The Exclusive Bodyguard of the Top Idol - Chapter 41

Aside from Cen Shu, Tan Jiajia was the first teammate to learn about everything between Ren Jiao and Ji Qingshi. The two of them were indeed the closest in the group, practically sharing everything.

As sisters, Tan Jiajia naturally stood firmly on Ren Jiao’s side. But she openly encouraged her, hoping Ren Jiao would follow her heart and hold onto the person she liked.

“You’re so supportive of me dating, aren’t you worried that if my relationship gets exposed someday, it’ll stir up new trouble for our group?”

Tan Jiajia waved her hand dismissively. “After three years, what kind of trouble haven’t we seen? First of all, I trust Sister Cen and the company’s ability. There’s no way they’d let you get exposed. And even if you were, no matter what kind of backlash comes, we sisters will stand by you.”

As she spoke, Tan Jiajia hooked an arm around Ren Jiao’s neck and said indignantly, “Besides, it’s just dating. It’s not like you’ve done anything terrible. Don’t give me that ‘idols can’t date’ nonsense. Look at all those male idols and male colleagues in the industry. Almost every one of them has been exposed for dating. Public opinion shouldn’t be so lenient only toward men.”

Tan Jiajia sounded resentful, but deep down, they both knew the truth: public opinion was far more forgiving toward men. Male idols could easily be forgiven for dating scandals, but the moment a female idol got involved, she’d be bombarded with all kinds of baseless criticism.

That was just how things were, infuriating and frustrating.

They understood the reality, and venting was one thing, but recklessness wasn’t an option.

After chatting about everything under the sun with Tan Jiajia, Ren Jiao felt much lighter. The two walked side by side toward the rehearsal room.

Tan Jiajia linked arms with her and whispered, “No matter what decision you make, I’ll support you.”

Her voice was soft, wary of eavesdroppers, but her tone was dead serious, which moved Ren Jiao deeply.

“Jiajia, thank you.”

“Come on, no need for thanks between us. That’s just being polite. But…” Tan Jiajia leaned in even closer. “If you ever end up with Officer Ji, you have to introduce me. I had no idea she was so impressive before!”

Ren Jiao’s eyes curved into crescents. Even though she hadn’t even considered the possibility of being with Ji Qingshi, Tan Jiajia’s teasing still inexplicably made her happy.

……

It had been ten days since Ji Qingshi left. On the surface, Ren Jiao’s life seemed completely normal, but she knew exactly how much she was struggling and so did those close to her. Though aside from Cen Shu and Tan Jiajia, no one else knew what was really going on.

By late May, Bincheng had entered early summer, with weather that was neither too hot nor too cold, just perfect. With the hidden threats now gone, Ren Jiao had regained her freedom entirely, no longer restricted in her movements like before.

She often visited her mother at the rehabilitation center during breaks from work and went to the orphanage to see Xiao Ai and the others, doing her best to return her life to how it had been before, before Ji Qingshi.

But no matter how hard she tried, it always seemed to end in failure.

Those seemingly short four months, under her own deliberate or unconscious guidance, had woven Ji Qingshi into every detail of her life and work.

During work, a few teammates would ask about her. Tan Jiajia and Cen Shu, who knew the truth, would often look at her with knowing expressions.

Visiting her mother at the sanatorium, although her mother remained bedridden, the caregiver Aunt Liu would often unintentionally mention Ji Qingshi: “Will Miss Ji come with you next time? Her colleague has already left, saying the mission was complete and it was time to return to the team. Does that mean Miss Ji won’t be coming anymore?”

Aunt Liu knew nothing; she simply thought Ji Qingshi was a wonderful person. Their few interactions over those four months had left her hoping for future meetings.

Ren Jiao couldn’t bring herself to speak harshly to Aunt Liu. Moreover, she harbored a shameful, selfish hope. She vaguely wished she could keep hearing about Ji Qingshi from others. It made it feel as though they were still together, never having parted. Even though she was the one who had pushed Ji Qingshi away, she secretly clung to this last fragile connection.

Time passed minute by minute. The production of the new album progressed smoothly. All the songs were ready, with only the final recording and post-production left. Once those were done, the promotional campaign could begin.

