The Exclusive Bodyguard of the Top Idol - Chapter 21.1

After a morning’s journey, all members of Group S arrived safely in Shanghai and checked into the hotel arranged in advance by the organizers.

Exhausted from the trip, everyone was eager to complete the check-in and return to their rooms for some rest before rushing to the venue in the afternoon to rehearse their solo performances. However, a minor issue arose during check-in, one room was missing. The other members and assistants smoothly received their key cards and headed to their rooms, leaving only Ren Jiao, Ji Qingshi, and Qianqian behind.

Cen Shu stepped in to communicate with the hotel manager on their behalf and then relayed the situation to them.

“This is my fault. Since these tour dates were announced and tickets sold before the company switch, the organizers still have the original list. Officer Ji was an unexpected addition. ”

Censhu looked apologetically at Ji Qingshi. “This hotel is a high-end business-oriented one in Shanghai, favored by corporate travelers. The daily occupancy is high, and rooms are usually fully booked in advance. Right now, there aren’t any clean vacant rooms available… Fortunately, the hotel conditions are good—even the standard rooms have spacious beds. If necessary, Officer Ji could share with Qianqian? Or with me?”

Though the assistants’ rooms weren’t as luxurious as the members’, they were still comfortable in this upscale hotel, designed for two occupants. It wouldn’t be too cramped.

Ji Qingshi wasn’t particular about such things. As a former SWAT officer, she had endured all kinds of hardships during training and missions—sleeping in grass piles with comrades was nothing new, let alone sharing a bed with someone.

The only potential issue was that she knew she was attracted to women. But in urgent situations, practicality came first. She wasn’t the petty type, and this was hardly a problem.

She nodded, about to say she was completely fine with it and didn’t mind at all.

But before she could speak, Ren Jiao spoke up first: “Sister Ji can stay with me.”

“?”

“?”

“!”

The other three were stunned, their eyes simultaneously locking onto Ren Jiao.

Cen Shu felt mentally disheveled. Though there was no wind in the hotel lobby, it was as if a gust had blown in from nowhere. What’s going on here? How did they start calling each other “sister” so quickly? Is this a proper “sister” or… Wait, what am I even thinking?

She shook her head, dispelling the strange thoughts.

Ji Qingshi blinked at Ren Jiao in surprise, wondering if the artists’ deluxe rooms had two beds.

Qianqian’s small eyes darted back and forth between Ren Jiao and Ji Qingshi, her face full of gossipy delight. For some reason, she felt like there was something to “ship” here. Regardless of the actual situation, she was ready to indulge in the fantasy. After all, Officer Ji and Jiaojiao were such a visually perfect pair, spending every day together; why not enjoy the idea? What if they eventually parted ways? She’d worry about that later. A fangirl’s life was one of stubborn persistence. She’d enjoy the moment while it lasted.

Ren Jiao calmly met their gazes and repeated with composure, “Isn’t Sister Ji here to protect me? Staying together would be more convenient, right? The assistants’ rooms are on the 7th floor, while ours are on the 10th; it’s a bit far apart.”

Ah…

Well, when put that way, it did make sense.

Ji Qingshi instantly understood and accepted Ren Jiao’s suggestion, nodding repeatedly in agreement.

Cen Shu eyed Ren Jiao suspiciously several times, feeling that the girl’s true intentions didn’t quite match what she was saying. But she had no evidence and no idea what Ren Jiao was really thinking, so she didn’t press further.

Qianqian couldn’t care less about the reasons. Whatever they were, she was already lost in her own imagined CP scenarios. It didn’t matter if the actual people involved showed no signs of it; the life of a fangirl was all about imagination and shipping. As long as her CP had those perfect faces and such an irresistible dynamic with their professions, she could fantasize about them holding hands, kissing, and even more intimate moments.

Ren Jiao’s suggestion was smoothly approved. Cen Shu handed them the room key, and the three took the elevator upstairs.

