After Marking a Paranoid CEO [Transmigration] - Chapter 26

Xia Youxi blinked, her mouth pinched shut, unable to speak, only able to whimper pitifully, “Sister…”

Mu Huayue glanced down at her, scoffing softly, “What are you saying? I can’t understand you.”

It was a miracle Xia Youxi could even make coherent sounds with her mouth like this. She knew Mu Huayue was teasing her, or perhaps trying to intimidate her. Understanding the reaction the other woman wanted, Xia Youxi, a skilled actress, blinked again and let out another muffled whimper.

Faced with those large, pleading eyes and hearing the kitten-like whimpers, Mu Huayue suddenly hallucinated the cat she used to keep. She couldn’t help but release her grip, her fingertips sliding to Xia Youxi’s cheek to stroke it lightly. “I told you, I can’t understand you.”

Xia Youxi remained silent, mimicking a guilty kitten with wide, innocent eyes.

Mu Huayue couldn’t resist caressing her cheek, whispering, “I actually think withdrawing from the competition is a good move for you. Even if you win and debut, you’ll still need to rebrand later. It’s better to switch tracks now. Ba Feng has abundant resources—”

Xia Youxi’s fingertip slid down to Mu Huayue’s chin, gently tilting it upward. Mu Huayue’s voice carried a seductive edge as she asked, “Do you know what to do?”

As Mu Huayue raised her hand, she suddenly felt a damp sensation on the back of her hand. Noticing Xia Youxi’s retracted tongue, she hastily pulled her hand back, her brow furrowing slightly. “What are you doing?”

Xia Youxi stifled a laugh, noticing the faint blush creeping up Mu Huayue’s earlobes. Adopting an innocent expression, she explained timidly, “Sister, I’m apologizing. You said I’m your Yousey, and Yousey should apologize like this when they make a mistake, right? Sister, can you forgive me?”

Mu Huayue’s gaze flickered momentarily before she regained her composure, looking down at Xia Youxi with a condescending air. “You think I’ll forgive you that easily?”

Xia Youxi figured she’d benefit whether Mu Huayue forgave her or not. Even if she couldn’t become an idol, she still had a chance to become a top star. Yet, deep down, she harbored a lingering obsession. Years ago, she had been unfairly stripped of her Center Position. Now that she had a chance to reclaim it, she naturally wanted to try.

Xia Youxi shook her wrists, adopting a more conciliatory tone. “Sister Mu, if you release me, I’ll show you what I can do.”

“Hmph,” Mu Huayue scoffed, glancing at her without further comment before releasing Xia Youxi’s bound hands.

Xia Youxi sensed a flicker of anticipation in Mu Huayue’s eyes. She knew Mu Huayue likely wanted her to do something, but there were things she wasn’t ready to do yet. Finding a middle ground, she rubbed her wrists and sat up halfway, adopting a Japanese-style kneeling posture. She leaned close to Mu Huayue, took her left hand, and gently shook it. “Good sister, I truly know I was wrong. Please forgive me this time, okay?”

“Who’s your ‘good sister’?” Mu Huayue glanced sideways at her, but didn’t pull her hand away, instead leaning back against the headboard and lazily eyeing her. “Go ask the Production Team to withdraw from the competition yourself.”

Huh?

Was my sincerity not enough?

Xia Youxi leaned closer, nuzzling Mu Huayue’s arm like a kitten. “Sister, I know I was wrong. Please, let me continue in the competition.”

A hand gently cupped Xia Youxi’s face, tilting her head upright. Xia Youxi looked up at Mu Huayue, sensing a hint of confusion and disdain in her gaze. “You really are a fool. You can’t even choose the obvious path right in front of you.”

So Sister Mu is angry because I’m slowing her down?

Is she really this kind?

Xia Youxi sincerely exclaimed, “Sister, you’re so good to me. I really want to repay you. Didn’t you want me to wear that dress for the final performance?”

“You’re still…”

Xia Youxi quickly interrupted, “I won’t let you down, Sister! I’ll stand on that final stage, wearing it and singing! What song do you want me to sing?”

