After Marking a Paranoid CEO [Transmigration] - Chapter 33

“Sister, isn’t this a bit much?”

Only Xia Youxi’s small head peeked out from under the covers, her hair slightly tousled from sleep, making her look like a lazy, adorable kitten.

Mu Huayue’s expression softened slightly, but she remained firm. “Get out of bed. I won’t repeat myself.”

Xia Youxi blinked, her mind racing. A sudden idea struck her. She quickly fastened two buttons on her shirt, threw back the covers, slipped into her slippers, and darted forward.

With her arms pressed tightly against her sides and her body standing ramrod straight, Xia Youxi’s rigid posture nearly made Mu Huayue smile. But the smile vanished the moment Mu Huayue’s gaze shifted to a certain critical area. Her brow furrowed slightly as she stared at Xia Youxi, hesitating. “You… who told you to move around like that?”

“Sister, I didn’t move at all,” Xia Youxi replied, her wide eyes shimmering with a sleepy, watery innocence that made her look soft and utterly endearing.

Mu Huayue reached out, then abruptly withdrew her hand. She was a proper woman and couldn’t bring herself to strip someone naked in broad daylight.

Xia Youxi noticed Mu Huayue’s hesitation and secretly smirked, though her face grew even more pitiful. She shrank back slightly, lowering her lashes as if wanting to hide but daring not to.

Mu Huayue’s resolve completely crumbled. She had no desire to force someone into a compromising situation. “Alright, you can still stand, so you’re fine. I’m leaving.”

As she moved to leave, a hand boldly reached out and grasped hers—not her arm, but her hand. For a moment, Mu Huayue wanted to pull away, but the sweet, floral fragrance wafted over her, and she couldn’t resist inhaling it greedily. Her fingers tightened around the girl’s hand, but in a moment of clarity, she released her grip. She glared coldly at the girl before her, yet could only see pure sincerity in those wide, innocent eyes.

“It’s late, and it’s not safe outside. Sister should rest here for a while and leave when it’s light.”

How absurd, Mu Huayue thought.

She lowered her head. Even though she hadn’t tightened her grip, the girl’s hand still lingered on her fingertips. A slight tug would easily break free, but she didn’t move, responding only with a detached, “One bed. How does that make it safer here?”

Wasn’t I the one in danger just now? Xia Youxi thought.

She grasped Mu Huayue’s hand and shook it gently, deliberately sweetening her tone as she coaxed, “Sister, you can have the bed. I’ll just lie down on the sofa for a bit.”

With that, she headed toward the sofa in the corner.

Located in a prime, expensive area, even the standard rooms at this five-star hotel weren’t particularly spacious. The sofa was a small, single-person model. Xia Youxi curled up on it, hugging her knees, looking just like her former pet, Yousey.

Mu Huayue stood nearby, watching as Xia Youxi shifted and fidgeted, unable to find a comfortable position, and even stealing glances at her. “Sister, why aren’t you resting? I’m fine,” Xia Youxi asked.

Mu Huayue hummed in response, continuing to observe.

Xia Youxi realized Mu Huayue was deliberately enjoying her discomfort. No matter, she thought. The best actors can face any awkwardness head-on. After a few more moments of squirming on the sofa, she suddenly sat up straight, sprang to her feet, and strode directly to Mu Huayue’s side.

Standing nearly 1.75 meters tall in her heeled boots, Mu Huayue towered over Xia Youxi by half a head. Even in slippers, Xia Youxi had to crane her neck to meet Mu Huayue’s gaze. Noticing a hint of teasing in Mu Huayue’s expression, Xia Youxi’s mischievous side surfaced. She tiptoed up and tugged at Mu Huayue’s outer robe, pulling it off her shoulder.

Mu Huayue froze for a moment, then asked with amusement, “What are you doing?”

“Sister has been standing for so long,” Xia Youxi replied, tugging at the robe. “She must think I’m being inconsiderate. As Sister’s Yousey, I need to help her remove her dusty clothes, take a bath, and change.”

A bath and a change of clothes?

The tips of Mu Huayue’s ears flushed crimson. Her outer robe was already draped over Xia Youxi’s arm. Following Xia Youxi’s gaze, she realized the younger woman was scrutinizing her collar and belt. The blush spread across her ears as she quickly scolded, “Enough nonsense. Give me back my robe and go rest.”

Xia Youxi obediently replied, “Okay.”

Ignoring CEO Mu’s astonished and slightly irritated gaze, she turned and hung the robe on a nearby rack. Turning back to Mu Huayue, she smiled sweetly. “Sister, should I run the bath for you?”

Mu Huayue scoffed and beckoned her over. “Come here.”

Xia Youxi walked over with a smile. In an instant, Mu Huayue’s hand shot out, her fingers pinching Xia Youxi’s cheek and twisting sharply.

“Ouch, that hurts!” Xia Youxi squeezed out two well-timed tears, gazing up at Mu Huayue with a pitiful expression. “Sister, you’re bullying me again.”

Mu Huayue released her cheek with a snort. “So many tricks up your sleeve. Do you think I can’t see through them?”

That’s exactly what I want you to think, Xia Youxi thought to herself, suppressing a smirk. Her face, however, remained meek and timid as she fidgeted with her hands and asked, “Then… can Sister stay?”

It seemed directness was Mu Huayue’s weakness. The moment the words left Xia Youxi’s lips, she saw Mu Huayue’s expression shift—a mix of surprise and resignation, with a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes.

She heard Mu Huayue say, “Fine.”

Xia Youxi tried to take Mu Huayue’s hand, but Mu Huayue brushed her away, grabbed her arm, and held her hand up to Xia Youxi’s side. “You seem a bit taller than last time.”

