The Exclusive Bodyguard of the Top Idol - Chapter 42

Ren Xiuxian’s recovery progressed faster than expected. Within about a week, she could already sit up in bed and eat soft foods like congee and noodles on her own, chatting and laughing with Ren Jiao. Though traces of illness still lingered on her face, this was already a significant improvement.

With her mother’s condition stabilizing, Ren Jiao’s mood also visibly brightened.

Her change was so noticeable that even Aunt Liu picked up on it. One day, after Ren Xiuxian had fallen asleep, she remarked warmly, “Ever since Madam woke up, Miss Ren has been in much better spirits.”

Ren Jiao adjusted the blanket for her mother and asked, “Is it that obvious?”

“Of course! You had me worried for a while there. It was around the time Miss Ji wasn’t by your side anymore. You might not have noticed, but we outsiders could see it clearly.”

Ren Jiao froze for a moment. She knew Ji Qingshi had a significant impact on her, but she hadn’t realized it was to this extent.

Cen Shu also brought it up, sighing as she reflected on Ji Qingshi’s unique place in Ren Jiao’s heart: “I originally thought your feelings for Officer Ji were just a fleeting first love at twenty. Something that would come and go quickly. But now, looking at you.”

Cen Shu shook her head with another sigh.

“Now what?” Ren Jiao had indeed been in a much sunnier mood these past few days.

“Now that your mom’s getting better, your state of mind has improved a lot. But I can still tell you’re not entirely at ease.” Cen Shu took a sip of water, watching as Ren Jiao massaged her mother’s limbs.

Following the doctor’s instructions, Ren Jiao helped Ren Xiuxian with muscle exercises daily to speed up her recovery.

Lowering her head, Ren Jiao remained silent, seemingly lost in thought.

Cen Shu continued, “I’ve always hoped you’d break free from the chains you’ve put on yourself. I knew your mom and Officer Ji were key to that. Now that your mom’s doing better, I can see you’ve improved by half. The other half, though the root of it still lies with a certain someone.”

Ren Jiao stayed quiet for a long while, and Cen Shu didn’t press further. The two sat in silence.

After some time, Ren Jiao finally spoke, “Cen-jie, I don’t know what to do. I used to think the same as you. That if we just stayed apart, I’d eventually get over her. But it’s been three weeks now, and I only miss her more and more.”

She spoke earnestly, laying bare her emotions, but Cen Shu couldn’t help rolling her eyes. She felt like a frustrated parent watching her child struggle with indecision.

“If you knew it’d come to this, you shouldn’t have rejected her in the first place. Do you regret it?”

Ren Jiao sighed. “Even if I could go back to that moment, I might still have refused her. But afterward, I’d still end up feeling just as miserable and conflicted as I do now.”

Cen Shu huffed. “If it hurts this much, then go win her back! It’s not like you don’t have her contact info. Text her, call her, reach out!”

Ren Jiao’s fingers twisted together anxiously. “But I haven’t figured it out yet. ”

Her hesitation irritated Cen Shu, who ran a hand through her hair in exasperation. “What’s left to figure out? If you act now, there’s still a chance. If you wait until she moves on or falls for someone else, you’ll have nothing left but tears!”

The thought of Ji Qingshi liking someone else made Ren Jiao’s heart ache instinctively. She joked with Cen Shu, “Well, maybe I’ll end up liking someone else too.”

“Heh.” Cen Shu didn’t hold back her sarcasm. “If you could move on that easily, I wouldn’t have to waste my breath here. Be honest with yourself. What are the chances you’d actually forget about her and like someone else?”

It was no wonder people said Cen Shu was more like a nagging mother than a manager. She truly understood the girls under her care, perhaps even better than they knew themselves. With just one remark, she left Ren Jiao speechless.

But matters of the heart were the hardest to advise on, and Cen Shu knew exactly where to draw the line. She had said all she needed to say today, and the conversation naturally came to an end. She could already see the hesitation on Ren Jiao’s face, a result she was satisfied with.

She couldn’t help but marvel at how timely Ren Xiuxian’s awakening had been. Her recovery had planted a seed of hope deep in Ren Jiao’s heart. Having her mother by her side finally allowed her to regain the youthful energy typical of girls her age, no longer weighed down by the gloom that had once made Cen Shu’s heart ache.

“Cen Jie, I’ll think about it.”

Before Cen Shu left, Ren Jiao walked her to the hospital room door and blurted out this vague statement.

Cen Shu glanced at her, feigning ignorance. “Think about what?”

“About me and her, and that drama President Lian mentioned.”

Well, well. The girl was making rapid progress. Not only was she ready to reflect on her feelings, but she was even developing some career ambition. A good sign.

The motherly manager felt gratified and nodded. “Good. I’ll wait for your decision. Oh, and the album recording is done. I’m giving you a week off. Spend some quality time with your mom.”

Ren Jiao nodded earnestly. “Okay.”