“Sing…”

Seeing Mu Huayue’s thoughtful expression, Xia Youxi breathed a sigh of relief. This should be over. She looked at Mu Huayue expectantly, suddenly noticing a strange hesitation in her expression, as if she were struggling to speak. Xia Youxi encouraged her, “Sister, tell me. Whatever it is, I’ll sing it.”

Mu Huayue glanced at her from beneath lowered eyelids. After a moment of silence, she unexpectedly said, “Forget it. I’ll prepare another outfit for you. As for what you’ll sing in the finals, I’ll decide based on your performances in these rounds. When the time comes, you’ll practice according to my instructions.”

Oh my god!

Did she hear me?

Sister Mu was already planning her path to the finals, ensuring her debut.

Is she really the antagonist?

She was practically her benefactor and a super-generous saint!

Xia Youxi maintained her adoring gaze, gratefully taking Mu Huayue’s hand and shaking it gently. “Yes, yes! I’ll do whatever you say, Sister! If there’s any song you want me to sing, just tell me, and I’ll learn it. If you want me to wear a certain outfit, I’ll wear it.”

Mu Huayue lowered her gaze slightly and asked, “You’d really do anything?”

“Yes, yes!” Xia Youxi nodded vigorously. If the Male Lead had asked this, she would have hesitated—after all, Male Leads in these novels usually have dirty minds. But the Antagonist CEO before her was a pure-hearted woman with impeccable taste, who would never make her wear anything that Jinjiang couldn’t describe.

Xia Youxi patiently waited for Yousey’s reply, only to see the Antagonist CEO sizing her up with a faint smile playing on her lips. “I’ll remember this,” she said. “After the competition, I’ll take you somewhere. You’d better make a good impression.”

Unfortunately, Xia Youxi was usually too busy to read novels properly, often skipping chapters. She couldn’t quite recall the place being mentioned and was racking her brain when a hand gently cupped her cheek and gave it a light pinch. A hint of amusement flickered in Mu Huayue’s eyes. “Didn’t you want to become a little idol and told me not to interfere? Very well, I won’t. If you get eliminated, you might as well retire from the industry altogether.”

Mu Huayue twirled a strand of Xia Youxi’s hair near her ear, her voice softening to a whisper. “Be good then, and perhaps I’ll be lenient.”

At first glance, the words sounded like a threat, but upon closer examination, they were clearly just a bluff.

Whatever, Xia Youxi thought. This is just motivation for me.

Mu Huayue had even secured a backup plan for her: if she lost her job, she could always live off her.

Saying such heartwarming things…

Xia Youxi couldn’t resist moving closer, her skin brushing against Mu Huayue’s. A mischievous smile played on her lips as she said, “Don’t worry, Sister. I’ll be good now, just for you.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Mu Huayue’s face, exactly as Xia Youxi had anticipated. Like a cat, she rubbed against Mu Huayue’s arm and purred, “Take care of yourself, Sister. Your Yousey is off to practice.”

“Go,” Mu Huayue replied listlessly.

But just as Xia Youxi reached the door, Mu Huayue changed her mind. “Come back.”

Xia Youxi pretended not to notice her sister’s mood, returning with a cheerful grin. “Does Sister miss me already?”

Mu Huayue glanced at her sideways, then firmly pinched Xia Youxi’s chin, pulling her face close. Her cold gaze pierced through Xia Youxi, her expression radiating authority as she demanded, “What are you thinking?”

Lifting a strand of Xia Youxi’s hair, Mu Huayue’s tone turned mocking. “You’re just a little kitten. If I wanted to keep you, I could simply chain you up.”

Xia Youxi was stunned. Though she suspected Mu Huayue was just trying to scare her, the words still sent a shiver down her spine. She called out tremulously, “Sister.”

Mu Huayue gently stroked Xia Youxi’s hair, responding, “Hmm. Since you’re being so obedient now, I won’t chain you up for the time being. But that foul-smelling Alpha today served as a reminder. If she knows you’re an Alpha, others might find out too.”

Xia Youxi stared blankly at her, earning a scolding: “You really are a silly cat. Can’t you understand even after I’ve explained it so clearly?”

Xia Youxi shook her head earnestly.

