Chapter Text
"Ah, Shen… take a seat," Yelan said as she leaned back in her plush office chair.
Her office had an atmosphere that balanced the line between casual and professional. The room was cozy enough that she could kick back and relax in her downtime. But it was also stifling enough to conduct negotiations whenever need be.
Standing awkwardly in front of Yelan's desk, Shenhe reluctantly sat down in one of the chairs across from it. Sitting up straight with a blank look on her face, it was near impossible to tell how nervous she was. Shenhe could never shake away her uneasiness each time her boss called her into her office with no explanation.
"Was there something you needed from me, Boss?" Shenhe asked, tilting her head to the side slightly as she kept on her cold stare.
"Yes. I have a new assignment for you, a big one," Yelan replied with a smirk like she had a trick up her sleeve.
"Okay, what do I need to guard this time?"
"It's not a matter of what, but a matter of who."
Shenhe could feel her heart sink into her chest. Her job as a security guard largely consisted of her guarding venues or events. Such assignments let her avoid interacting with too many people, just as she liked it. While Shenhe appears to be the type who chooses a life of solitude simply due to having a disdain for other people, that couldn't be further from the truth.
It was a choice as much as it was a curse. Shenhe secretly longed for the company of others, yet her anxieties always held her back. She couldn’t help but feel more socially inept the longer she remained in solitude, unable to even stomach the idea of approaching others. And when people approached her, they'd more often than not become intimidated by her cold stare and strong stature.
Deep down she knew that guarding a singular person so closely would leave her vulnerable in all the worst ways, the perfect opportunity for all of her anxious fears to become realized. This is why whenever Yelan tried to assign her to those kinds of assignments, Shenhe would come up with any excuse or explanation she could to get out of it. And that’s exactly what she planned to do this time around.
"Boss, you know I don't deal with guarding people. I'm sure you can find someone else to take on-" Shenhe began to explain, furrowing her eyebrows as she gripped the arms of the chair.
"Ah-ah…" Yelan interrupted as she held a finger up in warning. "You can't talk yourself out of this one. This is an important assignment, our client requested the best guard we got… that guard being you."
Yelan's calm and casual expression quickly changed into one that was more intimidating. Enough to send a chill down one's spine in an instant. Shenhe couldn't keep her collected composure for long as she was forced to swallow down the lump forming in her throat.
"I appreciate the compliment but I wouldn’t consider myself the best-" Shenhe said as she averted her gaze.
"Shenhe." Yelan leaned forward, resting her elbows on her desk. A twinge of frustration made its way onto her face. "You're doing this job whether you like it or not. You can't avoid human interaction forever."
"But-"
"No buts. Otherwise, your butt will be out the door."
Shenhe rolled her eyes at her boss's lame pun. While Yelan's words did convey an actual threat, Shenhe knew Yelan well enough to know she wasn't entirely serious. The two had grown quite close in the years they have spent working together, after all. Years of Yelan coaxing the aloof security guard to finally peek out of her shell. They've now built a rapport that Shenhe was comfortable engaging with, and sometimes even enjoyed. The two were also both very perceptive and could easily read each other like an open book.
"Hmph, you'd really fire your 'best guard' like that?" Shenhe raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest, finally sitting back in her chair.
"...You got me there." Yelan sighed, giving a pleading look. "Shen, please do this for me. Trust me, you'll be compensated handsomely."
Shenhe now let out a sigh of her own, knowing that she had no choice but to take on this assignment. Yelan had always pushed Shenhe to step out of her comfort zone like this, yet still respected her boundaries all the same. Because of this, Shenhe knew her boss wouldn’t push her to do something that would be completely unbearable. At least, not unbearable in Yelan’s eyes.
“Fine. I’ll do it.” Shenhe relented. “Tell me what I need to do and I’ll see it done.”
“Heh, knew I could count on you Shen! That’s what makes you the best-'' Yelan smiled as her voice took on a honey-sweet tone. Her eyes softened as she was ready to sing Shenhe’s praises.
“Get on with it.” Shenhe interrupted.
“Right," Yelan cleared her throat, sitting up straight in her chair. "Our client is the manager of a famous singer by the name of Yun Jin, I don't suppose you might have heard of her?”