S-Group’s itinerary was highly confidential, with no leaks about which hotel they were staying at. Even the most dedicated fans had no clue where they were lodged, and everyone kept a low profile in the hotel to avoid drawing attention from outsiders.

Once inside the room with Ren Jiao, Ji Qingshi was stunned. The two beds she had imagined didn’t exist instead, there was only one massive king-sized bed, plush and comfortable enough to sleep not just the two of them, but even an extra person.

Ji Qingshi stood by the bed with her luggage, her expression complicated.

Ren Jiao sidled up to her, tilting her head. “What’s wrong?”

“I…” Ji Qingshi pressed her lips together before finally asking, “I thought there’d be two beds.”

“Hmm? No, everyone has a large bed. It’s just that the deluxe suite’s is even bigger.” Ren Jiao blinked her cat-like eyes, all innocence. “I figured a bigger bed would be more comfortable for both of us. And isn’t it more convenient for you to stay with me?”

Ji Qingshi was at a loss for words. Ren Jiao wasn’t wrong. The size of the bed wasn’t the real issue. The key point was that she was here to protect Ren Jiao. This wasn’t home; outside, there were too many eyes and potential risks. Staying in the same room was simply safer.

One of Ji Qingshi’s strengths was her straightforwardness. She didn’t overthink things and could rationalize her way out of any dilemma. Once she made up her mind, she stopped dwelling on it and went about her business without hesitation.

Her lack of suspicion left Ren Jiao both relieved and frustrated. Relieved, because Ji Qingshi wasn’t the type to overanalyze. She took Ren Jiao at her word, making it easier to hide her true feelings. Frustrated, because if Ji Qingshi was this easy to fool, what if someone with ill intentions tried to deceive her in the future?

What kind of person would she end up with?

The thought of Ji Qingshi being with someone else made Ren Jiao restless. She shook her head, forcing herself to push away the unpleasant thoughts. Better to focus on the afternoon rehearsal.

Lunch was a set meal provided by the hotel, paid for by the company. Unlike the rooms, adding extra meals last-minute wasn’t a problem, so there was no risk of Ji Qingshi going hungry.

After lunch and a short rest, Cen Shu texted them to gather in the underground garage. It was time to head to the concert venue for rehearsal.

The venue in Hu City was an indoor stadium. Since enclosed spaces had smaller capacities, they had scheduled two consecutive shows to accommodate as many fans as possible.

The acoustics in an indoor venue were far superior, and the difference was noticeable even during rehearsal. The sound system was state-of-the-art, and the rigging equipment for Ren Jiao and the others was far more professional than in open-air stadiums.

On the first day, everyone rehearsed their solo performances, and the schedule was relatively relaxed, wrapping up a little after nine in the evening.

Ji Qingshi followed Ren Jiao back to their room. There was only one bathroom, so she let Ren Jiao shower and rest first, especially since Ren Jiao had an intense group song rehearsal the next day and needed a good night’s sleep.

“After your shower, I’ll check the bruises on your waist. You didn’t use the harness today, so it should be healing better than the past few days.”

Ren Jiao nodded softly and carried her pajamas into the bathroom. The hotel provided comfortable bathrobes, but Ren Jiao didn’t feel comfortable wearing one in front of Ji Qingshi. If she had no ulterior thoughts, she wouldn’t have minded. After all, they were both girls. But she knew exactly what kind of feelings she harbored for Ji Qingshi. She could seize every opportunity to spend more time together while they were still sharing a room, but she didn’t dare cross any boundaries.

When it came to Ji Qingshi, Ren Jiao was a paradox longing for more closeness and companionship yet too afraid to act on it or let her feelings show. She merely took advantage of their protector-protégé relationship to “steal” moments of companionship under the guise of necessity.

After both had showered, Ren Jiao noticed Ji Qingshi had also changed into proper pajamas. Thinking back to the glimpse of toned abs she’d once caught while applying medicine, Ren Jiao felt a twinge of disappointment.

