After Marking a Paranoid CEO [Transmigration] - Chapter 35

After speaking, Xia Youxi immediately observed Mu Huayue’s expression. Her thick eyebrows furrowed slightly, her face darkened, and her gaze held not a trace of warmth. Even at such close proximity, Xia Youxi felt a chill, yet she maintained an innocent facade, gazing at Mu Huayue with feigned naivety, as if seeking guidance.

Mu Huayue snorted. “What do you think?”

She tossed the question back at Xia Youxi, making it clear this was her way of offering an out. Mu Huayue hoped the pet cat would show some sense and avoid upsetting her master.

Unfortunately, Xia Youxi had no intention of being sensible. She feigned innocence and probed, “I don’t understand. I heard from other trainees that without the company’s protection, I’ll be vulnerable to behind-the-scenes manipulation. If I don’t sign, will they try to sabotage me again?”

Mu Huayue scrutinized her without a word.

Xia Youxi guessed the other woman probably thought she was mentally deficient.

The airplane suddenly took off, the upward thrust pushing Xia Youxi, who was sitting sideways, against Mu Huayue. Her head rested on CEO Mu’s shoulder, and their hands clumsily collided. Xia Youxi instinctively apologized, “Sorry.”

As Xia Youxi tried to sit back, a hand pressed her head down, forcing her back against Mu Huayue. The hand she had pulled away was firmly pushed back into place, her own soft hand held tightly against it.

The two women were now pressed even closer than before. Xia Youxi felt her head nearly crushed against Mu Huayue’s chest, her warm breath ghosting across her skin. The rhythmic thudding of a heartbeat filled her ears. She paused, her voice softening, “Sister, is it…”

Floral Heat Syndrome?

The words died on her lips as a hand clamped over her mouth. She stilled, allowing Mu Huayue to hold her, her body tense.

It wasn’t embarrassment that paralyzed her, but the seatbelt digging into her. She had to strain against it to maintain her balance and fight the discomfort.

The cabin fell silent, save for the synchronized pounding of their hearts. The woody fragrance of sandalwood drifted slowly, prickling Xia Youxi’s neck. She couldn’t resist twisting her neck, only to have that hand tighten its grip.

Though the touch was soft and seemingly weak, she could feel the fingertips tracing her skin—a subtle threat, warning her against any sudden movements.

Xia Youxi found it almost comical. After all these times, Sister Mu still fears me.

She obediently stopped moving, the silence making it impossible to gauge the passage of time. Xia Youxi felt her entire body stiffen before the hand around her neck finally loosened. She leaned back against the headrest, but the hand pressing her down remained firmly in place.

“Sister,” Xia Youxi said softly, her teeth gritting as she turned her head, her muscles rigid. “Are you alright?”

Mu Huayue closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and replied faintly, “Mm.”

The two fell silent again. After a moment, Mu Huayue glanced down at their intertwined hands, her expression thoughtful. “Xia Weixi,” she asked, “do you want to sign with a company?”

Xia Youxi nodded. “If possible, I want to stay with you, Sister.”

A faint smile curved Mu Huayue’s lips as she refused. “I don’t have time to manage talent right now. But if you’re obedient, I can give you anything you want. A spot on a variety show, the lead role in a web drama—I can arrange it all. Even the lead in a film by a renowned director, I can secure that for you too.”

Mu Huayue’s slender fingers hooked under Xia Youxi’s chin, lifting her lowered face. Xia Youxi understood that Sister Mu needed her to show her commitment. She immediately flashed a bright smile and replied, “I understand, Sister. It’s just that I don’t want to sign with Ba Feng Entertainment.”

“What’s wrong?”

Xia Youxi replied, “I don’t like your younger brother. He’s disrespectful to you, and I’m afraid…”

“Afraid of him?” Mu Huayue raised an eyebrow slightly.

“No, I’m afraid I won’t be able to resist punching him.”

“Heh.” Mu Huayue chuckled, the hand cupping Xia Youxi’s chin sliding down before withdrawing. “Don’t worry, little kitten. He won’t be staying at Ba Feng for long.”

You can’t be so headstrong, Sister.

In the original story, your underestimation of your opponent led to that brat outsmarting you.

