Extra - Ji Lu Wushuang - Testing the Waters

The next day.

A black Hongqi sedan glided smoothly into the Lu family estate.

The wrought iron gates of the estate slowly closed behind it.

As if separating two entirely different worlds.

Ji Wushuang sat in the back seat, her gaze sweeping across the view outside the window.

Meticulously trimmed lawns stretched as far as the eye could see.

In the distance, elegant pavilions and towers stood in picturesque disorder.

Every tree, every stone here exuded an understated yet unmistakable air of luxury—

a stark contrast to the sweat-and-earth scented training grounds she was accustomed to.

The car came to a stop before the main residence.

Lin Yuan opened the door for her.

"Ms. Ji, this way."

Lu Chenyuan himself stood waiting at the entrance.

"Ms. Ji, welcome."

He extended his hand.

"Mr. Lu."

Ji Wushuang gave his hand a brief, firm shake.

"Please, come in."

Lu Chenyuan led her into the living room.

There, a girl sat somewhat awkwardly on the sofa.

The girl wore a white sundress, her long hair cascading over her shoulders.

Her skin was milk-pale, her eyes large and luminous.

She was beautiful.

Beautiful in the way of the most exquisite doll displayed in a shop window.

When she noticed Ji Wushuang, she visibly stiffened.

Their gazes met midair.

The girl's eyes held surprise, curiosity—

and a trace of barely perceptible resistance.

Ji Wushuang's expression remained impassive.

She looked at the girl as one might regard a valuable, fragile artifact in need of protection.

This was Lu Qianqian.

Her mission objective.

A delicate, beautiful, breakable porcelain doll.

Ji Wushuang filed away the first impression.

Meanwhile, Lu Qianqian found herself startled.

The female bodyguard her elder brother had hired—

was neither the muscle-bound "killing machine" of action movies,

nor some expressionless ice queen.

Instead, she was... perfectly ordinary.

Even attractive, really.

Yet Ji Wushuang's beauty differed entirely from the polished glamour of Beijing's elite young women.

For the first time, Lu Qianqian understood what people meant by "heroic bearing."

A line of poetry drifted unbidden through her mind:

Speak not of women as unworthy heroes—

Each night the sword cries out upon the wall!

Still, the quiet competence and unapproachable aura radiating from Ji Wushuang made casual interaction impossible.

"Qianqian, come here."

Lu Chenyuan beckoned.

The girl moved to her brother's side.

After introductions, Lu Chenyuan instructed his sister to treat Ji Wushuang with the same respect accorded to himself—

and to follow her instructions without question henceforth.

This last demand kindled a spark of rebellion in Lu Qianqian.

Following the brief meeting, Uncle Yu escorted Ji Wushuang to her quarters.

The room adjoined Lu Qianqian's.

Compact but immaculate, its window overlooked the estate's main gate—

providing a commanding view of the front courtyard.

An intentionally chosen position, equally suited for rest and surveillance.

Ji Wushuang approved.

Setting down her pack, she began methodically inspecting the space.

Under the bed. Inside the wardrobe. Across the ceiling. Through the vents.

Every corner received her meticulous attention.

Only after confirming the absence of listening devices or hidden cameras did she relax.

Professional habits died hard.

"Ms. Ji."

Uncle Yu's voice came from the doorway.

"Miss Qianqian wishes to speak with you privately."

Ji Wushuang nodded.

"Understood."

She approached Lu Qianqian's door.

It stood slightly ajar.

Rather than entering immediately, she paused outside—

listening.

Only one set of breaths within.

Steady, but slightly quickened.

Heart rate approximately fifteen percent above baseline.

The occupant was either nervous or agitated.

She rapped lightly.

"Come in."

The scent of cloying sweetness enveloped her upon entry.

The enormous bedroom resembled a princess's castle—

all pastel pinks and creams.

A crystal chandelier. Plush wool carpets. Stuffed animals piled like a plush avalanche.

One entire wall had been converted into a walk-in closet, bursting with designer garments whose labels she couldn't begin to name.

Lu Qianqian sat at her vanity.

She didn't turn.

Only watched through the mirror as Ji Wushuang entered.

"You're Ms. Ji, correct?"

Her tone carried deliberate haughtiness.

"I am."

"How much is my brother paying you annually?"

"Contractually confidential."

Lu Qianqian sniffed.

"Whatever it is, I'll double it."

"You don't actually need to follow me around."

"Just tell my brother each day that I'm safe."

"Where I go, what I do—none of your concern."

"Well?"

She studied Ji Wushuang's reflection, expecting to see greed or hesitation.

The lack of either disappointed her.

Ji Wushuang's face revealed nothing.

"Miss Lu, my assignment is your protection."

"Other arrangements should be discussed with your brother."

Even as she spoke, Ji Wushuang felt the first twinge of regret.

Compared to this assignment, further training courses suddenly seemed far more appealing.

Lu Qianqian's face darkened.

She turned around and faced Ji Wushuang squarely.

"Do you know who I am?"

"You are Lu Qianqian, my employer—Mr. Lu Chenyuan's younger sister."

"And do you know that in the Lu family, no one dares to speak to me like this except my elder brother?"

"Now they do," Ji Wushuang replied, her tone still calm.

"You—!"

Lu Qianqian was left speechless.

She felt as though she had thrown a full-force punch, only for it to land on a pile of cotton—powerless and frustrating.

"I'm thirsty."

She switched tactics, issuing a command instead.

"I want a hand-brewed Blue Mountain coffee, no sugar, no milk. The water temperature must be 88 degrees Celsius, with no more than a 1-degree margin of error."

"Apologies, Miss Lu."

Ji Wushuang said,

"From now until departure, to optimize your physical condition, all your meals will be arranged by me."

"Coffee, soda, milk tea, snacks—anything high in sugar or calories will no longer be permitted."

Lu Qianqian froze.

She could hardly believe her ears.

This woman was actually trying to control what she ate?

"Who gave you the right?" she shrieked.

"This authority was granted to me by Mr. Lu."

Ji Wushuang's voice remained completely even.

"On all matters related to security, I have the highest decision-making power."

"Your physical condition directly affects your chances of survival in extreme environments."

"Therefore, this also falls under security."

Lu Qianqian trembled with rage.

She pointed at the door.

"Get out!"

"Now! Get out of my room!"

"Very well."

Ji Wushuang nodded and turned to leave.

At the doorway, she paused.

"Miss Lu, dinner will be served at seven."

"The kitchen will prepare boiled chicken breast and steamed broccoli."

"Please be punctual."

With that, she closed the door behind her.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

From inside the room came the muffled sounds of Lu Qianqian's furious, futile pounding of her pillows against the bed.