The Shadow Queen and Her Little Bodyguard (GL) - Chapter 2
In a private room designed for eight people, four individuals sat widely spaced apart, one in each of the cardinal directions.
When the shrimp on Yu Jing’s plate was suddenly snatched away, all eyes at the table followed the shrimp to the chopsticks’ owner. Yi Lanyin, maintaining her composure under the collective gaze, calmly explained, I’m on a diet and can only eat shrimp. Please excuse me.
Hearing that familiar voice so close sent a shiver of goosebumps down Yu Jing’s arm. Li Zhi’s usual tone was cool and distant, but when she spoke of love, her voice lingered with a hint of forbidden allure, leaving ample room for imagination. During her time abroad, Yu Jing had secretly listened to countless voice messages Li Zhi had sent her, hiding under the covers. Even though she no longer knew Li Zhi the person, she remained intimately familiar with her voice.
Liu Ruo tilted her head in surprise. Since taking Yi Lanyin under her wing, she had never seen her act so rude and cutting.
Given Yi Lanyin’s principles, this behavior couldn’t possibly be about the shrimp. If not the shrimp, then it must be about the person.
After silently pondering Yi Lanyin’s meaning for a moment, Liu Ruo stood up and placed the plate of shrimp in front of Yi Lanyin, softly urging her, Order more if you need it. You haven’t eaten all day, so have a good meal. As she retreated, she stole a glance at Yu Jing across the table. With her small face, tall stature, taut skin, and all-black attire, combined with her narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes, she clearly wasn’t one to be trifled with.
Once Liu Ruo sat down, the table fell silent again.
Sheng Tian frowned, displeased with Liu Ruo’s reaction. He tugged at her sleeve and whispered, Come outside with me for a moment.
Liu Ruo first glanced at Yi Lanyin by the door before following Sheng Tian out. As the door closed behind them, only Yu Jing and Yi Lanyin remained in the private room.
Yu Jing secretly glanced up at Li Zhi, noticing that her sunglasses were gone. The familiar face from her dreams now seemed slightly unfamiliar due to the makeup. Li Zhi was carefully eating shrimp in small bites. Sensing the tense atmosphere, she set down her chopsticks and looked up, her striking deep blue eyes meeting Yu Jing’s gaze directly.
Thump.
Yu Jing’s heartbeat suddenly became deafeningly loud.
She instinctively reached for a tissue and offered it, but then suddenly remembered they were strangers now. Her hand froze mid-air, the tissue rotating awkwardly before she embarrassedly pressed it against her own mouth.
Yi Lanyin glanced at her casually, then deliberately leaned forward to pull a fresh tissue from the box.
The two of them sat at the massive dining table, yet there was an air of forced nonchalance between them.
It felt like peering through a layer of mist, each trying to make out the other’s figure on the opposite mountain.
Three years had passed since their last meeting. Yu Jing wondered if the superstar now known as Yi Lanyin still remembered her. More precisely, she wondered if Yi Lanyin wanted to remember that past. After all, three years wasn’t that long, and it seemed impossible for someone who had once been so close to completely forget.
Yu Jing awkwardly withdrew her hand, rubbing her flushed palm against her knee.
After mentally pep-talking herself, she said, Hello, Teacher Yi, feigning a demure tone.
Across the table, Yi Lanyin slowly set down the used tissue, rolled it into a ball, and placed it beside her. She lifted her gaze to meet Yu Jing’s, pausing for a few seconds before replying evasively, I have other matters to attend to shortly. I’m not in charge of hiring. You should speak directly with Sister Liu.
Yu Jing couldn’t quite grasp Yi Lanyin’s meaning, so she could only nod slightly, pressing her lips together.
The private room fell silent once more, the only sound the clinking of silverware.
Yu Jing mechanically picked at her food, but her peripheral vision remained fixed on Yi Lanyin’s movements. Yi Lanyin, however, seemed far less tense. She leisurely poured herself half a glass of red wine, sipping it slowly until the glass was empty. Only then did she rise, turning to Yu Jing with a slow, deliberate Then, goodbye.
She hadn’t touched the plate of shrimp placed before her.
Yu Jing belatedly realized that during Yi Lanyin’s slow sips, she might have been waiting for Yu Jing to say something about their reunion.
But the missed opportunity was like a train pulling away from the station right before her eyes, leaving no chance for latecomers to board.
Yu Jing instinctively stood up, still slightly dazed by the sight of the woman from her midnight dreams standing before her, composed and detached.
Their first meeting had been at the bar where Yu Jing worked part-time. She had just turned eighteen then, a young apprentice bartender.
A stunning mixed-race beauty walked into the bar and immediately sat at the counter, ordering the strongest drink on the menu.
The bartender took the order and began mixing the drink. Yu Jing, still a naive apprentice, secretly slipped two hangover candies into the woman’s drink.
Why would someone drowning their sorrows alone need those?
Later, the beauty staggered out of the bar. Yu Jing was struggling to organize beer crates by the entrance when she saw a sleazy guy waiting outside try to hit on the woman in broken English, clearly hoping to take advantage of her drunken state. Yu Jing immediately rushed over, grabbed the woman’s arm, and draped it over her shoulder. She managed a quick smile at the stunned onlookers. She’s my girlfriend. Please excuse us.
Yu Jing helped the completely plastered Li Zhi to a bench by the door. Li Zhi, still clutching Yu Jing’s collar, slurred in perfect Mandarin, Little one, are you even old enough?
What followed felt inevitable. The older woman knew more, but Yu Jing was painfully aware that she had only theoretical knowledge and no practical experience.
That night, Yu Jing’s forehead was slick with cold sweat as she gasped, begging Li Zhi to stop moving for a moment.
