While guarding Tang Guo and Lin Bao'er in the dance floor, Ye Qiu would occasionally glance at Shen Momo, who was sitting alone at the bar. Beautiful women, even when doing nothing, always seemed to attract trouble.
Sure enough, Ye Qiu hadn't finished his warm-up before a fly buzzed over to Shen Momo. And from the perspective of most women, this fly seemed quite aggressive. Ye Qiu was annoyed. How could he let someone else get a taste of what he had yet to claim?
Of course, he wouldn't let anyone touch what was already his.
Ye Qiu patted Tang Guo's arm, signaling her to be careful. He then took advantage of a moment when a curly-haired woman was dancing enthusiastically to leave Tang Guo's sweat on her clothes.
In TV shows, movies, and novels, the male lead always pretended to be the female lead's boyfriend to shoo away unwanted attention. With Shen Momo, Ye Qiu never had the nerve to be so bold. This was a rare opportunity, and he didn't want to miss it.
Shen Momo was startled when the usually silly Ye Qiu put his arm around her shoulder. She wanted to push his arm away, but she knew he was trying to help her. Overreacting might expose their non-existent romantic relationship.
Plus, pushing him away in public might embarrass him.
This was Shen Momo's first time being so close to a man. Although she appeared calm, her heart was racing.
"Who are you?" The buzz cut man scrutinized Ye Qiu, then shifted his gaze to the crushed roses on the bar. Didn't the thorns hurt his hand?
"I'm her bodyguard," Ye Qiu said with a bright smile at Shen Momo, which was a reasonable answer. His primary duty was to protect Tang Guo, but Wang Bo had instructed him to ensure the safety of all three young ladies.
"Bodyguard?" The man looked at Ye Qiu in confusion. "A fair lady is a gentleman's desire. Even if you're her protector, you can't stop other men from pursuing this lady."
Glancing regretfully at the smashed roses, he said, "This is rather rude."
"Who knows if you're a gentleman?" Ye Qiu tightened his grip on Shen Momo's shoulder, feeling the soft warmth beneath his hand. Shen Momo's body stiffened momentarily, then relaxed when Ye Qiu loosened his grip. She glared at Ye Qiu coldly.
"What's going on?" Tang Guo dragged Lin Bao'er over, shocked to see Ye Qiu with his arm around Shen Momo's shoulder. Shen Momo sitting there calmly let Ye Qiu act as he pleased was even more surprising.
The buzz cut man turned, his eyes lighting up again. What was going on tonight? All these beauties flocking to the bar.
"Sister Tang, this guy must be hitting on Sister Momo, and Ye Qiu's playing the hero," Lin Bao'er laughed, understanding the situation immediately.
"Hmph, looking like an ape and thinking he can hit on our Momo? Not a chance," Tang Guo sneered at the man.
Turning, she glared at Ye Qiu. "Take your hand off her. How long are you going to hold her?"
Embarrassed, Ye Qiu rubbed his nose, thinking, why is she so upset? It's not like I'm hugging you.
"So, you're just a stand-in," the buzz cut man understood from Tang Guo's words and stared at Ye Qiu.
"Just passing by," Ye Qiu smiled. "Let's go, we have things to do tomorrow."
"Leave? Not so easy," the man gestured to the bar staff, who brought a glass of red wine. "You played me and crushed my flowers. You can't just leave."
"What do you want?" Tang Guo's big eyes were wide with anger. She had been in a bad mood all night and was eager to pick a fight. Now that someone had provoked her, her anger flared up.
"Nothing—" the man started, but his glass shattered on the floor, and he clutched his crotch, falling over.
"Yes! Bullseye," Tang Guo and Lin Bao'er cheered.
Since learning Ye Qiu's devastating move, Tang Guo had enjoyed using it whenever possible. The confidence from kicking down the man who bullied Ye Qiu earlier today fueled her. Seeing this guy showing off with his glass, Tang Guo saw her chance and struck perfectly.
"Let's go," Ye Qiu pulled the excited Tang Guo and Lin Bao'er towards the exit, with Shen Momo following closely.
Suddenly, the bar erupted into chaos. The doors slammed shut, and a group of black-clad men surrounded Ye Qiu and the girls. One bearded man with a walkie-talkie shouted commands, and the music stopped abruptly. The dim lights brightened, and the sudden change made people scream and curse.
Tang Guo stuck out her tongue, "Whoa, so many people. If I'd known, I wouldn't have kicked him."
Ye Qiu sighed, regretting showing Tang Guo that devastating move. Now she used it on everyone.
This wasn't the time to argue with her. Protecting the girls behind him, he said, "Stay behind me. I'll try to keep them away. Be careful."
"Ye Qiu, can you handle all these people? If not, just delay them so we can run out," Lin Bao'er suggested. "Don't worry, we'll call the police for you once we're out."
"Bao'er, stop talking nonsense," Shen Momo scolded, pulling out her phone to call the police.
A beer bottle flew towards Shen Momo, thrown to stop her.
Ye Qiu stepped forward, catching the bottle effortlessly, earning cheers and whistles from the onlookers.
"Let us go, and I won't hold this against you," Ye Qiu said coldly.
The black-clad men hesitated, then laughed. Even the spectators laughed at Ye Qiu, seeing him as a joke.
One man against many, saying he wouldn't hold it against them. Quite the comedian.
To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8