Chapter 4: She Wants to Seduce the Bodyguard

“Host, please don’t break character in front of the antagonist!”

Benben trembled in fear as it watched the antagonist, Gu Chuan, leisurely eating his breakfast.

This was a “universal love” world, where the rules of the universe dictated that everyone must adore the female lead.

This explained why the original Jiang Mi was so easily manipulated by the female lead into a series of foolish, self-destructive acts, ultimately serving as stepping stones for the female lead’s growth.

But there was one exception in the entire world:

The antagonist, Gu Chuan.

Unaffected by the universe’s rules, his immunity was proof of his dangerous nature.

Even with Benben’s system privileges, it couldn’t dig up more details about him. All it could do was warn Jiang Mi to stick to her role, follow the plot, and not flirt recklessly!

Jiang Mi curled her lips in reluctance. “Fine, I love black coffee.”

Gu Chuan lifted his gaze slightly and replied, “Alright.”

Jiang Mi felt utterly defeated. “Thank you so much.”

Watching her vivid expressions, a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at Gu Chuan’s lips. “No need to thank me. Fulfilling Miss’s wishes is my duty.”

Jiang Mi: “…”

She quietly pushed the black coffee farther away. And then farther still.

Gu Chuan noticed but said nothing. After finishing his breakfast, he carried the dishes into the kitchen.

A sudden idea struck Jiang Mi. She quickly took a few sips of black rice porridge, then dumped the black coffee into the bowl. Stirring it briskly, she hoped it would blend in convincingly.

Hearing footsteps behind her, Jiang Mi muttered nervously, grateful that the original Jiang Mi always demanded multiple breakfast options. “You’re back already?”

Gu Chuan’s eyes swept over the rippling black rice porridge, his deep, magnetic voice tinged with a trace of amusement.

“Take your time, Miss. I’m heading to the garage to start the car.”

“…”

Why did she go to such lengths to secretly pour the coffee into the porridge? Wouldn’t it have been easier to dump it in the sink?

Benben eyed the antagonist’s retreating figure nervously, wanting to warn Jiang Mi that he’d done it all on purpose.

But it didn’t dare to.

Waaah! The antagonist was terrifying!

---

After breakfast, the show’s production team called, urging her to hurry over as they had something important to discuss.

Heartbeat Moments was a reality show featuring a mix of live broadcasts and pre-recorded episodes. Guests would interact intimately in the Heartbeat Villa, creating sparks of romance.

The show was set to film for a month, with live broadcasts on weekends. During weekdays, the guests could attend to their personal work but were expected to return to the villa to sleep at night.

Speaking of sleeping arrangements…

The production team sure knew how to stir the pot, fueling drama, excitement, and love triangles.

As Jiang Mi thought about the plot, she casually picked up her oversized, heavy suitcase and headed downstairs. Suddenly, she felt a sharp, assessing gaze on her, making her heart skip a beat.

The original Jiang Mi was a pampered heiress who’d never carried anything heavier than a handbag. Lifting a suitcase? Impossible.

With a soft thud, she calmly set the suitcase down.

Raising her delicate, smooth arm, she acted haughty and spoiled.

“It’s all your fault for being so slow! My arms are sore from carrying that heavy suitcase!”

Gu Chuan’s voice was low and raspy. “How would Miss like to punish me?”

Her pretty eyes darted mischievously toward his strong, muscular arms. She smiled slyly. “Your punishment is to carry me.”

Gu Chuan stared at her, his gaze steady and unreadable. “Are you sure, Miss?”

Jiang Mi’s peach blossom eyes sparkled with a hint of cunning. “Of course I’m sure. Or are you going to defy my orders?”

Gu Chuan lowered his gaze, his eyes dark and unfathomable. “I wouldn’t dare.”

With that, the tall, cold man leaned toward her.

Suddenly, she was enveloped in his powerful, searing aura. Her waist softened under his touch, and she felt weak.

Then, his firm, heated arm slid beneath her and—

Caught her… by the hips.

The sudden loss of gravity hit her hard. Her entire weight was balanced on Gu Chuan’s single arm. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his neck, her soft body curling into his embrace.

