After Marking a Paranoid CEO [Transmigration] - Chapter 23

Xia Youxi found herself facing a blank-faced woman—Wen An, Mu Huayue’s personal assistant—who stood guarding a large suitcase. Judging by its size, it could easily fit a curled-up adult.

 

Could Ying Feifei be inside?

 

Xia Youxi reached out toward the suitcase, but before she could touch it, someone called out, “Miss Xia.”

 

She turned to see Doctor Meng Chang, the terrifying doctor with her signature squinting smile, standing at the top of the stairs. Xia Youxi responded politely, “Doctor Meng.”

 

Meng Chang descended the stairs, casually pulling the suitcase beside her as she passed. “Your performance tonight was quite impressive,” she remarked.

 

“Thank you,” Xia Youxi replied. As Meng Chang turned to leave, Xia Youxi asked anxiously, “Is Sister Mu alright?”

 

“Whether she’s alright depends on your continued performance,” Meng Chang said with a smile.

 

Xia Youxi paused, confused. “Do you need to draw my bl00d?”

 

She rolled up her sleeve. Meng Chang watched her silently, while Wen An stared intently at Meng Chang. The doctor’s smile remained warm. “Not tonight.”

 

Xia Youxi was starting to suspect Meng Chang had become a fan of hers when Meng Chang leaned in close, whispering in her ear, “For pheromone-related illnesses, drawing bl00d isn’t enough. You have to remove the entire gland.”

 

“……”

 

A chill ran down Xia Youxi’s spine. Meng Chang, however, maintained her gentle demeanor, smiling and waving goodbye as she wheeled her suitcase out of the room.

 

Wen An informed her, “CEO Mu is waiting for you upstairs. Go ahead. I’ll see Doctor Meng off.” With that, he also left.

 

The solid wood door Wen An had been leaning against was now gone, restoring silence to the hall. Xia Youxi rubbed the back of her neck, glanced upstairs, and hurried up the stairs. Reaching the door of Mu Huayue’s room, she hesitated before knocking lightly. “Sister, I’m back. May I come in?”

 

After a brief pause, a faint “Hmm” came from inside.

 

Xia Youxi pushed the door open. The moment it cracked open, wisps of woody, incense-tinged fragrance flooded her nostrils. The back of her neck throbbed violently. Afraid to move further, she stood by the door, her hands clasped behind her back.

 

Mu Huayue leaned against the bed, glancing at her. “Same as yesterday,” she instructed. “Come here.”

 

“Alright.” Xia Youxi opened the leather bag on the sofa and rummaged through it. Today’s contents were slightly more extensive than yesterday’s. Pampering herself, she had used softer silk to bind her legs. Recalling last night’s ordeal, she grabbed a pair of leather gloves lined with cotton, put on one, widened the gap, slipped her hand in, and looked at Mu Huayue with feigned sincerity. “Sister, help me.”

 

Up close, Xia Youxi noticed Mu Huayue’s hand was clenched tightly around the corner of the quilt, trembling slightly. She gently extended her hand toward the other woman.

 

Mu Huayue shot her a sidelong glance. In her weakened state, her usually sharp gaze seemed softened, almost like a coquettish pout. Xia Youxi wasn’t intimidated, but she still feigned timidity, blinking her eyes and calling out, “Sister.”

 

“Hmph.”

 

With trembling hands, Mu Huayue helped her fasten the buckle.

 

“Thank you, Sister,” Xia Youxi smiled. She flipped over and lay obediently flat on the bed, pulling the blindfold down to plunge her vision into darkness.

 

Xia Youxi had many questions she wanted to ask, but for now, she chose to remain silent.

 

She couldn’t tell if the lights were on or off, but the scent was overwhelmingly strong, and her neck throbbed rhythmically. To prevent herself from losing control, she tentatively rolled over, turning her back to Mu Huayue.

 

“Lie still.”

