A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

The underworld forces of the city were in a mess.

Unwelcome guests from the Li Family paid visits to all the well-known and respected triad bosses of the underworld. Be it gambling den owners, drug dealers, pimps, smugglers, loan sharks or hired guns, none was spared.

They were dressed in black and heavily armed, coldly emitting the smell of death. “Second Young Master Li wants to take over this city. You could choose to obey and pledge allegiance to him or put up a stubborn resistance.”

The triad bosses were all surprised.

A young triad boss called to report the incident to his uncle. “Fourth Uncle, who is Second Young Master Li? I have never heard of him. This is a joke, he wants me to pledge allegiance to him just because he has some weapons and underlings. Didn’t he get a line on what the Fang Family deals with? Who does he think he is to dare to offend us? He must be tired of living…”

“You are the one tired of leaving!” His Fourth Uncle was immensely terrified and chided him. “Quickly find out who this Second Young Master Li is. If it’s Li Lei, pledge allegiance right away. He could wipe us out just by moving his fingers!”

The young triad boss grew increasingly uncomfortable. “My god, the consequences are so dire? Who the hell is this Li Lei?”

“He is the grandson of Li Shanhe,” said Fourth Uncle Fang.

“Who is Li Shanhe?” he asked, getting even more confused. His family, the Fang Family, had dominated this city for ages and he clearly had never heard of a big shot named Li Shanhe.

Even though the Li Family was of Chinese origin, they were foreigners and had chosen to expand their empire overseas for generations, rarely being involved in local business, thus it was not strange for him to not have heard about them. Many medium-scale forces had not heard of Old Master Li due to this. Even so, the name Li Shanhe reverberated like thunder among the big shots who were considered to have a top-notch influence both locally and internationally. They could only look up to him.

Having stepped into the underworld longer, Fourth Uncle Fang was more knowledgeable than his nephew. As he realized that his nephew was never able to get it straight, he finally cut to the point. “You don’t know Li Shanhe? But you should have heard about the Italian Mafia, right?”

“I have heard of them indeed.” That question was almost unnecessary. Which underworld member had not heard of the Mafia?

“Second Young Master Li is the grandnephew of the Mafia’s godfather.”

The young triad boss could not believe his ears. The grandnephew of the Mafia’s godfather! When did such a big shot arrive in the city?! “He… he wants to set up base camp here in our city?” he asked stammeringly.

“He did so long ago.” Fourth Uncle Fang smiled bitterly. He had already greeted the different powerful forces in the city a few years ago, claiming that everyone should stay in their lanes as he had no intention to interfere in the underworld’s current power structure as he was there for legal business. He requested everyone to not panic and continue to carry on with their own affairs as per normal.

Things had remained peaceful for many years.

Everyone wondered what had happened to Second Young Master Li that could make him want to take over the underworld forces all of a sudden.

“Pledge allegiance to him. Don’t create trouble for our family.” Fourth Uncle Fang reminded his nephew.

After being stuck in a daze for quite some time over the phone, the young gang leader made up his mind as he hung up. “The Fang Family will pledge their allegiance.”

Almost every reputable underground gang pledged their allegiance, and the few who refused were swallowed whole by Li Lei’s men. In a short span of three hours, there was a significant change in the city’s structure. From that moment on, all underground forces were loyal to Second Young Master Li and whatever he said goes.

“It is done, Young Master.” Su Tang reported softly after she pushed the ward-room open.

Without switching on the lights in the ward, Li Lei remained by Xia Ling’s bedside and gently held her weak and feeble hand in his under the slightly visible moonlight. Xia Ling’s eyes were shut and she had yet to regain consciousness. Her brows began to press together as she appeared to be stuck in an unpleasant nightmare.

Li Lei gazed at her gently.

Su Tang waited by the door for a while before calling out. “Young Master?”

Li Lei waved at her to keep quiet before releasing Xia Ling’s hand and tucking her in. Not a sound could be heard as he stood up to leave, closing the door behind him. “Have all of the underworld forces pledged their allegiance?” he asked.

“Yes.” Su Tang looked down at the floor, trying her best to conceal her jealousy. Even if others were not aware, she knew of the Young Master’s exact intentions regarding his return. He had planned to set up shop there to whitewash his Mafia-associated family name and to maintain a proper and legal business without resorting to unlawful means. However, all his efforts had gone to waste just because some girl ran into trouble.

“Let them prove their loyalty then,” said Li Lei calmly.

He did not take control over those forces in the city out of spite or anger. It was to ensure the safety of Xia Ling and to prevent similar occurrences. Additionally, he needed some underlings to get things done.

Su Tang retreated and passed on his orders.

“What? You want me to cause trouble at the Pei Family’s turfs? They aren’t just any Tom, Dick or Harry! Brother, they might not have many connections with the underworld, but they have the law enforcement on their side! What’s more, they have their own private security detail. The Pei Family has grown their roots in this city for generations, and the entire city would shake even if they just stomped their feet lightly. They are not to be trifled with!” the young triad boss exclaimed as he was about to cry.

“Is that so?” The Li Family’s representative asked, smiling gently. “Is there any difference between refusing to prove your loyalty and not pledging your allegiance?”

The young triad boss was placed in a difficult situation as he had just witnessed how they dealt with people who refused to cooperate. The Liu Family from the South side of the city who was engaged in a power struggle with the young gang leader’s family had refused to pledge allegiance and tried to resist with force. Alas, they were hands-down beaten bloody by the Li Family’s men and ended up with broken limbs. They were even thrown out of the city with a warning that they would be courting their own deaths if they stepped foot in the city.

As Li Lei had a Mafia background, the young triad boss believed that he was capable of anything.

After much thought, he realized that the consequences of offending the Li Family would be much more severe.

With that, he summoned up his courage and went ahead to cause trouble in the Pei Family’s territories.

Many others had similar feelings to the Fang Family’s young triad boss as they ordered their underlings to destroy the Pei Family’s recording studios, entertainment clubhouses, bars, and office buildings…

The Pei Family was caught off-guard. Although they rushed to form a resistance group, they were no match for the combined underworld forces of the whole city. In this battle, the Pei Family suffered heavy losses and was in a complete mess by morning.

I want to take over this city before dawn.

Li Lei was a man of his word. By the time a mixture of yellow and orange began to brighten up the dark sky, the entire city’s underworld forces were within his grasp. The extreme measures took to exact his revenge on the Pei Family made everyone understand how ruthless and predatory their new underground leader could be. Every man had a weakness, and the girl who was rumored to have kick-started this conflict was no doubt Second Young Master Li’s weakness.

In the future, no underworld force would ever be dumb enough to be hired by the Pei Family to provoke that girl.

Back in the ward.

The unconscious Xia Ling slowly opened her eyes.

“You’re awake, Xiao Ling.” Li Lei, who was watching over her, called out to her. His tone was gentle and mindful. All traces of the ruthless man from earlier on had evaporated.