Chapter 1318
A Star Reborn: The Queen's Return
Xia Yingluo struggled and turned around in bed, burying her head into the pillow and whimpering like an injured animal. She had stopped looking at the figure downstairs.
Wei Lingnan staggered out of the Lisâ home and almost lost his balance. He held onto a wall for support and took a while to catch his breath before color returned to his cheeks. He had looked cold and cruel back in their home, but in fact, he had spent days and nights using all his energy to induce the growth of the Skatana flower and had reached his limit. But he knew how painful and torturous the abnormal symptoms could be, and wanted to do everything it took to shorten her suffering, even if by just a second. The teleportation used up almost every last bit of energy he had. In front of the Lis, the cold demeanor he put up had masked his vulnerability, but now that there was no one around, he couldnât keep up his act.
He had teleported in such a rush that he hadnât arranged for transportation back to the base.
Wei Lingnan tried to catch his breath as he reached his arm out to flag for a cab, but not a single one stopped for him. This man looked so weak, he seemed like he might pass out anytime, and no driver wanted that sort of trouble.
Until a silver luxury car stopped before him quietly.
The back door opened, and on the leather seat was Gu Jinxiu in a light blue cheongsam and a shawl. She looked at him and said, âNan, come on in.â
Wei Lingnan reached his leg out and got into the car.
It was clean and cozy on the inside. Gu Jinxiu very thoughtfully draped a blanket on him. âItâs winter, why did you come out in such little clothing? Look how cold you are.â Her voice was sweet and gentle and packed with feelings.
Wei Lingnanâs eyes did not meet her gaze. He was still pale and beads of sweat were forming on his forehead.
Gu Jinxiu did not ask where he went, and simply told the chauffeur to set off.
The chauffeur was the Gu familyâs helper, and asked as he started the car, âMiss, where are you heading?â
âHome,â Gu Jinxiu said to the chauffeur and then turned to Wei Lingnan. âYouâre unwell. Have a rest at my home for now.â
But Wei Lingnan declined. âHead to the basement.â He was weak, but his voice was still cold and firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
The conflicting instructions made the chauffeur a little distressed. He looked at his Miss in the rearview mirror, awaiting further comment.
Gu Jinxiu was very compliant, âWeâll go to the base, then.â
The car headed towards the base.
It was a good distance into the journey and the car was quiet when Gu Jinxiu spoke again. âNan, I havenât seen you in a few days and I have no idea where youâve been. Do you know this worries me?â
âNo need to worry,â Wei Lingnan said.
His coldness made Gu Jinxiu feel a little hurt as she bit her lip. Although she had already told Wei Lingnan her identity in the past life, it seemed like they didnât get any much closer with each other. There seemed to be a barrier between them, and she felt as if she simply couldnât find a way to know the real Wei Lingnan better.
Wei Lingnan sensed her unhappiness and mellowed down. âIâm sorry, I was just tired.â
His change in attitude made Gu Jinxiu feel better. She smiled., âItâs alright. Sleep in the car, then. Rest well.â
Wei Lingnan nodded and closed his eyes. The moment his eyes were shut, images of the Skatana Planet and the little princess came back again. Each time he came back from a mission, sheâd run up to him in joyful tears, telling him how much sheâd worried for him. Back then, sheâd been so naive and simple, so beautiful, so different from the scheming and cautious person she was today.
His Ah Luo was back, but the little princess in her was gone. Wei Lingnan couldnât help but feel a sense of loss.
âNan, what exactly were you doing out?â Gu Jinxiu couldnât suppress her curiosity. Sheâd had a bad omen from the day that mysterious man came to look for Wei Lingnan; she felt that it had to be something to do with Xia Yingluo. These few days, Wei Lingnan had kept himself out of sight, and his subordinate had told her that his instructions were to keep everyone away, including her. She was bursting with doubts, and a sense of crisis rose inside her.
She went to so much effort to snatch Wei Lingnan away from Xia Yingluo, there was no way sheâd let him return to her. Gu Jinxiu was a scheming woman, and while she couldnât contact Wei Lingnan directly, her suspicion about Xia Yingluoâs involvement in this was spot-on. Sheâd sent her chauffeur to patrol around the Li household for three whole days, and Wei Lingnan finally appeared.
Gu Jinxiu had to find out what he was there for.
As they reached the base, Gu Jinxiu followed Wei Lingnan down underground.
Wei Lingnan went with her to the house that heâd built especially for Ah Luo, and planned to leave right away. âHave a good rest, I still have something to attend to. Iâll be back later.â
Gu Jinxiu grabbed his arm. âI already told you that Iâm worried for you, but you wonât even tell me where youâve gone and what youâve been doing?â
Wei Lingnan lowered his head and glanced at her hand. âAh Luo, why do you ask what you already know?â
Gu Jinxiu was upset and even a little angry. âSo you really went to look for Xia Yingluo behind my back. Wei Lingnan, since youâre already with me, why do you do things that hurt me?â
Wei Lingnan was already fatigued and worn out. Upon hearing Gu Jinxiuâs questions, Wei Lingnan couldnât mask his frustration. âWhen I sent the drug to Yingluo the previous time, did you send someone to stop it from reaching her? If not for that drug, I wouldnât have had to see her personally.â
He called her Yingluo, not Xia Yingluo.
The mildly affectionate name pricked her ear, but she forced herself to bear with it. She was a scheming woman who knew very well that pressing him with further questions would only upset him more.
âI donât know what youâre talking about.â
Wei Lingnan looked at her. âAh Luo, Iâm tired. I donât wish to hear your lies.â
Without waiting for her answer, he took his leave.
He was simply too exhausted and couldnât hold out any longer. He felt like he would pass out anytime if he continued standing before Gu Jinxiu.
He walked into a secret laboratory and shut himself in a nurturing vessel. It was filled with recovery solution and he rested in it with his eyes closed.
Meanwhile, Gu Jinxiu felt apprehensive and uncertain all of a sudden.
Sheâd thought that once she recalled all her memories as Ah Luo, sheâd be showered in Wei Lingnanâs abundant love for her like back in the days millions of years ago. But it seemed like this man hadnât completely forgotten Xia Yingluo or let her go, and this gave her a sense of crisis. No, this wouldnât do. She had to find a way around this.