The Exclusive Bodyguard of the Top Idol - Chapter 2

Backstage in the green room of Studio 1 at Bincheng TV Station, staff members bustled about in every direction.

The lounge was spacious, easily accommodating the entire team of a seven-member girl group. Silver Girls’ former company had collapsed, which brought them some negative publicity, but it couldn’t shake their foundation. Their popularity and influence had been earned entirely through their own efforts.

As their new agency, Zenith Entertainment was practically insignificant in the entertainment industry. For S-Girls, it had been more of a hindrance than a help, offering little support while constantly draining their resources to feed newer talents. If there was one wise decision their former boss, Sheng Dingzhe, had made, it was poaching Cen Shu to manage S-Girls though his motive was simply to squeeze more gold from this cash cow.

Now that the deadweight boss and company were gone, S-Girls, under Cen Shu’s leadership, had finally escaped their misery. They had even found a promising new agency, securing a fresh future.

“Girls, today’s stage is crucial. It’s our first major appearance in front of fans and the public since the company turmoil. A lot of eyes are on you right now. Some supportive, some hopeful, and of course, those just waiting for you to stumble. So, we need to make this performance count, to show the world that our group is reborn!”

In the lounge, Cen Shu rallied the seven young women of S-Girls. “When you walk the red carpet later, make sure you’re all looking sharp!”

“Got it, Sister Cen!”

The twenty-year-old were radiant, their youthful beauty almost tangible. Watching them in full makeup and glamorous gowns, Cen Shu nodded in satisfaction.

Tonight’s event was Bincheng TV’s annual entertainment gala. A star-studded gathering orchestrated by the station, held without fail every year barring unforeseen circumstances. Aside from the invited celebrities, industry heavyweights also attended, making it a prime networking opportunity. Naturally, stars took it seriously.

This wasn’t S-Girls’ first time at the gala. Given their popularity, they were frequently invited to high-profile events. But in previous years, their lackluster agency had failed to secure them decent treatment. At such elite gatherings, status wasn’t just about fame it hinged on backing, capital, and future potential. In short, people were judged by their perceived worth. Zenith Entertainment had only leeched off them, never elevating their standing, leaving them marginalized at events like these. Even their red-carpet appearances had been scheduled before the live broadcast, seen only by their fans.

This year was different. S-Girls had a new backer, Huaying Entertainment. Though the deal hadn’t been officially announced, word had already spread in the industry. Out of respect for Huaying’s clout, the TV station wouldn’t treat them as before.

Huaying’s vice president was attending tonight, along with several of its top-tier actors who had cleared their schedules. The gala was shaping up to be more spectacular than ever.

Cen Shu repeatedly reminded the seven young girls to perform well and not be nervous, but in the end, she seemed the most anxious. Over the years, these girls had taken countless stages, big and small, and their youthful confidence meant they felt no fear even at a grand event filled with industry veterans only excitement.

Recently, due to company troubles, their future had been uncertain, and they had felt uneasy. But now, with a new company secured. One far stronger than Zenith Entertainment their worries had vanished overnight, replaced entirely by exhilaration.

Seven girls around twenty years old gathered together, chattering nonstop, turning the dressing room into a cacophony of noise. Ji Qingshi, wearing a baseball cap, leaned in a corner. This was her first-time accompanying Ren Jiao on a public appearance since taking on the task of protecting her, and she still wasn’t quite used to it.

As the deputy captain of the sniper unit in the provincial SWAT team, Ji Qingshi’s daily life revolved around missions and training. She spent her days either on the training ground or at crime scenes, interacting only with teammates or criminals. Celebrities those seemingly untouchable, distant figures were entirely foreign to her. In fact, she barely knew anything about them.

Before meeting Ren Jiao, Ji Qingshi’s life had been monotonous, though she’d never realized it. Now, by Ren Jiao’s side, she was discovering a whole new, vibrant world.

Today, accompanying Ren Jiao to the TV station’s studio for the first time, Ji Qingshi found everything fresh and curiously looked around. But the novelty quickly wore off, replaced by the genuine realization that these seven women together were unbearably noisy.

Leaning idly against the wall, Ji Qingshi tried to minimize her presence. However, her tall stature and striking looks had caught the attention of Ren Jiao’s teammates the moment she appeared.

Earlier, while everyone was busy with makeup and wardrobe, there hadn’t been time for proper conversation. Now, waiting for the red carpet, the girls huddled together, chattering away. Half their topics centered on the sudden appearance of Ji Qingshi.

“Jiaojiao, who’s that cool older sister?” Backup vocalist Tan Jiajia sidled up to Ren Jiao, her eyes repeatedly darting toward Ji Qingshi.

Tan Jiajia voiced the question on everyone’s mind, and the group leaned in, eager for Ren Jiao’s answer.

Seeing their intense curiosity, Ren Jiao couldn’t help but laugh. “Why are you all so interested in her?”

