The Shadow Queen and Her Little Bodyguard (GL) - Chapter 13

The car, pulsing with the city’s luminous rhythm, gradually approached its destination as the travelers drifted into drowsy slumber.

The moment the car came to a complete stop, Yu Jing’s eyes snapped open. She turned to glance at Yi Lanyin, who remained with her eyes closed and breathing evenly, making it impossible to tell if she was truly asleep. Yu Jing lifted the black shirt draped over Yi Lanyin, deftly exited the car, and opened the trunk. With pursed lips, she began unloading the luggage, when the taciturn driver hurried over to assist.

Only after all the luggage had been removed did Xiao Tao, carrying her adorable peach-shaped backpack, stroll over yawning.

I’ll go get the room keys from the front desk first, Xiao Tao said lazily, her head drooping. Once I get someone to bring a luggage cart, you don’t need to worry about these. Go keep Sister Yi company for a while—she’s still half-asleep.

Okay, Yu Jing replied.

She clapped her hands together and walked toward Yi Lanyin’s side of the car.

Expecting Yi Lanyin to still be dozing, Yu Jing peered through the window only to find her sitting bolt upright, lost in thought. With her petite frame and elegant shoulder line, Yi Lanyin’s upright posture made her appear remarkably composed, as if contemplating some profound matter that brooked no interruption.

Yu Jing glanced back at the hotel staff helping with the luggage, realizing she couldn’t delay any longer.

Swish.

She opened the car door and called out softly, Teacher Yi.

Yi Lanyin turned her head sharply. Her sunglasses were still on, and her lips were pressed into a thin line, giving her an icy demeanor.

Yu Jing, she said, her gaze fixed on Yu Jing, is it hotter here than in B City?

Yu Jing had braced herself for some profound revelation. After listening intently, she sighed and patted Yi Lanyin’s back. It’s not too bad. Come on, let’s go inside and get some rest.

Perhaps still half-asleep, Yi Lanyin was unusually compliant. Clutching her small bag—draped with Yu Jing’s black shirt—she stepped out of the car and followed Yu Jing into the hotel lobby, her head bowed.

Xiao Tao led them upstairs to the second-highest floor, the thirty-fifth. With a flick of her finger, she swiped open one door and handed Yu Jing the other key card. Next door. Your luggage has already been delivered. Get some rest.

Yu Jing took the card and asked, What about you?

I’m staying with Sister Yi. She’s afraid to sleep alone. Xiao Tao propped the door open with her body and tilted her head up with a smile. What? Is Little Sister Yu scared too?

Yu Jing shook her head and turned to look at Yi Lanyin, who had been following her.

Then…

A door behind them suddenly swung open, interrupting her. Xiao Yi’s here? a deep male voice called out. Yu Jing turned to see a tall man with wavy, center-parted hair and a small gold earring in his left ear. Draped in a dark blue bathrobe, he leaned against the doorframe with the casual elegance of a fashion model. I was planning to pick up Teacher Yi from the airport, but Director Li suddenly invited me to dinner tonight, he shrugged. Even though I couldn’t go to the airport myself, the driver and car were mine. Can we count that as my way of welcoming Teacher Yi?

Whether it was Yu Jing’s imagination or not, Yi Lanyin seemed to straighten her back as she turned. Standing behind Yu Jing, she removed her sunglasses. If this is a senior’s way of showing goodwill to a junior, I’m both flattered and grateful. But if this is a senior’s attempt to curry favor with a woman, she paused, I find it quite tiresome. Or perhaps my lack of firmness has led you to misunderstand. Let me be clearer please don’t waste any more of your energy on me. It’s pointless.

Liu Qizhan straightened up, smiled, and took a couple of steps toward them, as if he hadn’t heard Yi Lanyin’s words. He suddenly changed the subject Did you have some kind of misunderstanding with President Zhou’s eldest daughter on your last project? Director Li told me she tried to get you fired. She went home and pressured President Zhou until he had to call Director Li in front of her to discuss it. Director Li was torn about how to refuse, so he called me in for backup.

Thank you for the tip, Senior. It’s getting late. You should go back and rest, Yi Lanyin said coldly, turning her head away. With a slam, she shut the door, locking Yu Jing and the man outside.

Yu Jing stood frozen, clutching the room key. The man beside her spoke up You’re staying here too?

Ah? Oh, yes, Yu Jing replied, taking a few steps to the left to check the room number. She tentatively swiped the keycard, and the door clicked open.

Wait, Liu Qizhan called out, striding over. Are you Xiao Yi’s staff?

Assistant, Yu Jing replied, her hand still on the door handle.

The assistant lives here? Liu Qizhan asked, surprised for a moment before turning to Yu Jing with a smile. Well, you’ve certainly chosen the right person to work for. Xiao Yi is generous—generous to everyone.

Yu Jing, impatient with his analysis of Yi Lanyin’s character, turned to him with a cold look. What do you want? If there’s nothing else, I’m going inside. I’m tired.

Quite the spirited young lady, Liu Qizhan chuckled. I just wanted to ask you to help persuade Xiao Yi. Why pick a fight with that little troublemaker? President Zhou is the only one who sees sense—changing actors right before filming starts is a nightmare. It’s a mess everywhere, and we can’t even explain it to Pei Jiu. Seeing Yu Jing’s expression darken further, he adopted the patronizing tone of an adult speaking to a child. Don’t take it the wrong way. If President Zhou can’t replace Xiao Yi, others will just make trouble for her elsewhere. This project will take at least six months to film. If Xiao Yi just cools down and goes through the motions, everyone can relax. Don’t you think so?