Before bed, Ji Qingshi examined the bruises on Ren Jiao’s waist. The large patches of blue and purple hadn’t faded, still looking alarming. After applying the usual ointment and massaging the area, Ji Qingshi asked if the harness equipment for the next day would be better than what they’d used in rehearsal.

“Yeah, I checked the equipment today. The waist support is much thicker than the one in the rehearsal room.”

“That’s good. Your slender waist can’t take much more strain.”

“…”

Another one of those ambiguous remarks.

Ren Jiao’s ears burned as she silently scolded herself for having impure thoughts.

Once the massage was done, Ji Qingshi put away the ointment and went to wash her hands. They turned off the lights and lay down on the king-sized bed, leaving a vast “galaxy” of space between them enough to fit two more people. A single blanket covered them both, but the gap in the middle left a drafty void where cold air seemed to seep in.

Yet neither mentioned it, silently agreeing to sleep with this distance between them.

Ji Qingshi, carefree and blessed with good sleep and a regular schedule, dozed off almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Ren Jiao waited until she was sure the other woman was asleep before slowly turning onto her side. The hotel curtains were thick, blocking out all light, but she could sense Ji Qingshi lying beside her on the same bed. A strange sense of contentment and peace welled up from deep within her.

In previous years, Ren Jiao had often suffered from insomnia, spending most nights restless and uneasy. Especially during her two years as a trainee at Zenith Entertainment, she’d worried daily about ending up like some of the company’s lesser-known artists. Packaged and sent to some stranger’s bed by Sheng Dingzhe.

On the surface, Zenith Entertainment was a talent agency, but in reality, it functioned more like a front for Sheng Dingzhe to procure young men and women for certain powerful figures. Many were lured in under false pretenses, only to be manipulated into compromising situations before they even had a chance to debut.

The so-called business tycoons Sheng Dingzhe associated with all had shady backgrounds. Indiscriminate in their vices, with no regard for gender. Late last year, a life was lost in one of their scandals. Deng Wei, a junior male idol from Ren Jiao’s company, had died tragically, and his death became one of the catalysts for Sheng Dingzhe’s downfall.

During her two years as a trainee, Ren Jiao slept with a knife hidden under her pillow—razor-sharp, a constant reminder of her fear, her thoughts oscillating between killing others or ending herself.

She was among the lucky ones. Riding the wave of the idol market’s rise in the country and seizing the moment when Sheng Dingzhe needed more profitable artists to boost the company’s revenue, she and six other girls were selected as members of Group S, officially debuting and securing a real chance to survive in the entertainment industry.

Some memories were too painful to revisit. To get close to Sheng Dingzhe and gather evidence and more importantly, to protect herself and her teammates. Ren Jiao endured the disgust, forcing smiles and playing along with his schemes, even attending a few banquets at his side to bolster his image and earn his trust.

Just the thought of those dinners, the gluttonous men eyeing her like she was an object, made her nauseous.

She closed her eyes and exhaled softly, forcing herself to push the memories away and focus on Ji Qingshi beside her.

With her nearby, even if they weren’t physically close, Ren Jiao felt an inexplicable sense of security. Ji Qingshi carried a clean, soothing fragrance, as if laced with some kind of magic, lulling the often-insomniac Ren Jiao into a deep slumber.

________________________________________

Inside the castle-like, opulent mansion, a private banquet was in full swing. Guests dressed in tailored suits and elegant gowns mingled, wine glasses in hand, chatting and laughing in small groups.

Ren Jiao stood frozen in the middle of the venue, clutching a wine glass, unable to recall how she had suddenly appeared here or what kind of banquet this was.

“President Sheng, what a rare guest.”

“Ah, you flatter me, Assistant Manager Yin.”

The voices of men sounded right beside her. Ren Jiao’s eyelids twitched violently, and she instinctively took a step back, staring in shock at the figures before her.

