The Exclusive Bodyguard of the Top Idol - Chapter 23

At over seventy years old, Elder Guo was truly a venerable figure with immense prestige, holding an exceptionally high status in the music industry. Throughout his life, he had taught many students, and his influence was far-reaching. In recent years, he had rarely made public appearances, having reportedly retired to enjoy a leisurely life at home, spending time with his grandchildren and tending to his flowers and plants.

His presence here today shocked everyone. What was supposed to be an ordinary new album discussion suddenly became anything but ordinary.

The seven girls were burning with curiosity, but no one dared to ask anything in the meeting room. Even their usual lively chatter was absent, each of them sat quietly and obediently,.

Elder Guo chatted with Javen and Lian Na in the meeting room for a while. When it was time for the official discussion to begin, he took his leave. Before leaving, his gaze swept over the seven girls, lingering on Ren Jiao’s face for a few seconds.

Ren Jiao had come out today without makeup, unlike the heavy stage makeup she wore during concerts. Today, she looked completely natural.

Elder Guo found her even more familiar now, and a strange feeling rose in his heart. However, since the girls were about to start their album discussion, he didn’t linger and left directly.

Only after the elder had left did the seven girls finally relax. The meeting room gradually became a little livelier as they began whispering among themselves.

After letting them indulge their curiosity for a while, Javen steered the conversation back to the main topic. “Today, we’ll start discussing the production of your new album. Your CEO Lian and your senior agent, Cen, will also be participating, though they’ll mostly just be observing. You can pretend they’re not here.”

Javen and Lian Na were longtime close friends. Their bond was unbreakable, and he never missed a chance to tease her.

Lian Na leaned back in her chair and laughed. “I’m just here to listen. Like Teacher Javen said, just pretend I don’t exist.”

That might be the case, but after all, she was still the boss. The girls, all in their early twenties, couldn’t help but feel a little reserved around her.

Javen joked, “You should take them out for team-building activities more often so everyone can get comfortable faster!”

“Sounds good to me.”

Huaying Media was an established entertainment company, but that didn’t mean its executives were old-fashioned. After all, it was an entertainment company. Most people, from top to bottom, were lively and open-minded.

Many entertainment companies fostered a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere. While performance and KPIs were undoubtedly the top priority, life outside work was just as important. Bosses, employees, and artists often got along like close friends.

Lian Na liked the girls of S-Group and wanted to help them establish themselves firmly in the entertainment industry. Moving forward, she would tailor individual development plans based on each member’s strengths, so building a good relationship with them was essential.

Without further ado, Javen quickly led everyone into the main discussion, diving seriously into the production of the new album.

“Since this is your first album after breaking away from your old company, I’ve heard from your agent that you’ve had some self-composed songs that never got the chance to be produced, right?”

The girls nodded eagerly. Several of the vocalists among them had studied music to varying degrees, with Ren Jiao being the most talented and skilled. Over the past few years, she had written some compositions, occasionally sharing them with the members for collaborative refinement. The other members had also dabbled in creating their own music. Though none of their works had fully taken shape, the girls were brimming with ideas.

After hearing about their situation, Javen nodded in approval. “When it comes to music, having your own ideas and creativity is the most valuable thing. So, for this new album, we’ll do it in a group song and solo format. Each of you seven will have one solo, plus four group songs, making a full album of eleven tracks.”

Under Javen’s guidance, they quickly got into the groove, each sharing their own thoughts.

The album discussion lasted the entire afternoon and didn’t wrap up until before dinner. By the end, the seven girls were all in high spirits, looking very happy and not the least bit tired.

Ji Qingshi waited in the lounge next to the meeting room. When she heard the door open, she stood up and stepped out, seeing the members file out one by one. They greeted her sweetly as they passed by.

Ren Jiao was the last to come out, accompanied by Javen. Whatever was said seemed to make Ren Jiao’s expression shift slightly. It didn’t look like bad news, but rather something that stirred a hint of excitement.

Regardless, Ren Jiao spotted Ji Qingshi first and waved at her with a smile.

Ji Qingshi walked over, greeted Javen, and then asked Ren Jiao, “Heading home?”

“Not yet. Wait a bit, there’s still something to take care of.”

Ren Jiao looked up at Javen and then at Lian Na, who stood beside him.

Javen and Lian Na led Ren Jiao toward the company’s office area, eventually entering Lian Na’s office.

Ji Qingshi followed, baffled, unsure of what was happening.

Lian Na’s office was spacious, furnished with a leather sofa and a coffee table set with a complete tea set. Old Guo sat there, leisurely brewing tea for himself.

