The Overwhelming Strike of the New Personal Bodyguard

The next day, nine in the morning.

In the lobby on the first floor of the Xingyao Media headquarters building.

When Li Xingruo walked into the lobby wearing sunglasses and high heels, the originally noisy air seemed to freeze for a second.

Not because of her figure-hugging black suit dress that exuded a full aura today, but because... of the man following behind her.

Qi Lie wore a well-tailored pure black suit with no extra adornments. No tie, the top two buttons of his shirt casually undone, revealing his cold and deep collarbone. He was tall with long legs, broad shoulders and a narrow waist, like a top male model stepping out of the night, yet carrying a murderous and icy aura that no male model could ever possess.

He always stayed half a step behind Li Xingruo, his seemingly casual steps subtly blocking all possible approaches to her. His unfathomable dark eyes swept through everyone in the lobby like radar, and with just one glance, people felt a chill that seemed to penetrate to the bone.

Xiaoya followed at the end, holding a tablet, not daring to breathe loudly.

The terrifying scene in the garage last night was still vivid. Who would have thought that the killing god who had thrown that pervert around like a sandbag would look so outrageously handsome in a suit today!

"Xingruo!"

At the elevator entrance, Sister Hong, her agent, was already waiting. Seeing Li Xingruo safe and sound, she let out a long sigh of relief, but when her gaze fell on Qi Lie behind, she was clearly stunned.

As a seasoned agent, Sister Hong had seen it all. But the oppressive violence emanating from this man instinctively made her heart palpitate.

"Xingruo, who is this...?" Sister Hong asked in a low voice.

"Sister Hong, let me introduce you. This is my newly hired private security director, Qi Lie." Li Xingruo took off her sunglasses, her tone calm, but her eyes showed unwavering determination. "From today on, all my itinerary security will be taken over by him."

Sister Hong's face changed: "Xingruo, don't be ridiculous! The company has already arranged four senior security guards for you, all retired..."

"Those people cannot protect her."

Qi Lie suddenly spoke, his voice low and cold, directly interrupting Sister Hong.

He stepped forward, blocking in front of Li Xingruo, looking down at Sister Hong from above: "Last night, in the underground garage of 'Yunding Tianchen', Miss Li was attacked by an extreme fan. If we waited for your company's so-called 'senior security guards' to react, she would be in the hospital now."

"What?!" Sister Hong gasped, looking at Li Xingruo in shock, "You were attacked last night? Why didn't you tell me!"

"So that's why I'm standing here." Qi Lie gave no time for Sister Hong to react, continuing in a highly professional and cold tone to issue instructions, "From today onwards, Miss Li's schedule, routes, and contacts must all go through my approval. Also, the van provided by Xingyao is too unsafe, I have already replaced it with a new explosion-proof vehicle."

Sister Hong was choked by his commanding tone, feeling a little displeased. An ordinary bodyguard, no matter how skilled, had no right to interfere in Xingyao Media.

"Mr. Qi, right?" Sister Hong steadied herself, putting on her agent's airs, "I admit you might be skilled, but security in the entertainment industry is not just about fighting. We need experienced professionals who know how to handle media relations and crisis PR. And you mentioned changing the car? Xingyao has its rules. If the security level is suddenly raised so high, what will the paparazzi write about Xingruo?"

"I don't care what they write." Qi Lie gave her a cold glance. "I only care if she can survive to finish her next film."

Sister Hong shivered at that look and was completely speechless.

Standing behind Qi Lie, looking at his broad and straight back, Li Xingruo couldn't help but smile slightly under her sunglasses.

This man, when he was domineering, was really... quite handsome.

Just then, a commotion came from the other side of the lobby.

A group of bodyguards surrounded a gaudily dressed woman walking over. It was Zhao Manman, a rising star who had been in the spotlight and was in deep competition for resources with Li Xingruo.