During this period, Lian Na asked Ren Jiao again if she had made up her mind.

Ren Jiao’s answer was contradictory. Lian Na could see her struggle and decided to give her more time.

“The filming starts at the end of July. You still have over a month to think about it. Is that okay?”

Ren Jiao pressed her lips together and nodded. As she left Lian Na’s office, she felt like a complete mess, indecisive in both work and love, unable to commit or let go. It was awful.

Perhaps even the heavens had grown tired of watching, because amidst the tangled mess of her life, a joyous event finally arrived, an enormous surprise.

“Miss Ren, you need to come quickly! Your mother, her hand moved!”

For a moment, Ren Jiao’s mind went blank. By the time she regained her senses, she was already in a car heading to the sanatorium.

Her mind was filled with Aunt Liu’s words, her mother’s hand had moved.

Those words were like heavenly music to her, surpassing any melody she had ever heard.

When she arrived at the sanatorium, several doctors were gathered around the bed. Among them were the attending physician responsible for Ren Xiuxian’s condition at the sanatorium, the surgeon who had operated on her after the car accident, and two specialists Ren Jiao had invited for a consultation.

Seeing her enter, the attending physician briefed her on the situation: “We’ve just examined your mother. There are indeed signs that she is waking up.”

Ren Jiao’s mind buzzed. She hurried to the bedside, sat down, and took her mother’s hand in hers.

She could feel it! The moment their hands touched, that frail, dry, lifeless hand that hadn’t moved in a year twitched. Even if it was just the faintest movement, she felt it.

At that moment, Ren Jiao, who had been suppressing her emotions for so long, finally let her tears fall.

The doctors exchanged glances and decided to step out, allowing her some private time with her mother. Other matters could wait until her emotions had settled.

Once the doctors and Aunt Liu had left, leaving only mother and daughter in the room, Ren Jiao allowed herself to sob freely. She had held back for far too long. Even when she cried after rejecting Ji Qingshi, it hadn’t been like this.

Hot tears streamed down their clasped hands as Ren Xiuxian’s fingers moved more and more frequently, her will to awaken growing stronger by the second.

When Ren Jiao had cried her fill and calmed down, she wiped her face and stepped out of the room to consult the doctors about her mother’s current condition.

“At this point, her awakening is only a matter of time, but to be honest, I can’t guarantee exactly which day she’ll wake up. It could be tonight, or it might take several more months both are possible.”

As doctors, they had done everything they could. The rest depended on the patient’s own willpower.

Ren Jiao bowed deeply to the doctors. “Thank you.”

From that day on, she visited the sanatorium almost daily. Her new album had officially entered recording, so she spent her days working in the studio before heading straight to the sanatorium, where she ate and slept, no longer returning home.

Losing Ji Qingshi had devastated her, but now her mother’s impending awakening was like a shot of adrenaline, becoming the sole force that kept her going.

Another week passed. Ren Jiao hadn’t expected it to happen so soon, but before leaving for the studio one morning, she found her mother’s eyes already open.

“…Mom!”

She practically threw herself onto the bed, then frantically pressed the call button, completely forgetting about work.

The doctors came in and ran a series of tests. Ren Jiao called Cen Shu to explain the situation and took the day off. ※

When Cen Shu heard her mother had woken up, he seemed even happier than she was, promising to visit the sanatorium once he finished his tasks.

After the examination, the doctor smiled with heartfelt joy. “Congratulations, Miss Ren. Your mother has truly awakened. This is a first in my career nothing short of a miracle!”

The doctor went on to list many precautions, explaining that her mother would need careful attention in the coming days as her body was still weak and required gradual nutritional recovery.

Ren Jiao and Aunt Liu listened intently, committing every word to memory.

“You’re busy with work. I’ll take care of things here,” Aunt Liu said cheerfully. “Don’t neglect your job. I’ve got your mother covered.”

“Mm, I know.”

Still regaining her ability to speak, Ren Xiuxian simply lay there, gazing unblinkingly at her daughter.

“Mom, just rest well. You’ll recover soon!”

Ren Xiuxian narrowed her eyes slightly at her, then nodded.