After Marking a Paranoid CEO [Transmigration] - Chapter 4

Beside the soft, large bed lay a bundle of hemp rope, wide duct tape, scissors, and an eye mask—an arrangement that looked decidedly improper. Xia Youxi recalled that in the original novel, Mu Huayue only enjoyed tormenting people through drug trials, not these… ahem… hobbies that would likely be censored on certain online platforms.

Could she have been summoned for a crafting session?

Xia Youxi turned to see Mu Huayue still standing in the doorway, arms crossed and leaning slightly against the frame. Her exposed hand pressed tightly against her arm, as if suppressing something.

Is she feeling unwell?

“Sister Mu?” Xia Youxi called out, wanting to check on her.

Mu Huayue’s sharp command stopped her in her tracks: “Go. Tie yourself up first.”

“Huh?”

Is it really what I thought?

Xia Youxi eyed her cautiously, unsure of Mu Huayue’s intentions. All she could see was the woman biting her lower lip, her expression impatient.

Since she’s sick, she probably won’t go too far.

Xia Youxi returned to the bed and draped the hemp rope over herself like a scarf, drawing on her experience from filming kidnapping scenes. Before she could proceed, Mu Huayue snapped, “What are you doing? I told you to tie your legs and arms together.”

“Oh,” Xia Youxi said, taking the rope down again. She sat on the stool at the foot of the bed and casually wrapped it around her ankles a few times. The rope was too long, so she grabbed scissors and cut it. Seeing the severed ends scattered beside her, she felt relieved. Thank goodness the scissors were just a tool, she thought. Sister Mu wasn’t planning to cut me after all—though there’s nothing left to cut anyway.

Exhaling in relief, she tied a quick bow around her ankles. But when she tried to bind her wrists, she ran into trouble. She held the rope up, gesturing with it for ages, completely stumped. Finally, she hopped over to find Mu Huayue.

“Sister Mu!”

The skinny little girl bounced over, her fluffy black hair puffing up and settling with each hop, making her look like a furry little rabbit. Mu Huayue chuckled. “Did I tell you to hop?”

“Ah?” Xia Youxi froze mid-hop. But with her ankles bound, she lost her balance and pitched forward. Unexpectedly, her presentable face didn’t hit the floor; instead, she landed in a warm embrace.

Xia Youxi pressed against Mu Huayue’s shoulder, inhaling a faint, familiar scent—a cool, woody fragrance. Her nape twitched twice. She gritted her teeth and forcefully shook off the unwanted sensation.

Mu Huayue pushed her away without ceremony, letting her stumble twice before grabbing her arm and positioning her by the bed.

Xia Youxi realized her current posture must be quite undignified. Her head was pressed against the edge of the bed, her legs touching the floor, making her utterly vulnerable.

She moved her hand on the bed, trying to get up, but Mu Huayue ordered, “Hands behind your back.”

Well, that settles it. What more could she possibly need to understand?

Xia Youxi wore a resigned expression as she obediently placed her hands behind her back, blinking as Mu Huayue tied her up and yanked her to her feet.

“Sister Mu,” Xia Youxi said. As someone who had been nominated for Best Actress, she could still project the most natural, obedient demeanor when facing a major antagonist, no matter how resentful she felt inside.

Mu Huayue appreciated children who knew how to read the situation. She withdrew the hand holding the tape and asked Xia Youxi, “Are you a good sleeper?”

Xia Youxi nodded slightly. “When I slept in the dorm, my roommates always thought I was a corpse.”

A hint of a smile played on Mu Huayue’s lips as she put away the tape and scissors. Glancing back, she noticed the girl still standing stiffly in place, watching her with restrained curiosity. For some reason, she felt a playful impulse. She picked up a lipstick from the vanity, sat back down in front of Xia Youxi, and beckoned her closer with a flick of her fingers.

Xia Youxi leaned forward slightly, Mu Huayue’s hand gently cupping her chin and drawing her face closer. She noticed the faint teeth marks on Mu Huayue’s lips, her long, feathery lashes, and those eyes that held a hint of amusement, along with the increasingly intense pheromone scent.

Her cheeks flushed, and she involuntarily closed her eyes.

The hand on her chin tightened its grip. She heard Mu Huayue’s scornful laugh: “Did you think I was going to kiss you?”

Xia Youxi opened her eyes, meeting Mu Huayue’s disdainful gaze. “Remember your place. You’re just a tool to me.”

The words were cruel, yet Mu Huayue’s touch remained surprisingly gentle. The hand on her chin loosened slightly as she watched Mu Huayue twist open a lipstick tube and begin applying color to her lips.

Her fingers smoothed the pigment across Xia Youxi’s lips, blending the color. Mu Huayue smiled in satisfaction, then lightly patted her cheek, warning, “Listen carefully. If I find out tomorrow morning that this… little mouth of yours has kissed where it shouldn’t, you’re dead.”

It seems that night left an indelible mark on the great villain’s psyche, Xia Youxi thought wryly.

She offered a sheepish smile. “N-no, it won’t happen. Sister Mu, I-I can go back to my room or sleep on the floor.”

“Do you think you have a choice?” Mu Huayue picked up the blindfold and placed it over Xia Youxi’s eyes, concealing those large, pitiful eyes. With a slight tug, she pulled Xia Youxi onto the bed.

