The Shadow Queen and Her Little Bodyguard (GL) - Chapter 8

Yu Jing finally got a clear look at the person beside her. The woman had a round face framed by oversized black-rimmed glasses and small, pursed lips that seemed barely able to open when she spoke. She wasn’t wearing the crew’s T-shirt, but her own white shirt featured a large heat-transfer print across the chest. She wasn’t wearing a staff badge.

A server approached with a bucket of glowing charcoal. With practiced ease, he flipped open the metal grate on the grill and used tongs to transfer the coals one by one from the bucket into the grill. Finally, he lifted the empty bucket and shouted behind him, Number seventeen, put your grate on!

As the fire blazed to life, people eagerly began placing meat on the grate, as if desperately trying to ease the awkwardness for the woman beside Yu Jing. It was clear this person held some status within the crew.

Yu Jing waited for nothing. Fearing that her association with Yi Lanyin as a staff member might damage Yi Lanyin’s professional reputation, she stood up abruptly, her hand closing around the lighter in her pocket.

The others at the table turned to stare. Yu Jing ignored them, deftly flicking open the lighter’s lid and snapping it shut with a click. She smiled at the group. Just going out for some fresh air.

She didn’t actually smoke, but she wanted everyone to think she did at that moment.

As she left the table, she glanced back at Yi Lanyin.

It was as if Yi Lanyin had a radar installed in her head. The moment Yu Jing looked over, Yi Lanyin met her gaze with those sapphire-like eyes, staring straight back from the largest table, where most of the people were gathered.

Yu Jing didn’t know how to explain her intention to leave from two tables away, so she simply held up the lighter and pointed to the back door of the restaurant with a finger.

After quickly escaping the noisy environment, Yu Jing leaned against the tiled wall by the back door, tilting her head back to gaze at the sky. The air was at its most comfortable, with a gentle breeze drifting in from the street. The world seemed draped in a deep blue filter, like a vast box where humans were mere specks of dust.

Yu Jing strained her neck, searching earnestly for a long time, but could only make out a few faint, tiny glimmers hanging in the sky.

Looks like tomorrow won’t be a good day, she thought. Or maybe the city lights are just too bright.

Someone pushed the door open, interrupting her stargazing. Yu Jinghui turned to see the girl with the black-rimmed glasses.

The girl stood opposite Yu Jinghui, her head barely reaching Yu Jinghui’s chin. She looked even younger than she had inside the room.

I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean it that way.

Oh, Yu Jinghui nodded.

The girl extended a hand. Let’s get to know each other?

Yu Jinghui frowned. Can’t you tell I don’t particularly like you?

The girl’s lips curved into a smile as she moved her outstretched hand closer. I can. That’s why I want to get to know you even more.

Yu Jinghui wasn’t one to linger in awkward situations. Sensing the girl’s softened demeanor, she took the offered olive branch. She reached out, briefly touched the girl’s fingertips, and quickly withdrew her hand. Yu Jing.

Zhou Ying, the girl replied, retracting her hand. I’m also a co-producer on this film.

Yu Jinghui had no understanding of the hierarchical structure within film crews, so Zhou Ying’s title didn’t impress her.

Zhou Ying chuckled in surprise. Just starting out in the industry?

Mm-hmm, Yu Jinghui nodded again.

Zhou Ying Do you like the starry sky?

Yu Jing It’s alright.

Zhou Ying turned around and leaned against the wall, mimicking Yu Jing’s posture. Teacher Yi’s next project also has me. Big Director, star-studded cast—it’s guaranteed to be a hit. I’m just going to soak up some experience.

Yu Jing looked up at the sky. Oh.

The atmosphere inside the room was lively, with someone drunk singing into a microphone. The amateurish sound system blasted the off-key melody from the room into the night.

During their silent moment, the man who had been handling the charcoal came out, lit a cigarette, and offered the pack to Yu Jing. What kind of production are you guys working on? A movie or a TV series? Will it be on TV?

Yu Jing waved him off. I don’t smoke.