“Really? Maybe it’s because I just turned eighteen and still have some growing left to do?”

Mu Huayue frowned slightly. Ala was tall, and if the little pet in front of her continued to grow, she might even surpass Xia Youxi’s height. After comparing them again, she estimated Xia Youxi had grown about two centimeters, now standing around 160 centimeters—just like her.

She released Xia Youxi and told her to go rest in bed.

Xia Youxi slipped under the covers, blinking at Mu Huayue. Unable to withstand that pure, unwavering gaze, Mu Huayue lay down on the other side of the bed.

The bed was wide enough to fit a pillow between them. Xia Youxi shifted closer, drawn by the faint scent of wood.

As she leaned in, Mu Huayue pushed her away with a hand. “Don’t get any ideas, you’re just a newly eighteen-year-old. Go to sleep.”

Xia Youxi froze. She hadn’t been thinking anything at all—she simply wanted to be closer to Mu Huayue, almost instinctively craving skin-to-skin contact.

That seemed a bit presumptuous.

The terrifying pheromones were acting up again.

Just a newly eighteen-year-old?

Had she gone from being a “little pet” and “kitten” to a “child” now?

Mu Huayue won’t start wanting me to call her “Mommy” next, will she?

Xia Youxi was startled by her own thoughts and shifted her body away slightly. Her mind still racing, she couldn’t sleep. Noticing Mu Huayue lying beside her with her back turned, she softly called out, “Sister.”

Mu Huayue responded curtly, “What is it?”

Xia Youxi hesitated before saying, “Thank you for checking on me so late. But I’m an adult now. I can take care of my wound myself. You don’t need to worry.”

Mu Huayue scoffed. “I was just inspecting the hotel while I was here. Don’t overthink it.”

Is she really going to keep calling me “little one” tonight?

Xia Youxi pressed her lips together and replied, “Mm, I understand. I’ll thank you in my heart, Sister.”

The phone on the bedside table vibrated again, the notification lighting up the screen. Mu Huayue, who was nearby, glanced at the glaring text and frowned slightly. “Don’t worry about your sister for now,” she instructed. “Focus on the competition.”

“Mm, I trust you, Sister.” Xia Youxi turned over, grabbed her phone, and pressed the power button to shut it down, flashing Mu Huayue a bright smile.

The screen gradually dimmed, but that smile remained forever etched in Mu Huayue’s heart.

Before dawn, Xia Youxi heard rustling sounds by her bed. Rubbing her eyes, she looked over and saw Mu Huayue sitting up halfway. “Sister,” she murmured.

A hand reached out and gently ruffled her hair. “Go back to sleep,” Mu Huayue said softly. “In a few days, I’ll send someone to help you with your final song selection.”

“Okay,” Xia Youxi mumbled, nuzzling against Mu Huayue’s palm before drifting back to sleep.

When she finally woke up fully at seven in the morning, her phone alarm was ringing loudly. She slapped it off and reached out beside her, only to realize it hadn’t been a dream—Sister Mu was really gone.

Xia Youxi felt like a terrible pet. She’d let the CEO come in the dead of night and slip away before dawn, while she just slept through it all.

Who’s the sugar daddy here?

The more Xia Youxi thought about it, the less Mu Huayue seemed like a villain. She couldn’t help but smile as she got up, packed her things, and joined her teammates.

As she boarded the bus, Xia Youxi noticed something odd about Huang Ruo, her teammate. It was as if Huang Ruo had met her idol, unable to suppress her secret delight.

Curious, Xia Youxi asked, “Instructor Huang, what happened yesterday? You seem so happy!”

Huang Ruo was about to answer when the show’s director suddenly announced the day’s filming schedule, abruptly cutting her off.

The variety show they were participating in was called The Killer Is You, a large-scale outdoor reality show set in a real-life drama. As trainees, they weren’t eligible for guest appearances and could only participate as non-player characters (NPCs) in the production.

To ensure fairness, the Production Team assigned roles by lottery. Xia Youxi drew the part of a Shanghai dancer from the Republican era and was fortunate enough to secure a solo performance opportunity.

Dressed in a tight-fitting qipao and veiled in black lace, Xia Youxi swayed on the Republican-style stage, humming the distinctive tune of “Little Darling.”

Chi Yi, the show’s main guest, arrived at the dance hall. With a desire to mentor younger talents, he requested a song from her to showcase her skills.

Xia Youxi immediately understood his intention. Instead of hogging the spotlight, she gathered all the other trainees she could find and invited them to join her on stage.

Onstage, Xia Youxi stood at the center, resplendent in her elaborate costume, surrounded by backup dancers in vibrant qipao dresses. Below the stage, attendants in black suits mingled with vendors in worn-out clothes.

As the music began, the group moved in perfect unison, performing the theme song of “Show Youth.” Their smiles radiated youthful energy, filling the air with vitality.

Xia Youxi’s decision not to hog the spotlight earned her even more goodwill. After the episode aired, many viewers searched for her online, instantly becoming devoted fans.

Of course, all that came later. For now, the contestants who had just finished filming were removing their makeup, eating boxed meals provided by the production team, and sharing their excitement about their first variety show experience.

Xia Youxi listened quietly to their chatter, suddenly remembering Huang Ruo’s unfinished conversation from earlier that morning. She turned to her and asked, “Instructor Huang, what was it you wanted to tell me this morning?”

Huang Ruo glanced around before leaning close to Xia Youxi’s ear with a mischievous smile. “You’ll never guess who I ran into at the hotel last night when I got up to use the restroom.”

Xia Youxi froze, her mind racing.

Who could it be? Could it possibly be Sister Mu leaving at that exact moment?