After Marking a Paranoid CEO [Transmigration] - Chapter 45

Under that gaze, Mu Huayue couldn’t possibly stay angry. She huffed, feigning impatience, “I’m not mad. But—”

She twirled a strand of Xia Youxi’s hair near her ear. When she saw the girl’s eyes welling up again, Mu Huayue frowned, flicked the strand away, and scolded, “No crying. Aren’t you going to change?”

So that’s what this is about.

Xia Youxi lowered her head, concealing the cunning in her eyes. When she looked up again, she wore her usual pitiful expression. “Change? Which one?”

Mu Huayue gestured toward the wardrobe. Inside hung a fluffy blue minidress. Xia Youxi recognized it—the dress Mu Huayue had given her for the Grand Finale.

To be honest, Xia Youxi was surprised CEO Mu wanted her to change into this dress. After all, it was late at night; a nightgown would have been more appropriate. Why this dress?

She didn’t understand, but CEO Mu’s orders couldn’t be ignored. Hesitantly, she picked up the dress and glanced at Mu Huayue. “Sister, should I change here?”

The tips of Mu Huayue’s ears seemed to flush slightly, but her voice remained firm. “Yes. Go ahead.”

Xia Youxi remembered changing clothes in Mu Huayue’s mansion once before. She knew Sister Mu’s true nature: saying one thing while thinking another. If she actually changed in front of her, Sister Mu’s face would probably turn even redder.

“Okay.” Xia Youxi feigned embarrassment, placing her hand on her shoulder. Her wrist trembled slightly as she began to slip off her sleeve. In the mirror, she saw Mu Huayue still standing in place, though her eyes had unconsciously drifted toward her.

I knew you were this kind of person, Xia Youxi thought, suppressing a smirk. Her face remained a picture of wounded innocence as she continued undressing, her voice catching in a sob. “Sister, could you help me with the zipper?”

In the mirror, Mu Huayue turned her head, her gaze landing on the girl’s smooth shoulder, where the half-slipped sleeve hung precariously. She averted her eyes awkwardly before slowly approaching. Her fingers fumbled for the zipper pull, then gently tugged it down.

Xia Youxi feigned a startled “Ah!” as Mu Huayue’s cool fingertips brushed against her warm back. Sensing the girl’s shivers beneath her touch, Mu Huayue hastily withdrew her hand, as if caught doing something wrong. Her gaze inadvertently swept over a patch of exposed skin before she turned her back, scolding, “Changing clothes and you’re making such a fuss? You barely have any meat on you—who’d want to look?”

“Waaah…” Xia Youxi whimpered, turning her head to look at Mu Huayue. “I’m sorry, Sister.”

Mu Huayue turned back to see Xia Youxi’s disheveled state, looking exactly like a bullied girl in a movie. Unable to bear the sight, she flung the clothes at Xia Youxi, strode to the door, pushed it open, stepped out, and slammed it shut behind her.

Now alone in the room, Xia Youxi had no need to keep up the act. She quickly stripped off her clothes, changed, and stood before the mirror, smoothing her skirt and scrutinizing her reflection.

This was the first time she’d worn this dress: a Lolita-style piece with ruffled sleeves, a tightly fitted bodice, a full skirt, and two white gauze ribbons. It looked strangely familiar.

Xia Youxi couldn’t immediately place the character the dress reminded her of. As she pondered, a hurried voice called from outside the door, “Are you changed yet?”

Xia Youxi walked over and proactively opened the door.

Outside, the coldness in Mu Huayue’s eyes melted the moment she saw Xia Youxi, replaced by a hint of warmth. Xia Youxi sensed that Mu Huayue seemed quite pleased with her appearance, a faint smile playing on her lips as she murmured, “Just as I thought, you look remarkably similar.”

Similar to whom?

Xia Youxi didn’t know, but Mu Huayue’s hand was already at her collar, straightening the neatly tied bow. Then Mu Huayue asked, “Have you ever watched anime?”

“I watched a little when I was younger,” Xia Youxi replied blankly.

As she grew up, her family was burdened by debt, leaving her no time or opportunity for such things.