 

A hand gripped her arm and flipped her back over. Obeying Mu Huayue’s command, Xia Youxi stammered, “I… I’m worried…”

 

The hand holding her arm didn’t release. Mu Huayue pressed her fingers against Xia Youxi’s lips. “Quiet.”

 

There was a tremor in her voice, and even the hand gripping Xia Youxi’s arm tightened. Gradually, Xia Youxi felt a sharp pain. Her brow furrowed, and she clenched her teeth, determined not to make a sound.

 

The seconds ticked by. Then a hand pressed against her waist, and warm breath brushed her neck, making her heart pound violently. A soft touch grazed the back of her hand, startling her into recoiling, but there was no escape. The woman who seemed so unattainable during the day was now holding her tightly, clinging to her like a vine to a tree trunk. It was truly—

 

Unbearable.

 

Xia Youxi bit down on her lip, taking deep breaths.

 

Mu Huayue’s long hair brushed against Xia Youxi’s cheek, leaving a delicate, warm, and soft sensation. Xia Youxi realized Mu Huayue was about to kiss her. Her pulse raced in her neck, and she instinctively turned her head, her lips landing softly against an unknown spot.

 

A blush crept across Xia Youxi’s cheeks. With sheer willpower, she forced her head away, only for a hand to turn it back.

 

“Mmm.”

 

The unexpected happened: someone pecked at her lips, then gently nipped her lower lip with their teeth. Waves of pheromones crashed over her, blurring her senses. She gradually yielded, her hands bound before her twisting restlessly.

 

The brush of teeth against her skin sent a sharp sting through her. Burned by the sudden passion, Xia Youxi regained a sliver of clarity. She stubbornly pulled her hands back, clenching her collar tightly and pressing her lips into a firm line, determined not to open them again.

 

Fortunately, the person beside her seemed soothed by her pheromones. They placed a soft kiss on her cheek, slowly shifted positions, and settled down, resting their head on her shoulder and wrapping an arm around her.

 

That night, Xia Youxi remained in a state of high alert, unable to sleep in the pitch-black darkness. The next morning, when Mu Huayue lifted her blindfold, she stared in mild surprise.

 

In just one night, the young woman beside her had developed dark circles under her eyes, her face pale, and even a cut on her lip. What on earth did she do last night?

 

No way…

 

As Mu Huayue was still reeling from the shock, she saw the young woman before her looking aggrieved. Xia Youxi softly called out, “Sister, last night…”

 

Afraid of hearing something she shouldn’t, Mu Huayue interrupted, “Mu Hua, you don’t need to say anything. What do you want?”

 

“Huh?” Xia Youxi looked momentarily stunned. She had been worried about being blamed and felt uneasy. Hesitantly, she suggested, “Maybe we should just forget about it.”

 

Mu Huayue insisted, “That’s fine. Tell me when you’re ready. Give me your hand.”

 

Xia Youxi obediently offered her leather-cuffed wrist. As Mu Huayue unlocked the restraints, she noticed a layer of fingernail marks pressed into the young woman’s pale skin.

 

Last night, this foolish girl must have been enduring it all silently. This contradicted what her mother had told her—Alphas weren’t all pheromone-driven beasts. At least, this foolish girl wasn’t.

 

Mu Huayue’s gaze softened involuntarily as she brushed a stray strand of hair from Xia Youxi’s forehead. “There are still three hours until the recording session,” she murmured gently. “Get some more sleep.”

 

Xia Youxi nodded, drowsiness creeping in. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep almost immediately.

 

In her hazy slumber, she felt someone untie the restraints on her legs, tuck the blanket around her, and even gently touch her face.

 

Still half-asleep, everything remained indistinct. When she woke, she couldn’t tell if it had been a dream, though the person calling her name sounded like someone from her dream.

 

A fairy-like sister with half-long hair tucked behind her ear leaned close, gently nudging her awake. “Weixi, time to get up.”

 

Weixi? That’s not my name.

 

Xia Youxi closed her eyes again.

 

Mu Huayue sighed, pinching her cheek lightly and giving it a twist. “You’ll be late. Get up.”

