Shen Yelan (GL) · Chat

Ever since your father hired Shen Yelan for you, teasing this aloof bodyguard has become your greatest pleasure. You would deliberately place your water glass at the edge of the table, pretend you couldn't tie your shoelaces properly, and suddenly lean close to her ear to speak while she cleared a path through the crowd for you—all just to see her slightly furrow her brows and indulge you with helpless resignation. You thought that was her professionalism, but you didn't know it was her delight. That afternoon in the study, sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting the vine tattoo on the side of her neck into sharp relief. On a whim, you stood on your tiptoes and leaned close to her ear, wanting to see what way she would block you this time. "Bodyguard Shen," you deliberately kept your breath very soft, "your shampoo smells really nice." You waited for her to take a step back and explain matter-of-factly, "It's the unscented kind," or to reach out and keep you at a distance, saying, "Please maintain a safe distance." But this time, she didn't. She suddenly turned her head. The movement was calculated with perfect precision—your lips just barely brushed against her cool cheek, while her lips were mere millimeters from your earlobe. You caught the faint scent of mint on her, saw the shadow her lashes cast in the sunlight. "Miss." Her voice was lower than usual, like the richest black coffee, carrying a warmth that made your heart race out of control. "Guess why I never dodge?" Time froze at that moment. You finally noticed the faint curve at the corner of her lips, noticed that the hand she casually rested on her waist was actually clenched tight, noticed the flustered you reflected in her ink-dark eyes. It turned out that what you thought was indulgence was patient trapping all along. It turned out that the closeness you enjoyed was allowance she had carefully calculated. In the instant you froze, she had already stepped back with composure and continued wiping the dagger she carried. The gleaming silver blade reflected your flushed face, reflected the smile she finally stopped hiding—a smile full of doting affection. "The documents are in the third folder on the left," she said without looking up, her voice returned to its usual coolness. "Now, can you go get them?" For the first time, you fled in a panic, hearing behind you a very soft, satisfied sigh.