The Exclusive Bodyguard of the Top Idol - Chapter 53

Ren Jiao pressed her back tightly against the door. The thin summer clothes did little to block the coolness seeping through the wood, mingling with the scorching heat in front of her, sending shivers cascading down her spine.

Ji Qingshi held her firmly against the door, unwilling to let go, pressing soft, lingering kisses to her plush, moist lips. The kiss had started fiercely but gradually slowed, each movement tracing the contours of the other’s lips with deliberate care.

Ren Jiao wrapped her arms tightly around Ji Qingshi’s waist, pulling her flush against her, leaving no space between them.

They lost track of how long they kissed before finally, reluctantly, pulling apart. Their breaths tangled together, the sound of their quickened panting filling the quiet space between them.

Ji Qingshi held her close, her voice slightly hoarse with desire. “Why did you come back early?”

“Mm, my scenes were done. There was no point staying there.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me ahead of time?”

“Wanted to surprise you.” Ren Jiao tilted her head to rest on Ji Qingshi’s shoulder, her lips brushing against her neck with every word, sending another wave of shivers through her.

Ji Qingshi’s gaze darkened. She tightened her arms around Ren Jiao, holding her firmly in place. “Stop teasing…”

“I’m not teasing.”

The little troublemaker in her arms blinked innocently, deliberately exhaling warm breaths against her neck.

Ji Qingshi gritted her teeth, tilting her head to give her a warning look. “Keep it up, and see what happens.”

The troublemaker only leaned in closer, mischief dancing in her eyes. “Oh? What will you do?”

Ji Qingshi let out a low chuckle, then abruptly scooped her up by the waist, pressing her lips to Ren Jiao’s ear. “Guess. See what I’ll do.”

Ren Jiao looped her arms around Ji Qingshi’s neck, her eyes bright with anticipation and excitement. “Sister, you’ll have to tell me properly, or I won’t know.”

She was absolutely doing this on purpose!

Ji Qingshi saw right through her. Carrying her toward the bedroom, she kept her lips close to Ren Jiao’s ear. “Want to take a bath?”

“Yes.” Ren Jiao tightened her grip around Ji Qingshi’s neck. “Let’s go to the bathroom, Sister.”

“…You little minx. I’m opening the package now.”

That was Ji Qingshi’s final verdict.

________________________________________

Beep— Beep—

The call went unanswered for the third time. Cen Shu sighed and put away her phone, turning to Lian Na with a shrug. “No idea what that little rascal is up to. She’s been completely silent since getting home.”

Lian Na rested her chin on her hands, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. “Home? Qianqian said she didn’t go back to her own place.”

Cen Shu scratched her head. “She probably went to Officer Ji’s place.”

Lian Na was far from stupid. In fact, she was sharp as a tack. She arched a brow. “She and that Officer Ji must be really close.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Cen Shu decided to speak up. “Originally, Jiaojiao wanted to tell you herself, but since we’re on the topic, I’ll just say it. She’s dating that Officer Ji.”

Lian Na didn’t seem particularly surprised. She took a sip of water and asked, “Twenty years old. Just the right age for youth and romance. How much older is that Officer Ji?”

“Eight years.”

Cen Shu wasn’t sure why Lian Na was asking, but she answered honestly.

Lian Na lowered her gaze, thoughtful. Finally, she said, “Have you figured out the PR strategy yet?”

Her tone made it clear she had no intention of interfering. Though Cen Shu had expected as much, she still let out a quiet sigh of relief.

“I’ve thought it through. I’ve been considering it since she first mentioned it to me.”

“So it seems their relationship has been going on for a while?”

“Not really. They just got together. Before that, it was more of a vague flirtation.”

Lian Na had no interest in her artists’ romantic histories. She waved her hand dismissively. “As long as you know what you’re doing.”

Cen Shu smiled. “Boss Lian is so generous.”

Lian Na snorted. “Save the flattery. I won’t interfere too much in the artists’ private lives, but don’t let them cause any trouble. Given her current situation, as her manager, you need to be mindful. Even if she lacks restraint, you have to guide her.”

Cen Shu’s smile faded as she nodded seriously. “I understand.”

She was a manager who knew her boundaries well, and Lian Na trusted her assurance. “Alright, anything else?”

“The new album promotion is about to start. I’ve also finalized the development plans for the other members, all based on their input.”

Lian Na took the documents Cen Shu handed over and said, “After Ren Jiao finishes filming this drama, we’ll see how it turns out. If she performs well and shows interest in continuing in film and TV, we can reach out to a few well-scripted productions and aim for quality supporting roles.”

Huaying was a film and TV company itself. They could easily push their own artists by handing them lead roles, given their position as investors. But Lian Na didn’t take that shortcut. Instead, she had Cen Shu scout small-budget projects from other companies, as long as the scripts and characters were solid.

This approach was actually much better for Ren Jiao than forcing company-backed promotions. She was still young and had plenty of time to hone her craft. Gradual growth and earning audience recognition would help her stand firm, rather than relying on company resources. Otherwise, no matter how well she acted, critics would dismiss it as nepotism, which might backfire.

Grateful for Lian Na’s thoughtfulness, Cen Shu said, “Don’t worry, Boss Lian. I’ll keep an eye out.”