 

Still groggy, Xia Youxi mumbled, “I’m Youxi, not Weixi. I don’t need to get up.”

 

Yousey?

 

Fine, I’ll just call her something else.

 

Mu Huayue patted her shoulder. “Come on, sleepyhead. Time to wake up.”

 

“Meow~” Xia Youxi giggled, her eyes still closed. The sound startled Mu Huayue, who couldn’t resist giving the girl’s cheek a playful squeeze, just like she used to pet her own cat.

 

Xia Youxi finally stirred awake, her eyes fluttering open to gaze at the gently smiling, teasingly affectionate beauty before her. Still half-asleep, she murmured, “Sister Mu is so gentle in my dream today.”

 

The beauty raised an eyebrow, her smile deepening. “What was I like in your dreams before?”

 

Xia Youxi blinked, her gaze drifting around the room as her mind gradually cleared. She chuckled sheepishly. “Before… you were still an elegant and beautiful sister.”

 

Just a bit fierce, always threatening to kill me at the slightest provocation.

 

Mu Huayue didn’t hear the unspoken part, but she could guess it wasn’t so innocent. She nodded curtly and urged, “Alright, you need to go record the show now.”

 

This morning’s live broadcast would announce the results of the First Stage competition. Xia Youxi nodded, then tugged at Mu Huayue’s sleeve, looking up at her with hopeful eyes. “Sister, will you watch the live broadcast?”

 

Mu Huayue glanced down at her, her reply concise: “No.”

 

Seeing Xia Youxi’s pout and stifled expression, Mu Huayue chuckled softly and ruffled her slightly disheveled black hair, urging her, “Hurry up. You’re going to be late.”

 

Xia Youxi reluctantly left the room and stood at the sink, gazing at her reflection. She touched the small cut on her lip, lost in thought. Had Sister Mu been so passionate last night? This mark felt like blatant evidence, practically inviting gossip.

 

Just like Xia Youxi had feared, the moment she arrived at the recording studio, she overheard the contestants’ whispers. The worst offender was her former boss, Han Bei, who, despite being on the verge of elimination herself, still found time to sneer, “Oh, little Xia, you and your assistant were quite lively last night, weren’t you?”

 

Some contestants joined in the teasing. From Xia Youxi’s perspective, the group seemed divided into three factions: one clustered around Han Bei, gossiping about her; another keeping their distance, radiating aloof beauty; and a few who stood by her side.

 

Each person’s expression varied. The most anxious was Sibe, who blurted out in a low voice, “Yousey, they’re just making things up, right?”

 

Xia Youxi forced a bitter smile. “Of course not. Mu Huayue bit me.”

 

Sibe released her grip and defended Xia Youxi: “Stop arguing. None of you were even there. What are you blathering on about?”

 

Sibe’s teammates exchanged hesitant glances, while Xia Youxi gave her a grateful smile. “Thank you, Sibe,” she said. “If I ever get to start my own company, I’ll definitely sign you and give you the star treatment you deserve.”

 

“Heh, really?” Sibe grinned foolishly.

 

Xia Youxi chuckled. “Let’s go. We should take our seats.”

 

Han Bei watched the two women walk toward the studio, chatting and laughing. She rolled her eyes at their retreating figures. “Start a company? Does a CEO’s assistant really have that much money?”

 

She glanced at the artists Ba Feng Entertainment had sent over and brazenly asked, “Are the benefits good at Ba Feng?”

 

The minor artist from Ba Feng Entertainment glanced at her and smiled warmly. “I’d recommend you apply to a different company.”

 

It took Han Bei a moment to realize she had been politely rejected. Furious, she snapped, “Who wants to join Ba Feng anyway? We have our own company! Once I debut, I’ll start another one!” She stomped off.

 

This proved that children shouldn’t be spoiled excessively; otherwise, problems were bound to arise.

