This chapter has been translated by Atlas Studios. All credits belong to them.
The peach blossoms were in full bloom on Nan Shan.
Xia Ling followed Li Lei through the peach blossom forest to an open field just outside a horse riding club. Under a pavilion on the open field, there was around ten youthful men and ladies gathered. The men were all in branded clothes and wearing branded watches, all looking like they were from wealthy backgrounds. On the other hand, each lady was more beautiful than the next, clearly dressed to impress, and each appeared to be paired off with a gentleman.
Looking at this scene, Xia Ling stopped in her tracks. What did Li Lei treat her as in bringing her here? His escort? What kind of women would choose to accompany these gentlemen? They were all likely girls that had given themselves over for money!
She felt anger rising in her heart.
Yet, before she lost her cool, the sharp-eyed gentlemen had already noticed them. "Yo, Young Master Li, you're finally here! Who's this pretty lady that you brought? She doesn't look familiar, when did you hit it off with her? What happened to Lili?"
"Tsk, this little beauty is in a completely different league from Lili." Li Lei laughed as he chided them. Pulling Xia Ling alongside him, he introduced her. "This is Ye Xingling, a singer that Skyart Entertainment recently debuted. Do give her more of your support in the future."
Hearing his words, everyone's eyes landed on Xia Ling.
There was nothing special about the looks the gentlemen gave her. However, the seven or eight ladies weren't as friendly. Their eyes were like X-rays and they looked as if they were trying to give her a full-body scan. "Tsk, what is this..." The ladies were thinking to themselves. "This Ye Xingling looks mediocre at best. She isn't particularly well-endowed, her legs aren't long enough, her behind isn't perky enough. She looks as if she's malnutritioned. Other than having a skinny waist, there is nothing about her than meets the eye. Why would the gold standard bachelor, Young Master Li, be smitten by her?"
Young Master Li was a prominent figure in their circle.
In terms of family background, he was from the mysterious and dangerous Li family that was associated with the underworld. They would just need to stamp their feet a little and the other big families would be quivering in their boots. In terms of visuals, he was of mixed blood and was handsome beyond words, enough to make any woman scream in wonder. In terms of body proportions, his muscles did not appear to be like the rest of the wealthy gentlemen, who clearly worked out a lot in the gym. It was said that they were developed through him actually having to engage in real hand-to-hand combat with his enemies, which only served to increase his attractiveness way above anybody else. In terms of abilities, he had established a huge business single-handedly and was unlike the other wealthy gentlemen that were living off their family's wealth. In terms of intelligence, wealth, ability to humor a lady...
In every aspect, Li Lei was the clear victor.
Today, this perfect man had brought along a mediocre lady to the party. How would they be able to set this down?
In what way were they inferior to Xia Ling? Why was Li Lei smitten with Xia Ling?
All the ladies were exceedingly unhappy.
"Ye Xingling?" One of the beautiful ladies laughed daintily, leaning on the chest of her wealthy partner. "I haven't heard of her. It's such a blessing to be with Young Master Li. No matter how normal the person is, he would still be able to make her into a singer." This clearly insinuated that Xia Ling did not become a singer through her own talents, but depended on Li Lei to open the back door for her and make her a singer through his connections.
"Even without him, I will still successfully become a singer." Xia Ling responded coldly.
When she was unhappy, she would be very direct and would not mince her words.
Everyone gasped in shock. Was she mad? How could she speak like that? Even if she wanted to rebut that beautiful lady, why would she put down Li Lei as well? Didn't she know who Li Lei was? Did she not know that he was able to squash her with a simple wave of his finger?
Many of the ladies looked on, gloating at what they saw as Xia Ling's imminent misfortune. Only death would await her for offending Young Master Li. It might appear that Young Master Li was easy going given that he was always smiling. However, in reality, he had the shortest temper in this group of wealthy gentlemen and was one that should not be messed with. Rumors had it that one of his female partners had said something wrong and he had her cut up into pieces and fed to his pet as a snack...
