After Marking a Paranoid CEO [Transmigration] - Chapter 32

Does she hate me?

The corners of Mu Huayue’s lips twitched involuntarily. Gripping her phone at both ends, she lifted it, swiped to Green Chat, and selected the cat wearing a collar. Just as she was about to tap the video call icon, she froze.

Xia Youxi’s earlier words echoed in her mind:

“So much bl00d…”

“The flesh was charred…”

With such severe injuries, it was only natural for her to hate Mu Huayue.

Her wrist went limp, and she set the phone back on the table, exiting “Pet Diary.” She pressed a hand to her forehead, gently smoothing her hair.

After a moment, she picked up her phone again and sent a message to Wu Wei, arranging the next day’s work schedule.

Meanwhile, at the Island Villa, Xia Youxi stared at the open drawer for a full five minutes, waiting for a response. Growing increasingly frustrated, she thought:

Even after all I’ve said, she still won’t contact me?

It seems I was overthinking things. Mu Huayue doesn’t care about me at all.

As long as I’m obedient, useful, and can be used, that’s all that matters.

The girl in the mirror forced a bitter smile, then slammed the drawer shut with unnecessary force.

The next morning, the director in charge of their group knocked on Xia Youxi’s door. Still yawning and covering her mouth, Xia Youxi was startled to see the director standing outside. “Sister, what’s this?”

The director handed her a bottle of medicine, her eyes scanning Xia Youxi with concern. “Yousey, are you feeling alright? Should we have you checked out? I brought the on-set doctor. Let her take a look first?”

Xia Youxi greeted the on-set doctor standing beside the director, glanced at the burn ointment in her hand, and politely declined. “The power bank malfunctioned yesterday. It’s nothing serious. I’ll just apply some ointment myself. Thank you for coming.”

Seeing her composed demeanor, the director didn’t press further and left with the doctor.

Xia Youxi retreated into the bathroom, medicine in hand. She peeled back her sleeve to examine the burn. A day later, the redness persisted. As she dabbed ointment onto the wound, her thoughts drifted to the person who had sent the medicine.

No one knew about the burn except Mu Huayue. This ointment must have come from Sister Mu.

So, she does care about me after all.

A smile tugged at her lips. She glanced at her wristband, but there were no new messages.

What’s with this cold, aloof act?

“Yousey!”

“Sis!”

Someone called out from outside the window. Xia Youxi recognized the voices of the two troublemakers from the previous night. She quickly hid her wristband, tidied herself up, and went outside.

Amidst their bickering and teasing, Xia Youxi arrived at the recording studio. Yan He stopped backstage. “I’m withdrawing from the competition, so I won’t be participating in the recording. I’ll wait for your ranking to be announced before leaving. Oh, I just heard some good news too, but I’ll keep you in suspense for now.”

Sibe retorted sharply, “If you’re leaving, then leave already! You were the same last night, always speaking in riddles. A hundred thousand whys!”

Xia Youxi remembered last night. Yan He had grabbed her arm, taken only a few steps, then turned back to look at the Island Villa, frowning. “Don’t you think something feels… off?”

Sibe’s frown deepened even further. She nodded. “You’re the strange one here, sis.”

Yan He rolled her eyes, released Xia Youxi’s arm, and walked away with a disdainful air.

Omegas are so hard to understand.

She sidled up to Xia Youxi, calling out, “Ignore her, sis. Let’s go record the show.”

Xia Youxi followed Sibe back to the studio, patiently awaiting the results of this round’s performance. The withdrawal controversy from the previous night had catapulted her and Yan He to the top of the trending searches, and as expected, she claimed the top spot.

Sibe was even more excited than Xia Youxi. “You’re freaking awesome, sis!”

Sibe ranked fifth this time, and Xia Youxi congratulated her, “You too!”

Huang Ruo, who had been used as a scapegoat last time, barely made the cut, slipping to ninth place. Despite the significant drop, her face radiated an unprecedented ease. “Finally back to normal,” she sighed.

Xia Youxi forced a smile and echoed, “Yeah.”

Reclaiming the Center Position wasn’t the biggest surprise; what truly astonished them was the Production Team’s announcement that they had secured variety show appearances for the finalists—top-tier programs that would air on national television.

The contestants erupted in excitement. Xia Youxi guessed this was the “good news” Yan He had mentioned earlier. But what truly shocked her was that the variety show filming location was in Jing City.

She remembered Mu Huayue was currently in Jing City.

Did Sister Mu pull some strings?

Just as she was thinking this, one of the mentors joked, “Mentor Chi is taking so many trainees to the variety show. Could you take us mentors along too? I’ve always wanted to be on that show!”

It turned out to be a connection with star producer Chi Yi.

A wave of inexplicable disappointment washed over Xia Youxi. Noticing the camera turning toward her, she quickly flashed a sweet smile and joined the other contestants in thanking the mentor: “Thank you for your guidance, Mentor Chi!”

Next came the announcement of the final round’s format and team assignments. The final round would feature twenty contestants divided into four teams of five. Xia Youxi was once again not paired with Sibe, but she was reunited with her former captain, Huang Ruo. This time, however, their roles were reversed: Xia Youxi was the captain, and Huang Ruo was a team member.

Huang Ruo breathed a sigh of relief. “Great! I’ll handle the arrangement. The rest is up to you, Captain.”

“Okay,” Xia Youxi replied.

With the team competition settled, the remaining focus shifted to the solo performances, which were left entirely to the contestants’ discretion.

“For the final solo stage, you may choose any song you wish, and we’ll provide assistance,” Chi Yi announced.

Hearing this, Xia Youxi couldn’t help but think of Mu Huayue. She remembered her promise to sing a song Huayue liked, but Sister Mu had been so thoughtful, offering to help her choose the most suitable song.