Those who are fortunate can cling to their childhood innocence, but Xia Youxi had been forced to grow up far too early.

“You’re not too old now either,” Mu Huayue said, glancing at her before pulling out her phone and playing a video. She handed it to Xia Youxi with a command: “Learn this. Perform it for me later.”

Xia Youxi took the phone with both hands, her confusion deepening as she watched the video. Mu Huayue, the CEO of Ba Feng Group, was showing her an anime clip—a magical girl type, not the depressing, round-faced kind like Madoka Magica, but an overwhelmingly cheerful and adorable justice fighter.

Curiously, Xia Youxi glanced at Mu Huayue. CEO Mu’s face was cold, with a hint of annoyance hidden in her eyes, as if displeased by Xia Youxi’s gaze.

A sudden thought struck Xia Youxi: she suspected that the aloof and elegant Sister Mu harbored a childlike dream of being a magical girl.

“Pfft.”

Xia Youxi couldn’t help but laugh at her own theory, unsurprisingly earning a glare from Mu Huayue. “What are you laughing at?”

Xia Youxi shrank her neck, feigning remorse as she suppressed her laughter. “Nothing. My family was poor, so I had to work outside from a young age and never got to watch cartoons. It just seems so interesting. Thank you, Sister, for letting me experience a real childhood.”

Mu Huayue frowned. “You’ve never seen this?”

Xia Youxi nodded. She had watched some cartoons as a child, but she had never seen this “New World Mashup Masterpiece.” The anime’s protagonists were Ye Feiyue and Ying Yanyuan. Ye Feiyue had a round, adorable face, while Ying Yanyuan was half a head taller, with long, straight black hair and an expressionless face—a cool and aloof beauty.

To be honest, the two…

Xia Youxi asked, “Sister, which character should I play?”

“Ye Feiyue,” Mu Huayue replied.

Xia Youxi hesitated, suppressing her curiosity, and nodded slightly. She glanced at Mu Huayue again. “Should I start now?”

Mu Huayue gave a slight nod, signaling her approval. Xia Youxi immediately slipped into character.

Lacking props, she had to rely on miming. She first bent slightly at the waist, extended her hands, and waved them in front of her chest. Then, she placed her hands on her hips, took two steps back, and bounced lightly, humming a cheerful tune. Pretending to wield a magic wand, she waved it dramatically and shouted at Mu Huayue, “Courage Beam! Heartwave Blast! Fire—!”

The girl’s playful demeanor and precise movements perfectly captured the innocent, spirited energy of the animated character. Mu Huayue’s lips curved into a faint smile, a subtle expression that Xia Youxi immediately noticed.

What was the point of playing both main characters alone?

Her eyes darted around, and a mischievous idea sparked in her mind. She hurried over to Mu Huayue, gazed at her anxiously, and pleaded, “The enemy is too strong! I can’t beat them alone, Xiao Yuan! Help me!”

Mu Huayue huffed and turned her head away, refusing to acknowledge her.

Knowing her tsundere nature, Xia Youxi reached out to take her hand. “In times of crisis, don’t be stubborn. I’ll apologize properly after the battle!”

Mu Huayue froze, allowing herself to be led a few steps. To her left, Xia Youxi had already begun forming hand seals, chanting some incantation. Mu Huayue chuckled, watching thoughtfully but still not getting into character.

Even after Xia Youxi finished her performance, Mu Huayue remained motionless, staring at her. What a heavy burden, she thought.

“Ah!” Xia Youxi feigned injury again, stumbling back two steps before collapsing to the floor. Mu Huayue immediately rushed over, bending down to support her. Before she could speak, Xia Youxi pleaded earnestly, “Help me, Xiao Yuan!”

Mu Huayue released her grip, and Xia Youxi slumped to the ground. She watched as Mu Huayue expressionlessly returned to the sofa, crossed her legs, and glanced down at her with condescension. “Alright, it’s over.”

Xia Youxi pursed her lips, reluctantly stood up, and felt discouraged by her failed plan. Yet she refused to give up, determined to find another opportunity to unleash Mu Huayue’s true self.

She slowly shuffled forward and stood before Mu Huayue, awaiting further instructions.