The world plunged into darkness, heightening Xia Youxi’s sense of touch. She felt a hand pushing her, shifting her from lying flat on her stomach to lying on her side. She couldn’t tell which way she was facing—whether it was empty air or Mu Huayue herself.

After an indeterminate amount of time, she felt someone grasp her bound hands, and warm breaths brushed against the back of her neck.

Was Mu Huayue pressing close to her?

Xia Youxi didn’t know and didn’t dare ask.

Suddenly, she felt like a human-shaped pillow, being fondled and prodded by the person beside her. When the touches tickled her sensitive spots, she almost laughed, but fearing a scolding, she gritted her teeth and suppressed the urge.

Mu Huayue slept soundly that night, but Xia Youxi only managed a light, restless sleep. In her hazy state, she felt herself being turned over again. An arm draped across her waist, and a soft, yielding sensation gradually pressed against her front, startling her awake.

Her eyes snapped open, staring blankly into the darkness. Though she could only see the inner surface of the blindfold, she knew Mu Huayue was right beside her.

Her breathing was so close, it felt like lips were pressed against her cheek. Xia Youxi’s face flushed crimson. She froze for a moment, then began to writhe desperately. She remembered Mu Huayue’s threat before sleep: If there’s lipstick on my face, you’re dead.

Her struggles seemed to irritate the person beside her. The arm around her tightened, and even a leg was thrown over her, pinning her down. Xia Youxi felt like she was caught in an octopus’s grip, completely immobilized. All she could do was arch her neck back with all her might.

But how much freedom could a restrained person possibly have?

She couldn’t hold out for long. A hand pressed her down, burying her face between soft, fragrant mounds. Her neck itched from the hair brushing against it. Defeated, Xia Youxi lay flat.

This is what they mean by dying beneath a peony flower, she thought.

The next morning, Xia Youxi woke up to a sharp pinch on her chin. Still blindfolded, she could only hear the voice across from her—cold, suppressing fury: “What exactly did you do last night?”

Xia Youxi shook her head, her lips sealed.

She truly hadn’t done anything, but Mu Huayue didn’t believe her. With a swift yank, she tore off the blindfold. Xia Youxi’s disheveled hair fell forward, and through the gaps, she glimpsed a scene of spring: Mu Huayue, clad in a black silk nightgown, her cheeks, neck, and even chest adorned with crimson plum blossoms.

The exposed curve of Xia Youxi’s chest flushed her cheeks crimson. She lowered her head, her hands twisting together behind her back, and mumbled, “I’m sorry, Sister Mu.”

Mu Huayue’s fingers clamped firmly under Xia Youxi’s chin, forcing her to look up into a pair of eyes burning with anger and resentment. Mu Huayue sneered, “I warned you. You brought this on yourself.”

The grip on Xia Youxi’s wrist loosened, and the force of the release sent her head drooping. As Mu Huayue glanced toward the scissors, Xia Youxi’s heart raced. Like an angry little bird, she lunged forward, knocking Mu Huayue onto the bed. Long strands of hair brushed against Xia Youxi’s shoulder, prickling her skin. Mu Huayue impatiently brushed them aside, only to find the annoying girl nestled against her chest, her wide eyes fluttering as she pleaded, “Sister Mu, please let me explain, okay?”

Too close.

Even tied up, she’s still so restless?

Mu Huayue turned her head away, using both hands and feet to shove Xia Youxi aside. Straightening her drooping straps, she glared at her. “You dare argue after doing wrong?”

Xia Youxi shook her head, her expression aggrieved.

Seeing her defiance, Mu Huayue smirked and pulled out her phone, pulling up the surveillance footage. “Fine, then I’ll make you admit it.”

Xia Youxi struggled to sit up on her knees and leaned closer. The phone screen displayed night vision footage. Last night, she had lain still the entire time, while Mu Huayue had first stroked her hand, then pressed against her back, nuzzling her neck. Something else seemed to have happened later, but Mu Huayue abruptly pulled the phone away and ordered her to close her eyes.

While Mu Huayue’s back was turned, Xia Youxi secretly cracked open an eye. From her angle, she could only see a corner of the phone screen, revealing two small heads pressed close together. Mu Huayue was nuzzling Xia Youxi’s neck, as if she wanted to merge with her completely.

Who would have thought? Xia Youxi thought. During the day, she’s as haughty as a queen, barking orders like “No means no!” But at night, she clings to me, rubbing and pressing against me.

Tsk, tsk, tsk. This feels like watching surveillance footage—it’s even making my ears burn.

So innocent, Sister Mu.

Just as Xia Youxi was mentally mocking her, Mu Huayue suddenly turned her head. Xia Youxi quickly closed her eyes, feigning fear and trembling slightly.

Mu Huayue frowned slightly and beckoned her over. Seeing Xia Youxi’s difficulty moving, she simply walked behind her and untied the ropes.

After being bound all night, Xia Youxi’s wrists ached. She rubbed them in front of Mu Huayue, who asked, “Does it hurt?” Xia Youxi obediently shook her head, but her wrist inadvertently revealed the blue marks left by the ropes, and a few tears welled up in her eyes.

Whether out of guilt or pity, Mu Huayue surprisingly asked, “Do you want to go out?”

Xia Youxi stared at her with wide eyes. Mu Huayue replied expressionlessly, “If you behave well, I’ll let you out in a couple of days.”

This counts as progress, right?

Xia Youxi nodded slightly, still silent.

She had hoped tonight would be easier, but CEO Mu showed no mercy.