I Am Her Secret Beauty and Strong Alpha (GL) - Chapter 13

With her family’s blessings, the body of Madam Nan Youlin was laid to rest promptly.

As Mu Xi had anticipated, Nan Zhiya only gave a few brief instructions before leaving all the specific funeral arrangements to her—more precisely, to her and Nan Xi.

Since all the other members of the Nan family were busy, and only Nan Xi had just returned to the country and had time, she was appointed to handle the funeral on behalf of the family.

Of course, this was just in name. The one truly handling everything was Mu Xi.

For those like the Nan family’s Alphas at the top of the pyramid, the time allotted for grieving was just one night.

The next day, when Mu Xi saw Nan Zhiya, she was already composed, as was Nan Lian, who called out to a distracted Nan Xi in the living room.

Nan Xi’s eyes were still a bit swollen, her body weak and tired. But when she heard her sister call her name, she lifted her head and smiled:

“What is it?”

“Yesterday was chaotic and my schedule was tight. I didn’t have time to give you your homecoming gift,” Nan Lian gestured at her expensive handbag. “Guess what it is?”

“Jewelry? Luxury goods? If it’s a house, I’m not accepting it,” Nan Xi joked, despite her low spirits.

Nan Lian laughed, no longer keeping up the mystery. She pulled out a thick stack of documents from her bag. “Those things are nice, but I know my little sister doesn’t care for them.”

“What is this?”

Nan Xi took the documents and casually flipped through a few pages. Her previously dull eyes began to light up, and her voice grew noticeably excited.

“My god, how did you get them to sign these contracts?”

The documents Nan Xi held were work contracts Nan Lian had gathered from top-tier researchers across the globe. Once the research institute Nan Zhiya was building for Nan Xi was completed, these scientists would arrive in City A to begin work.

“Mom gave a grand gift—I couldn’t fall short,” Nan Lian said with a soft laugh, patting her sister on the shoulder. “It’s actually pretty simple. Just offer them conditions they can’t refuse. Besides, working with my sister isn’t exactly beneath them.”

Mu Xi silently agreed. The Nan family’s Alphas were particularly skilled at using high salaries to lure top talent into working for them.

“Nan Xi, pull yourself together. Whether it’s great-grandmother or us, we’re all happy you’re back. We want to see you shine in your field.”

With those words, Nan Lian stepped forward and hugged Nan Xi—a formal welcome home.

Then she stepped back, picked up her bag, and left swiftly to return to work. Her steps were quick, just like the hug she’d given her sister.

She and Nan Zhiya were alike—caring deeply for family, efficient in their actions, never shy about expressing their emotions. It was these qualities that allowed them to succeed both professionally and personally, in ways most people deemed impossible.

Nan Xi held the documents tightly, her fingers tracing the paper repeatedly. Her eyes kept scanning the cover lines, again and again, before she finally looked up.

She gazed out the window.

The sunlight was warm, the garden lush. It was a beautiful day—not one suited for deep sorrow.

“Mu Butler,” Nan Xi’s voice had softened considerably, no longer bearing the cold distance from earlier, “let’s think about how to plan this funeral.”

“She lived a brilliant life. She should have a dignified farewell.”

Mu Xi had been standing nearby the whole time, quietly watching the sisters interact.

She found herself increasingly curious—how would these seemingly harmonious siblings one day turn on each other? It felt like a shame just thinking about it.

Upon hearing Nan Xi call her, Mu Xi instinctively smoothed her clothes and stepped forward. “Yes, young miss.”

The two sat facing each other on the sofa, and Nan Xi began to share her thoughts.

Nan Youlin had led a charmed life. Aside from the early death of her daughter—Nan Zhiya’s mother and Nan Xi’s grandmother—she had few regrets. She passed peacefully, without suffering from severe illness, and at an old age. The funeral, therefore, should be a celebratory one.

She had loved bamboo, even choosing a retirement home surrounded by lush groves. Her art collection was also largely bamboo-themed.

At this point, Nan Xi pulled herself from her memories and looked at Mu Xi.

Mu Xi nodded knowingly. “I will find the place with the most beautiful and abundant bamboo for Madam.”

“And water—she loved rivers and lakes,” Nan Xi added. “Great-grandmother had refined taste. Perhaps the venue could be styled like a classical Chinese garden.”

“I understand. I’ll contact professional garden designers and reach out to the best landscape firms in the country to see if they can assist.”

Every time Nan Xi spoke a few ideas, Mu Xi would convert them into actionable tasks, prioritize them, and add them to the planning checklist.

Surprisingly, the two worked seamlessly together. Their collaboration was harmonious. Unlike Nan Zhiya, Nan Xi treated Mu Xi as an equal during conversations—her tone gentle and easy on the ears.

Mu Xi was carefully reviewing the tasks on her tablet. So absorbed was she that she didn’t realize Nan Xi had gone silent for quite some time.

She looked up to find Nan Xi resting her cheek on one hand, quietly watching her, expression patient and calm.