As her palm grazed his short, bristly hair, a tingling sensation spread through her. It took her a moment to realize.

“…Single-handed?”

Gu Chuan grabbed the suitcase handle with his other hand and strode out the door, as if silently declaring that single-handed carrying was the only option.

With his movements, Jiang Mi’s body trembled uncontrollably. Her voice came out soft and bashful, “Wait!”

Gu Chuan paused his steps, his voice slightly husky. “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Mi looked down at his chiseled, cold side profile, her heart fluttering uncontrollably. She caved and softened her tone. “Nothing, I’m just… a little scared.”

“Don’t worry, Miss. I won’t drop you,” Gu Chuan reassured her.

Blushing furiously, Jiang Mi murmured an “Oh.”

Truthfully, she wasn’t actually scared. Gu Chuan’s strength was impressive, and he carried her steadily, exuding a sense of safety.

It was just… the position was unbearably embarrassing. Her backside—oh, the shame!

“Ahhh!” Jiang Mi let out a muffled whimper and buried her face against Gu Chuan’s head in utter mortification.

Gu Chuan’s steps faltered slightly. Her muffled actions left him momentarily breathless, and for some inexplicable reason, a flush crept over his ears.

When they finally reached the car, Jiang Mi awkwardly leaped down from Gu Chuan’s arm. Her soft legs wobbled, and the silver butterfly on her ankle strap heels nearly lost its wings.

She quickly scurried into the back seat, fumbling around in a panic for a blanket.

However, the original Jiang Mi had been an obsessive neat freak in front of Gu Chuan. She’d demanded that his car be immaculately clean, with no miscellaneous items lying around.

Naturally, there was no blanket.

“What is Miss looking for?”

Jiang Mi’s eyes stayed fixed on her silver high heels. The rough heat from Gu Chuan’s palm seemed to linger on her ankle. Clearing her throat, she replied in a muffled voice, “A blanket.”

After a brief two-second silence, there came the sound of rustling. Moments later, Gu Chuan’s jacket landed on her lap, covering her entirely.

“Miss will have to make do,” he said.

“Mm.”

Wrapped in the faint scent of tobacco lingering on his jacket, Jiang Mi couldn’t help but curl up like a little quail.

“Benben.”

【H-Host?!】

“My heart is racing. Is this… what falling in love feels like?”

Jiang Mi had traveled through countless worlds, her missions always about exposing hypocrites and dealing justice.

Love? She’d only ever watched others experience it. Not once had she felt it herself.

Benben, aware of this fact, had never believed her when she claimed to be infatuated with the antagonist upon entering this world.

But now, looking at her blushing, flustered face, Benben panicked.

“No! This isn’t love!”
“The antagonist is your bodyguard. Serving you is just his job!”

Jiang Mi bit her lip, suddenly feeling averse to the term bodyguard.

Benben didn’t let up, firing more arguments.

“He treated the original Jiang Mi the same way! Waking her up every morning, preparing warm milk before bed, even rushing her to the hospital in the middle of the night during a storm…”

“Stop.” Jiang Mi’s face darkened as she cut Benben off. “I’m tired. Go play with other systems.”

“Mi-Mi, snap out of it!”

Cutting off her mental connection with Benben, Jiang Mi allowed herself to sink into the comforting darkness of her thoughts.

She was certain there had been no romantic undertones between Gu Chuan and the original Jiang Mi. But hearing Benben list his acts of care left her with an odd twinge of jealousy.

At the same time, she felt slightly embarrassed. Perhaps she was overthinking things. Gu Chuan was simply fulfilling his duties as a bodyguard, nothing more.

Yet, on second thought, she’d just arrived in this world. It made sense that Gu Chuan didn’t have feelings for her yet.

After all, how many couples fall for each other at first sight?

More often, one heart stirs before the other—and it’s up to the first to flirt their way in.

Her thoughts cleared, Jiang Mi grinned. Snuggling into his jacket, she rubbed against it a few times before closing her eyes for a nap.

Gu Chuan glanced at the restless woman who finally settled down. After a pause, he turned on some soft, soothing music.