After Marking a Paranoid CEO [Transmigration] - Chapter 46

Going back together?

A three-way meeting?

Xia Youxi imagined the scene: two childish brats arguing with CEO Mu, and her head felt like it was about to explode. And since CEO Mu had already started playing the magical girl game with her, she might suddenly revert to her childish self. Three bickering women—just thinking about it gave her a headache.

She wanted to dissuade them, but when she met Mu Huayue’s cold, detached gaze, the words caught in her throat. Now was not the time to provoke her sister; otherwise, the blame would fall on her.

Xia Youxi could only obediently nuzzle against Mu Huayue’s shoulder and reply, “Whatever you want, Sister.”

Mu Huayue hummed in acknowledgment, her hand moving from Xia Youxi’s waist to gently pat her head, seemingly satisfied.

Throughout the journey, Mu Huayue walked ahead, with Xia Youxi trailing behind, silently enduring the icy aura emanating from the front. She barely dared to breathe, praying that a dramatic showdown wouldn’t erupt later.

But with four women colliding, avoiding drama seemed impossible.

Before they even reached the villa’s entrance, Xia Youxi ran into Guan He and Sibe. The woman ahead stopped, and Xia Youxi quickly caught up. A hand reached out, and after a moment’s hesitation, she took it.

Mu Huayue’s lips curved slightly as she led Xia Youxi forward. Guan He and Sibe, who had rushed over, witnessed the scene. Guan He spat out a “disgusting” and hurried over, ignoring Xia Youxi and glaring directly at Mu Huayue. She spoke sarcastically, “I saw an Alpha at the banquet earlier, tricking an Omega away with just a few words. Yousey, you need to be careful around Alphas like that—they have ulterior motives.”

Before Xia Youxi could respond, Sibe, who had caught up, widened her eyes. “Sis, she’s… she’s holding your hand! That’s too…”

Mu Huayue cut her off with a sharp glance. Sibe froze, bewildered. How could someone shorter than her be so intimidating?

Fortunately, Guan He, ever bold, chimed in, “That’s utterly shameless.”

“Hmph,” Mu Huayue scoffed coldly. As if to prove her point, she shifted from holding Xia Youxi’s hand to wrapping her arm around her waist.

“Disgusting!” Guan He spat again, taking two more steps forward and reaching out to pull them apart.

“Miss Guan,” Mu Huayue asked, her voice icy, “by what right do you interfere?”

Guan He turned to Xia Youxi, her face etched with frustration and a disdainful glare. “Yousey, don’t be afraid. I’m here, and even if things get rough, there’s that big, dumb Alpha beside you. She can’t possibly overpower you. Come over here.”

Xia Youxi found herself torn. Mu Huayue didn’t look at her, simply wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her closer. Guan He’s eyes burned with resentment, almost smoking with anger.

On one side stood Sister Mu, and on the other, the fan sister who genuinely cared for her.

Upsetting either of them would hurt her deeply. Hesitantly, she explained, “Sister Guan, I accidentally spilled wine on my dress earlier. CEO Mu kindly took me to change. She was worried about me going back alone, so she offered to escort me.”

Guan He scoffed, “I bet someone deliberately spilled that wine. They say Alphas are stronger than Omegas—couldn’t you break free? Sibe, go help her!”

Sibe scratched her head, glanced at Mu Huayue, and walked over to Xia Youxi, avoiding eye contact. She reached out to grab Xia Youxi’s arm, but just as her fingers brushed against it, Xia Youxi shifted away. Looking up, Sibe saw Mu Huayue had pulled Xia Youxi back two steps.

“Hey, sis,” Sibe asked, “are you and… CEO Mu… you know, close?”

Xia Youxi couldn’t tell what Sibe was thinking, but the question made the atmosphere even more awkward. She could feel the expectant gazes of everyone around her, each person likely hoping for a different answer. But she decided to be straightforward: “Yes.”

Mu Huayue smiled. Sibe looked stunned, while Guan He seemed about to explode. “Yousey, are you even an idol anymore?!”

That struck a nerve. Xia Youxi retorted, “Don’t jump to conclusions. I just debuted in the Center Position—how could I be dating? CEO Mu is my benefactor.”

As soon as the words left her lips, a force from her waist pushed her forward. Mu Huayue had shoved her toward Guan He, who caught her and shielded her behind her. Guan He called Sibe back, then turned to Mu Huayue. “Since you’re Yousey’s benefactor, I should thank you. It’s getting late, and she needs to rest. You should get some sleep too.”

As she spoke, Sibe glanced at Xia Youxi, who immediately tensed and looked warily at Mu Huayue. Sibe escorted the two women back to the villa.

Xia Youxi hadn’t anticipated this development. Even as she pushed open the door, she felt like she had thorns in her back. Once inside, she hunched over, trying to keep as much distance as possible from the pendant.

Guan He frowned at her. “What are you doing? Apologizing to her with your head bowed? What did Mu Huayue do to you before?”

Mu Huayue had indeed bullied her in the past, but Xia Youxi couldn’t admit it. “Sister Guan, you’re misunderstanding. Sister Mu is a good person.”

Guan He crossed her arms, itching to poke Xia Youxi’s head and perform a “brain-clearing” surgery. “Who wouldn’t be ‘good’ when they’re afraid of causing trouble?”

That was the problem.

Xia Youxi felt that her interactions with Mu Hua were part of a plot, but later, Mu Huayue would manipulate her and get her to do whatever she wanted.

“She’s not a thief,” Xia Youxi said, choosing a more diplomatic approach. “She’s an Alpha in a high position, so her presence is a bit overwhelming. As someone new to this, I can’t help but feel intimidated.”

