After Marking a Paranoid CEO [Transmigration] - Chapter 11

In the end, Wen An took Xia Youxi to find Mu Huayue first.

The car stopped in front of an office building at the film studio. Xia Youxi entered alone and soon heard a man’s suppressed roar from the reception room: “Sister, are you truly concerned about my project, or are you interested in something else?”

“What do you think I might be interested in?” Mu Huayue’s voice was icy.

The man chuckled. “Though you’re the group’s CEO, Ba Feng Entertainment is now under my management. I hope you won’t interfere with the cast, especially the leads.”

Xia Youxi heard a scraping sound, likely from the man pushing back his chair in agitation. “Rourou isn’t feeling well and won’t be attending your dinner tonight. Thank you for treating the crew.”

As the sound of leather shoes on the floor approached, Xia Youxi quickly retreated a few steps, pretending to be passing by. The man glanced at her before striding away.

As they passed, Xia Youxi caught a whiff of cedarwood—the Male Lead’s pheromones. So he’d been threatening Sister Mu with his pheromones again.

Her eyes narrowed, and she turned back, a surge of anger urging her to punch the Male Lead. Reason told her she couldn’t act now, but the pheromones compelled her to turn around. Just as she took a step, she heard Mu Huayue call from inside, “Come in.”

Xia Youxi clenched her fists, temporarily suppressing her fury, and entered the room.

In the reception room, Mu Huayue reclined on the sofa, her hand pressed against her chest. Her shoulder-length brown hair obscured her eyes, accentuating the lower half of her face. Xia Youxi hurried over and crouched before her, gently asking, “Sister Mu, should we go to the hospital?”

The scent of flowers and fruit wafted through the air, diluting the cedarwood fragrance. Mu Huayue eyed Xia Youxi before suddenly pulling her down onto her lap.

Xia Youxi froze for a moment, now lying with her head resting on Mu Huayue’s thigh. Mu Huayue’s hands gently stroked her hair, soothing away her anger and panic, making her reluctant to move.

As Mu Huayue’s fingers brushed through her hair, Xia Youxi wondered if this was how Sister Mu used to pet cats. To be honest, it felt rather comforting.

After all, Sister Mu’s scent was so pleasant.

Xia Youxi closed her eyes, letting time slip away unnoticed. Suddenly, a hand pinched her ear and twisted it lightly, the pain forcing her eyes open.

Mu Huayue, still holding her ear, met her gaze. “Feeling comfortable?”

Xia Youxi blinked, unsure how to respond, and simply called out, “Sister Mu.”

Mu Huayue didn’t release her ear. Instead, she commanded, “Drop the ‘Sister.'”

“Just… Mu?” Xia Youxi ventured tentatively.

Mu Huayue let go of her ear. Though the word was the same, the way it sounded coming from this silly girl’s lips was infinitely more pleasing than when uttered by that illegitimate son. She patted Xia Youxi’s shoulder, urging her to stand up.

Xia Youxi stood aside, watching Mu Huayue gracefully rise from her seat. The woman, who had once been “Sister Mu,” now simply “Sister,” swept past her toward the door without a backward glance, issuing a curt command: “Follow me.”

So tsundere, Xia Youxi thought, stifling a giggle as she watched Mu Huayue’s retreating figure. “Okay,” she replied.

The two settled into the back of the car, Wen An driving in silence. Xia Youxi pressed her lips together, turning her head to admire the night scenery. As the car entered a tunnel, a reflection appeared on the glass—Mu Huayue seemed to be watching her.

Xia Youxi turned her head. The woman who had been covertly observing her now sat ramrod straight, her gaze meeting Xia Youxi’s. “Do you have something to say?”

Xia Youxi nodded.

Mu Huayue glanced at her. “Speak.”

“Sister,” Xia Youxi asked, “are we going the wrong way? This road is taking us farther and farther from the restaurant where the gathering is.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Mu Huayue’s face. “Do you really want to be with those people?” she countered.

Xia Youxi shook her head, leaning closer with a sweet smile. “I’d rather be with you, Sister,” she said, gazing into Mu Huayue’s eyes.

She saw Mu Huayue’s gaze waver slightly before the woman straightened her posture, reached out, and firmly tilted Xia Youxi’s chin to the side, forcing her to look out into the pitch-black darkness. In a low voice, Mu Huayue asked, “What do you see?”