The man turned the pack toward Zhou Ying, who glanced at Yu Jing before waving him off as well. I don’t either. It’s a movie, currently in theaters.

Who has time to go to the movies these days? The man pocketed the cigarettes and clamped the smoke between two fingers of his gloved hand. Movie stars really do look different from ordinary people—so beautiful, even the young men are gorgeous. And there’s one with blue eyes—he doesn’t even look real.

Zhou Ying stole a glance at Yu Jing’s face, then smiled at the man. Well, the female lead has to be beautiful, right? But it’s not just looks—her acting is amazing too. She has tons of fans.

I get it, the man said, putting the cigarette back in his mouth. My old man used to love Peking opera and the actors on stage. The better they sang, the more fans they had. I like celebrities too—after these pretty faces visit, business booms for a while. I heard someone call it ‘getting a shout-out.’

Yu Jing pressed her lips together.

Zhou Ying nudged her. Why hold back? If you want to laugh, just laugh. The guy’s got a point, right?

Yu Jing pouted at her, teasing back, What if I’m just not a smiley person?

Fine by me, Zhou Ying chuckled. Why wouldn’t it be?

After finishing his cigarette, the man ducked back inside.

The atmosphere outside had noticeably relaxed.

Want some sour plum drink? There’s a dessert shop nearby that brews it fresh daily—it’s amazing, Zhou Ying said, stepping forward and gesturing toward the alley entrance. It’s less than three hundred meters away. You could even grab one for Teacher Yi—it’s great for hangovers and beating the heat.

Yu Jing blinked, then turned her back to observe Yi Lanyin’s movements through a small pane of glass above the back door. The glass had clearly been there for a long time, its edges greasy, leaving only a small, clear patch in the center for viewing.

The moment Yu Jing focused on that clear patch, she found herself staring directly into a pair of beautiful, ocean-like eyes.

Yi Lanyin pushed open the door, first glancing at Zhou Ying, who stood just a few steps away, before finally sweeping her gaze over Yu Jing, who was awkwardly scrambling to make room for her.

What are you doing, sneaking around like that? Yi Lanyin asked, her eyes narrowed, bringing a chill like a summer breeze from the underworld.

Still shaken from her earlier fright, Yu Jing could only manage a hurried, Nothing.

Zhou Ying stepped forward, smiling as she explained to Yi Lanyin, I upset her at the table earlier, so I thought I’d treat the little one to a drink. You know, Liu Ji’s at the corner—the place you always treat people to.

Yi Lanyin raised an eyebrow in surprise. Upset her?

Hmm, I was talking about you, and your little friend didn’t like it, Zhou Ying admitted frankly.

Yi Lanyin finally cracked a small smile, pinching Yu Jing’s elbow with two fingers. Why didn’t you go?

I wanted to ask you first, Yu Jing replied honestly. I didn’t expect you to suddenly appear.

Yi Lanyin glared at her, then tugged her forward a few steps with those two fingers. Come on, I want some too.

Zhou Ying led the way, while Yu Jing whispered to Yi Lanyin, Are you drunk? Why would you walk this far just for a cup of sour plum drink?

Yi Lanyin whipped her head around. What? Afraid I’ll get rowdy? I’ve never been drunk before. No need to worry.

As they reached the alley entrance, Zhou Ying turned back to Yu Jing and pointed at Yi Lanyin. Protect her face.

Yu Jing hastily raised her hand to cover Yi Lanyin’s mouth.

Yi Lanyin impatiently slapped her hand away. Can’t you be more natural? No one was even looking, but now you’re drawing attention.

Yu Jing frowned at Yi Lanyin, her arm hovering in the air before naturally settling on Yi Lanyin’s shoulder. She pulled Yi Lanyin into a hug, propping her forearm in front of Yi Lanyin’s face.

Zhou Ying glanced inside the hotpot restaurant from the entrance, then waved at the two tangled figures behind her. It’s pretty crowded inside. I’ll go in myself. You two should head back and wait for me.