Sheng Dingzhe laughed heartily, clinking glasses with the man he called Assistant Manager Yin, then abruptly pulled Ren Jiao forward. “Let me introduce—”

“No need! I know her! Who doesn’t recognize the top girl group under President Sheng’s company? Hahahaha!” Assistant Manager Yin licked his lips, his gaze raking over Ren Jiao from head to toe, lecherous and appraising.

How could Sheng Dingzhe not recognize that look?

But he had no intention of indulging him. Ren Jiao was still an unplayed card in his hand. Group S was at the peak of their popularity, and keeping them steadily earning money for the company was the priority. Besides, someone like Ren Jiao, Group S’s leader and main vocalist, with her face and youth. Wasn’t someone a mere assistant manager like Yin could touch.

Sheng Dingzhe’s eyes gleamed with ambition. He held such a valuable card, why would he play it now? The only reason he liked bringing Ren Jiao to these events was to dangle her like a carrot in front of a donkey, luring others in before feeding them lesser substitutes.

“Assistant Manager Yin, you asked me to find something fun for you earlier, and I’ve picked out something interesting.”

Sheng Dingzhe released his grip on Ren Jiao, motioning for her to step aside, then pulled out his phone to show Assistant Manager Yin.

Assistant Manager Yin reluctantly tore his gaze away from Ren Jiao, glanced at Sheng Dingzhe’s phone, and raised an eyebrow. “You really know my recent tastes, don’t you?”

“Of course,” Sheng Dingzhe leaned in closer. “This boy is still untouched. I know you don’t like playing alone, so I even found the right company for you. ”

“HAHAHAHAHAHA! President Sheng, I like you!”

Ren Jiao had been dismissed to the side by Sheng Dingzhe, watching as he and Assistant Manager Yin huddled together, laughing uproariously. Whether it was the distance or something else, she couldn’t make out their words, but a deep sense of revulsion twisted in her gut.

The space around her began to spin rapidly, and suddenly, the entire banquet was swallowed by thick fog. A vague understanding flickered in Ren Jiao’s mind. She threw down her wine glass and turned to sprint toward the exit. As she ran, her hand instinctively reached for her clutch, only to realize belatedly. This was a private event with strict security checks. She hadn’t brought her recorder.

The fog thickened before her eyes. Ren Jiao’s legs weakened, and the world seemed to tilt upside down.

After a violent wave of dizziness, she opened her eyes to find herself seated at a round table, Sheng Dingzhe still beside her.

Which gathering was this? Ren Jiao couldn’t remember. The faces around the table were blurred, but their raucous laughter and crude, lewd remarks pierced through the haze.

“President Sheng, if you won’t share your own companion, fine but what about her six teammates? Surely you can introduce us to them?”

“Exactly! I heard the youngest in their group isn’t even legal yet? HAHAHAHA, that’s my favorite kind!”

“What’s her name again? Zhang Meng, was it?”

“Yeah, yeah, the youngest one still underage! So tender she’d drip at a glance, HAHAHAHA!”

A sharp pain throbbed at Ren Jiao’s temples. Her fingers clenched around her chopsticks, but Sheng Dingzhe’s response was lost in the noise.

Then, from somewhere deep inside, a surge of strength erupted. She grabbed the expensive wine bottle beside her and smashed it with all her might against the nearest person. She’d wanted to do this for so long. Shatter their skulls, right here at this gathering. But she couldn’t. She had to endure. There was still something important left unfinished.

CRASH—!

The moment the bottle shattered, the scene shifted again. This time, someone was calling her name.

“Ren Jiaojiao, wake up! Are you having a nightmare?”

Ren Jiao’s eyelids fluttered violently as she jolted awake, panic flooding her gaze.

The room was dim, curtains drawn, with only a bedside lamp casting a faint glow.

Before her was Ji Qingshi’s face, hovering close, his expression full of concern.

