After Marking a Paranoid CEO [Transmigration] - Chapter 19

Xia Youxi: ……

Sibe didn’t sense any hostility in Xia Youxi’s demeanor. Instead, she touched her own face in confusion. “You mean my face is that captivating? Enough to steal her wife? Is her wife even my fan?”

Objectively speaking, Sibe’s face was truly striking. With her European-style double eyelids and deep-set eyes, she resembled a Western man more than an Asian woman. When she wore a skirt, she gave off a “crossdressing boss” vibe, unlike Sister Mu’s more feminine, yet heroic beauty. Sibe’s features were more versatile, allowing her to pull off a wider range of looks.

Ah, why can’t I stop thinking about Sister Mu?

The corners of Xia Youxi’s lips curled upward, but before she could answer Sibe, a sudden jolt of electricity surged through her chest, forcing her to clutch her chest and lower her head in pain.

“What’s wrong?” Sibe reached out to steady her.

Xia Youxi sidestepped the gesture, forcing a smile as she shook her head. “It’s nothing. Just the bitterness of someone without a wife.”

“Huh?” Sibe didn’t understand. “I have plenty of ‘wives,’ why don’t I share one with you?”

She quickly clarified, “Wait, I mean ‘wife’ as a nickname for my fans. Once we’re out of here, we can film a collab video to help you gain followers.”

Xia Youxi forced a bitter smile and joked, “I see you as my sister. I wouldn’t dare steal your wife.”

Sibe looked wistful as the music video for the theme song reached its final scene, signaling the end of the live broadcast. Xia Youxi mustered a wave for the camera, but the moment the recording stopped, she bolted for the exit. Sibe hurried after her, asking, “Are you feeling unwell? Should I take you to the infirmary?”

“No need,” Xia Youxi replied. “I just need to lie down for a bit.”

Seizing the momentary lull in the electrical surges, she quickened her pace, muttering under her breath, “Ah, Sister Mu’s pendant really is cursed. Why is it shocking me again?”

Almost sprinting back to her dorm, Xia Youxi barely caught her breath before grabbing her smartwatch. Instead of typing, she immediately initiated a video call.

After half a minute, the call finally connected.

Mu Huayue’s half-long hair draped over her shoulders, her gaze lowered, lips pressed into a thin line. Not a trace of a smile softened her features. Even through the screen, Xia Youxi could feel the oppressive aura radiating from her. She forced an awkward smile and called out, “Sister.”

“Hmm.”

Mu Huayue gave a perfunctory response, her gaze still unfriendly. Xia Youxi knew Mu Huayue had been eavesdropping on her conversation, and might even have watched the live stream. Either she was displeased by Xia Youxi’s closeness to Sibe, or she suspected that Xia Youxi was the “wife” Ying Feifei had mentioned.

What is this?

Is she throwing a tantrum out of jealousy?

Xia Youxi couldn’t help but smile. The smile flickered across her face, earning an even colder response from Mu Huayue: “What are you laughing at?”

Seeing Mu Huayue’s hand twitch, Xia Youxi quickly explained, “I haven’t seen you in so long, Sister Mu. I missed you, and seeing you makes me happy.”

The person on the small screen pressed her lips together, turned her face away, then back again. The icy tension eased slightly, but her expression remained stern as she said flatly, “I’m very busy. Get to the point.”

“Oh.” Xia Youxi gazed at her obediently. “Sister Mu, is the pendant you gave me broken? I didn’t take it off, but it shocked me again just now.”

The Production Team’s sportswear had a wide neckline. Xia Youxi deliberately tugged at her collar to make sure Mu Huayue could see the pendant. The person on the screen turned her head away again, scolding, “Take your hand down.”

“Okay,” Xia Youxi replied, doing as she was told. Her large eyes blinked innocently, like those of a pitiful little kitten.

The person on the screen reached out a hand, then withdrew it with a soft chuckle. “Have you ever heard the story of the honest man?”

Is this some ancient river god trope? Xia Youxi wondered. Her eyes widened as she asked, “The golden axe and the silver axe?”

“Close enough,” Mu Huayue said, resting her cheek in her hand and watching Xia Youxi with a half-smile. “Once upon a time, there was a bold little kitten who snuck into her owner’s house without permission. The owner, being generous, didn’t scold her and even took pity on her, giving her a few small fish to eat. The kitten, having tasted the sweetness of this kindness, began to rub against her owner, showering her with affection and promising eternal loyalty in hopes of being taken in.”

“The owner took her in and, fearing she might get lost, gave her a special pet tag. The kitten was overjoyed, thinking she had received a precious gift. Later, when the owner went out for work and returned, she found the kitten outside, cavorting with a stray cat.”

“Thinking she hadn’t been seen, the kitten crept back home and continued to rub against her owner. When the owner asked if she had been seeing other cats, the kitten shook her head.”

“The owner didn’t scold her. Instead, she tapped the pet tag and warned that lying would bring punishment.”

Xia Youxi couldn’t help but touch the cat pendant. Mu Huayue continued, “The little cat promised, while clutching the pendant, to always be loyal to its owner. But one day, when the owner returned home, the cat was gone.” She paused, then glanced meaningfully at Xia Youxi. “Do you know where it went?”

Xia Youxi shook her head, clutching the pendant tightly. Mu Huayue scoffed softly. “When the owner caught the little cat running off with a wild cat, it shook its head too, afraid of being punished. It held the pendant and swore its heart belonged only to its owner. But don’t forget, the pendant can detect lies. The electric current of judgment surged from the pendant, piercing the cat’s heart like a knife. The little cat froze in shock.”

As she listened, Xia Youxi’s face indeed froze in shock. She blinked, then abruptly released the pendant. Mu Huayue pressed on, “What was its fate?”