“Nope. Don’t really listen to whatever music's popular nowadays”
“Fair enough, can't go wrong with the classics... Anyway, ever since Ms. Yun’s quick rise to fame, her safety has been put at risk. That’s where you come in. You’ll be escorting Ms. Yun from place to place, standing guard when she’s out in public, and of course, taking down any threats that come her way. Sounds reasonable?”
“Sure, I guess I can handle that.”
“Great!” Yelan pushed herself back in her chair a bit before opening the laptop that lay closed on her desk. “This assignment will officially begin Monday, so you’ll have the whole weekend to mentally prepare. Come here first thing and I’ll give you the keys to the company car. I’ll also text you the address where you’ll be meeting Ms. Yun and go over some more details later.”
With that, Shenhe gave her boss a nod before standing up. Any feelings of anxiety bubbling up were pushed down as she tried not to think too much about what the following weekday might bring. And with Yelan’s attention now on her laptop, she was unaware of the look of uneasiness that remained on Shenhe’s face. “Anything else you need from me?”
“Nope, you're good to go,” Yelan replied, the sounds of her typing now filling the room.
Shenhe quickly turned around, walked towards the office door, and closed it behind her as she left. Shoving her hands in her pants pockets and keeping her head down, Shenhe made her way down the hall.
The nervousness that she was trying so hard to suppress came back up to the surface, her head spinning with questions that seemed to have no answers. Part of her was even tempted to run back into Yelan's office with her tail in between her legs and beg her to be taken off the assignment. However, it was her livelihood to take down any dangers that came her way, the last thing she wanted was to look like a coward. She had no choice, she had to guard this mysterious celebrity.
Shenhe's mouth went dry as she leaned her back against the wall. Too distracted in her contemplation to continue her journey across the building. She shook her head as she whispered to herself. "What the hell did I get myself into?"
Lifting a hand off the wheel to wipe the grogginess from her eyes, Shenhe sat in the company car as the morning traffic moved to a crawl. Just by peering in the windows of the cars around her, she could tell people were starting to lose their patience. It was safe to assume most of them were stressed about being late for their jobs.
However, Shenhe wasn't worried about being late. She always made it a point to get up bright and early so she had enough time to get ready and head out the door. She even gave herself enough time to pick up a matcha latte on the way. Honestly, a drink like this was the last thing Shenhe needed as her nerves were through the roof. But her tiredness and creeping caffeine addiction took precedence.
After what seemed like an entirety, the car in front of her picked up speed, prompting Shenhe to gently press her foot on the gas pedal. Glancing over at the GPS displayed on her phone screen, she only had a couple more turns until she was at her destination, a large recreation center where Yun Jin was going to be holding a concert sometime in the future.
Yelan mentioned while handing off the keys to the company car that Shenhe was going to be accompanying Yun Jin around the venue. The young performer was very involved in the planning of her concerts, making sure to personally scout out the venues she was set to perform in.
“So I’m gonna be spending the day following around some diva while she nitpicks and perfects every little detail-” Shenhe remembers saying to Yelan as she shoved the car keys into her pocket.
“No need to be so judgemental Shen,” Yelan interrupted her. “I think it’s admirable she cares so much about her performances. Maybe you could learn a thing or two from her, at least keep an open mind would'ya?”
Those final words kept intermittently playing in Shenhe’s mind from the moment they left Yelan’s mouth earlier that morning. Keep an open mind, would that really make a difference? It was sound advice, sure, but to Shenhe it just felt like an optimistic mantra that crumbled under the weight of her cynicism. Whether it was open or closed, the only thing on Shenhe’s mind was the feeling of an oncoming headache from thinking so deeply this early in the morning.
As soon as Shenhe snapped herself out of her haze, she found herself pulling up to the recreation center. She prepared to pull into the parking lot, bringing her car into the turning lane and flipping up her turn signal. Once the coast was clear she made a left into the parking lot, driving around for a bit before she found the spot she was instructed to park in.
Shenhe pulled into the parking spot before coming to a full stop and pushing the gear shift into park. She sat in the car for a moment and took a long sip from her latte before turning off the ignition. Stepping out of the car and locking it behind her, Shenhe took a deep breath as she made her way inside the venue.
Yun Jin sat back on the couch in her dressing room, rubbing her eyes awake with the soft sleeve of her sweater. She let out a big yawn as she stretched out her arms, arching her back slightly. The sunlight leaked into the small room, making Yun Jin's gemstone earrings sparkle.
