The Beautiful Boss's Personal Bodyguard
Chapter 199

Chapter 199: Chapter 199

"Let’s go in together. Not everyone gets to meet this person."

"Is it really okay for me like this...?"

"Don’t worry, we’re all ordinary citizens. Her vision isn’t that high, and besides, she’s not that kind of person."

Ye Tian nodded. There would be many people to deal with here in the future; getting to know a few more could be beneficial, even if it was just a brief encounter. In the end, it could prove to be very useful.

Following Zheng Xinru, they entered the theater. The vast auditorium was already filled with people—young and old, of various appearances. This wasn’t a place with the high standards of the National Grand Theater, where ordinary people could come in to enjoy the essence of the national art. Ye Tian began to take an interest in the person who founded this place.

"This was her idea to build. At first, it was a senior center, but it later became a theater. It’s probably the biggest contribution she’s made as a secretary’s wife."

As Ye Tian followed Zheng Xinru up the stairs, he pondered: the secretary’s wife? Which secretary’s wife?

Compared to the ground floor, the second floor was different, much like the difference between a common hall and private booths. Along the corridor of the second floor was a row of tables, with snacks like sunflower seeds and peanuts that were essential for watching plays, as if there might also be waiters with towels draped over their shoulders, serving tea and water. The atmosphere for watching the play suddenly became tangible.

Zheng Xinru stopped in front of a private booth with a bright vermilion lacquered wooden door adorned with auspicious dragon and phoenix knots, a vision of festivity. Similarly, other booths featured painted Purple Pythons and golden monkeys, among others.

"Secretary Gao, you haven’t gone in yet?"

"Hehe, Sister Zheng, you’ve arrived. The madam has been waiting inside for you."

A square-faced middle-aged man stood respectfully at the door, carrying an aura different from ordinary people. Ye Tian recognized him: he was the secretary who had accompanied Zuo Zhengyang at the charity gala.

"Then we’ll go in first."

"Sister Zheng, this..."

Glancing back at Ye Tian, Zheng Xinru said with a smile, "Ye Tian. You should know him."

Secretary Gao nodded, "Of course, of course, please go ahead."

Ye Tian nodded back at Secretary Gao and followed Zheng Xinru inside. Only then did he realize that even this theater had such private boxes. Compared to the small private rooms placed along the corridors, this was indeed a VIP section. Inside, the furniture and decorations abandoned a rough and grand style, embracing the delicate elegance of Jiangnan scenery. One whole wall had two exquisite windows, with a perfectly clear view of the stage below—undoubtedly the best angle in the entire venue.

An older woman, well-preserved for her age, sat by the table next to the window, watching the play. A Tibetan blanket spread over her legs, featuring religious patterns that Ye Tian had once seen on a comrade from Tibet. Legend had it that these patterns were talismans that could carry the true spirit of Aonra Snow Mountain.

"You’ve arrived, please sit down. This must be Ye Tian, right? I saw you that day."

Indeed, it was she. Zuo Zhengyang’s wife, Shen Xuepei.

Zheng Xinru walked over and sat down on a small triangular stool opposite her.

"Peony Pavilion? I thought today’s play was Drunk Beating Golden Branch?"

The lead Black Cloth Female Role on the stage performed a flourishing movement, immediately winning applause from the audience. Shen Xuepei also clapped along, and after the applause subsided, Zheng Xinru spoke up.

"Sister Shen, you’ve been looking quite radiant lately; there must be some happy news at home."

Shen Xuepei picked up a grape from a plate, peeled and seeded it before placing it in her mouth, "What good news could I possibly have? I’m just taking care of the old man at home. It’s you, I hear you’ve found a good assistant?"

The look in her eyes was as piercing as ice breaking through the surface of the sea, stabbing straight into the deepest part of the heart.

Chilling to the bone.

Little did anyone know, Shen Xuepei was also renowned for her incisive insight into people. Even though she didn’t deal with government or underworld figures, her husband had always admired her ability to read people.

The first time Shen Xuepei saw Ye Tian, it was at a charity gala, where Tang Su called her fiancé to speak on stage. Right then, Shen Xuepei whispered into Zuo Zhengyang’s ear, if this man becomes a hero, he will not die a good death; if he becomes an overlord, then he will command respect in all directions. Zuo Zhengyang always had complete faith in his wife’s judgment of people, but this time the man she judged was the Tang Family’s son-in-law. He was somewhat displeased but didn’t want to say otherwise in front of his wife, so he merely nodded in response.

Unexpectedly, the person who had once been a controversial topic between the old couple appeared before them again.

Regarding the affairs of the Chen Family and the Liu Family, how could Zuo Zhengyang, the city party secretary, be unaware? Especially concerning the Liu Family, rumors had it that Liu Laogou always had some vague associations with Zuo Zhengyang. Although nobody had witnessed it personally, such matters never lacked gossipmongers.

Caught off guard by this upstart young man, Zuo Zhengyang was somewhat unprepared, fortunately, the Liu Family had Liu Ping to temporarily take the heat.

Shen Xuepei’s gaze lingered on Ye Tian for just a few seconds before turning back to Zheng Xinru, "He’s Ye Tian, the one you mentioned to me, right?"

Zheng Xinru nodded.

"Good."

With just a single word of affirmation and no further comment—as if waiting for this exact acknowledgment—Zheng Xinru’s previously furrowed brows finally relaxed completely, and the two women resumed their conversation about opera. Meanwhile, Ye Tian stood quietly on the side without interjecting, knowing some about opera, but recognizing that this was not the right moment to show off such knowledge.

These two ’jewels’ didn’t need a stone like Ye Tian to draw them out.

The evening progressed until it was time to leave. By the time Zheng Xinru was about to leave, it was already eight o’clock. At the back door of the theater, parked a BMW X5 with a Tianjin Municipal Committee license plate. Shen Xuepei got into the car, waved goodbye to Ye Tian and Zheng Xinru, and until the car turned the corner of the alley, Zheng Xinru’s smiling face turned cold, saying something that surprised Ye Tian,

"Bitch is heartless, actor’s unfaithful; so true."

Ye Tian didn’t know what Zheng Xinru meant by that, but from her expression, he could guess the gist of it.

"Ye Tian."

"Hmm?" Driving along the road, Ye Tian was suddenly called by Zheng Xinru, lifting his head to look at her in the rearview mirror—there, the graceful woman seemed somewhat exhausted.

Looking out of the window as the street lights flashed by, Zheng Xinru leaned against the car window, deep in thought. "What time is it now?"

Ye Tian glanced at the dashboard clock, "Just past seven."

"Only seven, and it’s already dark."