"Oh, isn't this Sister Xingruo?" Zhao Manman swayed her hips, walking over in her over-ten-centimeter stilettos, her voice coquettish and pretentious, "I heard Sister Xingruo was attacked in her own garage last night? Oh my, that's so terrifying. Sister Xingruo better be careful, don't tell me you offended someone and got your comeuppance?"

Zhao Manman's words were dripping with sarcasm.

Li Xingruo sneered, about to retort.

"Stop."

A deep, cold voice suddenly exploded in the lobby.

Zhao Manman was startled, almost twisting her ankle. She turned angrily, but when she saw who had spoken, she froze completely.

What a superb man!

Zhao Manman had seen many men in the entertainment industry, but never had she seen any male star with even a fraction of this man's wild tension and pheromone aura.

A flash of greed appeared in her eyes, and even her tone became soft and seductive: "And this handsome gentleman is..."

Qi Lie didn't even give her a direct look, only coldly glanced at the several bulky bodyguards behind her, frowning slightly.

"Who hired these security?" Qi Lie's voice was full of professional disdain, "Loose positioning, exposed blind spots, hands in pockets severely affecting the speed of drawing a weapon and counterattacking. If someone launched an attack now, this woman..."

He finally condescended to glance at Zhao Manman with the corner of his eye, looking at her like a corpse.

"...would have died three times already."

Zhao Manman's face turned livid.

The bodyguards behind her also felt humiliated. One of the leading big men snorted and stepped forward, trying to intimidate Qi Lie with his size.

"Who do you think you are? How dare you teach us how to be bodyguards?" The big man reached out to push Qi Lie's shoulder.

Li Xingruo's heart tightened, and she was about to stop him, but the next scene made everyone present gasp.

Qi Lie stood still, not even moving his feet.

The moment the big man's hand was about to touch his clothes, Qi Lie moved like lightning.

He grabbed the big man's wrist, smoothly executed an exquisite joint lock and reverse twist.

A soft "crack" sound.

"Ah——!"

The big man let out a pig-like scream, twisted to kneel on the ground, cold sweat instantly soaking his back.

Meanwhile, Qi Lie maintained a posture with one hand in his pocket, only the other hand firmly locking the big man's joint, his eyes cold as ice cellar stones.

"Now, do you know who I am?" Qi Lie looked down at the kneeling big man, his voice flat without any fluctuation.

The remaining bodyguards of Zhao Manman backed away in fear, not daring to step forward. They knew that fighting such a master would be futile even if they all attacked together.

"Get lost."

Qi Lie released his hand, throwing the big man aside like trash.

Zhao Manman, terrified and losing all her previous arrogance, scurried into the elevator with her useless bodyguards.

The lobby was dead silent.

Everyone looked at Qi Lie with almost reverent awe.

Even Sister Hong, who had been against Qi Lie, now swallowed her saliva and looked at him like a demon god. The security director of Xingyao was sweating profusely, glad he hadn't stepped forward.

This was absolute suppression by sheer strength.

"Let's go." Qi Lie turned and said lightly to Li Xingruo, as if he had just casually swatted a fly.

Li Xingruo looked at him, feeling an overwhelming sense of security. She suppressed a smile and nodded coolly: "Well done, Director Qi."

They entered the private elevator one after another.

The moment the elevator doors closed, isolating all outside sight.

Qi Lie's originally cold and hard face instantly softened. He tilted his head, his deep eyes meeting Li Xingruo's in the reflection, a faint but aggressive curve at the corner of his mouth.

He lowered his voice, speaking close to her ear in a tone only the two of them could hear:

"Miss Big Star, you're really enjoying this 'act like strangers' act, aren't you?"

Li Xingruo's ears burned, she shot him a glare, but her heart skipped a beat uncontrollably.

"That's your rule, Director Qi." Li Xingruo gritted her teeth, feigning composure.

Qi Lie let out a low laugh, his warm breath brushing against her neck.

"Yes. I hope Miss Li can keep following it."