The Shadow Queen and Her Little Bodyguard (GL) - Chapter 4

Yu Jing hadn’t expected the coffee shop to be so busy so early in the morning.

Though the shop hadn’t officially opened yet, through the window, she could see the staff bustling inside, preparing for the day. Outside, a line of disgruntled office workers had already formed, each with their heads bowed, eyes glued to their phone screens.

Yu Jing yawned again, pulled out her own phone, and stared at the default home screen for a few seconds. Then, her wide eyes searched for Yi Lanyin. Beyond the exaggerated number of followers, she noticed that all traces of Li Zhi had vanished from Yi Lanyin’s social media.

When her turn came, she silently put away her phone. Five iced Americanos, medium size.

The barista looked up at her. May I have your name?

Yu Jing hesitated briefly, torn between writing Yi or Yu. Finally, she said, Just put ‘1,’ the number one. I’ll wait here.

Before she could even check the order, the barista called out, Your coffee is ready.

Yu Jing yawned as she carried the coffee back. Xiao Tao was waiting for her, bored, at the entrance of the styling studio. Seeing her approach, Xiao Tao casually stood on tiptoe and slipped a brand-new staff badge over Yu Jing’s head. Can you drink alcohol?

Yes, Yu Jing replied quickly.

That’s perfect! There’s a celebration banquet tonight, and we’ll be drinking. Sister Yi hasn’t been sleeping well lately, and her medication prohibits alcohol. I also have to return to the company for an emergency meeting tonight. If you’re there, be sharp and help me deflect some drinks.

Got it, Yu Jing said, her work ID hanging around her neck. She followed Xiao Tao, weaving through the studio, until they reached Yi Lanyin’s private room. Along the way, they efficiently exchanged WeChat contacts.

The first message Xiao Tao sent was the monthly work plan. Yu Jing quickly scanned it after tonight’s banquet, Yi Lanyin would take a red-eye flight to Film City to prepare for the filming ceremony of her new drama tomorrow.

Upon entering the room, Yu Jing immediately placed the coffee cup, its sides still glistening with condensation, beside Yi Lanyin. She then distributed the remaining cups to the makeup artists.

After serving the coffee, Yi Lanyin, who had been silent for a while, suddenly scoffed at Yu Jing’s cup. Noticing her unusual reaction, Yu Jing immediately checked her own cup. There was nothing in it—not even a single digit.

Refusing to believe it, she secretly glanced at Xiao Tao’s cup. It was also empty.

Finally, she crept over to Yi Lanyin, pretending to be interested in the large hair-curling machine while secretly glancing at the coffee cup in Yi Lanyin’s hand.

It was as if Yi Lanyin had radar in her head. Despite Yu Jing’s best efforts to blend in, Yi Lanyin saw through her little act.

Yi Lanyin set her coffee cup on the table, her gaze fixed on her reflection in the mirror. With deliberate precision, she slowly turned the cup under Yu Jing’s nose, revealing the five large marker-drawn characters cold-faced handsome older sisterGrumpy Handsome Sis.

Yu Jing’s face flushed crimson. She frantically covered her forehead with her palm and retreated from the scene of her humiliation.

After socializing with everyone, Xiao Tao finally settled down beside the still-mortified Yu Jing.

I saw your resume yesterday, Xiao Tao said. You’re a year younger than me. Can I call you ‘Sister Yu’ from now on? Xiao Tao’s cute face and adorable outfit made her look like a grade-schooler. The sight of this petite girl addressing the tall, imposing Yu Jing with such familiarity left Yu Jing momentarily speechless.

She could only mumble, Whatever.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Tao immediately sprang up, skipping excitedly toward Yi Lanyin. Yu Jing didn’t have time to stop her.

Sister Yi, Yu Jing agreed to let me call her ‘little sister’! Xiao Tao announced, her face glowing with the smug satisfaction of winning a bet.

Yu Jing didn’t dare imagine Yi Lanyin’s current expression. Seeing Xiao Tao eagerly awaiting Yi Lanyin’s response, she quickly rose to her feet and called out, Senior Xiao Tao, I have a question I’d like to ask you.

Xiao Tao straightened her back with a dignified air, turning to Yu Jing with a wide, beaming smile. What is it? There’s no one else here, so just ask.

