The Exclusive Bodyguard of the Top Idol - Chapter 49

Cen Shu stayed with Ren Jiao on set for a week before having to return to the company to handle other matters.

“Jiajia is about to join a talent show as the host,” Cen Shu said, flipping through her phone’s notes. “The production team asked if you’d have time to be a guest for one or two episodes.”

Ren Jiao adjusted her training uniform and replied, “You decide. My schedule is entirely up to you.”

The show would start filming in July and run for three months, so there would definitely be opportunities for her to make a guest appearance.

In the past, Cen Shu would have made the decision without consulting her. But now, certain things needed to be discussed in advance.

“Out of the seven members in the group, the production team specifically asked for you. The underlying reason is probably because of Jiajia.”

Because of Jiajia? Ren Jiao was momentarily puzzled but quickly understood.

“Got it. It’s because of our CP, right?”

Cen Shu nodded silently. The “Peerless JiaRen” CP had a massive fanbase. Since Tan Jiajia was the permanent host, if the production team wanted to invite a guest from the group, Ren Jiao would naturally be their first choice. Her appearance would generate far more buzz and attention than any other member.

“Times have changed. ” Cen Shu crossed her arms and glanced at Ji Qingshi training in the distance. “You probably won’t be single for much longer. Will your Officer Ji get jealous?”

Ren Jiao tilted her head, recalling Ji Qingshi’s reaction when he saw their CP content. Suddenly, Cen Shu’s concern seemed entirely plausible.

“…It’s not urgent to decide now, right?”

Cen Shu replied, “No rush. It’s just a guest spot. We can finalize it once filming officially starts.”

“Then let’s wait and see. ”

Cen Shu poked Ren Jiao’s forehead in exasperation. “I thought you’d agree without hesitation, but turns out you’re just a lovesick fool!”

Ren Jiao rubbed her forehead indignantly. “Why are you poking me? How am I a lovesick fool?”

Cen Shu snorted. “Your CP with Jiajia is huge. We don’t actively promote it, but after all these years, the fanbase is massive. Don’t go causing trouble now just because you’re dating doesn’t mean you have to distance yourself from her. You need to make that clear to her. Besides, your CP with Jiajia can also help cover up your real relationship.”

Ren Jiao nodded. “I know. Jiajia and I will keep things the same as always. My relationship won’t affect our friendship, and Jiajia supports me anyway.”

Cen Shu was genuinely speechless. The kids under her management were all bold. Maybe she’d been too lenient with them these past few years, letting them get a bit too comfortable.

Cen Shu was the mother-hen type of manager. Over a decade older than them, she often felt like she was raising daughters, constantly worrying about their lives and careers. Over time, the girls had grown fearless around her.

“Fine, I won’t meddle. Just don’t slack off on your work.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Cen Shu sighed but knew Ren Jiao was someone she could trust. She was smart and talented, and though she was new to acting, she diligently learned from the senior actors and directors every day. Just yesterday, the director had praised her performance, calling her a promising talent.

“I’m leaving this afternoon. Behave yourself here.”

“Got it!”

After giving Ren Jiao some final instructions, Cen Shu went to chat with the director for a while. Once filming officially began, she retreated to the rest area nearby to watch.

The sun was beating down so fiercely it made her head spin. Although the temperature in the mountains wasn’t high, the direct sunlight was unbearable.

Cen Shu mentally debated whether she should prioritize getting Ren Jiao some whitening treatments when they got back. But then she caught sight of Ji Qingshi standing nearby and thought that a sun-kissed complexion like hers looked good too. Healthy and exuding a unique kind of hormonal charm.

For the longest time, Cen Shu couldn’t figure out what Ren Jiao saw in Ji Qingshi. The entertainment industry was full of people more beautiful than her, yet Ren Jiao wouldn’t spare them a second glance.

Now it occurred to her. Maybe this was exactly what Ren Jiao liked? Special police officers had a distinct charm that set them apart from ordinary people, a type Ren Jiao had never encountered before.

Ji Qingshi’s looks couldn’t be described as stunning. Cen Shu had met another detective surnamed Qi through Ren Jiao, and that one was truly beautiful. Ji Qingshi’s face was merely refined, but her overall demeanor added immense appeal; a unique, slightly wild sensuality.

After five years of ups and downs in the entertainment industry, Ren Jiao had seen countless beauties and handsome men. The industry was never short of pretty faces, but it lacked people like Ji Qingshi.

“Officer Ji, finished with training?” Cen Shu didn’t know why, but she found herself initiating a conversation.

Ji Qingshi was taken aback, clearly not expecting Cen Shu to approach her. She nodded and replied, “Yeah, it’s almost lunch break.”

The two stood together, lapsing into silence.

Eventually, Ji Qingshi couldn’t resist speaking up again, “They’re not taking a break even though it’s almost mealtime?”

For several days now, she had noticed that even when it was clearly lunchtime, filming continued without pause, as if eating wasn’t a priority.

Cen Shu smiled. “If a scene isn’t wrapped up, they can’t stop to do other things. Unless the director thinks continuing won’t yield better results, they’ll pause to let everyone adjust.”