Yi Lanyin turned and placed her hand on the doorknob. Yu Jing followed closely behind, just as she always had. As Yi Lanyin pulled open the door, they were immediately confronted by Sheng Tian and Liu Ruo, locked in a heated argument.
What do you mean by that? they both demanded simultaneously, then turned to glare at the two women.
Yu Jing maintained her usual impassive expression, but unconsciously glanced at Yi Lanyin. From her angle, she could only see Yi Lanyin’s cascading chestnut curls and the tip of her delicate, pale nose. Perhaps it was the full makeup, but Yi Lanyin seemed even colder and more aloof than usual when facing outsiders.
Sister Liu, let’s get the contract finalized, Yi Lanyin said, as if oblivious to the tense atmosphere. She nodded at Sheng Tian. Little Tian’er, see you next time.
Standing behind her, Yu Jing secretly curled her lip at the overly familiar nickname. They’ve only met once, yet she’s calling him Little Tian’er so affectionately.
Just then, Yi Lanyin turned around, catching Yu Jing before she could fully correct her downward-curving lip.
Yi Lanyin’s gaze swept over her without a flicker of emotion. Yu Jing hadn’t changed at all—except for her longer hair and slightly more haggard appearance. Her cold, rebellious demeanor was exactly as Yu Jing remembered it, infuriatingly familiar.
She reached around Yu Jing’s shoulder and snatched the bill hanging by the door with a sharp tug. The red cord dangling from the jet-black acrylic board swayed gently beside her hand.
Liu Ruo hurriedly raised a hand in a half-hearted attempt to stop her. No need, just put it on the company account.
Yi Lanyin smiled at her, her gaze flicking almost imperceptibly toward Yu Jing. I’m used to paying, she said pointedly. One more meal won’t make a difference. After taking a few steps, she turned back to Liu Ruo. I’ll leave the receipt at the front desk. Sister Liu, you can file it for reimbursement.
Liu Ruo beamed and pressed her palms together in a gesture of gratitude. Thank you, Boss Yi.
Yu Jing’s mind was still stuck on Yi Lanyin’s earlier remark I’m used to paying. She couldn’t tell if it was a deliberate dig or a simple statement of fact.
She had to admit, Li Zhi had been incredibly generous with her money during their college years. Logically, Li Zhi, then an obscure, eighteen-tier actress, should have been living frugally. Yet, Yu Jing had never seen her short on cash. Li Zhi stayed in hotels year-round, and Yu Jing had once secretly checked the prices on a hotel app—the room type Li Zhi occupied cost five figures per night.
During her school days, it was trendy to wear basketball shoes from the same brand but different lines with friends. Whoever owned a few collaboration or limited-edition pairs was considered the king of the court.
One Saturday, she went to see Li Zhi, her face downcast because she hadn’t managed to snag the newly released sneakers.
After asking a few questions, Li Zhi dragged her to a comedy movie. The film was so hilarious that she immediately forgot all about the shoes.
That Christmas, amidst the miscellaneous gifts, was a pair of sneakers that had clearly been purchased at three times the original price.
When she received them, her feelings were complicated. She still liked the shoes, but the exorbitant price made her feel like a kept boy.
Even though she was, in fact, being kept at the time, she refused to admit it to herself. The shoes weren’t even the most expensive item in the pile of gifts, but teenagers often have strange sensitivities. Just as she deliberately avoided introducing Li Zhi to her classmates and friends, Li Zhi had never introduced her to anyone either.
The following Saturday, she brought the shoes and insisted that Li Zhi return them.
Li Zhi sat upright in her chair, her voice cool as she asked, You could have easily sold these online yourself. Why did you bring them to me? What are you trying to prove? That I didn’t buy them for you when you needed them most? She paused, then added, Or… that you don’t want to spend my money anymore?
Yu Jing shook her head, her ears flushing red as she mumbled, I just don’t think they’re worth that much. I liked them because they were the original price. Once they’re marked up, I don’t want them anymore.
Li Zhi finally smiled. Come here.
Yu Jing obediently leaned closer. Yi Lanyin wrapped her arms around Yu Jing’s head and flicked her forehead sharply. To me, two thousand or six thousand makes no difference. But you… your emotions are so transparent. I can’t help but be influenced by them. She released Yu Jing and nuzzled her nose against hers. Take the shoes back and sell them. Then use the money to treat your sister to a fancy dinner, okay?
Okay, Yu Jing replied, her irrational, nameless anger instantly soothed.
Liu Ruo reopened the VIP room door, flashing a professional smile at Yu Jing, who was still staring blankly at Yi Lanyin’s retreating figure. Please.
Sheng Tian, not having had his fill of arguing, sat to the side, making snide remarks. Look at you, acting like you’ve finally won.
What’s it to you? Liu Ruo shot him a glare before turning her attention back to Yu Jing, her tone suddenly solicitous. Captain Yu, would you like to review the contract now?
Now that things had come this far, Yu Jing hesitated at the final step. She lowered her head, her heart a tangled mess of conflicting emotions. After all, her relationship with Li Zhi had been kept secret, and their abrupt end had left no room for a proper farewell. These unresolved issues weighed heavily on her, making it difficult to make a decision.
Noticing her hesitation, Liu Ruo pulled a Mercedes car key from her bag and handed it to her. Tomorrow at seven, pick up Lanyin and her assistant, Xiao Tao, from the residential complex. Xiao Tao will brief you on the rest of the itinerary. Only after handing over the key did she produce a plastic-sealed contract from her bag. Take this home and review it. We can revise anything you’re not satisfied with. As if fearing rejection, she quickly tapped two fingers lightly on the sealed contract. Once you’ve made your decision, come to the company to sign the official agreement. Or, if you decide after starting that you don’t want to continue, just come to the office, and I’ll pay you for the days you worked. Does this arrangement sound acceptable?