Xia Youxi gently rubbed against Mu Huayue’s still-hovering palm. “I know you’re capable, Sister, but I’ve calculated that Mu Shengyang is your karmic nemesis. His fate is exceptionally fortunate, and he always receives external assistance. To eliminate him, we need a long-term strategy, not hasty action.”

“Hmm? More lies?” Mu Huayue pinched Xia Youxi’s cheek playfully.

A slight sting made Xia Youxi yelp, “Aiyo!” Afraid Mu Huayue wouldn’t take her seriously, she quickly added, “No, Sister, I’m not lying. Mu Shengyang’s mother, Qin Xiaowei, is the real liar. She’s always whispering in your father’s ear, boasting about the Qin Family’s backing. But I’ve never seen the Qin Family actually care about him at all.”

The hand gripping Xia Youxi’s cheek tightened slightly, Mu Huayue’s eyes gleaming with coldness. “You know all this? Did you calculate it, or are you still in contact with him?”

Xia Youxi forced out a single tear, looking at her with feigned hurt. “Sister, why do you still doubt me? I hate your brother. I wouldn’t want to see him.”

Mu Huayue’s grip softened into a gentle caress as she stroked Xia Youxi’s cheek, wiping away the tear. Her dark eyes remained fixed on Xia Youxi, as if lost in thought.

Xia Youxi waited quietly, suddenly noticing a hint of mockery in Mu Huayue’s eyes. “You’ve given me a brilliant idea, little kitten,” Mu Huayue said, her gaze piercing. “Since you’re so good at calculations, why don’t you calculate which agency you’ll be signing with?”

Xia Youxi understood immediately: Mu Huayue’s words confirmed she had no choice. She replied obediently, “Of course, I’ll sign with you, Sister.”

Mu Huayue pinched her chin playfully, a smile playing on her lips. “As I’ve said, I don’t have time to manage talents. But since you’re being so cooperative, I’ll help you set up a studio and have Wu Wei manage it part-time. You’ll be the artist, and I’ll be the shareholder.”

With the CEO’s administrative assistant from Ba Feng Group overseeing the project, Xia Youxi was sure to get her share of the profits. Moreover, her “original text” cheat allowed her to scout promising projects herself.

Xia Youxi was thrilled with this arrangement. It granted her immense freedom, far more than she’d expected. She’d initially feared being signed to Ba Feng Entertainment, where the Male Lead would see her as a thorn in his side and constantly make her life difficult.

So, this is mine!

“Sister, you’re the best!” Overjoyed, Xia Youxi threw her arms around Mu Huayue. “I love you so much!”

Love me so much?

Mu Huayue’s eyes widened, her body stiffening, and the tips of her ears flushed crimson.

She closed her eyes, as if savoring the moment, then abruptly pushed Xia Youxi away, turning her head and scolding, “Sit properly! Don’t get any ideas!”

When she faced Xia Youxi again, her eyes were cold and indifferent. “You’re nothing more than a master and her obedient pet. A well-behaved pet deserves rewards.”

Xia Youxi was stunned. After a moment of thought, she realized Sister Mu was being tsundere again.

Heaven knew, her “I love you so much” was just a casual remark, like a fan shouting “I love you, babe!” from the crowd—a spontaneous expression of joy, not a declaration of romantic intent.

Could such a simple phrase really move Sister Mu so deeply?

Her sister clearly craved affection.

Xia Youxi desperately wanted to reach out and pull the woman beside her into a warm embrace.

But reason restrained her impulse. She knew this wasn’t the right moment.

Sister Mu still harbored doubts about her, and Xia Youxi, bound by the professional ethics of an idol, couldn’t bring herself to cross that boundary.

Lowering her gaze, Xia Youxi nodded and placed her hand on Mu Huayue’s knee. “Mm.”

Mu Huayue glanced at the dejected girl beside her, her brow furrowing slightly. She glanced at the hand resting on her leg, closed her eyes, and leaned back against the seat to doze off.

Time slipped by in silence, and Xia Youxi gradually drifted off to sleep as well.

During the flight, the airplane encountered turbulent air pockets. Something soft slowly slumped onto Xia Youxi’s shoulder. When she opened her eyes, she saw a pair of long, dark lashes and chestnut hair brushing against her cheek, tickling her skin. A smile curved her lips.

Whether it was the pheromones at play or not, Mu Huayue and her group slept soundly throughout the journey. As the plane prepared to land, Wen An emerged from the work cabin and stared wide-eyed at the rare sight before her.

