I Am Her Secret Beauty and Strong Alpha (GL) - Chapter 15

Nan Xi was very good at twisting her words.

Like now—Mu Xi had only asked when Nan Xi would be heading back, a simple question. Even if Nan Xi really wasn’t going home tonight, it had nothing to do with her.

But somehow, after Nan Xi’s comment, it sounded like…

Like they were going to stay out together for the night.

Mu Xi, of course, wouldn’t let Nan Xi use her career as a joke so casually. She quickly and politely twisted the meaning back:

“Yes, dining with the professor is, of course, an important social event for the young lady—it’s definitely not a waste of time.”

Nan Xi looked a bit displeased, but she knew Mu Xi understood what she was actually trying to say, so she didn’t bother correcting her again.

She simply swung her legs gently while waiting for Mu Xi to finish her urgent tasks—just so she could give Nan Xi a last-minute ride to dinner.

Mu Xi even said she would wait in the car the whole time.

Nan Xi didn’t trust this liar so easily. What if Mu Xi disappeared again and didn’t return for another five years?

So once she got in the car, she kept a close eye on her. Before Mu Xi could feel completely creeped out, Nan Xi said:

“Mu, you have to wait in the car. I tend to get stomach aches after eating, and I can’t hold my liquor. A lot of things could go wrong—I need you on standby.”

“I understand, Miss,” Mu Xi said, adjusting the hair on her forehead and pressing her lips into a straight line. “I’ll stay in the car and be ready.”

“Mm.”

Nan Xi didn’t say anything else and turned her gaze to the city lights.

Partly because she liked the view, and partly to avoid motion sickness.

The dinner location was about a 30-minute drive from the Nan family home. Mu Xi drove cautiously, following every traffic rule.

But when they arrived, Nan Xi didn’t move. She just sat there, staring at Mu Xi through the rearview mirror as if she didn’t realize they’d reached their destination.

Mu Xi had no choice but to remind her, “Miss, we’re here.”

Mu Xi was getting goosebumps under Nan Xi’s gaze. It wasn’t possessiveness exactly, but there was a sense of unease—Nan Xi’s unease.

Nan Xi looked at her a while longer, then slowly took out her phone and made a call: “Professor, it’s me. Yes, yes, could you come downstairs to get me? I’m not sure how to get up there.”

Mu Xi overheard the professor’s cheerful reply and his promise to come get her soon.

They sat in silence for about two minutes.

Then Nan Xi suddenly said, “Mu, can you walk with me a little?”

“Miss, are you feeling unwell?” Mu Xi immediately tensed up and turned around, concerned. “If you’re not feeling well, you don’t have to go.”

Nan Xi looked at her.

This time there was no rearview mirror in the way. They looked at each other directly. Mu Xi’s worry was written all over her face, which made Nan Xi feel quite warm inside.

She smiled. “No, I’m just a little scared of the dark.”

Actually, the streetlights were pretty bright.

But the young miss said she was afraid of the dark.

Mu Xi had no choice. She got out, opened the car door for Nan Xi, and held her hand over Nan Xi’s head protectively.

Good thing she did—Nan Xi’s head lightly brushed against Mu Xi’s palm as she got out. Without that hand, she might’ve hit her head on the car door.

Her soft hair tickled Mu Xi’s gloved palm.

Coincidentally, just as they stepped out of the car, Professor Yu Yacheng arrived. The three met by the roadside.

Professor Yu looked very happy and immediately started chatting, holding Nan Xi’s arm and talking about her old classmates, walking with her toward the restaurant.

Nan Xi gently pulled back. “Professor, I need to say something to my housekeeper first.”

“Oh, this is Nan Xi’s housekeeper?” Professor Yu had noticed Mu Xi earlier and thought she looked good, but was too caught up in seeing his student again.

“Yes.”

Nan Xi reached out her other hand and pulled Mu Xi a little closer under the streetlight—just enough to keep her face clearly visible in the light.

“I’m going in with the professor now. You wait in the car.”

“Yes.” Mu Xi smiled politely at Professor Yu and obediently got back into the car.

The moment the door shut, Nan Xi and the professor continued toward the grand restaurant.

“Professor,” Nan Xi asked, “what do you think of my housekeeper’s appearance?”

“Her appearance?” Professor Yu raised his eyebrows, then gave Nan Xi a playful wink. “She’s very attractive—elegant and sharp-looking. Honestly, I thought she was your girlfriend when I first saw her.”

Hearing that, Nan Xi’s smile faded.

She lowered her head to hide her disappointment and said, “She’s not my girlfriend,” then quickly changed the topic to the classmates the professor had just mentioned.

Professor Yu, still excited, didn’t notice anything off. He led Nan Xi to a big private room upstairs, where the whole research team was waiting.