Xia Youxi guessed that Mu Huayue wanted to tell her she was the night, the darkness, the abyss—something a simple, naive girl should fear. But Xia Youxi, gazing out the car window, could only reply, “I see our reflections in the glass. It’s you and me.”

The hand gripping her chin loosened, and Mu Huayue settled back into her seat, lowering her head to power on her tablet. Xia Youxi stole a glance at the screen—it was filled with documents, yet her sister hadn’t written a single word.

To have her composure shattered by a single sentence… My Sister Mu truly craves affection.

A pang of bitterness welled up in Xia Youxi’s heart, and she silently lowered her head.

The car pulled up to an upscale private dining restaurant. Mu Huayue urged her inside, and the two ate in awkward silence in a private room. Afterward, Xia Youxi got back into Wen An’s car with Mu Huayue. This time, Xia Youxi recognized the route—it was the way to CEO Mu’s residence in the city.

The time on her phone read 9:30 PM. Not too early, not too late, but visiting someone’s home at this hour inevitably stirred up complicated thoughts. Xia Youxi followed Mu Huayue into the elevator, only to be asked to place her finger on the fingerprint scanner at the door.

Still dazed by the voice prompt confirming “Fingerprint registration successful,” Xia Youxi couldn’t help but wonder if her formidable villain had suddenly turned into a lovesick fool.

Mu Huayue glanced at her indifferently and gestured for her to come in.

Xia Youxi entered and, with practiced ease, poured Mu Huayue a glass of water. Mu Huayue accepted the glass with her slender fingers and settled onto the sofa by the large glass window, gazing out at the neon-lit cityscape. “I have a flight at eleven,” she said. “I’ll be leaving soon. Xiao Wen said you had something important to tell me. Speak now.”

Sister Mu is leaving?

What was tonight, then?

A rich woman simply giving away a house?

Why does something so wonderful make me feel so uneasy?

Xia Youxi lowered her gaze, her eyes filled with melancholy as she asked, “When will you be back, Sister?”

Mu Huayue looked up at her. Those wet, pleading eyes reminded her of her own Yousey. She couldn’t resist beckoning with her finger. Xia Youxi obediently leaned closer, allowing Mu Huayue to gently stroke her hair. “Little kitten,” Mu Huayue murmured, “are you afraid I’ll abandon you?”

That’s not quite it.

Xia Youxi lowered her gaze and remained silent.

Mu Huayue took her silence as agreement. She patted Xia Youxi’s cheek and coaxed, “I told you before, as long as you’re obedient, I’ll keep you. I might even consider granting your wishes.”

Before, it was just about avoiding being sent for experiments or having my sister kicked out of the hospital. Now it’s about fulfilling my wishes?

Judging by how things have gone these past few days, Sister Mu’s affection for me seems to be growing.

“My survival plan is a resounding success!” Xia Youxi thought, her lips curving into a smile. She looked unusually docile. “Sister, could you do me a favor?”

“Speak,” Mu Huayue replied.

Xia Youxi moved behind Mu Huayue and gently massaged her shoulders. “I want to participate in ‘Show Youth.’ Could you help me get into the preliminary auditions?”

Participate? Not directly enter the competition? Mu Huayue found the girl both foolish and naive. “Didn’t you sign with a company? Can’t they even handle something this trivial?”

Xia Youxi sighed. “Sister, you know my company doesn’t care about their artists’ careers. They hoard all the good resources for the Young Miss.”

“So, these past few days you’ve been working as an assistant for that nauseatingly cute Beta just to enter the competition?”

Xia Youxi pursed her lips. “Not entirely. Mostly because I didn’t get any acting roles and my bank balance was running low.”

Is she blaming me for her confinement, causing her to miss out on roles? Mu Huayue scoffed. “How much could you possibly earn from those brainless cannon fodder roles that barely add up to a single episode?”

“Yes, yes, that role could never compare to what you did for my Senior Sister today,” Xia Youxi said, gently shaking Mu Huayue’s shoulder, her voice soft and sweet. “But I can’t keep owing you money forever, Sister Mu. You’ve already done so much—paying for my sister’s medical bills and letting me stay in your house. I can’t keep troubling you.”