“Sister Guan, Sister Mu is a good person. She’s not like those who play with people’s feelings.”

Guan He scoffed, but Sibe quickly chimed in, “Hey, I’m not a bad Alpha! It’s just… I don’t really understand what you guys are talking about. CEO Mu is kind of scary, you know? I can’t even look her in the eye.”

Why is she acting so strange?

Xia Youxi tried to defend CEO Mu’s image, but Guan He glared at her with exasperation. “How pathetic, both of you! An Alpha afraid of another Alpha, and a foolish Omega who falls for a few sweet words and starts calling her ‘Sister’! Honestly, honestly—tsk. Yousey, come with me for a moment.”

Sibe tried to follow, but Guan He’s sharp glare stopped her in her tracks.

Xia Youxi followed Guan He into a separate room. Guan He stood before her, her expression serious. “I’m not as naive as Sibe. I know you’re hiding something. Yousey, I need a straight answer: are you willing to leave Mu Huayue?”

Honestly, she didn’t want to.

Xia Youxi tried to explain, “Sister Guan, you’ve misunderstood CEO Mu. She’s been very good to me. It’s not what you think.”

“So you’re refusing,” Guan He frowned, then muttered her catchphrase, “Damn it. What kind of spell did Mu Huayue cast on you? Or has she already—”

Her voice rising with emotion, Guan He abruptly grabbed Xia Youxi by the shoulders, pulling her close. Xia Youxi could see the fire burning in Guan He’s eyes as she forced a smile and continued, “No, Sister Guan. Sister Mu is a good person. She’s helped me so much and even plans to fund my own studio.”

“A good person, a good person! How many times have you called her that?!”

Guan He’s grip tightened, shaking Xia Youxi violently back and forth until her head swam. Xia Youxi didn’t blame her; she knew Guan He was just worried. Besides, Guan He was truly a rare and devoted fan. She even said, “Funding your own studio? That’s just a trick to manipulate you! I bet once you agree, she’ll vanish without a trace. No, I need to get you on some guaranteed-hit variety shows. The more people who know you, the safer you’ll be.”

Xia Youxi: …

Is Sister Mu a monstrous flood or a man-eater?

But she’s finding me guaranteed hit variety show opportunities.

Sister Guan, you’re so kind!

Xia Youxi didn’t want to betray Guan He’s kindness. She said tactfully, “Sister Guan, Sister Mu is truly a good person, not the kind of sleazy scumbag who manipulates young artists. I know you’re looking out for me, but I’d rather you consider Yousey. You already withdrew from the competition for me; any good variety show opportunities should go to Yousey.”

Guan He’s gaze softened, and she relaxed her grip on Xia Youxi’s hand. She pursed her lips, a faint smile playing at the corners, and sighed, “I knew I hadn’t misjudged you. You’re truly a wonderful idol, Yousey. From now on, charge forward without hesitation. I’ll do everything in my power to clear any obstacles in your path. Just be careful around Mu Huayue—don’t trust her completely. If she asks to meet you again, tell me first. Discuss everything with me first, okay?”

Xia Youxi hadn’t expected that after just a few stage coaching sessions, the Young Miss would open her heart so completely. Feeling somewhat unworthy of such trust, she smiled, her dimples showing, and promised, “Thank you for the reminder, Sister Guan. I know what to do.”

Guan He shook her head, still worried, but pulled Sibe away. Mu Huayue was already gone; the CEO had gotten into Wen An’s car and was on her way to the docks.

If Guan He hadn’t intervened, Mu Huayue would have already landed in Paris. But as the silly girl’s earnest praise echoed in her earbuds, a smile tugged at Mu Huayue’s lips. She opened Green Chat and sent Xia Youxi a command: I’m leaving. Stay in the room and move into the Debut Group’s new dorm first. I’ll contact you when I hear from Director Zhou.

Almost immediately, an emoji reply came back: Understood! followed by a Cat Hugging sticker.

Mu Huayue glanced at the screen, at the excessively obedient and ingratiating cat image, and let out a soft hum. What’s the point of Guan He’s daughter saying all that? The little silly cat will always cling to her master.

She set down her phone, leaned back in the seat, and closed her eyes to rest. The image of Xia Youxi in that blue gauze dress flashed through her mind again, and for some reason, the curve of her lips deepened.

She boarded the airplane with peace of mind, heading for Paris. Yet as the Parisian sun set, she saw a new trending headline:

New “Show Youth” girl group “Not Defined” officially debuts! Center Position Yousey to share dorm with veteran member Guan He…

Mu Huayue pushed her sunglasses up onto her hair, deliberately ignoring the phrase “renewing their sisterly bond” and focusing solely on the words “sharing a room.”

An Alpha and an Omega sharing a room?

Such a major decision, and that silly cat didn’t even consult me?

She opened the “Adorable Pet Diary” app, her slender finger gliding over the “Punishment” section. Frowning, she dialed Xia Youxi’s number.

Meanwhile, in Beiyang City, China, Xia Youxi had just arrived at the team dormitory with the staff. Exhausted from travel and the previous night’s competition celebration, she hadn’t even had time for lunch. She’d just poured herself a cup of instant noodles when a sudden electric jolt shot through her chest, striking quickly and vanishing just as fast. The poor noodles were pushed aside, spilling soup across the table.

Heart aching, she pushed the noodles away. Without a cloth, she could only wipe up the mess with tissues, secretly grumbling about whether “CEO Mu” had slipped up.

The thought had barely formed when her phone rang. Glancing at the screen, she saw it was “Moody Sister Mu” calling—a video call.

Xia Youxi glanced at the messy table, a mischievous idea sparking in her mind. She adjusted the angle and answered.