“I see…” Ji Qingshi pressed her lips together and asked, “But isn’t that bad for their health?”

“Yeah, a lot of artists in the industry do have stomach problems. Actually, whether it’s actors or anyone else, there are times when work keeps them too busy to eat, rest, or sleep.”

Ji Qingshi fell silent, her expression tightening. Cen Shu wasn’t well-versed in reading her, so she couldn’t tell what she was thinking.

After a while with no further comment from Ji Qingshi, Cen Shu checked the time and said, “I’ll be heading back to the city soon. The crew will be here for at least another week, so I’ll leave Jiaojiao in your care, Officer Ji.”

She sounded like a mother entrusting her daughter to a partner.

Ji Qingshi’s face warmed, but she quickly became defensive. “The crew is filming here under our jurisdiction, so of course we’ll take care of everyone.”

Cen Shu looked at her with amusement, realizing for the first time that she had a somewhat contradictory personality.

“Officer Ji knows exactly what I mean.”

Ji Qingshi lowered her gaze and fell silent again.

After a long pause, Cen Shu checked her watch once more before Ji Qingshi finally spoke again. “Why?”

“Huh? What?” Cen Shu looked at her in surprise.

Ji Qingshi’s face remained tense, but there was a faint trace of grievance in her eyes: “She was the one who rejected me, refusing to tell me anything. Even her rejection was just an endless stream of ‘I’m sorry.’ When I pressed her for a reason, she wouldn’t even say she didn’t like me. Just kept apologizing!”

“I was ready to give up. After all, the mission was over, and we could just go our separate ways. It’s not like we’d have many chances to meet again. It’s fine if I couldn’t forget her right away. Time would take care of that eventually.”

“But then, not long after, she reappeared, sending me messages nonstop, insisting on meeting. At first, I ignored her, but she just showed up again, even coming to our base. The moment she messaged me, I knew what was going on. She wanted to be together, and honestly, I was happy too, because I hadn’t forgotten her either. I wanted to be with her.”

Ji Qingshi lowered her head slightly as she spoke. “But why? When she rejected me, she didn’t even give me a proper reason. And now she comes back saying she likes me. ”

She had suddenly poured out so much, which initially surprised Cen Shu. Gradually, her expression shifted from surprise to silence as she listened quietly to Ji Qingshi’s subdued complaints.

Having finally voiced these thoughts, things she had never shared with anyone else. Ji Qingshi felt a sense of relief, but also a bit of embarrassment.

“I was just rambling. Don’t take it to heart.” Now that it was all out, she began to regret it. After all, their relationship was their own business; complaining to outsiders wouldn’t change much.

Subconsciously, she had lumped Ren Jiao and herself together, believing that matters of the heart should stay between them, not aired to others. That’s why she had kept it to herself all this time, her teammates didn’t even know she’d fallen for someone during a mission.

The only reason she’d confided in Cen Shu today was because Cen Shu was like family to Ren Jiao. She hadn’t complained to her own people because she knew they’d side with her, and they’d only blame Ren Jiao afterward. But Cen Shu was different. As Ren Jiao’s manager, no matter what Ji Qingshi said, her loyalty would ultimately lie with Ren Jiao.

In the end, she loved Ren Jiao, and she had already begun prioritizing Ren Jiao’s feelings over her own.

Cen Shu was silent for a moment before deciding to meddle one last time: “Actually, you probably already know this, but Jiaojiao is a stubborn girl, and beneath that stubbornness lies a lot of insecurity. Officer Ji, to me, these girls aren’t just artists, they’re like little sisters I’ve raised. I want Jiaojiao to be happy, which is why I’m telling you this. Back when things ended badly between you two, I went to her place and asked her why. She said she wasn’t good enough for you.”

Ji Qingshi’s eyes widened abruptly, her dilated pupils reflecting Cen Shu’s earnest expression.

“Hard to believe, right?” Cen Shu shrugged. “I think anyone hearing that reason would react the same way. Jiaojiao, she’s a natural-born idol who shines the moment she steps on stage. All seven girls in S-Group shine, but she’s the center of that light even among a thousand beams, she’s always the brightest.”

“And yet, that same girl rejected you for the simplest reason: she thought she wasn’t worthy of you.”

Ji Qingshi was utterly bewildered at this moment. Back then, she had sensed Ren Jiao’s avoidance but could never understand what she was avoiding. So it turned out the reason was something so unexpected.

“But why would she think.” Ji Qingshi remained dazed for a long time before finally regaining her ability to speak. “I always thought it should be me who wasn’t good enough for her.”

Cen Shu was torn between laughter and exasperation, nearly bursting out at the absurdity of the situation. “You two, I get that liking someone makes you subconsciously scrutinize yourself, but you’ve really taken self-reflection to another level.”

Ji Qingshi scratched her cheek sheepishly. “But it’s true! I really think she’s too good. So many people adore her. And me? I’m just an ordinary person. ”

“You might think you’re ordinary, but in her eyes, you’re anything but. She practically worships you.”

This wasn’t an exaggeration on Cen Shu’s part.Ren Jiao truly felt that way in her heart.

“Do you know why her mother got into that car accident back then?”