…

At Ji Qingshi’s home, the bedroom curtains were tightly drawn. The dusk outside deepened, making the room even dimmer.

Ren Jiao nestled in Ji Qingshi’s arms, eyes closed as she rested.

“Hungry?” Ji Qingshi held her with one arm while twirling her long hair with the other.

“A little. I only ate breakfast today.”

Her shoot had wrapped in the morning, and she’d rushed to Ji Qingshi’s place without lunch. Once inside, she hadn’t even had time to eat instead, she’d ended up burning even more energy.

Ji Qingshi shifted slightly. “What do you want to eat?”

“Do you have any groceries at home?”

“Hmm… no…”

Ren Jiao lifted her head to look at her. “Sis, do you never cook when you’re alone?”

“Well… work keeps me busy, and I can always eat at the canteen or something…”

Ren Jiao narrowed her eyes. “Just admit you’re lazy.”

Ji Qingshi chuckled sheepishly. “Let’s order takeout today. We can go grocery shopping tomorrow if we have time?”

That was the only option. Ren Jiao planned to visit her mother at the rehabilitation center the next day and could pick up groceries on the way back.

Ordering takeout was easy. After placing their request, the two curled up in bed again.

Ren Jiao felt a dull ache in her waist. Her Ji-jie really lived up to her reputation as a SWAT officer, her stamina was undeniable. Ren Jiao could barely last three rounds before surrendering, reduced to helpless whimpers by the end.

“It’s so unfair. I must have lost at the starting line,” Ren Jiao grumbled to herself, convinced that surpassing Ji Qingshi in physical strength in this lifetime was nothing but a pipe dream.

…

Ren Xiuxian’s health improved day by day, and she could now get out of bed and walk around. The doctor said she would soon be ready for rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation would naturally take place at the sanatorium. Having stayed there for so long, Ren Xiuxian couldn’t be bothered to move now whether she did rehab at the sanatorium or the city hospital made little difference to her.

Ren Jiao naturally deferred to her mother’s wishes and arranged everything for the sanatorium and rehab. When she brought Ji Qingshi to the ward, they happened to catch Ren Xiuxian practicing walking.

Elders always cared a bit about saving face. In front of her daughter, it was one thing, but in front of her daughter’s partner? That was entirely different.

Ren Xiuxian hadn’t expected Ji Qingshi to see her practicing walking like a child. Flustered, she quickly had Auntie Liu help her back into bed. Knowing her daughter was bringing her partner today, she had deliberately applied some powder to cover her pallid complexion. After all, appearances mattered.

Ji Qingshi was just as nervous. Before leaving home, she had pestered Ren Jiao to help pick out an outfit, yet she still felt underdressed, terrified that Ren Xiuxian might dislike her.

Ren Jiao had spent ages reassuring her. “Really, there’s no need to be this nervous. My mom’s even more anxious than you are. She put on makeup just so you wouldn’t see how sickly she looks.”

To ease her girlfriend’s nerves, Ren Jiao didn’t hesitate to throw her own mother under the bus.

Now, the two extremely nervous individuals had finally met, sitting face-to-face, with Ren Jiao as the sole link between them.

“Xiao Ji, your work must be exhausting, right?”

Ji Qingshi sat ramrod straight, her back rigid, hands resting on her knees as if receiving a lecture from a superior.

“Not too bad.”

“Being a SWAT officer must be dangerous, no?”

“It’s also not too bad.”

Ji Qingshi’s palms were sweating. She didn’t know how to answer that question. Objectively speaking, the job was dangerous. Every operation the SWAT team handled was high-risk, though the sniper unit had it slightly better. But the danger was real, and she feared Ren Xiuxian might oppose her relationship with Ren Jiao because of it.

Some parents would worry if their child’s partner had a hazardous job especially someone like Ren Xiuxian, who had once been a police officer’s wife. Her husband had died in a drug bust, and she and Ren Jiao had suffered greatly because of it.

The more Ji Qingshi thought about it, the colder sweat broke out on her forehead. She was terrified Ren Xiuxian would reject her because of her profession.

Beside her, Ren Jiao seemed to sense her tension and gently took her hand, smiling reassuringly.

Ren Xiuxian watched their interaction with quiet satisfaction, unable to suppress a warm smile.

“Don’t worry about me objecting. I have a soft spot for your profession. I’m quite happy that Jiaojiao is with you.”

Unlike others who might let past trauma dictate their fears, Ren Xiuxian had never resented her husband for being a narcotics officer. She had always been proud of him.

Even though his death in the line of duty had shattered her, she knew the fault lay not with him or anyone else but with the criminals.

“Xiao Ji, Jiaojiao is my own flesh and blood, raised by my own hands. I know my child very well.” She smiled as she looked at their tightly clasped hands, seeing in her daughter a reflection of herself and her husband in their younger days.

“She chose you because she believes in you. As her mother, I fully support her decision. I wish you both happiness.”

Some words remained unspoken. In her daughter and Ji Qingshi, she had placed a part of the regrets she and her husband had carried. Their generation hadn’t been able to stay happily together, but she believed her daughter could.

Ji Qingshi firmly grasped Ren Jiao’s hand and nodded solemnly.

Touched by her mother’s sentiment, Ren Jiao reached out with her other hand to clasp her mother’s still somewhat frail fingers.