After Marking a Paranoid CEO [Transmigration] - Chapter 3

Xia Youxi followed Mu Huayue outside and realized she had been moved from the hotel to a private hospital. Mu Huayue led her into a room, went into the inner chamber herself, and told Xia Youxi to wash her dirty face outside.

Through a small glass window, Xia Youxi saw Mu Huayue talking to a doctor in a white coat and accepting a form from him. She tried to watch longer, but a cold, sharp gaze shot through the window, making her flinch. She lowered her head with an awkward smile and splashed a handful of water on her face.

A mirror hung above the sink. Xia Youxi used it to examine her reflection. Her face was almost identical to her real-world self, except this body was malnourished and too thin, making her already large eyes seem even more prominent. Her cheeks were slightly sunken, lacking their previous fullness, and even her signature dimples were barely visible when she smiled.

Sigh.

Xia Youxi sighed, not for herself, but for her original body’s owner, Xia Weixi.

In the plot transmitted by the mysterious force, she had glimpsed Xia Weixi’s recent years. Like her, Xia Weixi had a critically ill family member—her mother, while Xia Weixi was her younger sister. To earn money for medical bills, Xia Weixi had been tricked by a shady company into signing a predatory contract. She earned next to nothing, even having to pay the company for training fees. To make money, she had to take on trashy gigs that damaged her reputation, and even those low-grade jobs were fiercely competitive.

She had given all her hard-earned money to the hospital, enduring a life of hardship, yet still couldn’t raise enough for the exorbitant surgery fees. No wonder Xia Weixi had resorted to desperate measures, even daring to threaten CEO Mu with her secret to get the money.

Forced into a corner, she was like someone grasping at straws in a medical emergency. Though foolish, her actions were understandable.

It seemed her current goals now included not only clinging to life but also saving Xia Weixi’s sister. After all, having assumed Xia Weixi’s identity, she should inherit her wishes. Moreover, the pain of her own mother’s death had left a thorn in her heart, and she hoped that thorn would never pierce anyone else’s heart again.

She pressed her cold, wet hands to her face, the tears mingling with the water. When she opened her eyes again, Xia Youxi had regained her composure.

She heard the door open and close as Mu Huayue emerged with the doctor.

“Sister Mu,” Xia Youxi greeted, her face lighting up as if seeing Mu Huayue was the greatest joy.

But her Sister Mu responded coldly, “Wipe your face first,” and handed her a pack of tissues.

Xia Youxi obediently replied, “Okay,” took the tissues, and wiped her face. Unlike a washcloth, the tissues easily crumbled when wet, leaving bits stuck to her skin. Mu Huayue frowned in disgust. “Even after washing, you still look like a dirty cat.”

Xia Youxi didn’t mind at all. She brushed the paper scraps off her face with a smile. If they were alone, she might have even playfully meowed in response.

It wasn’t that she was being cheeky; Sister Mu’s voice was just too lovely, especially when paired with her subtle expressions. It made her resemble those tsundere young ladies from anime who struggle to express their concern, which Xia Youxi found utterly adorable. It would have been a shame not to tease her a little.

Of course, for the sake of survival, she restrained herself.

“You’re recovering well, Miss Xia,” the doctor remarked as Xia Youxi finished removing the paper scraps. Xia Youxi turned to examine her closely.

The doctor, clad in a white coat, wore rimless glasses. Her features weren’t particularly refined, but she possessed an air of scholarly elegance. While her demeanor was slightly warmer than Mu Huayue’s, with a faint smile on her face, Xia Youxi could tell the smile was merely a habit, not genuine respect.

Xia Youxi glanced at the name tag pinned to the doctor’s coat: Meng Chang, Attending Physician, Pheromone Department.

In the original story, Meng Chang was Mu Huayue’s trusted Beta personal physician, but also an ambitious schemer who sought to exploit Mu Huayue’s wealth and power to achieve her ultimate goal: the annihilation of Alphas.

