Chapter 2: Miss Bodyguard

This meeting took place at the talent agency Wen Qingye had newly signed with after returning to China. After a few quick rounds of self-introductions, Ning Si, as Wen Qingye's agent, briefed Jiang Li on the situation.

The most serious problems right now were the antis' death threats and the stalker fans who seemed to be everywhere. Compared to those, the flood of online hate campaigns against Wen Qingye was almost mild.

Ning Si kept sighing as she talked. Though she'd summarized the harassment Wen Qingye had been dealing with in just a few sentences, Jiang Li couldn't help but worry.

She couldn't resist stealing glances at Wen Qingye. A classic trench coat over a black bandeau and black shorts, two pale slender legs crossed. Long curls spilling over her shoulders, face hidden behind sunglasses, an aura of "strangers keep away" wrapping around her like a force field, drawing a clear line between herself and the outside world.

If the Wen Qingye in her memory was warm orange, the Wen Qingye sitting before her now was ice-cold blue. Contradictory. Jarring. What had she been through these past four years?

"Miss Jiang?" Ning Si's pitched-up voice pulled Jiang Li back to the present.

Jiang Li quickly drew on her professional experience to lay out a plan: "From now on, all packages from unknown sources must be immediately reported to the delivery company. Explain the situation and request they open an investigation."

"Photograph or video the contents of every package. File police reports when necessary. Also, Miss Wen's delivery information should be changed to someone else's name."

"Before getting into any vehicle, sweep the interior and exterior with a radio frequency detector and GPS signal scanner. The same goes for hotel rooms before check-in."

"As for the death threats posted online—save screenshots or recordings, note the time, platform, and account of the poster, and file a report with the local police. The person behind it won't be hard to catch."

"Let me know if there's anything I've missed. We can discuss further."

Ning Si smiled. "We trust your capabilities, Miss Jiang. We can fine-tune the details as we go. If you're ready, shall we sign the contract first?"

Manager Wei stood up. "I'll sign on behalf of our company."

Ning Si nodded. "Great. Right this way, Mr. Wei."

She turned to the silently observing Wen Qingye. "Why don't you two chat and get familiar with each other? You'll be inseparable for the next three months, after all."

Wen Qingye gave a flat "Mm." Ning Si raised an eyebrow with a gossipy little smile and led Manager Wei to the conference room next door to sign the contract.

Once they left, only Jiang Li and Wen Qingye remained in the office. The atmosphere was bizarre—neither speaking, neither breathing too loud.

They sat barely one or two meters apart, yet the distance felt like the Mariana Trench—uncrossable.

Jiang Li didn't know whether she should be standing or sitting. Everything felt deliberate. Everything felt wrong.

Wen Qingye maintained her legs-crossed posture. Over half an hour had passed, and Jiang Li still hadn't been able to see the eyes behind those sunglasses.

What Jiang Li didn't know was that the eyes behind those sunglasses had already studied her countless times.

Jiang Li was thinner. Her jawline was sharper than in memory. A white shirt tucked into cargo pants, a pair of combat boots on her feet—handsome, crisp, striking.

"You—"
"You—"

That damn inexplicable synchronization! Both spoke at once, then both clamped their mouths shut.

Wen Qingye turned to look at her. "You go first."

Jiang Li didn't decline. "I didn't know it was you before I took the job. If you're uncomfortable, I can ask the company to send someone else."

The corner of Wen Qingye's mouth curved up—an unbothered arc. She fired back: "Miss Jiang, which one of us is uncomfortable—you, or me?"

"…" Jiang Li was stumped.

Wen Qingye reached up and pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head, fixing those beautiful eyes on Jiang Li. "Sure. Go ahead and get someone else."

Without the sunglasses, Wen Qingye was even more intimidating than with them.

Jiang Li's heartbeat went irregular. Hearing Wen Qingye's words, she couldn't even tell if she should feel hurt or relieved.