"Hmm, Yunning…" Yun Jin spoke softly as she turned to her manager. "Why'd you get me up so early for this?"
"Ms. Yun," Yunning replied, sitting on the edge of the couch. "You have far too much on your plate to be starting your day at noon."
"No no, not noon. I’ve only overslept that late a few times! I usually get up earlier than that." Yun Jin playfully pouted.
"How many is a few?" Yunning smiled as she let out a slight chuckle. Her laughter was suddenly interrupted by the vibration of her phone. She pulled the device out of her pocket and turned on the screen to read the text that just came through. "Oh, Shenhe's here. Excuse me while I go bring her over."
Yunning quickly got up and walked out the door, leaving Yun Jin alone in the room. ‘Shenhe’ was a name that had been brought up by Yunning several times in the past few days. Hiring a bodyguard for Yun Jin had been something her manager had been wanting to do for a while, an idea that Yun Jin initially protested against.
As much as Yun Jin appreciated and respected Yunning, she always felt that as a manager she was too overbearing. Yunning was almost like her second mother, someone who would always dote over and shield her from anything bad coming her way. Although well-intentioned, Yunning always kept a tight leash on the young starlet. The last thing that Yun Jin wanted was yet another person yanking her by the collar each time she went out in the public eye.
But with time and more thought, Yun Jin came to agree with her manager to some extent. That her newfound fame had brought on more dangers than she realized, dangers that she couldn’t protect herself from alone. That and with the promise of Yunning taking a few steps back and lessening her grip on her, Yun Jin was now fully on board.
From how Yunning described her, Shenhe seemed like a strong woman who doesn’t let her emotions get in the way of her work. With this Yun Jin hoped that as her bodyguard, Shenhe wouldn’t be as overbearing and paranoid as Yunning was. And with her being closer to Yun Jin's age, maybe the two can even build up a friendship. But this wishful thinking wasn't enough to quell Yun Jin’s anxiety over their first meeting.
As Yun Jin sat on the couch alone, she tried to distract her mind by humming the tune of her newest song to herself. She sat back and let her eyes drift up to stare at the ceiling, almost going into a daze until the sound of the door opening snapped her back to reality. Yunning walked into the room with Shenhe following behind. Once the two women were inside Yunning went to close the door. Shenhe almost didn’t know where to direct her eyes as she glanced around the room.
“Ms. Yun, this is Shenhe. Starting today she’ll be your bodyguard. I'm trusting her to keep an eye on you to ensure your safety,” Yunning explained, despite everyone in the room being acutely aware of this new arrangement.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you, Shenhe!” Yun Jin smiled as she stood up from the couch, approaching Shenhe with her arm extended for a handshake.
Shenhe stood a bit apprehensive, holding her latte with one hand and slowly extending the other to reach Yun Jin’s. “Nice to meet you too… Ms. Yun,” Shenhe said as she awkwardly shook the girl's hand.
“Ah, there’s no need to be formal, you can just call me Yun Jin!”
“Right…” Shenhe quickly pulled her hand away, instinctively taking a sip of her latte as she found herself at a loss for words.
“Well, I guess I’ll be on my way. I have my own duties to attend to after all,” Yunning announced as she tried to cut through the rising tension in the air. “Shenhe, I’ll be leaving Yun Jin in your capable hands. Take good care of her, and make sure she doesn’t cause you too much trouble-”
“Yunning!” Yun Jin interrupted, her cheeks now glowing bright red from embarrassment.
“Oh, you know I’m only kidding!” Yunning chuckled as she now faced her attention toward Yun Jin. “If anything comes up don’t hesitate to text or call, I’ll see you later tonight.”
As Yunning turned to leave the room, Shenhe locked eyes with her, giving a firm yet reassuring nod. Yunning felt a sense of relief wash over her as she gave Shenhe a smile in return before heading out the door for a final time.
"So, Shenhe," Yun Jin perked up as she spoke. "Before we head out, maybe you could tell me a bit about yourself? You know, break the ice a little!"
Standing frozen in place, Shenhe felt as though she had no choice but to finally set her gaze on Yun Jin after avoiding eye contact for so long. But taking in the sight of the girl before her only brought on a new set of fears.
