Chapter Eighteen: This Bodyguard Is Different

The assistant’s expression grew cold; everyone knew that Chu Yuxi was extremely uncomfortable with strangers approaching her. Yet, a stranger had suddenly appeared, standing directly before her just as she stepped out of the car. The distance between them was less than twenty centimeters.

Chu Yuxi looked up at the man before her. When Shen An approached, she frowned, but upon seeing his face, her cheeks flushed red.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

The assistant wasn’t fazed; she had accompanied Chu Yuxi for years and had seen all kinds of people, handling most situations herself. Now, seeing Shen An standing so close to Chu Yuxi, her expression was particularly unpleasant.

She tried pushing Shen An several times, but he wouldn’t budge. It was as if his feet had taken root in the ground.

“Sorry, I’m her personal bodyguard,” Shen An replied calmly.

“My goodness, that’s a superstar,” Shen An thought to himself, barely able to contain his excitement. Deep down, he was still just an ordinary man, and he never imagined he would get to meet such a famous celebrity in his lifetime.

Chu Yuxi was a top-tier star. Singing, acting, dancing—she was a rare all-rounder in the entertainment industry. Her talent was as astonishing as her beauty.

“I don’t like people standing so close,” Chu Yuxi said suddenly.

“Oh, alright, I’ll step back a bit.” Shen An replied, but he only moved one step away, still remaining quite close.

“How shameless,” the assistant muttered under her breath.

With so many people gathered here, they wouldn’t stay long; being discovered would be troublesome.

Zhou Wang came over, wearing a friendly smile, and explained some precautions to the assistant, then outlined Shen An’s responsibilities, finally persuading her to accept him.

“Is it true he’s good at fighting?” the assistant whispered, barely audible.

The convoy set out for their destination, with Shen An riding in the car with them. It was an extended business vehicle, and no one spoke. The assistant, previously full of disdain, now eyed Shen An with curiosity.

She noticed that this bodyguard was actually quite attractive—the more she looked, the more intriguing he seemed.

Chu Yuxi, too, was secretly watching the bodyguard. She had seen many bodyguards, but none as casual as Shen An. He sat as if he were lounging on his own sofa, relaxed and sprawled out, gazing at the scenery outside without a hint of nervousness, his demeanor utterly unconcerned.

Every bodyguard Chu Yuxi had ever met was grave and serious, their posture always perfectly upright. Shen An was the exact opposite.

“Is there really a bodyguard like you?” the assistant asked, reading Chu Yuxi’s curiosity.

Having worked as an assistant for so long, she could tell from a single glance what her boss wanted to hear.

“The kind of bodyguard doesn’t matter, as long as he can protect,” Shen An replied.

“So, you’re saying you’re quite skilled?” the assistant pressed.

“Just average,” Shen An said. It wasn’t that he was being aloof; he was simply a little excited in Chu Yuxi’s presence. To think that such a superstar was sitting in the same car as him—it was almost unbelievable.

Meanwhile, Shen An was connecting with the future.

“Ah, I never got to meet her in my previous life. What a pity,” his future self replied.

“Did Zhou Wang call you?” Shen An asked. Though they were the same person—one from ten years ahead, the other from the present—Shen An wondered if Zhou Wang had contacted his future self.

“He did. I went, but I couldn’t beat Han Feng back then, so he didn’t approve.”

Shen An chuckled at the reply.

It seemed his future self had only begun training later; unfortunately, he started late, which led to him surviving the catastrophe of ten years hence only as a soul.

“By the way, I remembered something—you need to be careful this time,” the future replied.

Shen An waited for the message.

“I recall that at the scene, Chu Yuxi was involved in a kidnapping. Someone had orchestrated a plot, and she was their target. You must be careful.”

“I didn’t pay much attention to the details at the time, so I can’t offer useful information. Chu Yuxi seemed to be involved in something, but I don’t know the specifics.”

Shen An pondered the message for a moment. Thankfully, he had been warned by his future self; otherwise, he wouldn’t have known about the impending danger.

Clearly, Chu Yuxi was not as simple as she appeared. Shen An concluded.

Soon, the car stopped. The group strode toward the center of the square, which had already been transformed with a stage. Beneath the platform, a crowd had begun gathering.

Further out, fans, paparazzi, and journalists rushed in upon hearing the news. Chu Yuxi was a hot topic—any news about her could make headlines, and now, they surged forward like a wave.

Shen An stepped in front of Chu Yuxi, blocking the crowd. No matter how many people pressed forward, none could breach their circle.

The other security guards and bodyguards joined in, holding back most of the crowd.

The assistant, watching Shen An’s relaxed yet handsome demeanor, said nothing, while Chu Yuxi offered Shen An a grateful smile.

This bodyguard, it seemed, was not so unpleasant after all—he was actually quite useful, Chu Yuxi thought.

Compared to Chu Yuxi’s group, Zhou Zhou and her companions were having a tougher time. She had expected at least a few fans, but upon arrival, found not a single one.

Such was the reality for internet celebrities—online, they seemed to have many fans, but in person, they were just ordinary people. Occasionally, they might be recognized, but it usually ended with a simple greeting or a nod; no one asked for autographs, nor did paparazzi chase them.

What angered Zhou Zhou even more was seeing a fan about to approach her, only to spot Chu Yuxi halfway, immediately turning away and running after Chu Yuxi instead.

“Oh, how heartbreaking—my fan ran off with someone else,” Zhou Zhou lamented, her words carrying a double meaning. Though she meant the fan from moments before, to others it sounded as if she was referring to Shen An, since everyone knew Shen An was Zhou Zhou’s fan.

“There, there, don’t cry. That guy is with the superstar now—he’s left you behind. But don’t worry, you’ve still got me,” a beautiful woman beside Zhou Zhou said, laughing as she hugged her.

“Hm?” Zhou Zhou sensed something was amiss and wriggled out of her embrace, then realized they had misunderstood, causing her cheeks to flush red.

She said nothing, though, only casting her gaze—sometimes intentionally, sometimes not—in Shen An’s direction.