This woman was a ticking time bomb beside Mu Huayue, constantly brainwashing her and gradually corrupting Sister Mu further.

A dangerous individual, Xia Youxi couldn’t act against her yet, so she simply replied politely, “Thank you.”

Meng Chang nodded and handed her a prescription. “This is for your medication. CEO Mu has already paid for it. You can pick it up now.”

Xia Youxi glanced at Mu Huayue, who nodded in acknowledgment. With permission granted, she smiled her thanks and went to the pharmacy window to collect her prescription. When she saw the pharmacist’s surprised expression, Xia Youxi knew something was wrong. Sure enough, a moment later, a large box was wheeled out. The pharmacist hesitated, then said, “Miss, your partner is quite… vigorous.”

Xia Youxi looked at the box and saw four large characters: Alpha Inhibitor.

Well, this is just a roundabout way of mocking me for not being able to keep my hands to myself, isn’t it?

Not entirely wrong, though.

Xia Youxi accepted the box with an awkward smile. As she approached the Pheromone Clinic Area, she deliberately softened her footsteps. Near the door, she overheard the conversation inside.

Meng Chang asked, “Are you really going to keep this troublemaker by your side?”

Mu Huayue replied, “You’ve seen it yourself—she’s very obedient.”

Meng Chang sneered. “Of course. She seems like a useful tool. Once you’re tired of her, you can just toss her to me for experiments.”

Xia Youxi shivered. What kind of demons are in this room?

Hidden outside, she couldn’t see Mu Huayue’s slight frown, only hear her soft acknowledgment: “Mm.”

Xia Youxi sighed. So, the tissue offer had been a misunderstanding after all. Sister Mu still clearly disliked her.

After waiting a moment, she walked to the door and called out, “Sister Mu.”

Despite deliberately timing her arrival to avoid any misunderstandings, Meng Chang immediately declared, “She heard everything.”

Cold sweat broke out on Xia Youxi’s forehead as she anxiously glanced at Mu Huayue. Mu Huayue’s gaze remained icy as it landed briefly on her. “Keep up,” she said curtly.

Left with no choice, Xia Youxi clutched the box and hurried after her. They got into a car, and Xia Youxi remained stiff and awkward throughout the ride until they arrived at a luxurious high-rise apartment.

This seemed to be Mu Huayue’s private residence. Xia Youxi watched as Mu Huayue changed into slippers before her, then instructed her to take out a new pair for herself.

“Oh, okay,” Xia Youxi replied.

Having received her orders, Xia Youxi finally set down the heavy box, rubbed her aching arms, and crouched down. The new slippers were on the bottom shelf of the shoe cabinet. To reach them easily, she almost knelt on the floor. Just as she retrieved them, Mu Huayue spoke from beside her.

“You heard me, right? If you don’t obey, I’ll send you to Meng Chang for experiments.”

Xia Youxi looked up. The woman stood just a step away, her gaze sweeping downward, a faint, mocking smile playing on her lips. She looked as if she could crush Xia Youxi like a kitten with a single hand.

What could she do?

Though inwardly seething with indignation, she replied firmly, “Sister Mu, don’t worry. I’ll be super obedient!”

Mu Huayue hummed in acknowledgment and turned to walk deeper into the house. Xia Youxi watched her light, graceful steps, sensing her satisfaction with her response. Seizing the opportunity while the villainous sister was in a good mood, she quickly changed into the slippers and hurried after her.

Mu Huayue’s residence was quite spacious. They passed through a grand hall and walked several meters down a corridor lined with art pieces before reaching a bedroom.

Mu Huayue pushed open the door and gestured for Xia Youxi to enter. “Stay here. Don’t move without my permission.”