Ren Jiao stared at him, then at the familiar surroundings, realizing she had just been trapped in a nightmare.

Ji Qingshi was so near that their breaths mingled in the space between them.

Ren Jiao stared blankly at her, the chaotic thoughts from the nightmare gradually clearing. She realized not only were they extremely close, but she seemed to be… actually in Ji Qingshi’s arms!

This belated realization startled her, and she instinctively shifted away. Only then did she notice that more than half of the king-sized bed was empty. she had rolled all the way to Ji Qingshi’s side and nestled into her embrace.

Ren Jiao quickly scooted away, her face filled with shock and fluster.

“I… Sister Ji, I’m usually very well-behaved when I sleep. This time was…” She didn’t know how to explain. She truly didn’t move much in her sleep normally, yet somehow, sharing a bed with Ji Qingshi had led to this.

Judging by the outcome, it was clearly her who had rolled over to the other side…

Ji Qingshi scratched her cheek, slightly embarrassed. “It’s no big deal, don’t worry. You must’ve had a nightmare. I heard you talking in your sleep just now. ”

Ren Jiao froze for a moment, recalling the dream. The tension gradually faded from her expression, replaced by visible despondency.

Observing her demeanor, Ji Qingshi frowned lightly. “What did you dream about? You can tell me.”

Those dreams were all things that had actually happened.

Ren Jiao pressed her lips together. Perhaps due to the lingering negativity from the nightmare and the shock of waking from it, her lips were pale, and the way she bit them made her look even more pitiful.

After a brief silence, Ren Jiao shook her head. “I don’t remember much. The dream was fragmented.”

She simply didn’t want to share this with Ji Qingshi. Just recalling those events filled her with disgust. She couldn’t bear to speak a word of it, let alone let Ji Qingshi know about the sordid depths she had once sunk into.

Even if it was just being paraded around by Sheng Dingzhe as an arm-candy at various events, even if she had feigned compliance to gain his trust for the sake of evidence, she still felt unbearably filthy.

Ji Qingshi studied her expression but gleaned nothing further. In the end, she didn’t press further, merely reaching over to tuck the blanket around her gently. “It’s only five. Sleep a little longer, the alarm’s set for seven.”

“Mm.” Ren Jiao closed her eyes again. Perhaps the exhaustion from the nightmare left her drained, and she needed more rest.

She fell asleep quickly, but Ji Qingshi’s internal clock had already woken her up. However, since they were in a hotel, she couldn’t go for her usual morning run. Instead, she leaned against the headboard and idly scrolled through her phone.

She exchanged updates with her teammates from the unit and checked in with Qi Xuesong about the case’s progress.

Qi Xuesong had been acting strangely lately. Ji Qingshi didn’t know what was going on, but ever since the New Year, her replies to messages had been slow, and during one phone call, she had seemed distracted.

Ji Qingshi had been transferred from the SWAT team to assist and wasn’t privy to the inner workings of Qi Xuesong’s homicide division. She assumed they must be dealing with a tough case.

Regarding the case involving Sheng Dingzhe’s backer, the Fengbo Group, the provincial bureau had officially formed a special task force for a covert investigation. No public case had been filed. Everything was being handled discreetly to prevent the old foxes at Fengbo from catching wind too soon.

Captain Qi: [“Operation Shattered Ice,” the investigation targeting the Fengbo Group, has officially begun. Our preliminary plan is to wrap it up within three to six months. Deputy Captain Ji, stay by Ren Jiao’s side to protect her. The evidence she provided is crucial and will serve as key testimony in court.]

Ji Qingshi scratched his head and replied: [Is there anything else you need me to do?]

It took Qi Xuesong a while to respond.

Captain Qi: [Not for now. If anything comes up, I’ll contact you in advance. We’ll need the sharpshooter’s assistance at critical moments.]

Alright then. Ji Qingshi put away his phone and leaned idly against the headboard.