Yu Jing secretly rolled her eyes before turning back to him and muttering, I understand.

Liu Qizhan patted her shoulder. Now that you’re in the industry, you should smooth out your edges a bit. I don’t mind the attitude from you kids these days, but others won’t tolerate it.

Okay, thanks, Brother, Yu Jing said through gritted teeth, shaking off the shoulder he’d touched.

Yu Jing stormed into the room, her face dark. Her twenty-inch suitcase stood by the door, which she pushed inside.

Beyond the entrance corridor, the space opened up dramatically. A full wall of floor-to-ceiling windows, paired with warm, plush furnishings, made it feel more like home than her own cramped apartment. The suite even had two bathrooms, and beneath the windows sat a large bathtub. Yu Jing couldn’t understand why Yi Lan had wasted so much money on this extravagance. Wouldn’t a standard room have sufficed? After all, a place to stay is a place to stay, right?

Despite her initial reservations, she figured since the money had already been spent, she might as well enjoy it. Yu Jing soaked in the tub, then sprawled on the sofa in her pajamas, sipping ice-cold canned beer and watching TV.

As the hours passed, she grew drowsy. Without bothering to move, she switched off the TV and drifted off to sleep right there on the sofa.

The next morning, Yu Jing was awakened by another call from Sheng Tian.

She rubbed her sleep-tousled hair, a hair tie dangling from her lips as she answered the phone. You’re here?

Yeah, come open the door, Sheng Tian replied.

Yu Jing tied her hair back, puzzled, and went to open the door. She found Sheng Tian standing outside, phone in hand, just as he’d said.

How did you know I lived here? she asked.

Sheng Tian pushed past her. I came to deliver a contract to your sugar mama boss. She told me after I dropped it off.

What contract? Yu Jing followed him inside.

Sheng Tian shook his head, glanced around the apartment, and plopped down on the sofa. He flicked an empty beer can on the coffee table. How would I know? Your sugar mama even said she gave you the day off and told me to take you out to have some fun.

Yi Lanyin said that?

Yeah, she said it herself, Sheng Tian confirmed.

Yu Jing rushed through her morning routine—washing her face, brushing her teeth, using the bathroom, fixing her hair, and changing clothes—all in under five minutes.

Fully ready, she finally asked Sheng Tian, You’re not even from Qihang. Why are you running errands for them?

There aren’t any flights this late. Liu Ruo asked me to come, and I figured I could see you too, so here I am, Sheng Tian said, leaning back against the sofa. I brought someone else along too. Liu Ruo said he’s Qihang’s Artist Management Director—a big shot. He glanced up at Yu Jing. I heard her on work calls the whole way here, so serious. I didn’t even dare breathe too loudly. You guys got to relax on the plane, but I drove all night. Let me rest, okay?

What were the calls about? Was it about replacing someone? Yu Jing asked, pushing Sheng Tian from her perch on the sofa armrest. Think carefully.

Sheng Tian rolled his eyes. Who’s going to eavesdrop on her calls? He pushed her back. Get away from me. I need a few hours of sleep. If you’re bored, take the crew’s shuttle from the hotel to the set. I see your sugar daddy’s already got you all dolled up—covered in gold and jade, like you’re about to assassinate the emperor and become Empress Wu Zetian. With that, he pulled a work pass from his pocket and tossed it onto the coffee table. The cutie next to your sugar daddy gave it to you.

Yu Jing chuckled at his description, fetched a blanket from the room, and tossed it at him. I’ll go check it out. Call me when you’re up.

Sheng Tian waved her off impatiently.

After taking the elevator down, she walked straight out of the hotel. After circling the entrance, she finally spotted the film crew’s vehicle about two hundred meters away.

The twenty-minute drive was leisurely and uneventful.

The film studio truly lived up to its name. If one ignored the modern-dressed staff and massive equipment moving around, stepping inside felt like being transported to another era.

Yu Jing had a habit of mentally mapping out escape routes whenever she entered unfamiliar places—a professional reflex she rarely needed in daily life.

Her gaze swept over the ancient-style eaves, then quickly scanned the long stone steps.

As she turned, her brow furrowed.

Outside the modern restrooms of the ancient-style building, a man and a woman were arguing. The man appeared to be in his thirties, while the young woman looked like a college student.

This isn’t right, Yu Jing thought.

Even as she told herself to mind her own business, her feet began to move toward the scene.

As Yu Jing approached, she overheard the man say, Just come back with me. Do I have to force you? If I don’t bring you back today, I’ll lose my job.

Forcing someone in broad daylight?

Afraid of misunderstanding, Yu Jing walked straight over. As she passed the young woman, she whispered, Excuse me, do you happen to have an extra sanitary pad on you?

The young woman was tall and slender, with beautifully maintained hair. She carried a purse no larger than a matchbox. She glanced up at Yu Jing, then grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the restroom without a word.

As they walked, she said cheerfully, I don’t have one, but I can ask someone to buy one for you. I’ll wait with you inside.

Yu Jing quickly waved her hand. Actually, I just wanted to ask if you were being threatened. I heard that man say he’d use force?

Huh? The young woman raised her eyebrows in confusion, then lowered her head and giggled. Oh, you mean Brother Wang? No, he’s not threatening me. I already booked my plane ticket to go abroad for the summer, but my dad insisted I intern on this film set. It’s all smoke and chaos here, and I don’t want to stay. Brother Wang was just trying to persuade me to go home.