Xia Youxi pursed her lips, hesitating before answering, “Its brain was cleansed of its impurities by the electric current. It woke up in time, repented, and reformed!”

Mu Huayue shook her index finger. “No. A knife through the heart means death, of course. It was made into a specimen and remained by its owner’s side forever.”

This is a horror story, right?

Sister Mu, Yousey won’t let you turn into a psycho!

Xia Youxi frantically tried to correct Mu Huayue’s twisted worldview. “Isn’t this… a bit much? It’s just a little kitten!”

Mu Huayue smiled faintly. “Hmm, a little kitten that takes advantage of its owner, wants to use her as a stepping stone, and is full of malicious thoughts. If you were that kitten, what would you do?”

Another impossible question.

How can such a tiny smartwatch screen still exude such oppressive force?

Sister Mu, you truly live up to your reputation as the ultimate villain.

Xia Youxi mentally grumbled, shrinking her neck and trembling with feigned fear. “I… I would proactively tell my owner that I made a new friend today and hope she would accept it.”

“A new friend?”

Mu Huayue noticed the unnatural stiffness in Xia Youxi’s expression and the faint blush at the base of her ears. Could she be embarrassed by my choice of words?

Xia Youxi’s lips curved into a sincere smile as she nodded earnestly. “Yes, just a regular friend. Not a cat, but a husky.”

A flicker of disdain crossed Mu Huayue’s eyes. “Anything else?”

“Nothing else.” Xia Youxi blinked innocently. “The kitten is a certified silly cat. It can’t afford to be distracted by other thoughts while working.”

Pfft.

Mu Huayue chuckled, covering her mouth with the back of her hand as she glanced at Xia Youxi. “Knowing you’re silly, you should focus more on important matters. Did you see the dress I sent you? I hope you’ll wear it on stage.”

This was her way of saying she hoped Xia Youxi would reach the finals. After all, the Production Team provided outfits for the public performances, leaving only the final stage for personal expression.

Xia Youxi nodded obediently, smiling. “Yes, Sister Mu, I’ll do my best.”

“Hmm,” Mu Huayue murmured in response, then abruptly lowered her head.

In the small square screen, Xia Youxi could only see a thick mass of chestnut hair. At the edge, a hand seemed to emerge, clutching a white garment—a nightgown Mu Huayue had worn before.

Something was wrong.

Xia Youxi gently called out, “Sister Mu, are you okay?”

Mu Huayue replied again, “Hmm.”

With a slow wave, she ended the call.

This was even more unsettling.

Xia Youxi remembered reading in the book that severe cases of Floral Heat Syndrome could occasionally flare up near the scattering season. She couldn’t bear to imagine Mu Huayue’s current expression. Would the pain be so intense that she’d collapse from her chair?

Xia Youxi lowered her head, the smartwatch strap creased from her grip. She gently placed the device down, found a chair, and sat down with a silent sigh.

Sister Mu is too proud. She wouldn’t want anyone bothering her right now.

No wonder she wanted me as her pet. Only a pet would revolve around her, always by her side.

Sigh…

In the following days, Mu Huayue vanished from the chat app again. Xia Youxi received no news from her, yet found herself thinking about her even more. During rehearsals, seeing someone wearing a moon bracelet would immediately remind her of Mu Huayue, making her wonder if she was doing okay.

“Yousey, you’re lagging behind on your positioning,” the group’s instructor called out.

Startled, Xia Youxi snapped back to attention and mumbled an apology.

For promotional purposes, the Production Team had both groups rehearsing together in the early stages. Seeing Xia Youxi’s distracted state, Han Bei, who had been struggling to keep up with the choreography, smirked. “Daydreaming about your golden catch, are we?”

Han Bei then turned to their team captain, Guan He. “Captain, looks like our chances of winning are pretty good.”

Guan He scoffed and ignored her.

Xia Youxi was too preoccupied to pay her any attention. She focused on perfecting her movements while secretly thinking about Mu Huayue.

The mirror reflected the figures of ten contestants. The dancers on the left moved listlessly, while those on the right showed slightly more effort. Xia Youxi remained the standout performer, though her expression seemed somewhat vacant.

At that moment, dance mentor Ying Feifei arrived to observe the practice. She immediately called Xia Youxi aside.

They retreated to a secluded spot, out of the camera’s view.

Ying Feifei stared intently at Xia Youxi, her eyes filled with an unreadable darkness. Her voice carried a hint of heartbreak as she said, “Darling, I asked my old friends on set, and it turns out your affair with CEO Mu’s assistant is real. I thought you were here for me.”

She reached out to touch Xia Youxi’s hair, but Xia Youxi stepped back, avoiding the touch. Ying Feifei frowned briefly before letting out a soft laugh. “Still pretending with me? Darling, we really are a match made in heaven. But your choice of sugar daddy is so unreliable. You should have chosen her boss, CEO Mu, instead.”

Xia Youxi was stunned.

Ying Feifei glanced down at her, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. “Can’t catch him, huh? No worries, I can teach you, honey. Even if you’re too dense to learn, I can introduce you to a new sugar daddy.”

Xia Youxi frowned, but Ying Feifei pressed closer, still smiling. “The adult world is all about exchanging favors. For small fry like us to rise up, we need to rely on the big shots. Some sacrifices are necessary. I understand you—you don’t have to hide anything from me.”

“Like I said before, as long as you listen to me and put me first, I’ll do everything I can to help you in this industry.” She leaned in close to Xia Youxi’s ear, lowering her voice. “That includes teaching you how to please sugar daddies and get on CEO Mu’s arm.”

After uttering these outrageous words, she asked with a smug expression, “So, what do you say? I have a shoot tonight, so give me your answer tomorrow night.”