Okay, Yu Jing replied with her usual one-word brevity.

After Zhou Ying entered, Yi Lanyin struggled to push Yu Jing’s arm away, gritting her teeth as she hissed, Can’t bear to leave? Still not going?

Bear to leave what? Yu Jing asked, only then realizing she actually was a little reluctant to part. This was the first time she and Li Zhi had been so intimate in public.

How would I know? Yi Lanyin shot her a glance. Xiao Tao is on her way from the company. Once she arrives, we’ll head straight to the airport.

I know, I remember, Yu Jing replied cheerfully, trailing behind Yi Lanyin. Why didn’t you ask her what she said about you earlier?

Call me a pretty face, what else can they say? I’m the one who treats the crew the most, and I never cause any trouble for the staff, Yi Lanyin rattled off like a machine gun, as if desperate to prove herself. When we first started filming, I really struggled to adjust to the rhythm of the camera, but I got the hang of it by the middle and later stages.

Yu Jing listened quietly, just as she used to listen to Yi Lanyin’s complaints about losing auditions.

At first, the director was always yelling at me, but later everyone praised me, Yi Lanyin said, raising her eyebrows. Her curled lashes fluttered slightly, and the stars that had been hiding behind the clouds suddenly filled half the sky.

Exactly, Yu Jing nodded, then turned to Yi Lanyin with a teasing look, clearly tipsy. We have to praise Teacher Yi when she does well.

Yi Lanyin pushed her playfully, her voice a mix of annoyance and affection. Take off your clothes.

Huh? Yu Jing’s eyes widened.

Drink… wine… catch… cold, Yi Lanyin said slowly, pausing between each word. Then she glared at Yu Jing. Is this how you take care of me? I’m deducting your salary.

It was a perfect example of a pampered housecat trying to act like the king of the jungle—and failing miserably.

Beautiful people always have this advantage even when they’re angry, they still look harmless and charming.

Yu Jing was now certain that Yi Lanyin was slightly tipsy. Her whole demeanor had softened, and she was talking more than usual. Yu Jing quickly took off her shirt, which still carried Yi Lanyin’s scent, shook it out in the breeze, and draped it over Yi Lanyin’s shoulders.

I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’ll do better next time.

Yi Lanyin turned her head away, pouting and muttering under her breath, Is that what you should be apologizing for? You have so much more to apologize for.

What? What did you say? Yu Jing leaned down slightly, meeting her gaze.

Yi Lanyin didn’t answer, but abruptly pointed her finger outward, coldly ordering, Hurry up and go get them. Run!

Yu Jing glanced toward the alley entrance. Zhou Ying was carrying two fully loaded supermarket cloth bags. She hurried over, took one bag with one hand, and reached out for the other.

Zhou Ying shook her head. I can manage. Let’s go.

Yu Jing stood her ground, insisting on taking the other bag. Zhou Ying reluctantly handed it over.

Is it heavy? If it is, give me one of the bags. Since we’re out shopping anyway, I grabbed a few extra cups.

Not heavy at all, Yu Jing replied, shaking her head and quickly putting some distance between them. I could still run if I needed to.

And so, in an ordinary alleyway, an adult began sprinting like a mad dog.

Yi Lanyin stood rooted to the spot, watching, and found herself struggling to contain her emotions.

Perhaps it was the alcohol, or maybe the sight of Yu Jing running with her hair flying wildly was simply too absurd.

The darkness concealed her true feelings, allowing the tightly wound nerves she had kept taut all day to finally unwind.

Her eyes began to burn with heat, and a wave of self-pity and resentment washed over her.

She resented her own stubbornness, her tendency to overthink things. She pitied herself for knowing she was climbing out of one pit only to consciously step into another. And she resented the world for its cruel cycle of alternating between beatings and fleeting moments of kindness.

Finally, the stick-like figure of Yu Jing halted before her, two massive bags of plum juice hanging from her arms, her body forming a giant X-shape. She looked comically like a clown, yet her words mimicked a greasy, domineering CEO

Who’s been bullying you?