“Oh, okay,” Xia Youxi said, glancing around the room. It was only about twenty square meters, with a large bed in the center, several rows of cabinets along the walls, and an ultra-thin television mounted on the wall. There was also an en suite bathroom, but the most important feature was the window that allowed for ventilation—far better than the rural hotel she’d stayed in with the film crew before she’d been transported here.

Xia Youxi felt deeply grateful and looked at Mu Huayue with sincere appreciation. But Mu Huayue barely glanced back, turning to leave after giving her instructions. Realizing she hadn’t yet raised the matter she wanted to discuss, Xia Youxi quickly reached out and grabbed Mu Huayue’s arm.

Her palm brushed against Mu Huayue’s icy fingers, earning her a sharp, piercing glare. Xia Youxi immediately withdrew her hand, offering an embarrassed smile. “I’m sorry, Sister Mu. I… I wanted to ask you something.”

Mu Huayue stared at her coldly, saying nothing. Xia Youxi had no choice but to continue boldly, “Could I have my phone back? I… I promise I won’t try to escape.”

She even raised three fingers in a mock oath.

Mu Huayue’s expression remained unchanged, but she was inwardly surprised. She had expected the girl to ask for money, not just her phone.

Seeing Mu Huayue’s silence, Xia Youxi deliberately lowered her gaze, looking pitiful. “I just want to let my family know I’m safe. My younger sister is still in the hospital, and I need to contact the film crew to request leave from work.”

“Didn’t you look down on that role? Perfect, you don’t have to go.”

“Ah?” Xia Youxi hadn’t expected Mu Huayue to be so ruthless, refusing even at this point. She wanted to plead further, but Mu Huayue cut her off with a cold snort: “Or did you sneak into my room in the middle of the night for some other reason?”

“No, no, no!” Xia Youxi waved her hands frantically, bowing apologetically. “It was just an accident.”

“Do you really think I’d believe that?”

Xia Youxi blinked at her, unsurprised to hear a scornful laugh. The door slammed shut in front of her, and even though it wasn’t locked, Xia Youxi knew she was trapped.

Sigh, her Sister Mu was perfect in every way—except for her terrible personality. Moody, unpredictable, and suspicious, she was like a yandere character from a two-dimensional world. Xia Youxi wondered what kind of person could ever earn her complete trust.

Never mind, this wasn’t the time to dwell on that. She needed to figure out her next move.

Given the current situation, Mu Huayue wouldn’t kill her—at least not yet. Recalling the plot from the original novel, Xia Youxi guessed she might have some therapeutic effect on Mu Huayue’s Floral Heat Syndrome.

Floral Heat Syndrome was a rare Omega glandular disorder. Sufferers couldn’t use Alpha Inhibitors to suppress their heat cycles; they had to endure the agony of their bodies, their pheromones raging uncontrollably.

Xia Youxi still remembered reading in a book about Mu Huayue’s heat cycle, how the proud woman would bite down on the corner of her blanket, secretly shedding tears as her body burned with pain. It had broken the heart of this little fan.

She never imagined her impolite behavior would lead to such a pleasant surprise.

But was this really a good thing for Mu Huayue?

Xia Youxi still felt ashamed.

Propping her cheek in her hand, she sat on the edge of the bed and sighed. She vowed to herself that when she had the means, she would make it up to her poor Sister Mu.

Once I get out of here, I’ll find a way to make something of myself.

As Xia Youxi planned her future in the guest room, darkness fell outside. Only then did Mu Huayue allow her to come out for a bite to eat. Afterward, Mu Huayue tossed her a nightgown and ordered her to go wash up.

Xia Youxi obeyed, but she paused when she changed into the white nightgown. It was incredibly soft and clearly high-quality—not something cheap. Did Sister Mu buy this specifically for me?

Just as she was feeling touched, Mu Huayue called her again. This time, the destination was the master bedroom.

Xia Youxi followed Mu Huayue in a daze. When the wooden door swung open, she saw several items laid out on the large bed. Her mouth fell slightly open, and she began to tremble. “S-Sister Mu…”