Wen Qingye's tone carried a hint of vengeful pleasure: "Then please do get someone else to provide 24/7 close protection, eat with me, live with me, for three months. Oh, and make sure she's good-looking, with a great body too. If I can't help myself and end up sleeping with her, at least I won't be losing out."

Good-looking… great body… can't help myself and sleep with her…

Jiang Li had always been good at picking out the key points. The old Wen Qingye was a girl who'd blush even from a stolen kiss. How was she saying these things so casually now?

Jiang Li felt an inexplicable heat rise in her chest. She met Wen Qingye's gaze. "Wen Qingye, do you know what you're saying?!"

"What?" Wen Qingye found it amusing. "Jiang Li, we've been apart for four years. You still want to control me?"

"…" Jiang Li looked away and said nothing more.

Her thumb dug hard into the side of her index finger. Still the same old habit.

She always pinched herself when she was upset. Wen Qingye's brow furrowed slightly.

Just then, Ning Si and Manager Wei returned from signing the contract. Ning Si extended her hand to him. "Here's to a happy partnership, Mr. Wei."

Manager Wei shook her hand politely. "Happy partnership."

Ning Si withdrew her hand and turned to Jiang Li. "Miss Jiang, your work starts today. Finance will transfer the deposit to your account within the hour. Keep an eye out for it."

Before Jiang Li could respond, Wen Qingye spoke first. "Miss Jiang, if you want to back out, you still can."

"Back out?" Manager Wei exclaimed. "Back out of what?"

Manager Wei shot Jiang Li a chiding look. "Did you upset Miss Wen?"

"…" Jiang Li's nail dug deeper.

She took a deep breath and smiled at Wen Qingye. "Don't worry, Miss Wen. I will fulfill my duties properly."

Manager Wei exhaled in relief and put on a smiling face. "Miss Wen, please rest assured. Jiang Li is highly skilled. With her protecting you, nothing will go wrong."

Wen Qingye smiled with her mouth but not her eyes. "Then I'll be counting on you, Miss Bodyguard."

"You're welcome." Jiang Li smiled the exact same way—mouth but not eyes.

Before leaving, Manager Wei didn't forget to remind Jiang Li to do a good job. Jiang Li nodded, grabbed her 24-inch suitcase, and followed Ning Si and Wen Qingye down to the basement parking garage.

Wen Qingye's car was a Mercedes business van. Jiang Li shifted into work mode immediately. She pulled out a detector from her suitcase and swept the entire vehicle—inside and out—confirming no listening devices or GPS trackers before giving the all-clear.

As Wen Qingye's agent and assistant, Ning Si sometimes doubled as the driver.

Wen Qingye settled into the window seat in the second row. Jiang Li stowed her suitcase and climbed in, taking the window seat on the opposite side of the second row.

Ning Si couldn't shake the feeling that the atmosphere in the car was bizarre. These two were supposedly meeting for the first time—so why did they feel like a couple mid-argument?

Ning Si tried to lighten the mood, chatting as she drove. "Miss Jiang, what should I call you?"

"Jiang Li is fine."

Ning Si nodded. "Okay, Jiang Li—what are your hobbies? Maybe you'll have something in common with our Xiaoye."

Jiang Li's peripheral vision caught Wen Qingye, who was staring out the window. "The things I like are probably things Miss Wen wouldn't enjoy."

"Really?" Ning Si was intrigued. "What do you like?"

Jiang Li answered honestly. "I like running, boxing, and tennis."

"Uh…" Ning Si laughed awkwardly. "Yeah, those aren't really Xiaoye's thing."

How could Jiang Li not know? Wen Qingye had zero athletic ability and loved being lazy. She'd once dragged her along on a ten-kilometer run—Wen Qingye had been so exhausted she'd ignored Jiang Li for three days straight.

Memories surged forward, every fragment landing like a fist to Jiang Li's chest.

She couldn't help turning to look at Wen Qingye. She was leaning back against the seat, eyes closed.

That profile—unchanged—had appeared in Jiang Li's dreams more times than she could count. Close enough to touch, yet impossible to reach.