl."

He looked at her, confused. Across the glass coffee table, his face was visibly clearer than on a winter night. He is handsome, practically heavenly. . . As he always had in his memory, like his father, his teacher, his lover.

He felt a stab in his heart and decided to throw his face away.

Pei Ziheng was still measuring him, he knew that even with his head turned away. He could feel his line of sight like a burning radiance, peeling his clothes inch by inch, evaluating his body and burning his soul.

Pei Ziheng was still measuring him, he knew that even with his head turned away. He could feel his line of sight like a burning radiance, peeling his clothes inch by inch, evaluating his body and burning his soul.

With him, he never seemed to need even a single thread.

Xia Ling frowned, she curled up on the sofa in an unbearable awkwardness and shame.

He laughed demeaningly. “Until now, you've been satisfying to me.” As he spoke, he grabbed something in his pocket and threw it on the table. "Maybe Chu Chen hasn't explained it to you yet, but, if you come with me, you can earn far more than you imagined."

He looked down at the table. That's a blank check.

"As long as you agree, you can fill in the cheque with the amount you like."

She felt like she was in a trance at that year's deja vu, in an attempt to pay for the medical expenses of her sister, twelve-year-old Xia Ling following Pei Ziheng home. And now, this man offered money once more to tempt the woman to go with him?

Too bad, right now she was no longer the little Xia Ling she used to be. He won't make the same mistake.

His voice was dry and hoarse. "I don't need anything like that."

Pei Ziheng patiently asked her, "What do you need? Tell me."

He bit his lips, thinking to himself: Pei Ziheng, you can't give me what I want.

Therefore, he chose to remain silent.

He bit his lips, thinking to himself: Pei Ziheng, you can't give me what I want.

Therefore, he chose to remain silent.

He lit another cigarette. “It looks like Chu Chen was not wrong when he said that you are a heartless child.” He smelled smoke, his eyes looked distant. "But you need to know this. There is no harm in occasionally throwing a tantrum, but if it is excessive, there will be punishment …"

His voice deepened as he spoke, he seemed to be speaking well with him and himself.

Xia Ling's eyes were experiencing discomfort, probably due to the smoke. He closed his eyes a little. Past scenes appeared before his eyes, days of imprisonment, terrible memories. . .

He couldn't help but shiver a little, before gathering guts. , "D-Director Pei," he begged gently. "I'm a nobody that doesn't matter, I don't deserve this much attention from you. Let me go, right? So many others are waiting to be chosen by you …"

“You are in no position to interfere with who I choose, Ye Xingling.” She cut him off, her gaze now clear and alert. "All you need to do is accept this check, or …"

He looked at her coldly. "Or maybe you'd like to watch what happens when your brother gets his tube taken."

Everyone used to talk about how cold and heartless this world was, except for him – he was completely unaware of the problem at hand, because he was so kind to her, he said, always show her soft and gentle side. And now, when she stood before him as a nobody and no longer as Xia Ling who became the seed of everyone's eyes, she actually felt a cold power of solidarity.

In his eyes, crushing brother Ye to death was just like crushing an ant.

But Xia Ling could not falter, the only result of that was a catastrophe. Whether Ye Xingfei was doomed or he was – if the only option was to return to his past life treated like a pawn, he would rather die once again.