When they entered, Old Guo smiled and said, “Finally done.”

Javen walked over with Ren Jiao and chuckled. “Well, it’s their first album after switching companies. The girls are all very enthusiastic and full of energy.”

Old Guo nodded. “Youth brings vigor. That’s a good thing.” His gaze then settled on Ren Jiao, who seemed a little uneasy, and he studied her with an increasingly meaningful look.

Ji Qingshi didn’t understand why this old man was staring so intently at the young girl, his eyes practically glued to her face, and she couldn’t help but feel displeased. Subtly, she shifted in front of Ren Jiao, shielding her slightly while eyeing the strange old man with suspicion.

Everyone present except Ji Qingshi was sharp-witted. Her small protective gesture didn’t go unnoticed.

Old Guo, Javen, and Lian Na all gave her surprised looks, while Ren Jiao felt nothing but joy, thrilled by Ji Qingshi’s instinct to protect her.

But happiness aside, she couldn’t let Ji Qingshi misunderstand Old Guo as some creepy old man. So, she tugged lightly at Ji Qingshi’s sleeve, signaling her to relax.

Ji Qingshi caught her look and eased up a little, though she remained protectively by her side.

Ren Jiao turned to Old Guo and greeted him respectfully. “Hello, Teacher Guo. Javen and President Lian said you wanted to see me. May I ask what it’s about?”

Her demeanor was composed, appearing far more mature than her actual age. A glint of approval flashed in Old Guo’s eyes.

“During your concert in Shanghai, I was brought to the venue by Javen and saw you playing the cello to accompany your teammates. I thought you were incredibly talented.”

Mr. Guo straightforwardly stated his purpose and candidly expressed his desire to collaborate with Ren Jiao: “I’m retired now, but I haven’t yet held a farewell concert to mark the end of my cello performance career. I’ve been considering putting this on the agenda over the past couple of years. If possible, I’d like to invite some friends from the industry and some of my former students to join as guest performers.”

His words were already quite direct. Though he didn’t explicitly offer to take her as a student, it was tantamount to a promise of mentorship.

Ren Jiao’s heart raced. Influenced by her mother, she had studied the cello since childhood. While she had a talent for composing pop music, her love for the cello surpassed all other instruments. If not for unforeseen circumstances, she would have continued her cello studies. Unfortunately, the upheaval in her family a decade ago disrupted her path. Pursuing music required substantial financial support, and with her mother’s declining health, she had no choice but to give up the opportunity to further her studies.

Now, it was as if the heavens had dropped a pie right into her lap. How could she not be thrilled?

No matter how composed she usually was, she was still only 20 years old. Faced with such an overture from a revered elder like Mr. Guo, she couldn’t contain her excitement.

But excitement aside, she still had a major question: “Mr. Guo, it seems you haven’t taken on any students in a long time. ”

Mr. Guo had been a professor at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, teaching countless students over his career. Yet after retiring, he stopped accepting disciples. Even after all these years, no new student had been fortunate enough to receive his guidance.

Mr. Guo didn’t beat around the bush. “To be honest, when I saw you at the concert, I thought you looked familiar. Very much like a student I once taught. That student was exceptionally talented and hardworking, but sadly, her health was poor, and she couldn’t endure the rigors of intensive training or touring.”

As he spoke of the past, a wistful expression crossed his face again. “Truth be told, seeing you without makeup today, the resemblance feels even stronger. I know your surname is Ren, and so was hers. Young lady, may I ask do you know Ren Xiuxian?”

Ren Jiao’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Mr. Guo.

Ji Qingshi was equally shocked. She glanced between the elderly man seated on the sofa and Ren Jiao, never expecting such a connection between them.

Seeing Ren Jiao’s reaction, Mr. Guo knew she must have some relation to Ren Xiuxian. He asked eagerly, “What’s your connection to her? Are you her niece?”

Both sharing the surname Ren, he didn’t delve deeper, assuming it was natural for an aunt and niece to resemble each other.

Ren Jiao clenched her fists lightly, restraining her emotions, and shook her head. “No! I Mr. Guo, Ren Xiuxian she was my mother.”

Now it was Mr. Guo’s turn to be stunned. He studied Ren Jiao carefully once more before motioning for her to sit beside him, his voice trembling slightly with emotion.

“My dear child, how is your mother? How has she been all these years?”

At the mention of her mother, Ren Jiao pressed her lips together and softly recounted her mother’s circumstances to Mr. Guo.

After the initial shock, Mr. Guo closed his eyes in sorrow, his grip on Ren Jiao’s hand trembling faintly.