There was no denying it, Yun Jin was absolutely gorgeous. The young girl had fair skin that almost looked as soft as the plush sweater that draped over her chest. Contrasting it was dark pin-straight hair that flowed down her back. Her red eyes sparkled like rubies, framed by long curled eyelashes. She was so well put together, yet still had a genuine natural look to her that Shenhe admired. And admire she did, as she could feel herself getting flustered the longer she stared.
It was like the air had been sucked right out of Shenhe’s lungs, leaving her mouth open slightly agape. The more she tried to catch her breath, the more Yun Jin's flowery perfume drifted into her nostrils. Never had she felt a feeling so terrifying yet so full of bliss. As the seconds ticked on Shenhe’s mind raced to bring herself back down to earth, to push away these strange new feelings. In the only way she knew how she hid her emotions away behind her cold demeanor.
“There’s nothing interesting about me that you need to know about,” Shenhe said as she turned away, drinking what was left of her latte. She couldn’t help but squeeze the empty cup slightly, the thin plastic making a cracking noise in her hand. “We shouldn’t waste any more time, I’m sure you have a lot to attend to today.”
“Oh… I suppose you have a point. There are quite a few things I need to inquire about for my next concert. Shall we get going?” Yun Jin replied, trying not to sound too disappointed.
"Alright, lead the way." Shenhe held the door open, watching as Yun Jin walked across the room and into the hall. The door slowly swung closed behind them as they made their way through the corridor.
The next few hours remained uneventful, with Shenhe following and keeping watch as Yun Jin went about her business. Listening to Yun Jin talk to the venue’s managers and coordinating with the stage crew felt like a slog at times. However, it also gave Shenhe some insight into the type of person the young performer was.
Yun Jin was a far cry from the entitled celebrity that Shenhe had envisioned. Her passion for singing and performing was clear as day, going over every little detail to ensure the venue would suit the type of show she planned to put on. Any setbacks or disagreements in Yun Jin’s way were met with grace and understanding, she never demanded anything and was always willing to compromise. This kind of attitude came as a pleasant shock for Shenhe, relieved that her client wasn’t going to be as difficult to work with as she imagined.
Near the end of their visit, Yun Jin took Shenhe onto the main stage. The large platform gave a spectacular view of all of the seats and areas where the audience would be watching. Yun Jin could barely contain her excitement, turning her body from one side to the other as her long hair and the loose fabric of her skirt flowed with her movements.
“Oh, what a wonderful view!” Yun Jin smiled as she clasped her hands together. “I love being able to see all of my fans while I perform. Their joy and excitement are so contagious, it never fails to lift my spirits!”
“Well, they better not get too excited. Don't need to make my job any harder,” Shenhe mumbled to herself as she craned her neck to view the rows of seats elevated on the higher levels of the concert hall.
“Hm? What was that Shenhe?” Yun Jin asked as she turned around, leaning her head to the side curiously.
“Nothing. This place seems nice… is there anything else you need to do here?”
“Nope, I believe that’s everything. I’ll also be coming back to rehearse a few weeks from now so if I forget anything I could always go over it next time I’m here.”
“Good, let's get going.”
Shenhe was never going to admit how lost she felt trying to find her way to the back door where she came in from this morning. The halls around the venue felt like a labyrinth, twisting and winding paths that more often than not came to dead ends. Once they did find an exit they used it to leave the building, only for them to realize they came out near the front of the building instead of the back.
“This isn’t where I came in. But I think I know where it is now, if we just head back inside-” Shenhe spoke as she turned to place her hand on the long push door handle, only to be interrupted by Yun Jin placing her hand dangerously close by. Shenhe’s eyes went wide as she instinctively pulled her hand away.
“Or we could just walk around to the parking lot from outside,” Yun Jin suggested. “Not only will it be easier to find your car, but we’ll get to enjoy this lovely weather as well.”
“Eh, Boss is always telling me I need to get out in the sun more… so sure, we’ll do that.”
Yun Jin smiled as she pulled her hand away from the door, letting it close shut behind them as they began to walk around the outside of the venue. The afternoon sun beamed on the two of them as they moved away from the building's shady overhang.