Mu Huayue beckoned her closer with a flick of her wrist. Understanding the gesture, Xia Youxi half-squatted and leaned her cheek toward Mu Huayue’s outstretched hand, intending to press it against her palm. But the hand suddenly twisted, pinching Xia Youxi’s cheek and giving it a light squeeze. “Getting bold, aren’t you? I asked you to act, and you dare try to scheme against me?”

“Mmmph,” Xia Youxi whimpered, her eyes wide and pitiful. “I just thought Sister and Ying Yanyuan had similar auras.”

Mu Huayue remained impassive, still pinching her cheek. “You’ve barely acted in a few roles, and you already think you can improvise? Weren’t you going to apologize? Well, act it out now. Go on.”

Xia Youxi closed her eyes and squeezed out tears. Her free hand landed on Mu Huayue’s knee as she sobbed, “I’m sorry, Sister. I’ll never dare to play a magical girl again. Waaah!”

The woman before her frowned, just as Xia Youxi had anticipated. Instantly, she released Xia Youxi’s hand, her cold, sharp demeanor shifting to one of flustered helplessness.

“Why are you crying so easily? I only said a few words to you. I didn’t do anything.”

A hand gently caressed Xia Youxi’s face. Unable to suppress her tears, Xia Youxi wept even more bitterly. “Waaah, I’m sorry, Sister.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” Mu Huayue said, at a loss for what to do. She reached out and pulled Xia Youxi into her arms. Seeing this, Xia Youxi readily sat on the edge of the sofa, leaning into Mu Huayue’s embrace, tears streaming down her face.

Mu Huayue let her cry, gently patting her back. She could feel the girl’s shoulders trembling slightly in her arms, her suppressed sobs sounding like a kitten seeking comfort. With a sigh, she remarked, “You didn’t cry this much even when you were wronged during the competition. Why are you such a crybaby with me?”

Xia Youxi tilted her head, snuggling closer to Mu Huayue and rubbing her cheek against her chest. Her voice was timid as she replied, “Because… they’re not you, Sister.”

Is this… what’s in the heart of this foolish girl? Does she truly see me as different from everyone else?

Mu Huayue’s lips curved slightly upward, her movements becoming even gentler as she soothed the person in her arms like a kitten. “Mm.”

Just as the atmosphere began to ease, Xia Youxi’s phone rang at an inopportune moment. Mu Huayue glanced at the screen, her gentle expression instantly turning icy. “It’s that Guan family Omega again. What does she want now?”

Xia Youxi, still clinging to Mu Huayue, saw Guan He’s call and, hearing the threat so close, wisely hung up. The phone rang again, this time with Sibe’s name on the screen.

Mu Huayue scoffed, took the phone, and put it on speaker.

“Heh heh, I got through!” Sibe’s triumphant laughter filled the room. “Sis, where are you? Guan He said you’re in danger! We’re coming to rescue you!”

Xia Youxi glanced at Mu Huayue, received a silent cue, and forced herself to reply, “I’m fine, just tired.”

“Oh. You’re going back to the villa to rest?” Sibe yelped as if someone had stepped on her foot. “Hey! Why’d you step on me?”

Then came the familiar “Ugh, how annoying”: “Yousey, I’m coming to your dorm right now.”

Sibe chimed in, “What? No way! I’m coming too!”

“No—” Before she could finish, the call was cut off. Xia Youxi looked up to see Mu Huayue’s dark expression. Her phoenix eyes held scrutiny and a hint of barely concealed jealousy.

A hand gently patted Xia Youxi’s cheek, making her tremble involuntarily. “Sister,” she murmured.

“That girl Guan has some tricks up her sleeve. By saying that, she’s made it look like something’s wrong if you don’t go back.”

Mu Huayue’s icy gaze swept across Xia Youxi’s face as she tightened her arm around her. Xia Youxi was trapped in Mu Huayue’s embrace, her head pressed against her shoulder. The warmth of Mu Huayue’s breath tickled her ear, making her itch, but she couldn’t move, trapped both by Mu Huayue’s grip and by the chilling words she had just heard.

“Then why don’t we go back together?”