After Marking a Paranoid CEO [Transmigration] - Chapter 36

Xia Youxi took her phone to the stairwell, tapped the moon icon, and typed: “Sister, can we change the song? [Pitiable Kitten]”

She held the phone, her eyes glued to the screen, then cradled it against her chest as she leaned against the wall. After waiting at least ten minutes, she still hadn’t received a reply.

Is Sister really that busy?

Xia Youxi wasn’t one to be unreasonable. Time was precious, so she temporarily gave up and returned to her room.

As soon as she entered, she heard a snort. Yin Ke couldn’t suppress her laughter.

Xia Youxi looked at her, bewildered. Instructor Yin winked, still chuckling. “Is it an Alpha? Are you dating someone?”

Huh?

Xia Youxi was confused. We’re both idols, so how could she say something like that?

She firmly extinguished Yin Ke’s fantasies. “Instructor Yin, please don’t slander my professional ethics. I’m single, and as long as I remain an idol, I’ll maintain that status.”

Yin Ke froze for a moment, then, after a pause, her face lit up with admiration. She murmured an apology, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. But Little Xia, you’re truly exceptional. I’ve worked with countless male and female idol groups over the past few years, and most of them lack your level of awareness. Some are even worse—profiting from fan donations and campaign funds while secretly supporting their sisters-in-law behind the scenes.”

She extended her hand, praising Xia Youxi, “I deeply admire your attitude and hope you’ll debut as the Center Position. The next few days will be tough for you. I’ll be rigorously evaluating every aspect of your performance. It’s too late to back out now, you know.”

Xia Youxi returned the handshake, smiling confidently, “Good. Bring it on.”

To ensure complete focus, Xia Youxi immediately silenced her phone and tossed it into her bag.

Yin Ke first tested Xia Youxi’s pitch and vocal quality. After hearing her sing acapella, she couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up. “Impressive! You’re already at the level of a mid-to-upper-tier professional singer. Your high notes still waver a bit, but a vocal coach will work with you on that later.”

After the vocal test, Yin Ke had Xia Youxi try out several different dance styles. After comparing them, she stroked her chin and commented, “Your sense of rhythm is excellent, and your movements are natural. You can handle most girl group choreography, and even some more challenging routines. For the ‘Show Youth’ Grand Finale, contestants are allowed to bring backup dancers. I strongly recommend you do so; it’ll make your performance stand out even more.”

The idea of a poor girl’s solo performance at the Grand Finale turning into a group dance with backup dancers felt deeply incongruous.

Xia Youxi hesitated. “If possible, I’d prefer to perform a solo dance, or sing the song alone without any dancing at all.”

“Are you worried about others not bringing backup dancers?” Yin Ke asked. “Alright, I’ll have someone check on that. Let’s start practicing the song first.”

“Okay, thank you, Instructor Yin,” Xia Youxi replied politely, following Yin Ke to the music teacher who had been summoned to begin vocal training.

Around 8:30 PM, Yin Ke called a halt to the session. The reason was simple: the author she was eagerly following, “General Wen,” stood expressionlessly by the door, waiting to pick up Xia Youxi.

After thanking the music teacher, Xia Youxi slung her backpack over her shoulder and headed out, simultaneously urging Yin Ke to pressure Wen An to write faster while pulling out her phone and turning on the sound.

Xia Youxi’s Green Chat app showed 99+ unread messages. Excited, she tapped to open it, only to find that 60 of them were from random shopping groups she’d joined earlier, 50 were from Sibe, mostly pointless reaction stickers, and 9 were from her adoptive mother, Lian Ruxin, sending the same three-line message repeatedly throughout the day: “Weixi, what about Lailai?” “Mom doesn’t know what to do anymore.” “Please, just do it for Mom.” The remaining two messages were from Yan He, asking, “Do you want me to help you rehearse for the doubles competition? Money’s no object—just bring yourself.”

Tch, not a single message from Sister Mu.

Xia Youxi looked at the screen with a bitter smile. She sent Sibe a “Go for it!” sticker, skipped over her adoptive mother’s message, and replied to Yan He: Thank you for your kindness, Sister Yan, but I don’t need it.

She followed Wen An into a discreetly luxurious car. As the skyscrapers blurred into streaks outside the window, Xia Youxi frowned slightly and ventured, “Sister Wen, has something happened to Sister?”

Wen An replied calmly, “No. Maybe she just wants to see you.”