“There she is! Everyone, meet Nan Xi—your new colleague. She may be young, but she’s already a returning PhD and will be joining our group soon. Give her a warm welcome!”

Everyone clapped. Most were cheerful and sociable, quickly surrounding Nan Xi with friendly chatter. Some even asked if her mom was Nan Zhiya, but Professor Yu scolded them with a laugh.

“Alright, don’t be so nosy! You’ll learn everything in time once you work together. Don’t scare her off.”

Nan Xi smiled and took a seat beside the professor. The others also returned to their seats but kept sneaking glances at her and her outfit, trying to pick up clues.

She felt a bit bored. As the professor spoke enthusiastically, she pulled out her phone to check messages.

That’s when someone gently tapped her hand.

A woman around her age leaned in. “Nan Xi, remember me?”

“Senior?” Nan Xi looked at her in surprise. “Xiao Tong? I didn’t expect to see you here! You’re working with Professor Yu too?”

“I’m one of his grad students now,” Tong An’an scratched her head sheepishly. “But you—I thought you’d stay abroad or go home to take over the family business.”

Nan Xi shook her head.

She had no interest in the family business and didn’t have the talent for it. Her sister was clearly more suited to that role.

Still, seeing a familiar face besides the professor lifted her spirits a little.

Just a little.

They sat around a traditional Chinese round table. The restaurant staff soon brought out the dishes.

Thanks to Nan Xi’s arrival, the students got a fancy meal, and everyone was happy.

Except Nan Xi, who stayed quiet with her head down, barely eating. Her expression was blank and gloomy.

Tong An’an asked her why she wasn’t eating, and Nan Xi replied she had already eaten at home.

In truth, she had skipped dinner to save room for this gathering.

Nan Xi was lost in thought.

Why didn’t Professor Yu recognize Mu Xi?

Back at A University, both of them had small social circles. Not many knew they were together. It had been five years, and most people had graduated—but not Professor Yu.

Mu Xi had even accompanied her to class several times. Professor Yu had seen her more than once—he should remember.

…Or had he really forgotten?

It didn’t feel good. Nan Xi understood it was possible he forgot. But still—it felt like she was the only one in the world who remembered what she and Mu Xi had.

It felt like the whole world had moved on and left only her and Mu Xi behind.

The Nan family never met Mu Xi. All they knew was that Nan Xi had fallen in love in college and then gotten heartbroken.

Nan Xi had always refused to say Mu Xi’s name. If she did, knowing Nan Zhiya’s personality, she might never get to see Mu Xi again.

Now it seemed no one remembered their love.

Not even the professor.

Tong An’an looked at Nan Xi worriedly.

“Nan Xi, are you feeling okay?”

After half an hour of watching her slump lower and lower, she finally couldn’t help asking.

Professor Yu overheard. “What’s wrong? I remember Nan Xi’s health was never great. Are you feeling unwell?”

Nan Xi took a deep breath and smiled.

“No, I’m fine,” she said shyly, “It’s just that I don’t know anyone here, so I feel a little awkward.”

They both knew she was introverted, not good with people.

They didn’t suspect anything. They just reassured her that everyone was friendly and she’d feel at ease soon.

Nan Xi nodded and even made small talk with the guy next to Tong An’an to put them at ease.

Later, when someone suggested they go hang out after dinner, Professor Yu shut that idea down.

“You all can go, but Nan Xi’s not joining. She just got back from abroad and hasn’t adjusted to the time zone yet. Don’t stay out too late either—if you’re late tomorrow, I’ll call every single one of you.”

Truth was, Nan Xi had already been through a short trip and a funeral since returning.

But she said nothing—just quietly smiled and waited to go downstairs to find Mu Xi.

She had no intention of going out. Mu Xi had been waiting for her all this time.

Nan Xi and Tong An’an went downstairs together. Tong An’an wanted to see what kind of luxury car a Nan family heiress had, so she followed her to the car.

“Wow, this looks super expensive! I don’t think I could afford it even if I sold myself ten times over…”

Nan Xi comforted her, “You’ll have one too, someday.”

While they were chatting, Mu Xi, still in the car, spotted them.

During the one hour Nan Xi was gone, Mu Xi had been relaxing in the car, scrolling on her phone. Far from brooding, she thought of it as a rare paid break.

After fully enjoying her break, she got out of the car and walked toward Nan Xi with a bright smile.

“Miss, you—”

She hadn’t even finished speaking when the woman beside Nan Xi let out a scream.

Tong An’an stared at Mu Xi like she’d seen a ghost, eyes wide as she turned to Nan Xi and asked in disbelief:

“You two got back together? When did that happen?!”