The two weren't on the sidewalk for long before Shenhe noticed small groups of people staring and holding camera equipment in their hands. Suddenly the onlookers swarmed together around Yun Jin, revealing themselves as relentless paparazzi. The bright lights from cameras flashing and the sound of shouting were enough to overwhelm the senses. Shenhe was like a deer in headlights as the photographers indiscriminately snapped photos of her with their cameras. The crowd continued to grow in volume as they fought to capture Yun Jin’s attention.
"Yun Jin! Yun Jin! Look over here!”
“Regarding the rumors surrounding your next album, any word for comment?”
“What about a potential boyfriend? A beautiful and talented woman like you surely can’t still be single…”
Now on full alert, Shenhe quickly glanced around for a way out of the crowd before looking down at the woman beside her. Yun Jin looked so small as she cowered away from the paparazzi, keeping her eyes glued to the ground. It was like her sunny and friendly demeanor was sapped from her, leaving only a shell of her former self. A shell that was starting to crack as the attention on her grew more intense. Shenhe knew she had to spring into action, especially after hearing the shouts of one photographer in particular.
“Yun Jin! Who is this strange lady with you?”
“None of your damn business!” Shenhe yelled back as she pulled off her blazer, swinging the garment around her and draping it over Yun Jin so that she was shielded from the cameras. Using her intimidating demeanor and strong stature to her advantage, Shenhe shot a cold stare back at the photographers.
Yun Jin barely had any time to react before she was pushed along by Shenhe, the two of them breaking free from the crowd and making their way down the sidewalk. The paparazzi remained unrelenting as they followed beside them, snapping photos and yelling out more questions.
The afternoon sun continued to beam down on them, its heat nearly suffocating Yun Jin from underneath the blazar. But that wasn’t the only cause for her rise in temperature, as the two women's body heat radiated off each other. Glancing upwards showed Shenhe with her face set in a scowl, her silver bangs draped over her forehead. Her crystalline eyes glimmered in the sunlight, flecks of various colors shining through. Yun Jin’s heart nearly skipped a beat as heat traveled up her body and settled on her cheeks.
This sort of situation was nothing new to Yun Jin. There had been plenty of times when Yunning had to fight off paparazzi for her, yelling and shooing them away like a swarm of bees. But the way Shenhe handled the swarm, shielding Yun Jin and pulling her close… She felt so safe.
Yun Jin knew that Shenhe was only doing her job, but deep down she wanted to believe it was more than that. That Shenhe was protecting her not as a client, not as an idol, but as a person. Not even Shenhe’s cold and stand-offish demeanor could make that fantasy impossible in Yun Jin’s mind. Like a heat that burned within her, Yun Jin yearned to melt Shenhe’s icy exterior. As rushed and juvenile as these feelings felt, Yun Jin couldn't ignore them. She couldn’t ignore this budding infatuation with her bodyguard.
“Get in.”
A voice pulled Yun Jin away from her rumination, turning her head toward the sound as she tried snapping out of her daze. “Huh?”
“The car. I said get in the car,” Shenhe spoke firmly, holding open the door to her car and gently nudging Yun Jin.
“Oh! Right.” Yun Jin climbed into the vehicle, sat down, and buckled her seat belt. Only now did she realize that she was sitting in the back seat. She couldn’t help but feel disappointed that Shenhe didn’t let her sit up front, the growing distance between them leaving Yun Jin feeling empty.
Shenhe quickly got into the driver's seat, turning on the ignition and revving the engine as a warning. Like a flock of birds, the paparazzi scattered at the loud noise. Once the coast was clear, Shenhe backed the car out of the parking space and drove out of the lot.
“You live at Wangshu Heights right?” Shenhe asked, peering into the rearview mirror.
“Yes, that’s correct. Do you need the address?” Yun Jin responded, looking down from Shenhe’s view as she rummaged through her purse for her phone.
“No, I know where it is. Plus Boss already texted it to me earlier.”
“It sounds like your boss is quite thoughtful, aren’t they?”
Yun Jin looked up from her phone, this time staring right into the rearview mirror. It only took one glance into the mirror for Shenhe to feel herself freeze up, her eyes transfixed on the road ahead of her.
Shit, she’s trying to start a conversation, Shenhe thought to herself. Why can’t I think of anything to say? I can’t just ignore her…
The silence within the car had gone on long enough to feel uncomfortable. Peeking at the rearview mirror again showed Yun Jin expectantly, yet patiently, waiting for a response. A deep breath escaped Shenhe’s lips to stall a bit longer and release any nerves built up within her.