Xia Youxi forced a smile, her anxiety still churning. Her hand holding the phone tapped restlessly, her eyes fixed on the screen, but her thoughts had already drifted to Mu Huayue. She worried about her safety, wondering if she was huddled on her bed, biting back tears.

Nine o’clock was still rush hour in the city. As traffic merged into the main flow, congestion built up, and impatient drivers honked their horns. Even with the windows closed, the cacophony of blaring horns pierced through. Xia Youxi grew increasingly agitated, pulling out her phone to send another Green Chat message to Mu Huayue.

Sister, traffic jam. [Cat Flop]

The message sank into the digital abyss without a reply.

Xia Youxi glanced at Assistant Wen, who sat calmly in the front seat. She forced herself to relax, took a deep breath, and asked with a smile, “Sister Wen, doesn’t Sister have to work late at the office tonight?”

Wen An stole a glance in the rearview mirror, gripping the steering wheel as she replied, “CEO Mu has an overseas video conference scheduled for around eight. By the time we arrive, it should be finished.”

So she’s busy.

A weight lifted from Xia Youxi’s chest. Ah, Sister is working so hard.

She settled back and began scrolling through her phone, noticing a newly released update from “General Wen” on a popular online platform. General Wen’s full name was “Wen Neng Ti Bi An Da Jiang Si,” a play on words meaning “Wen, who can wield both pen and sword to pacify the realm.” The update, titled “Tempting Immortal (Part 3),” had been posted two days earlier.

Clicking through, she found it was a concise thousand words—much shorter than the chapters of the novel she was currently reading on a rival platform.

She skimmed through it casually. On the ground, clutching the Goddess’s robe, a figure timidly raised its head, large eyes brimming with tears. Sister, don’t leave me.

The Goddess lowered her gaze to glance at the girl, gently freed herself from the clinging hand, and turned to leave, taking only a few steps.

Why does this feel so much like how Sister Mu and I interact?

Did the author draw inspiration from us?

Curious, Xia Youxi flipped back a few chapters and couldn’t help but sigh. It’s no wonder “General Wen” is so popular. She’s a master of atmosphere. The opening chapter is especially… fragrant.

The story began with a young girl finding a Goddess, covered in wounds and on the verge of death, and carrying her back to her own dilapidated thatched hut.

The Goddess’s ethereal beauty and extraordinary aura filled the girl with longing, yet she dared not touch her. She knelt cautiously by the bed, guarding her, when suddenly her nape burned hot, and she collapsed onto the bed.

A sweet fragrance permeated the room, clouding the girl’s senses. Her eyes glazed over as she reached out to the unconscious Goddess, only to recoil, feeling she couldn’t defile her. She forced her hand back, her bent knees pressing against the floor. She picked up the bl00d-stained white sleeve that had fallen off the bed and pressed it to her face, rubbing it gently.

Xia Youxi couldn’t help but cover her mouth in shock.

Wow, this sense of restraint… I’m a sucker for this kind of thing!

No wonder Yin Ke kept begging for updates.

But why did this feel so similar to her first meeting with Sister Mu? Except that the girl in the story was stronger, able to restrain herself even under the influence of pheromones. What about her?

Xia Youxi covered her mouth, then moved her hand to support her forehead, engaging in self-reflection.

Afterward, she felt a strange unease. Could this story be based on real events?

She looked up at Wen An and asked, “Sister Wen, do you have a Little Fute Account?”

In the rearview mirror, the driver’s eyes flickered beneath dark circles, his posture remaining rigid. “No.”

“Oh,” Xia Youxi replied with a sly smile. “That’s a shame. There are some really fun short stories on there. I was hoping to recommend them to you.”

Wen An pushed up her glasses and casually replied, “Sure, recommend them to me when I get back next time.”

“Alright.”

I’ll recommend “Tempting Immortal” to you, and only after it’s finished. No chance of you dropping it then!

Xia Youxi smiled secretly as she created a small alt account and left a comment: “Who doesn’t love a sister who looks cold and aloof on the outside but is actually soft and sweet on the inside? [Heart-eyes emoji]”

The car continued its journey. Bored, Xia Youxi refreshed her Little Fute Account again. This time, she was drawn to a strikingly vivid image.

It was a drawing of a young Alpha-Omega couple. The Omega lay on the bed, her clothes disheveled, a red silk sash draped beside her, connected to the one binding the Alpha’s hands. The long-haired Alpha gazed down, a bite restraint still in his mouth.

The artist’s skill was remarkable, capturing the Alpha’s conflicted desire to bite and his restraint with vivid detail.