Truth be told, they hadn’t scheduled any work for the following week. Though the album recording was complete, post-production would take some time, followed by the promotional period. It wouldn’t happen overnight.

…

Ren Jiao had promised to think things through, but she wasn’t even sure what exactly she was supposed to reflect on. She had reached a crossroads, utterly directionless.

Fortunately, Ren Xiuxian’s condition improved day by day. She could now speak without difficulty, unlike the early days when her speech was still recovering and even a few words would exhaust her.

As she grew more talkative, mother and daughter began discussing the events of the past year. Mostly Ren Xiuxian asking questions while Ren Jiao answered.

Most of the conversation revolved around Ren Jiao’s work and life, and of course, she painted an overly rosy picture, omitting any hardships.

But Ren Xiuxian wasn’t so easily fooled. “Jiaojiao, I was only in a coma for a year, not a decade. Do you really think I’d believe everything was this perfect for you?”

The older ginger was spicier. Though Ren Xiuxian’s health had suffered, her mind was as sharp as ever. After all, she had raised such a bright and perceptive daughter.

Sitting on the hospital bed, Ren Jiao held her mother’s hand and pouted. “Oh, Mom, I just wanted to make my life sound nice. I couldn’t admit that everything fell apart without you. How embarrassing would that be?”

If she had pulled this act with Ji Qingshi, the other woman would’ve been utterly disarmed.

But Ren Xiuxian wasn’t having it. “Save the sweet talk. That doesn’t work on me.”

Ren Jiao pouted her lips exaggeratedly. No matter how she acted outside, in front of her mother, she was always just a little girl.

Ren Xiuxian smiled and gently tapped her daughter’s pouting lips with her finger. “Mom isn’t fooled by this act of yours, but who knows if your ‘Sister Ji’ falls for it?”

The sudden mention of Ji Qing made Ren Jiao’s eyes widen in shock as she stared at her mother. She was certain she had never mentioned Ji Qing in front of Ren Xiuxian, at least not by calling her “Sister Ji.”

Wait, that wasn’t entirely true. Back when Ren Xiuxian was still unconscious, overwhelmed by longing, Ren Jiao had spoken many things to her mother.

Could it have been then?

Before she could speculate further, Ren Xiuxian revealed the answer herself: “When I was in a coma, I could actually hear some sounds. At first, everything was very hazy, but later, it became clearer probably just before I woke up.”

“I heard you talk about her. I heard everything you said. Maybe not all of it, but I understood enough. You’ve been carrying a heavy burden.”

Ren Xiuxian gently patted her daughter’s hand, motioning for her to lean into her embrace.

Ren Jiao obediently nestled closer, half-resting in her mother’s arms.

“I was so anxious back then. I could tell you were unhappy, and I just wanted to wake up to help you. As your mother, no matter what was troubling you, I thought that at the very least, if I could wake up and be by your side, we could figure out a solution together.”

“Mom also owes you an apology. That day when you were talking to your manager, I was actually already awake. But when I heard you discussing the person you liked, I thought it’d be better to pretend to still be asleep.”

So that was what happened. Ren Jiao finally understood. Her mother had overheard most of her conversation with Cen Shu that day.

Now that everything was clear, shock gave way to sheer embarrassment. Her face burned, and she buried it deeper in her mother’s chest, refusing to lift her head.

A mother knows her daughter best. Just by looking at the top of Ren Jiao’s head, Ren Xiuxian could guess exactly how flustered she was.

“You’re a grown woman now, and you’re still shy about this? I’m your mother, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Come on, sit up and tell me properly. What kind of person is she?”

Ren Jiao kept her face hidden, her ears turning bright red.

Only after the wave of shyness passed did she finally look up at her mother and ask cautiously, “Mom, the person I like is a woman. You… you’re not angry, are you?”

Ren Xiuxian tenderly stroked her daughter’s face, her gentle eyes filled with nothing but love and adoration. “Why would I be angry? Silly child, haven’t we been through enough in this life? Who is your mother? I’ve been the student of an international master, a teacher at a music conservatory, the bold wife of a policeman, even a vegetable and I even recovered from that!”

She spoke in a teasing tone, yet her words were overflowing with affection. “Mom has seen it all. The two of us have had a hard ten years, but now everything has settled. Your father’s wrongs have been righted. All I want now is for you to have happiness and smooth sailing in the rest of your life.”

Ren Jiao leaned back into her mother’s embrace, lightly biting her lower lip.

“Don’t be afraid, Jiaojiao. You should fight for the happiness you want. Mom doesn’t know exactly what worries are weighing on your heart, but whether it was during my coma or after waking up when I heard others talk, I’ve always known how much you care for her.”

Ren Xiuxian gently stroked her daughter’s long hair. “If you truly love her, then she’s worth summoning the courage to pursue. Most of life’s decisions require constant choices, including matters of the heart. We’re always making choices. If you’re certain she’s the one worth it, then you should go after her.”

“Mom doesn’t want to see you live with regrets.”