The Exclusive Bodyguard of the Top Idol - Chapter 40

After returning from Hu City, Ren Jiao retreated back into her home and stopped going out, naturally avoiding any chance encounters with Ji Qingshi.

At the same time, both of them knew that the mission was entering its final countdown, and the day of their real separation was fast approaching.

For now, living just a floor apart still gave them some semblance of connection. But once the mission ended and Ji Qingshi moved out of the building, it would mark a true farewell.

As time passed, Ren Jiao’s heart grew increasingly tormented. She had thought that enduring this period would eventually allow her to let go. But she realized she might have overestimated herself; day by day, her heart only felt more like it was being fried in oil, the pain growing sharper.

She moved her songwriting space from the master bedroom to the guest room where Ji Qingshi had stayed, even sleeping there at night, like some kind of creep, trying to soak up the lingering traces of Ji Qingshi’s presence in the room.

Ji Qingshi wasn’t faring much better. The task force had informed her that the operation would conclude on May 17th, and her return to the team was scheduled for that same day.

She had a critical sniper mission that day, the time and location of which Qi Xuesong would brief her on separately. She had to be at the exact spot at the precise moment, and after that, everything would be over. She could finally return to the team without further complications.

Ji Qingshi counted down the days. There weren’t many left before the 17th. After what happened in Hu City, she hadn’t entertained the thought of seeking out Ren Jiao again. Even the rejected wanted to preserve some dignity in the end.

On the morning of the 17th, Ji Qingshi got up early. Qi Xuesong had sent her the mission details and coordinates the night before. She had already cleaned up the apartment downstairs and only needed to grab her luggage and leave.

Even as she walked out of the neighborhood where she had lived for four months, Ji Qingshi didn’t say a word to Ren Jiao. She boarded the car sent by the team and headed straight for the mission site.

Ren Jiao woke up close to noon. When she stepped out of the bedroom, she found Cen Shu waiting in the living room.

Seeing her emerge from the guest room, Cen Shu raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Why the room change?”

Ren Jiao hummed in response, pouring herself a glass of water before answering. “She stayed here before she left.”

Cen Shu’s expression shifted through a range of emotions, her gaze growing increasingly complicated, even tinged with disdain. “Who knew you had such stalker tendencies?”

Ren Jiao chuckled. “What brings you here today?”

Cen Shu sighed first, hesitating before speaking. “I got the notice this morning, the mission’s over. Your witness protection ends today. Starting tomorrow, you’re completely free.”

Ren Jiao’s grip on the glass tightened. She lowered her eyes and stayed silent for a long moment before asking, “What about her?”

“She’s gone. Left early this morning.”

Without even leaving a message.

Her fingers turned white from gripping the glass. Ren Jiao realized that Ji Qingshi truly was decisive. She didn’t drag things out, even in matters of the heart. When she loved someone, it was with sincerity. But once rejected, she could grit her teeth and cut ties cleanly.

Ren Jiao didn’t know if Ji Qingshi was hurting too. She imagined she must be the depth of emotion in her eyes couldn’t have been faked. Yet she could still walk away so cleanly. Compared to that, Ren Jiao felt even more pathetic. She was the one who had rejected her, and now she was the one who couldn’t let go; wavering, indecisive.

“I see. So tomorrow, I’ll go back to the company for the album discussion?”

Cen Shu observed her expression, finding no major issues on the surface. “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

People come and go, but life must move forward.

However, in the days that followed, Ren Jiao found it difficult to focus. She often drifted off, frequently pulling out her phone to reread her chat history with Ji Qingshi. Sometimes, she wondered. Since everything was already over, had Ji Qingshi deleted her?

She wanted to send a message to test the waters but didn’t dare. Their ending had been too abrupt, without even a proper goodbye, leaving her alone in this torment.

“Jiaojiao, you just played that melody wrong. That’s not how you create a melancholic tone, is it?”

In the practice room, Tan Jiajia gently reminded her.

Ren Jiao’s fingers froze abruptly against the guitar strings, her chaotic mind even forgetting what notes she had just played. It was as if she had instinctively channeled her emotions into the melody, expressing them through the strings beneath her fingertips.

“Sorry, I need a moment.” Ren Jiao set down the guitar and stood up, intending to step outside for some air.

The other bandmates exchanged glances, signaling Tan Jiajia. The closest to her to accompany her.

Tan Jiajia caught up with Ren Jiao. “I’ll go with you.”

Ren Jiao didn’t respond, silently accepting her company. The practice room they used was well-hidden, unknown to fans, offering strong privacy with no fear of being photographed.

“Here.” Tan Jiajia handed her a drink.

Ren Jiao took it quietly, and the two walked side by side, sipping their drinks.

The silence grew heavy. Remembering the others’ concerns, Tan Jiajia carefully chose her words. “You’ve been off lately. Distracted, not yourself. Is something bothering you?”

Ren Jiao bit her straw, shaking her head lightly. She had no intention of sharing her messy personal struggles. Better to endure it alone than drag her friends into the turmoil. Her feelings were her own business. She was the one who liked Ji Qingshi, and she was the one who stubbornly pushed her away. The suffering she felt now was entirely deserved.