Xia Youxi noticed a change in the way Wen An looked at her, as if tinged with admiration.

Xia Youxi smiled at her and made a silent gesture with her finger, signaling her to be quiet. Wen An nodded understandingly and retreated back into the cabin.

As the plane landed, the friction between the wheels and the ground caused violent shaking. Mu Huayue finally woke up, realizing she had been sleeping against Xia Youxi’s shoulder the entire flight. Flustered and embarrassed, she sat up straight, not uttering a word.

A heavy silence spread between them. Xia Youxi suppressed a smile and quickly offered a way out: “I know this was also a reward from the CEO. Thank you, Sister.”

The young girl looked at her with a pitiful expression, her pent-up frustration still lingering. Mu Huayue hummed in acknowledgment, waited for the plane to come to a complete stop, and disembarked.

Xia Youxi followed closely behind. As they walked, Mu Huayue instructed her, “You’ll leave with Wen An later. Follow her instructions.”

“Okay,” Xia Youxi replied, watching CEO Mu’s luxury car drive away. She then got into Assistant Wen’s car and set off.

Wen An lived up to her reputation as CEO Mu’s personal assistant. Driving smoothly, she laid out Xia Youxi’s itinerary for the next few days with a completely expressionless face, scheduling every minute precisely to ensure no time was wasted.

“Alright, Sister Wen,” Xia Youxi said politely. “I’ll go to Instructor Yin Ke’s studio this afternoon to practice my solo piece for the finals. I’ll need you to pick me up later.”

“Okay.”

The single word cut off their conversation. Xia Youxi thought to herself that this woman truly embodied the image of a CEO’s assistant from a novel—silent, reserved, so much so that she hadn’t even noticed this character in the book before.

She followed Wen An through the office building to a room on the first floor that housed a practice studio and recording booth, where she met Yin Ke.

Yin Ke had previously been the leader of a renowned girl group before transitioning to become a stage director. Xia Youxi greeted her politely, and Yin Ke smiled in response, gesturing for her to enter the room first.

As Xia Youxi stepped forward, she suddenly heard a familiar title. Yin Ke called out to Wen An, “General Anda, when are you updating that story about the ultra-A goddess who gets kidnapped by the adorable little Omega?”

General Anda? Wasn’t that the famous author mentioned in the original novel as the top fanfic writer for the main couple?

Is that Wen An?

And “ultra-A goddess” and “adorable little Omega”?

Could they be talking about me and Sister Mu?

Xia Youxi shot Wen An a look that said, “So you’re that kind of writer.”

Wen An met her gaze, her expression unchanging, and replied to Yin Ke, “In a few days. I’m busy with work.”

“Understood, understood.” Yin Ke escorted her to the elevator, then glanced back at Xia Youxi and whispered, “That little girl looks a lot like the protagonist in your story. Could she be your inspiration?”

Wen An stared at her calmly and lied smoothly, “No.”

She wasn’t foolish enough to tell General Anda the truth. If word of this reached CEO Mu, would she even be able to keep her job?

The quick-witted Wen An left, and Yin Ke felt a momentary pang of disappointment. She turned around, forcing a bright smile. Whether it was true or not, she wanted to believe it.

If I get the chance, I’ll try to set them up. My sister deserves to find a fairy-like partner who’s perfect for her. Then she’ll have someone to worship!

A smirk tugged at Yin Ke’s lips as she clapped her hands. “Alright, Sister, let’s start rehearsing.”

Yin Ke began explaining the stage arrangements for the performance. Xia Youxi listened attentively, but when she heard the song choice, she paused. “You want me to sing ‘Eternal Flame’?”

She remembered it as an uplifting, widely popular song with a soaring, operatic passage that would showcase her vocal range. But—

“Doesn’t that song clash with the dress?”

Yin Ke didn’t understand. She had her assistant bring out a luxurious red gown and pointed to it. “Tell me what’s wrong with it, and I’ll have it altered.”

It was a different dress—not the magical girl-style mini-dress Sister Mu had left in the villa’s bathtub.

Sister, did you give up your own preferences for my sake?

Xia Youxi’s heart warmed. She smiled at Yin Ke. “No, it’s fine. Instructor Yin Ke, please wait a moment. I need to send a quick message.”