6 – The Delicate and Self-Destructive Young Lady
A single sentence uttered by Xie Jingchuan was like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.
It sounded less like, “Have a smooth performance.”
And more like, “Rest in peace.”
Xie Yurao couldn’t help but feel a shiver of disgust.
With Xie Jingchuan’s sinister and demonic appearance, anyone who saw him would call him a pervert!
She then smiled and replied, “Alright.”
As if oblivious to the dangerous mockery in his words, Xie Yurao curved her innocent, languid eyes.
“Then I’ll take your auspicious words, Second Brother.”
Xie Jingchuan looked at her and let out a cold, ambiguous sneer.
Xie Yurao seemed to suddenly remember something, exclaiming with realization, “Ah, I just recalled that Second Brother is a genius professor in medical research.”
“If I can inherit the Research Institute…”
Leaning against Tan Shen’s shoulder, she raised the corners of her eyes with interest.
“I’ll hire you to work for me then~”
Tan Shen: “…”
Dancing on a minefield.
This little fox truly had no fear of death.
He then watched as the smile on Xie Jingchuan’s lips gradually faded, replaced by an intense, dark gloom.
Through gritted teeth, Xie Jingchuan forced out a sentence, “Fine, I’ll be waiting, little sister.”
His gaze seemed to look down on an overconfident young girl.
“I just wonder if little sister Rao Rao has the fortune for it.”
Xie Yurao: “Don’t worry, Brother, my fortune has always been good.”
Xie Jingchuan withdrew his gaze, then strode out of the banquet hall with long, purposeful steps.
Once the tall, arrogant silver-haired figure disappeared through the doorway,
The domineering young lady from a moment ago instantly deflated like a punctured balloon.
“What does Xie Jingchuan mean by that?”
She grabbed Tan Shen’s sleeve. “Is he planning to harm me behind my back again?”
Xie Yurao had suffered plenty at Xie Jingchuan’s hands since childhood.
She knew all too well that the injuries she had endured over the years were inextricably linked to this venomous, heartless man.
Tan Shen nodded. “Yes.”
Given her knack for infuriating people with just a few words, the answer was obvious.
Xie Yurao huffed angrily. “He just loves pulling these underhanded tricks.”
Although the young lady of the Xie family was domineering, at least she acted openly and honestly.
If she wanted to hit someone, she did it face-to-face, making sure the person knew clearly
That the slap came from Miss Xie herself.
But Xie Jingchuan was different—he was accustomed to playing cruel, hidden games.
Tan Shen glanced down at his crumpled sleeve and chuckled softly. “Knowing he loves these tricks, why do you still deliberately provoke him?”
Asking Xie Jingchuan to work for her—only she would dare say such a thing.
Xie Yurao justified herself confidently. “He deliberately angered me, so of course I had to anger him back!”
The young lady might not excel at much, but she was stubborn.
Even if she couldn’t achieve greatness, she’d still fight for her pride!
“…”
Tan Shen had always been mature and steady, and in his eyes, Xie Yurao’s approach
Was simply—
Amateurish yet eager to play.
The next moment, his drooping sleeve was gently tugged by slender, pale fingers.
“Besides, I still have you, don’t I?”
Tan Shen paused.
He lowered his cold gaze, meeting a pair of charmingly curved fox-like eyes, stunningly beautiful.
A single blink seemed capable of ensnaring someone’s soul.
She looked up, blinking softly. “You’ll protect me, won’t you?”
Tan Shen stared at her face for a long moment before turning away.
He responded in a low voice, “Mm.”
Receiving his affirmation, Xie Yurao immediately broke into a radiant smile. “Then everything’s fine, isn’t it?”
She lifted the hem of her skirt and walked out of the banquet hall, looking every bit like a pampered, arrogant little fox.
Chattering away, she said, “Let’s go home and have the chef make something delicious. I didn’t eat enough at the banquet just now.”
Qin Yun always insisted on proper etiquette in public, so she could only eat slowly and elegantly, and wasn’t allowed to eat too much.
Tan Shen followed behind her, responding helplessly, “Alright.”
No wonder Mrs. Xie had assigned her a top-tier personal bodyguard.
Otherwise, who knew when this delicate yet trouble-seeking young lady might end up getting herself strangled.
…
Early the next morning.
Jiang Mingci arrived at the villa as promised to accompany the young lady of the Xie family for dance practice.
The morning light was still hazy, with the maids tending to the garden. Tender green grass was dotted with morning dew, full of vitality.
He straightened his attire and had just stepped out into the front yard when he saw the stern-faced man jogging toward him.
“Bodyguard Tan,” Jiang Mingci greeted him with a light smile.
Seeing him, Tan Shen abruptly stopped, his brows slowly furrowing. “Why are you here?”
Dance practice was scheduled for the afternoon, and it was only a little past six in the morning.
Jiang Mingci walked over to him. Today, he had deliberately dressed up, even styling his hair in a trendy Korean fashion.
After all, he wanted to pursue the young lady, and she had Tan Shen—an almost perfect man—by her side.
In terms of male competition, he naturally couldn’t afford to fall behind.
“Last night, the young lady sent me a WeChat message saying dance practice has been extended from half a day to a full day.”
He looked at Tan Shen and said with a smile, “So Bodyguard Tan didn’t know?”
“…”
Tan Shen glanced at him, his tone indifferent. “My duties don’t require me to know who she sends WeChat messages to.”
Jiang Mingci was taken aback.
Judging by his cold and indifferent demeanor, it seemed he harbored no special feelings for the young lady.
Was it just his imagination?
Tan Shen suddenly added in a calm tone, “She slept late last night and hasn’t woken up yet.”
“…”
Before Jiang Mingci could respond, Tan Shen instructed the maid watering the flowers, “Take the guest to the lounge to wait. Make sure he’s well taken care of.”
“Yes, Mr. Tan.”
After giving the order, Tan Shen paid no further attention to Jiang Mingci and resumed his unfinished morning jog.
Jiang Mingci watched his tall, sturdy figure recede into the distance. Beneath the gray casual wear, the contours of well-defined muscles were visible—handsome, cold, and exuding an undeniable aura of masculinity.
“Mr. Jiang, please follow me.”
Jiang Mingci nodded and finally withdrew his gaze.
He thought with some displeasure, Why does this bodyguard act like the master of the house?
Tan Shen finished his morning jog.
Casually lifting the hem of his shirt, he wiped the sweat from his face.
Inadvertently revealing his distinct, firm eight-pack abs, glistening with a fine layer of sweat—both sexy and lethal.
A maid who approached him blushed inexplicably. “M-Mr. Tan.”
Tan Shen’s tone was cool and detached, his expression impassive.
“Speak.”
“The young lady’s dance practice time is approaching, but she hasn’t woken up yet. Could you please go and wake her…”
The maid spoke hesitantly, “You know how the young lady dislikes being woken up by others.”
Although Xie Yurao was usually kind to the maids, she had a temper when it came to waking up.
So, she forbade them from waking her and left the task to Tan Shen.
Better to scold a man than the pretty maids.
In the morning light, the handsome, cold-faced man scoffed lightly. “Understood.”
Normally, after his morning jog, he would take a shower before waking her.
But today, for some reason, he couldn’t be bothered. He simply strode toward the villa on his long legs—