With the finals approaching, Xia Youxi wondered if she should…

But she still felt a little awkward.

Feeling slightly awkward, Xia Youxi forced a smile as she wrapped up the recording. Amidst Sibe and Yan He’s bickering, she escorted Yan He to the harbor.

Standing on the deck, Yan He waved goodbye. “Yousey, I’ll vote for you! Good luck in the finals!”

Xia Youxi waved back. “Okay, I’ll do my best not to let you down.”

Sibe interjected, “And will you vote for me?”

Yan He’s figure grew smaller as the cruise ship sailed away, but Xia Youxi still caught the look of disdain on her face, guessing she was thinking, “Ugh, how annoying.”

Xia Youxi couldn’t help but chuckle, marveling at how these two were truly destined to be rivals.

To keep up with the variety show’s schedule, the contestants were bundled onto a late-night flight to Jing City that very evening.

By the time they arrived at the hotel, it was already past midnight. As Xia Youxi checked in with the other contestants, she suddenly heard someone ahead of her exclaim, “Wow, we’re getting single rooms!”

“A five-star hotel with single rooms? This is amazing!”

“The Production Team is so rich!”

“Yeah, this hotel is apparently owned by the Ba Feng Group. Thanks to our generous sponsor!”

More like sponsor Mommy, right?

A hint of mischief sparkled in Xia Youxi’s eyes. Only CEO Mu would make such a lavish gesture. It had to be Sister Mu this time.

I wonder if I’ll get to see her tonight.

Xia Youxi’s anticipation soared when she learned her room wasn’t on the same floor as the other contestants.

Having packed light for her work trip, she slung her bag over her shoulder, approached the elevator, and rode upstairs. As she swiped her room key, she smoothed her hair and flashed her sweetest smile as she pushed open the door.

Sister!

She imagined the joyous surprise of their reunion.

Her heart raced, her steps quickening as she hurried into the bedroom.

Only to find it empty, silent, and utterly bare.

No one?

Refusing to believe it, Xia Youxi dashed to the bathroom and slid open the glass door. The bathtub was empty, and still no one was there.

She was somewhat relieved that she had managed to control her emotions when she entered the room, avoiding further embarrassment.

It’s just a normal work assignment. Stay calm, Xia Youxi.

She gave herself a pep talk, leaned against the wall, took a deep breath, and regained her composure.

After casually setting down her backpack and tidying up a bit, she went into the bathroom to wash up. Afterward, she lay on the bed, staring blankly at her phone.

Yes, her phone was back. The Production Team had temporarily returned the Lifeline Device to facilitate external communication.

Ever since she turned it on, her phone had been buzzing incessantly. When she checked, she found system notifications mixed with messages and missed calls from her stepmother, Lian Yixin. A quick glance revealed they were all inquiries about what had happened with her “sugar daddy,” urging her to be obedient and not provoke him, and asking why her sister’s bone marrow match had fallen through.

Not a single message showed genuine concern for her well-being.

Xia Youxi suspected Mu Huayue was still wary of her and was trying to manipulate her through her stepmother. Explaining the situation would be pointless, so she simply muted her phone and temporarily blocked the notifications, finding peace in ignoring them.

Bored of lying around, Xia Youxi casually opened a webpage and started scrolling. Before she knew it, she found herself clicking on Green Chat. After not checking her phone for over a month, her last message with Mu Huayue remained at “I need Sister’s comfort! [shivering cat emoji].” The sight was utterly pitiful.

Xia Youxi hovered her hand over the chat window, glanced at it, then withdrew her hand and turned off the light to sleep.

Exhausted from the long journey and the late hour, the weary girl gradually drifted into slumber. She slept deeply, so deeply that she didn’t hear the electronic click of the room key card. She remained sound asleep, still wearing her eye mask.

The slight movement beside her went unnoticed. What disturbed her was a strange, icy sensation. In her hazy state, she felt something cold pressing against her body. Fear jolted through her mind, snapping her awake.

The room was pitch-black, but she could vaguely make out a figure standing before her. Terrified, she clutched the blanket and sat up abruptly. “Who’s there?”

“It’s me.”

The familiar, cool voice reached her ears. Xia Youxi’s grip on the blanket gradually relaxed. “Sister?” she exclaimed in surprise.

She fumbled for the bedside lamp, illuminating the figure standing before her.

A wide trench coat draped over the woman’s shoulders, stray strands of hair framing her forehead, giving her a travel-worn appearance. What struck Xia Youxi most was Mu Huayue’s expression: her exposed ears were flushed, and a hint of embarrassment lingered on her face. Was she flustered at being caught?

Xia Youxi blinked, recalling the earlier oddness. She pulled back the blanket, then quickly drew it back up.

Beneath the covers, three of her buttons had come undone, revealing more than should have been seen.

“Sister, you were just…”

Mu Huayue shot her a cold glance, silencing her. Xia Youxi quickly changed tack. “It must be freezing outside, right? Sister, did you come all this way just to check on me so late?”

Mu Huayue’s tone remained distant. “I was merely inspecting the hotel during my rounds. I didn’t come specifically for you.”

“Oh, okay,” Xia Youxi said, secretly relieved. “Then, Sister, would you like to come up and personally test the bed for comfort?”

Mu Huayue stared at her without replying.

Xia Youxi grew uneasy under her gaze, shrinking back slightly. “Sister?” she ventured.

Mu Huayue suddenly spoke. “Get down here and face me directly.”

Hmm?

Was she annoyed that the blanket was in the way?

Xia Youxi knew Mu Huayue’s character well. Her earlier actions were definitely not an attempt to take advantage of her; she must want to see the wound on her chest.

Damn it! Is the lie I told that day about to be exposed?