The ladies waited to see what would happen to Xia Ling. Even the gentlemen were watching on with interest to see how Li Lei would punish her.
Yet, Li Lei simply rubbed his nose good-naturedly, saying, "Yes yes, without me you will definitely still be a singer."
The group looked on in shock. This had to be a joke! Young Master Li, the one with a short temper and said to be difficult to please, did not lose his temper? Listening to his tone, it seemed like he was giving in to her and trying to make this girl happy? This was unfathomable!
They turned to look at Xia Ling, who had a calm expression on her face. "I'm glad you are aware of that." Of course, she had diva potential. Whichever entertainment company she chose would be honored to have her. Why would she need his help?
The people watching on were shocked yet again at her frankness. How could she take Li Lei for granted?
Li Lei appeared unbothered as he laughed before changing the topic. He introduced the people standing around to Xia Ling. "Here, this handsome gentleman in front of you is the Chengdong Du family's heir, Du Yunfeng. This guy on the left here is the real estate Liu family's third son. And the guy next to him is the second young master of the Zhou family that is running an F&B chain..." He went a full round, introducing all the wealthy gentlemen in the group to Xia Ling.
Initially, the wealthy gentlemen were slightly taken aback. However, they were used to all kinds of situations and, very quickly, Du Yunfeng and the rest said hi to her with a smile, indicating their acquaintance.
If any of the ladies had considered being amicable to Xia Ling, they were now all boiling over with envy and jealousy. What did Xia Ling do to deserve this treatment, for Young Master Li to formally introduce her to all of the gentlemen?! In all honesty, these ladies were simply playthings for these wealthy men. They were of lowly status and their "owners" would not introduce them to their friends. All of them were not introduced when they were brought here. They existed as if they were a part of their partners.
What was up with Young Master Li?
The ladies could not understand the situation. Yet, Du Yunfeng and the other wealthy gentlemen were more discerning and intelligent. They understood that given Li Lei's status and character, he would not formally introduce someone that he considered a plaything. Since he had formally introduced Xia Ling to them, his feelings for her were not so simple.
"Is she your girlfriend?" Du Yunfeng teased.
The ladies looked on in trepidation. It couldn't be... was this Xia Ling Young Master Li's actual girlfriend? No no, she was too mediocre, how could she match up to Young Master Li?!
"How could that be..." Li Lei laughed.
The ladies breathed a sigh of relief. Of course, how could this ugly duckling think of becoming a swan?
But Li Lei's next sentence made all of their hearts break —
"I haven't managed to get her to say yes yet." He said with a tinge of mournfulness.
Du Yunfeng looked at him with his mouth agape.
The third son of the Liu family was speechless.
The second son of the Zhou family widened his eyes in shock.
Young Master Li, you have to be joking. Do you know how incredulous and shocking this news sounds? For someone with your skills and abilities in chasing girls, you have no game with this utterly mediocre-looking girl?! Quit joking.
The group of them secretly thought to themselves.
Xia Ling frowned and said out loud, "Quit playing around."
Li Lei looked at her like he had been wronged.
Xia Ling could not help but scold him silently. Big Boss Li, how old are you this year? Why are you trying to whine like a kid? Who are you trying to show that forlorn face to? Do you think I will fall for it? No way!
Xia Ling ignored him as she ground her teeth in frustration.
Li Lei blinked his big round eyes pitifully at her, but seeing that she was adamant to ignore him, he blinked again to change his expression back to normal. He came alongside her and persuaded her. "Go horse riding with me please."
"No." Xia Ling cooly rejected him.
"Why?" He started to look at her pitifully again.
"I'm having that time of the month." She replied loudly.
Li Lei did not know how to respond.
As such, all the wealthy gentlemen and their female partners left to go horse riding, leaving Xia Ling by herself relaxing on a bamboo chair in the warm sun, drinking tea peacefully.
This was great, being able to just chill all by herself.
Yet, she was only comfortable for a little while before trouble came looking for her.