Tan Jiajia studied her, then leaned in closer. “Let’s talk honestly, just us sisters. Tell me, is it because of your Ji-jie?”

Ren Jiao’s steps faltered, the carefully maintained mask on her face cracking. She looked up at Tan Jiajia, hesitating before asking, “Is it that obvious?”

“Tch, who do you think I am? I’m your best friend! We’ve known each other for years, shared a dorm since trainee days. Your thoughts are written all over your face.”

Ren Jiao didn’t believe it. She prided herself on hiding her emotions well. If she were the type to wear her heart on her sleeve, she wouldn’t have been able to deceive Sheng Dingzhe so thoroughly back then.

Tan Jiajia read her skepticism and scoffed. “You’re usually good at hiding, but lately? Not at all. The word ‘unhappy’ might as well be stamped on your forehead. I’m not the only one who’s noticed, everyone has! They might not guess why, but I know you better. I can piece it together.”

“So, what have you pieced together?”

“Your Ji-jie hasn’t shown up for a week, and ever since she disappeared, you’ve been walking around like a ghost. In the five years since we became trainees, you’ve rarely made basic mistakes like playing the wrong notes, let alone butchering entire melodies like you just did.”

“Although I don’t know exactly what happened, given the timing, it’s not hard to guess it’s related to your Sister Ji.”

Ren Jiao lowered her gaze to the crushed soda can in her hand, unsure how to explain the matter to Tan Jiajia.

“Actually, it’s nothing. I’ll probably be fine after a while.”

“But the way you are now doesn’t look like you’ll be fine. Do you even believe what you’re saying?”

Ren Jiao fidgeted with the can, her mind tangled in knots. She knew she needed an outlet for her emotions keeping everything bottled up wasn’t a solution and would only lead to trouble sooner or later.

Tan Jiajia was indeed a great person to confide in, even better than Cen Shu, who knew everything. Because Cen Shu was too rational and older, in front of someone as experienced as her, Ren Jiao would only feel like she was being melodramatic.

Tan Jiajia was different. They were close in age, and many things the older Cen Shu might not understand, Tan Jiajia would.

After hesitating for a long while, Ren Jiao finally spoke softly, “Actually, she’s not my relative, and definitely not a teacher. She’s a SWAT officer.”

This opening line alone stunned Tan Jiajia, who gaped for several seconds before exclaiming, “Oh my god, no wonder she was so cool! That aura she had; you know what I mean. But why would a SWAT officer be following you around?”

Hearing her best friend praise Ji Qingshi’s coolness, Ren Jiao instinctively smiled gently before briefly recounting the events. The case was over now. The mastermind behind the Fengbo Group had been arrested, the threat to her was gone, and the confidentiality period for the case had passed.

Tan Jiajia’s expression grew increasingly shocked as she listened, until she was left utterly speechless, her mouth hanging open, words stuck in her throat.

Ren Jiao chuckled at her reaction and lightly tapped her chin. “Alright, close your mouth before it dislocates.”

Tan Jiajia finally snapped out of it. “Wait, you were involved in something that dangerous before??? Why didn’t you say anything? If you’d told us earlier, we could’ve faced it together. It would’ve been easier than you handling it alone!”

Ren Jiao had only given a brief summary of the past few years, omitting the details, and certainly didn’t mention how she had maneuvered around Sheng Dingzhe to protect all the girls in the S group.

“It’s all in the past now, no point talking about it. Just keep it to yourself, no need to tell the others. It doesn’t matter anymore.”

Tan Jiajia nodded, then quickly shifted to the juicier topic. “You just said you rejected Officer Ji but you actually like her, don’t you?”

Ren Jiao forced a smile. “Yes, I like her.”

“Then why did you reject her?!”

“I feel like I’m not good enough for her.”

“Huh??”

Tan Jiajia felt like she’d just heard the biggest joke of the century. She didn’t understand, she really didn’t. “What do you mean you’re not good enough for her? Am I hearing this right? My best friend, do you even realize what you’re saying? If your fans heard this, they’d lose their minds.”

A top-tier idol adored by millions, yet so painfully humble in matters of the heart. Any fan would have a heart attack upon hearing this.

“Which is exactly why I had to reject her.”

At this moment, Tan Jiajia somewhat understood Ren Jiao’s concerns. If it were her, falling for someone so outstanding and dazzling at this age, she might also feel unworthy.

But when it comes to love, whether two people are suited for each other is something only they can decide.

Tan Jiajia tilted her head to look at Ren Jiao and, after a moment of hesitation, said, “But Jiaojiao, the right person might never come again in this lifetime. If you miss her because of those so-called concerns, will you really not regret it?”

Not regret it? Of course, she would regret it!

Ren Jiao knew this all too well. And as the days apart from Ji Qingshi grew longer, she truly began to feel regret rising from the depths of her heart.

But she didn’t know what to do. Moving forward, she couldn’t see a path; retreating, there was no way back. She stood frozen, unable to advance or retreat.

Tan Jiajia saw the struggle in her eyes. “And as your best friend, I think you’re the best in the world! Officer Ji is great, but she’s not as good as you! You can sing, write songs, play so many instruments, and dance. Officer Ji can’t do any of that! See? She’s far behind!”

She deliberately said this in a playful tone, successfully making Ren Jiao burst into laughter.