Xia Youxi knew these were just soothing words, but the woman in front of her suddenly gripped her hand, pulling her forward with a slight tug. Caught off guard, Xia Youxi stumbled and fell beside Mu Huayue’s legs. A hand reached out, pinching her chin and forcing her head up. Mu Huayue’s gaze was utterly devoid of emotion, her voice as cold as ice from the ninth heaven: “Don’t even think about escaping me, little kitten.”

What the—?!

Damn, Sister Mu, you’re really overthinking this!

Xia Youxi quickly declared her loyalty: “No, I didn’t mean that at all! I just…”

Mu Huayue sneered. “Spare me the excuses. First, you said you wanted to be an actress when I offered you the role of my pet. Now you’re telling me you want to join a girl group survival show. Your ambitions change so quickly, Xia Weixi. Do you think gaining fame through the show will let you slip out of my grasp?”

Seeing Mu Huayue pull out her phone, Xia Youxi knew the pendant’s electric current would activate any second. She quickly mustered her courage and grabbed Mu Huayue’s hand, looking at her with pitiful sincerity. “Sister, I really don’t have it! I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done for me. I know you’re busy and that your future prospects need support. I just wanted to work harder and become your support.”

Mu Huayue’s grip on her phone loosened. She cupped Xia Youxi’s face, scrutinizing her with icy eyes that made Xia Youxi’s heart tremble. She immediately regretted her earlier plan.

Mu Huayue’s affection for me hasn’t increased at all! She still doesn’t trust me and would easily send me to my doom.

Xia Youxi softened her gaze and tugged lightly at Mu Huayue’s sleeve.

After a silent staring match, Mu Huayue finally released her hand, scoffing softly. “Trying to cry again, little kitten?”

Xia Youxi lowered her head, indeed feeling the urge to cry. She must have lost her mind to think Sister Mu would suddenly become love-struck.

This just proves she’s still paranoid.

Well, I guess I’ll just keep trying to survive.

The frail girl collapsed to the ground, her long hair falling forward to obscure her face like a lost statue. Mu Huayue’s brow furrowed slightly. “An Alpha, and all she does is cry when things get tough.”

Xia Youxi deliberately let out a few sobs, causing Mu Huayue’s frown to deepen. “Alright, stop crying. I didn’t say I wouldn’t help you.”

Xia Youxi lifted her head, her eyes still slightly red to match the “stop crying” remark.

Wen An came upstairs to move the luggage. Mu Huayue turned away, and Xia Youxi wiped the corners of her eyes before getting up to help with the luggage.

Even as she saw Mu Huayue off into the car, Xia Youxi couldn’t get a single word out of the aloof, domineering CEO sister.

The black car window slowly closed, and the elegant figure gradually faded into the night. A notification pinged on Xia Youxi’s phone. She checked it and saw—

Holy crap, Mu Huayue had transferred her ten thousand yuan!

She assumed it was hush money, but then another message arrived:

Mood-Swinging Sister Mu: The original housekeeper took a leave of absence. Your cleaning is excellent, so you can be my live-in housekeeper. This is your salary.

Feeling like this was just an excuse to help her out of a tight spot, Xia Youxi was about to express her gratitude when another message arrived on Green Chat.

Capricious Sister Mu: Don’t let me see you working as that Beta’s assistant again.

Xia Youxi forced a wry smile and immediately sent a pleading cat emoji with the caption “Understood.”

In the business car, Mu Huayue glanced at the emoji, then at her outstretched hand, frowning slightly. She tossed her phone aside and picked up her tablet to resume work.

Swiping through documents in her email, she called her administrative assistant, Wu Wei. “Durian Video’s ‘Show Youth’ program should not go through Ba Feng Entertainment. Sponsor it under the group’s name.”

As the streetlights outside blurred into streaks with the car’s speed, Mu Huayue added, “Have them reserve one spot.”

Wu Wei replied, “Understood. I’ll immediately instruct Ba Feng Entertainment to add more new candidates.”

Mu Huayue: “No need. Has the little gift for Kengren Entertainment been delivered?”

The voice on the other end confirmed, “It’s been delivered as instructed.”

Mu Huayue’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Excellent.”

Any company that dared to bully her little pet deserved to be wiped off the map.