Yu Jing tilted her head, instinctively glancing at Yi Lanyin. Her eyes met Yi Lanyin’s teasing gaze in the mirror.

Flushing, Yu Jing pressed her lips together before shifting her gaze back to Xiao Tao. About what we were discussing earlier—tonight, I’ll cover for Yi… She paused, then finished, …the boss with the drinks. Afterward, we’ll need to arrange for someone to drive us to the airport.

Yi Lanyin pushed her coffee cup across the table with four fingers, cutting in before Xiao Tao could respond. Who needs you to cover for me with the drinks? And why would we need someone else to drive? Aren’t you supposed to be my assistant? Her voice was icy and sharp, its chill amplified by the cutting words.

After being thoroughly scolded, Yu Jing lowered her head and calmly uttered two words I am.

Yi Lanyin nearly lost her composure. She glanced at the brat before pointing to the sofa Yu Jing had just vacated. One hour. Don’t show your face again until then.

Yu Jing was delighted to be left alone. Exhausted, she could fall asleep the moment she touched the sofa. With Yi Lanyin’s permission, she ran over to catch up on her sleep, feeling completely carefree.

Xiao Tao knelt beside Yi Lanyin, her face troubled. Sister Yi, you took medication this morning and shouldn’t drink. President Pei specifically asked me to return to the office for a meeting tonight.

Before she could finish, Yi Lanyin smiled and gently touched Xiao Tao’s cute, round chin, stroking it a few times before interrupting her anxiety with a soft voice. I know, it’s fine. Just a few sips to satisfy my craving. If you’re tired, find a sofa and lie down too. It’ll be a while before we’re done here anyway.

Xiao Tao glanced at Yu Jing, who was sprawled out on the sofa, breathing evenly. She whispered to Yi Lanyin, Don’t you think this girl seems a bit unreliable?

Yi Lanyin glanced in the same direction, smiled, and withdrew her hand, commenting, Exactly.

Zoe, the stylist and Yi Lanyin’s college roommate, rubbed her hands together as she approached. Her makeup was bold and her outfit fashionable. She lifted a strand of Yi Lanyin’s chestnut-brown curls from her shoulder and casually began chatting, The new kid?

Mm, Yi Lanyin murmured, glancing at the slender figure stretched out on the sofa through the mirror. Xiao Tao’s been swamped lately and is ready to transition into executive management after years of service. So we hired a personal assistant early to take over her duties.

Zoe clicked her tongue twice. Including Lao Pei, you’ve had four or five managers already, yet only one assistant? That’s absurd. She shook her head. These kids these days are something else. I don’t know what they’re eating, but they’re all shooting up like beanstalks. I was feeling so confident today after adding three layers of shoe lifts, thinking I looked radiant—then bam, I brushed past that kid and my nose barely reached his. Can you believe it?

Yi Lanyin sighed inwardly, thinking, What else could she eat? Just meat, eggs, and dairy. I practically raised Yu Jing for the first half of her life—I know her better than anyone. Despite her thoughts, she replied softly, You don’t need to walk the runway. What’s the point of being so tall?

Don’t I have the dignity of being the dominant one? Zoe groaned quietly, her hands still busy trimming Yi Lanyin’s split ends with those ridiculously expensive scissors. As she worked, she asked, You’re flying out tonight, right? Should I join the crew for the second half of the shoot?

Yi Lanyin shook her head. Zoe quickly steadied her head with a hand. Just tell me, don’t move your head.

Stop pretending. Senior Xiao Tao checked your schedule ages ago—you’re booked solid for the entire period, Yi Lanyin paused, then looked at Zoe with sudden pity in the mirror. Do you really think this will work? That having a few platonic relationships will make You Ning care about you? This behavior is just plain trashy—either stupid or malicious, understand?

Zoe chuckled wryly as she helped Yi Lanyin fix her hair. Alright, alright, no need to rub it in. If I had a better plan, I wouldn’t be doing this foolish thing. Once I’m free in a while, I’ll personally visit the film crew and treat you to drinks. She dropped Yi Lanyin’s thick hair, leaned closer, and whispered, That girl on the sofa… she kind of looks like your ‘wife’ from back in the day, doesn’t she? Xiao Zhi, getting old and starting to play the Wanwan Leiqing game, huh?