 

Even as she stood among the contestants, Han Bei couldn’t believe she might be eliminated. While Celebrity Producer Chi Yi announced the advancing contestants, she even had time to smirk at Xia Youxi, eager to see her fall from the Center Position.

 

Soon, Chi Yi had announced the contestants ranked 50th through 55th. All that remained were the debut positions and the final five advancing spots.

 

Han Bei grew excited. She had heard the names of her groupmates—who were also artists from her company—among the top 55. She felt confident she was safe, but she hadn’t expected such a strong result, placing her directly in a debut position.

 

It seemed Kengren’s comeback was finally within reach.

 

Her face beaming, Han Bei waited calmly for the judges to announce the debut positions.

 

When she noticed Chi Yi glance her way, her heart fluttered with joy. This is it! she thought. Did some big shot notice me? Am I about to surpass Xia Weixi?

 

Her slender eyes narrowed into a smile as she watched Chi Yi glance at the card in his hand. He smiled back at her. “Sixtieth place, from Guan He’s Group, Han Bei.”

 

Huh? Only sixtieth?

 

Still, barely making it through was enough.

 

Han Bei stepped forward with a smile, ready to move to the advancement zone, when Chi Yi announced, “Unfortunately, due to her group’s loss in the team battle, the member with the lowest votes is automatically eliminated. Han Bei, we wish you a brighter future.”

 

No way!

 

Could she really be worse than those backup artists from her old company who were just there to make her look good?

 

Han Bei froze in place. Chi Yi continued reading the advancement list. After what felt like an eternity, she suddenly heard the name “Yousey.” She looked up to see the minor artist who used to carry her bags standing at the center of the stage, bathed in the spotlight. The girl now seemed almost unattainable.

 

Of course. Han Bei had been eliminated, fading into obscurity, while Yousey had already claimed the Center Position multiple times, becoming a wildly popular contestant with limitless potential.

 

How… ironic.

 

Han Bei gritted her teeth in anger, itching to leave the island and leak Xia Youxi’s dirt to the paparazzi. Just then, she heard Xia Youxi call her name from the stage.

 

“I’m truly sorry I couldn’t collaborate with Miss Han Bei from my former agency,” Xia Youxi said. “But Sister Han’s drama will premiere at the end of the year. I hope everyone will support it.”

 

She’s actually promoting my drama?

 

She’s quite kind, isn’t she?

 

Han Bei suddenly felt she had been too harsh earlier. Awkwardly, she raised her hand and gave a thumbs-up to the stage.

 

Afterward, she congratulated herself on her magnanimity, completely unaware that this was exactly the outcome Xia Youxi had wanted. First, Xia Youxi had promoted her own cameo in a new drama, boosting her favor with investors. Second, she knew Han Bei’s personality well: impulsive, petty, and jealous.

 

When the drama aired and viewers criticized Han Bei’s poor acting, she would inevitably lash out without even bothering to hide behind a fake account. She would expose dirt and tear down Xia Youxi, inadvertently driving up her rival’s popularity.

 

Riding this wave of momentum, she hired a PR firm to release videos prompting viewers to compare her performance with others, aiming to garner positive attention, boost her endorsement fees, and elevate her status. Her goal was to transform from CEO Mu’s “little kitten” into Xia Youxi, a peer worthy of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her.

 

Later, she approached Mu Huayue to express her gratitude, uncertain whether the CEO would agree. But at that thought, a radiant smile bloomed across Xia Youxi’s face.

 

The camera captured this moment, projecting it onto Mu Huayue’s tablet. Leaning back against the sofa, CEO Mu glanced at the screen and scoffed, “Returning kindness with malice? How foolish.”

 

On the screen, Xia Youxi’s dimples deepened as her eyes curved into crescent moons. Mu Huayue’s lips curled slightly as she remarked, “Even her smile looks foolish.”

 

With a dismissive swipe, the perpetually busy CEO Mu was about to resume her work when a chat window suddenly popped up on her tablet.

 

Meng Chang: The girl you picked up is anything but foolish.