“Because she’s seriously cool!” Maknae Zhang Meng suppressed her excitement, her face glowing as she said, “Jiaojiao, tell us! Where did you meet such a cool sister?”

Ren Jiao ruffled Zhang Meng’s hair, amused. “Is she really that cool? Look at you getting all starry-eyed.”

“She really is!” Zhang Meng insisted.

Zhang Meng, the youngest in the S-group at just under 19, was practically spoiled rotten by her six older sisters. Her only passion in life was admiring cool older sisters. Emphasis on older sisters, not just cool guys. They had to be both cool and sisterly, just cool wasn’t enough.

Lead dancer Shen Linglong lifted Ren Jiao’s chin with a finger, asking seriously, “Isn’t your Jiaojiao cool enough for you?”

“Hmm, it’s different,” Zhang Meng waved her hand dismissively. “Sister Jiaojiao has beautiful arched brows and deep-set eyes, but her charm isn’t the same as this sister’s. Sister Jiaojiao is the glamorous type. In terms of looks, this sister definitely can’t compare to Sister Jiaojiao or many celebrities in the industry. But there’s something uniquely sharp about her aura, it’s clear she’s not like us. If I had to describe it, it’s that righteous kind of coolness!”

Listening to her assessment, Ren Jiao thought to herself: That’s actually a pretty accurate description. A SWAT officer, after all, radiates righteousness from head to toe.

“Of course, the most important thing is: she’s a real older sister! You guys aren’t that much older than me…”

Ren Jiao: “…”

What’s up with this little Zhang Meng? Does she have a thing for much older sisters? If someone isn’t significantly older, they don’t count?

She reached out and pinched Zhang Meng’s neck, narrowing her eyes. “Little girl, even if someone isn’t much older than you, they’re still your older sister, got it?”

Zhang Meng, now gripped by the scruff of her neck, became instantly docile. “…Y-yes, got it. So, Sister, who is she really?”

Ren Jiao gave her neck a little squeeze before answering. “A relative of mine.”

“Wow, Sister, you have such a cool relative! What does she do?” The little girl pressed on eagerly.

Ren Jiao glanced at Ji Qingshi, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “She’s on winter break and had nothing to do, so she’s helping me as an assistant.”

“Eh? Cool Sister actually has a vacation?! Is she a teacher?”

Ren Jiao hadn’t expected such a lovely misunderstanding about Ji Qingshi’s actual profession, but she didn’t bother correcting it, simply saying Ji Qingshi would be around for a while.

The girls chattered away for a while until the backstage crew finally came to notify them that it was almost their turn, and they should head to the red carpet for preparations.

Thus, the seven thousand chattering ducks. Each accompanied by their assistants filed out one by one toward the red carpet entrance outside the studio.

Seeing Ren Jiao leave, Ji Qingshi immediately followed, even nudging Qianqian out of the way, instinctively reaching out to support Ren Jiao.

Qianqian: “…”

Ren Jiao tilted her head to look at her, whispering in a voice only the two of them could hear, “Officer Ji, you’re quite the natural at playing assistant, huh.”

The event was packed—people everywhere. Ji Qingshi’s eyes swept discreetly through the crowd, vigilant for any suspicious individuals.

“Officer Ji, don’t be so tense. Nothing’s going to happen at an event like this. This is a TV station; the security is way tighter than you’d think.”

After all, tonight was filled with A-list celebrities and industry moguls. Ren Jiao was just a small fry among them. No one would be foolish enough to target her here.

Ji Qingshi withdrew her alert gaze but still held onto Ren Jiao firmly, her demeanor less like an assistant and more like a palace eunuch escorting the Empress Dowager back to her chambers.

Ren Jiao found it amusing. She glanced down at Ji Qingshi’s hand supporting her and couldn’t resist giving it a light pat. “Officer Ji, relax. You’re stealing Qianqian’s job.”

The soft touch of Ren Jiao’s palm against her skin sent a shiver down Ji Qingshi’s spine. She instinctively curled her fingers, then caught herself. Why was she flinching?

Then it occurred to her. She must have been startled by the cold. Ren Jiao’s palm was soft but icy, devoid of any warmth.

Ji Qingshi glanced down at her. For the red carpet, Ren Jiao was wearing a limited-edition white feathered gown with intricate lace cutouts on the back. The sleeveless dress was paired only with mesh lace gloves.

The kind-hearted SWAT officer didn’t hesitate for a second. Instinctively, she grabbed Ren Jiao’s hand and muttered, “Wearing so little in the middle of winter, and those ridiculously high heels must be exhausting and freezing. Your hands are ice-cold.”

Thanks to her rigorous training, the SWAT officer was in peak physical condition, radiating warmth even in the depths of winter. The heat from her palm enveloped the chill, seeping through Ren Jiao’s fingers and straight into her heart.

Ren Jiao flinched as if scalded, instinctively pulling her hand away.