Yi Lanyin smiled and glanced at her in the mirror. How can you tell? Just because she’s tall and has a grumpy face?

And her age! She looks barely in her early twenties, Zoe replied, glancing back at Yu Jing. If I didn’t know your pretty boy was abroad gnawing on tree bark, I’d call you immediately to confirm if I ran into her on the street.

Yi Lanyin picked up her iced Americano from the table, took a sip, and tilted her head back with a smile. And if you confirmed it was her, what would you do?

Zoe rolled her eyes. What else? I’d send a few studio kids to drag her into an alley and beat her up first. That’ll vent my anger before we even talk about anything else.

When Yu Jing woke up from a sound sleep, she found Yi Lanyin sitting upright at the vanity, fully made up and tapping on her phone.

Yu Jing blinked and climbed off the sofa, her voice still raspy from sleep. Teacher Yi, are you ready?

Yi Lanyin glanced back at her. Typical special forces, she thought. She can nap on a sofa and not even mess up a strand of hair.

Yi Lanyin put down her phone and stood up, her expression cold as she strode toward the door. Let’s go. Xiao Tao’s waiting in the car.

The driver’s seat was returned to its rightful occupant, and Xiao Tao leaned over from the back, waving her phone at Yi Lanyin. Sister Yi, Actor Liu asked about your itinerary. He wants to pick you up from the airport tonight. What should I tell him?

Yu Jing glanced up at the rearview mirror and saw Yi Lanyin frown as she took the phone from Xiao Tao. After typing a quick reply, she handed it back. Next time he messages, just ignore it. He has my WeChat, after all.

She reclined her seat slightly, leaned back, and closed her eyes.

Xiao Tao grinned and tucked her phone away, then continued in a low voice, But he keeps messaging you, and you never reply!

Yi Lanyin slowly opened her eyes. What’s this? Is our little Xiao Tao about to switch sides?

Yu Jing, suddenly called out as Miss, blinked innocently.

No, Xiao Tao smiled. My loyalty to Sister Yi is beyond question. Leaning forward against the front seat, she asked Yu Jing, Hey, Yu Jing, do you know Liu Qizhan? The refined, handsome actor who became famous for that spy film? Do you think he’s a good match for Sister Yi?

Yu Jing’s expression stiffened. She glanced up at Yi Lanyin, who was sleeping with her eyes closed in the rearview mirror, and replied softly, I don’t know. I don’t really follow the entertainment industry.

Yi Lanyin, who had been leaning against Xiao Tao’s side, suddenly frowned and shifted her position away. Xiao Tao immediately patted Yu Jing’s headrest and whispered, We’ll talk about it later. Sister Yi’s sleeping.

Yu Jing turned up the car’s air conditioning. At the next red light, she took off her shirt and draped it over Yi Lanyin’s legs.

The drive to the shopping mall where the film studio was located took about an hour. At every red light, Yu Jing instinctively glanced at Yi Lanyin in the rearview mirror.

Each time she looked back, the black shirt had visibly crept higher. By the time they were nearing their destination, it had successfully climbed onto Yi Lanyin’s shoulders.

Yu Jing turned her head and noticed Xiao Tao was also sound asleep beside her.

She quietly turned up the radio a notch, her fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel in time with the music.

At another intersection, while waiting for the red light, she remembered she hadn’t added a WeChat note for Xiao Tao. She pulled out her phone from her pocket and tapped open WeChat. Her eyes immediately landed on the only profile picture she had pinned to the top a lush forest scene. Yet the person’s WeChat Moments were completely empty. On a whim, she clicked on the profile and, biting her lip, secretly sent a red packet to the person behind the avatar.

The best way to test if someone has deleted you is to send them a red packet. If you reach the final payment screen, it means you haven’t been deleted. You can then cancel the transaction without the other person knowing.

Just as the light turned green, the car behind her honked impatiently.

Flustered and hurried, Yu Jing’s expensive new smartphone, purchased after returning to China, swiftly completed the payment process.

Damn this subconscious impulse.

About two seconds later, the quiet car was jolted by the loud vibration alert of a new WeChat message.

The good news after nearly three years, she hadn’t been deleted by the famous star.

The bad news she now needed to quickly come up with a plausible explanation for sending Yi Lanyin a one-yuan red packet.