So fragrant…

Xia Youxi casually tapped the “like” button.

Another half-hour passed before they finally reached their destination: Tangchen Yipin, a high-end residential complex built along the riverbank. Wen An escorted her upstairs, then discreetly left after opening the door.

The lights were on inside. Xia Youxi, mindful of not disturbing Mu Huayue’s work, kept her voice low as she called out, “Sister.”

There was no response. Assuming Mu Huayue was still in a meeting, Xia Youxi changed her shoes and ventured further into the apartment.

Mu Huayue’s residence was far more luxurious than the one near the film studio, appearing to be over 300 square meters. Xia Youxi had once considered buying a similar place in her original world, but before she could finalize the purchase, she had transmigrated.

As she tiptoed through the living room, Xia Youxi suddenly heard the door creak open. A tall figure emerged, draped in a silk robe. Mu Huayue stood with her arms crossed, beckoning, “Come here.”

Xia Youxi darted forward. “Sister!”

She slipped through the crack in the door into the room. The curtains were drawn tight, and Mu Huayue sat on the sofa near the entrance, beckoning her over. Xia Youxi nodded, her hand on the doorknob. “Sister, should I close the door?”

“Mm,” Mu Huayue replied, her voice sounding faint and weak.

Xia Youxi immediately locked the door and hurried over.

She was about to sit down beside Mu Huayue when her phone rang. She glanced at the screen—it was Yan He. She hung up casually, but Yan He called again before she could move.

“If it’s important, answer it,” Mu Huayue instructed.

Obeying, Xia Youxi answered the call. Yan He first asked about her well-being these past few days before quickly getting to the point: Did she need any help?

“No, really, I’m fine,” Xia Youxi replied quickly. “Don’t trouble yourself, Sister Yan.”

A sharp glare pierced her from across the room. Xia Youxi saw Mu Huayue whisper, “Put it on speaker.”

Understanding, Xia Youxi tapped the speaker button. Yan He’s voice immediately boomed through the phone: “This isn’t trouble. Don’t be afraid—I have money. At Linglian, you’d be their top star. Why didn’t you tell me? Are you alone right now?”

Her gaze turned into sharp blades, sending a chill through Xia Youxi. “Really, I don’t need it,” she replied. “I have things to do. I’ll hang up now.”

“Wait!” Yan He’s voice suddenly sharpened. “Yousey, you’re not alone. I’m behind you. No matter what happens, I’ll help you. Don’t be afraid.”

Xia Youxi didn’t know whether to be touched or to cry.

She was torn between laughter and tears, unsure why Yan He would say such things. “Okay, okay, I know,” she replied hastily. “Thank you, Sister Yan. I’m not afraid. I’m hanging up now. Talk to you later.”

She immediately ended the call, straightened her posture, and looked ahead. “Sister, she…”

“Impressive.”

The corners of Mu Huayue’s bloodless lips curled into a smile. Her slender index finger tapped the screen, and before Xia Youxi could explain, a jolt of electricity struck her chest.

“Ah—!”

The pain was as excruciating as the last time in the wilderness. Xia Youxi clutched her chest, collapsing to her knees. She tilted her head slightly, gazing up at Mu Huayue, and slowly reached out, avoiding the woman’s leg to grasp the hem of her drooping skirt. “Sister… ugh…”

The pain prevented her from uttering a single coherent word. Her hand, clutching the hem of her skirt, slipped from the pain. Bracing herself with one hand on the ground, she quietly retreated two steps, unwilling to transmit the electric current to Mu Huayue.

“Ugh…”

Another moan escaped, this time not from Xia Youxi, but from Mu Huayue standing before her. The electric current in her hand seemed to have dissipated. Xia Youxi pressed a hand to her chest, gasping for breath, her eyes fixed intently on the hand before her beneath tightly furrowed brows.

Though she was the one who had been electrocuted, the culprit before her was flushed crimson, her teeth clenched. The woody fragrance emanating from her was now even stronger than when they had entered. Xia Youxi noticed Mu Huayue’s intertwined hands, now covered in finger marks, some broken and bleeding.

“Sister!”

Xia Youxi half-rose, crawling forward. But as soon as she lifted her arm, Mu Huayue’s hand seized it.

Though the grip was weak, it was surprisingly tight, as if Xia Youxi were a drowning person clinging to a straw. She instinctively gripped back, intending to pull Mu Huayue into an embrace, but another hand pressed down on her head. Unwilling to hurt her, Xia Youxi lowered her head and pressed it against Mu Huayue’s leg.