“Oh, yeah she’s… good to me,” Shenhe said, the awkwardness seeping into her tone. Her eyes nervously shifted from the rearview mirror to the front windshield. With Wangshu Heights just a few blocks away, she tried to keep herself from flooring the gas pedal.
“That’s wonderful! I’d say my boss, or in my case, my manager, is-” Yun Jin began to explain before suddenly being interrupted.
“We’re here,” Shenhe blurted out, her self-control finally depleted as she haphazardly pulled up to the sidewalk and slammed on the brakes.
Yun Jin was jerked forward a bit by the abrupt stop. She then turned towards the window where her tall apartment complex stood. Hesitation kept her from opening the door right away. Deep down she didn’t want to part ways with Shenhe so soon. Her face soon lit up however when an idea came to mind. Yun Jin unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the back seat of the car, making a beeline for the driver's side door. Her delicate hand knocked on the window, leaning down so she could peek through the glass.
Shenhe wasn’t that dense, she knew Yun Jin was trying to get her attention. Yet she once again felt a heavy wave of apprehension weigh her down and keep her from moving. As much as she wanted to speed away, she figured she should at least see if Yun Jin had anything important to tell her. Rolling down the window halfway, Shenhe turned to look toward where Yun Jin stood. “Yes?”
“Well, I was wondering…” Yun Jin spoke softly. “Would you maybe like to come up to my apartment for a bit? We could chat over some tea! I saw you drinking a matcha latte earlier, I have quite a few green tea mixes you could choose from.”
“How did you know what I was drinking?” Shenhe raised an eyebrow, a bit taken aback by Yun Jin’s attention to detail.
“The cup was clear, Shenhe…”
Shenhe let out an exasperated groan as she smacked the palm of her hand to her forehead. Even though she already had her mind set on not taking up Yun Jin's offer, this added embarrassment only solidified that decision. The last thing she needed was another stick thrown into the fire of her anxiety. And as the flames grew hotter, so too did her frustration.
"Ms. Yun, Look," Shenhe said as she tried to reign in her tone to not sound too harsh. "I appreciate the kindness but I’ll have to decline. I'm only here to do my job. Nothing more, nothing less. Your manager hired me to protect you, not to be your friend. Understood?"
Yun Jin’s smile faded into a defeated frown, an expression that didn’t fail to make Shenhe’s heart ache. It was like all the commotion around them stopped. The sound of cars zooming by, people walking up and down the street. It all seemed to vanish as tension hung thick in the air. After what seemed like forever, Yun Jin took a step back from the car door, clutching tightly onto her purse.
“I… understand.” Yun Jin lied.
“Good. I’ll be taking my leave then.” Shenhe responded quietly as she turned away from the window, rolling it closed before Yun Jin had a chance to say anything else. The car then haphazardly pulled away from the sidewalk, cutting off another car driving down the road. The other car couldn't honk its horn fast enough before Shenhe sped away.
Yun Jin stood still on the sidewalk, staring down at the concrete. Tears threatened to well up in her eyes, clinging to her long lashes. She pulled a tissue out from her purse and began to dab her eyes lightly. It was like burying her face into a cloud, one that took her tears away. But even with dry eyes she still felt an ache in her chest. She had a tendency to fall victim to her pure heart, and this time was no different. Shenhe had every right to decline her offer, but why did it hurt so bad?
As a famous performer in the public eye, Yun Jin was used to keeping people at a distance. As much as she wanted to open herself up to the world and interact freely with everyone around her, she simply couldn’t. It was a lonely existence. Being able to meet Shenhe like this felt like a one-in-a-million chance, a miracle she had to hold on to. One that already seemed to be slipping away.
She couldn’t let this feeling of dejection get in the way of having Shenhe open up to her. Determination swelled in Yun Jin’s heart, a wave of confidence rushing through her. She looked up from the ground and in the direction where Shenhe drove away. A smile returned to her face as she felt her hair and clothes sway in the light breeze.
“I may not understand you,” Yun Jin spoke out loud as if Shenhe was standing right infront of her. “But I want to. I will do whatever it takes for you to let me in…”