Mu Huayue pinched Xia Youxi’s cheek, her tone disdainful. “To keep others from discovering your secret, shouldn’t you be keeping your distance from everyone else?”

So that’s what this is about.

Xia Youxi breathed a sigh of relief. She had feared Sister Mu believed Meng Chang’s lies and was about to inject her with some kind of drug. That was terrifying.

As Xia Youxi’s expression relaxed, Mu Huayue tightened her grip on her cheek, adding a pinch. “What? Can’t you manage that?”

Xia Youxi immediately wore a pained expression, blinking her eyes with feigned grievance. “Sister, we’re in a team competition. It’s impossible to avoid contact. But I promise you, I’ll stay far away from them outside of practice.”

Mu Huayue hummed in acknowledgment. “Under the cameras, I’ll allow you to not deliberately avoid them.”

Is Sister Mu still worried about me being perceived as unpopular and damaging my image?

Xia Youxi realized that everything she’d thought before had been a bluff. Apart from worrying about her own secrets being exposed, Sister Mu always considered Xia Youxi’s well-being first—she was incredibly kind!

“Okay, okay,” Xia Youxi nodded repeatedly, unable to resist throwing her arms around Mu Huayue in gratitude. “I love you, Sister!”

“Let go,” Mu Huayue pushed her away, turning her face slightly to hide her displeasure. “Aren’t you supposed to be practicing? Hurry up and go.”

“Alright. Sister, am I really leaving this time?” Xia Youxi tilted her head, noticing the faint flush on Mu Huayue’s earlobes from the hug. A mischievous smile crept onto her face.

Mu Huayue couldn’t stand her teasing grin. She frowned and urged, “If you don’t leave now, I’ll have Assistant Wen bring over the chains.”

That Assistant Wen really has a lot of tricks up his sleeve.

Xia Youxi chuckled, said goodbye to Mu Huayue, and skipped out of the room, her heart brimming with joy.

The withdrawal controversy was swiftly buried, and Xia Youxi returned to her grueling training schedule. Mu Huayue had left that evening. After a day of exhausting practice, Xia Youxi habitually headed toward Mu Huayue’s room, knocked, and received no answer. She tried the handle and found it locked. Pausing in surprise, she glanced at her smartwatch, avoiding the security cameras, and noticed a message from Sister Mu.

Company business. I had to leave early. [Chain]

The message even included a small chain emoji. Xia Youxi chuckled. “We all know you’re bluffing. You wouldn’t leave me.”

She replied: Got it.

She added a kitten emoji labeled “Super Well-Behaved” before returning to her room. In the days that followed, she kept her promise, diligently avoiding Sibe’s enthusiastic advances and focusing wholeheartedly on rehearsals. Soon, the second public performance arrived.

As leader of the Dance Team, Xia Youxi led her teammates in delivering an explosive performance. The live comments section erupted with praise: “Yousey is amazing!” “My girl’s dancing is too good!” The mentors on the judging panel showered Xia Youxi with compliments, declaring she had already reached debut-level proficiency.

Xia Youxi’s teammates couldn’t resist congratulating her on reclaiming the Center Position. The atmosphere on stage was so electric that even Xia Youxi couldn’t help but feel swept up in it, convinced she had secured her spot in the second public performance. Back in the dorm, she sent Mu Huayue a Green Chat message:

Sister, did you watch tonight’s show? The mentor praised my performance!

I’m not sure if I can keep the Center Position tomorrow. Please bless me! [Cat Paws Praying]

The phone screen lit up, and Mu Huayue glanced at it, her brow furrowing slightly before she casually switched it off again. Madam Lu’s words from the banquet resurfaced in her mind: “Huayue, I ran into your mother abroad the other day. She’s still strongly opposed to you seeing your friend. That little girl on the survival show seems quite charming. If you’re truly interested in her, you should settle down properly. I’ll speak to your mother about it.”

This seemingly casual remark sent a chill down Mu Huayue’s spine. The fact that even outsiders could see how much she cared for Xia Weixi meant her mother, who held Alpha status in such high regard, would never accept the foolish girl.

Tch, what exactly do I care about that foolish girl anyway?

How utterly ridiculous.