Nan Xi asked, “What about you? Do you have any ideas?”

Mu Xi froze.

Up to this point, all she had done was execute Nan Xi’s plans.

After all, the deceased was Nan Xi’s family. As a housekeeper, she didn’t feel it was her place to make decisions.

Perhaps seeing this in her eyes, Nan Xi smiled and shook her head. “That’s not it. I’ve never done anything like this before—I’m scared I’ll miss something. But you know so much more. I’m sure you’ll inspire me.”

“After all… you are the real housekeeper.”

The real housekeeper.

Mu Xi ignored the subtle nuance in Nan Xi’s tone and simply straightened her posture, smiling.

“If I think of a better way, I’ll definitely tell you, young miss,” Mu Xi replied modestly. “Right now, you’re already doing a meticulous and thoughtful job. I haven’t seen anything that needs improving.”

She meant every word.

Despite her cool demeanor, Nan Xi had a tender and thoughtful heart. She wanted the funeral to be filled with love, a gesture of affection as she laid her great-grandmother to rest.

Hearing Mu Xi’s praise, Nan Xi’s expression softened. She took the tablet from Mu Xi and began reviewing the notes herself, one by one, seriously and with focus.

Suddenly, Nan Xi said:

“In the past five years, I’ve been abroad the whole time—I never got the chance to spend time with her.”

Mu Xi stayed silent and listened.

People rarely realize what they have until it’s gone. When loss hits, they’re overwhelmed with memories and regrets, spiraling into grief and guilt.

Nan Xi hadn’t cried like Guan Yan did after receiving news of Madam Nan Youlin’s death. But her eyes had carried a persistent sorrow, suggesting buried pain.

So she was blaming herself—for not spending enough time with her great-grandmother.

“Five years ago, I insisted on going abroad. I never returned once. Looking back, it wasn’t just great-grandmother—I missed out on time with Mom, Dad, my brother, and sister too,” Nan Xi closed her eyes, turned off the tablet, and set it aside. She buried her head in her arms. “I was so selfish.”

Mu Xi felt she had to say something.

She awkwardly moved behind Nan Xi. She considered bending down but instead gently picked up the coat lying on the sofa and draped it over Nan Xi’s back.

She could sense Nan Xi’s emotions. They touched her, and she spoke softly:

“At least you weren’t wasting your time, young miss. You were learning abroad, becoming a better person. They’ll understand.”

Nan Xi’s voice came muffled from under her arm. Mu Xi couldn’t tell if she was crying.

“That’s exactly why it hurts more…”

“Because they understand.”

“And I did something unforgivable.”

Mu Xi stood there, awkward and unsure, hands empty and helpless. She stared at Nan Xi’s small, sorrowful figure, trying to imagine her feelings.

She had to admit—she didn’t truly understand what Nan Xi meant.

So she chose to stay silent, not wanting to misstep and make things worse.

Professors at the Housekeeping University had taught them family psychology, but no class could teach Mu Xi what it actually felt like to have a family.

“Mu Butler,” Nan Xi raised her head, still leaning on her arms, “have you ever experienced something like this? I mean… the loss of a loved one? What do people like you think when that happens?”

“Sorry, young miss. I have no family.”

Mu Xi lowered her head with slight shame, black hair falling around her face, making her look fragile and pitiful.

Though truthfully, she didn’t feel particularly sad.

Nan Xi turned and saw her like this. Their eyes met. Nan Xi hadn’t cried. That was a relief.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

Nan Xi curled her hand into a loose fist and brought it to her lips in a light cough, brushing past her inadvertent rudeness.

She stood up, adjusted the coat Mu Xi had put on her, and picked up her car keys from the coffee table, handing them to Mu Xi. “Let’s go.”

Mu Xi took the keys and followed. “Where to, young miss?”

“My sister had a brief discussion with the lawyer yesterday about great-grandmother’s estate. I need to sign some documents.”

“There are also some things to take care of at the retirement home.”

Nan Xi was still dressed all in black. Perhaps the color lent gravity to her presence—she seemed more mature and composed. Mu Xi caught a fleeting glimpse of Nan Zhiya in her.

Once they were both in the car, Mu Xi saw Nan Xi’s tightly pressed lips and upright posture in the rearview mirror and suddenly realized something:

Nan Xi was trying to make up for those five lost years with her actions now—for Madam Nan Youlin and maybe others as well.

Because she was also sharing the burden for her mother and sister.

Faced with this upheaval, Nan Xi responded with growth—by trying to step up as a mature, capable figure.

…Even though she was an Omega, even though she was physically fragile, Nan Xi seemed far stronger than Mu Xi had imagined. At least for now, she wasn’t allowing herself to collapse.

With that thought, Mu Xi gripped the steering wheel, then released it, tightening and loosening her fingers one by one—

Someone so stubborn and determined—could she really let go of the heartless woman from five years ago who looked exactly like Mu Xi?

Could she really… forgive her?