I’m Her Secretively Beautiful and Strong Alpha. - Chapter 3

The moment Nan Xi saw Mu Xi, she felt something explode in her mind.

What was it…? The obsession and painful memories that had haunted her for five years? Her dignity and pride? Or that wounded heart she’d painstakingly stitched back together?

How could she appear here?

So, she hadn’t died or been crippled after all—in fact, she seemed to be doing quite well, walking toward her like this?

How dare she show up at her home, smile at her, and call her “young miss”?

Nan Xi trembled more and more as she thought, her face flushing to an alarming shade of red. Those humiliating, bitter memories flashed before her eyes again and again, like a movie made specifically to mock her, filmed five years ago and now screening to deliver a resounding slap to her face.

No. Nan Xi thought, no matter what, she had to return that slap.

She had to strike her first—that was the priority. Everything else could wait.

So, the moment Mu Xi stopped in front of her, before that infuriating self-introduction could even finish, Nan Xi swung her arm with all her might and slapped Mu Xi hard across the left cheek.

Mu Xi’s reaction only infuriated Nan Xi further.

She was shocked, of course. But after the initial shock, Mu Xi didn’t seem the least bit intimidated by the slap. Instead, she wore an expression of humiliating tolerance, as if Nan Xi were just a child throwing a tantrum—one she was willing to indulge.

But that wasn’t right. The one who had disappeared without a word for five years was Mu Xi.

Nan Xi stared at her, tears welling up in her eyes.

She waited, waiting to hear the first words Mu Xi would say to her after five years. She wanted to hear what they would be.

Those words were:

“I apologize, young miss, for my rudeness.”

Mu Xi bowed at a perfect 90-degree angle, even though she didn’t know what she had done wrong.

The nearby servants didn’t dare speak, only watching the exchange in shock.

Their gazes toward Nan Xi grew noticeably more fearful—who would have thought this young miss had such a temper, striking the housekeeper upon their first meeting?

But soon, Nan Xi displayed a temper that shocked them even more.

Nan Xi had once seriously considered that maybe Mu Xi had disappeared for unavoidable reasons. If so, that was fine. As long as she sincerely apologized and properly explained why she had vanished without a trace, Nan Xi wouldn’t make things too difficult for her. Maybe just three times, and then she’d forgive her, and they could go back to how things were, without any lingering resentment.

But a “sincere apology” certainly wasn’t this “for my rudeness.”

So Nan Xi, in a completely undignified manner, took a large step forward, grabbing Mu Xi by the collar and pulling her so close their faces were nearly touching:

“Aren’t you going to explain why you disappeared?”

To an SSS-ranked Alpha, Nan Xi’s forceful movement was as insignificant as an ant trying to shake a tree. But to accommodate her anger, Mu Xi slightly bent her waist, making it seem as though she had been yanked forward.

She clearly saw the fury in Nan Xi’s eyes, the terrifying red veins in those beautiful irises.

But she also saw her own reflection—utterly lost and clueless, aware she needed to say something to salvage the situation but truly not knowing what.

What in the world…

Had she forgotten some crucial plot point when she transmigrated here…?

“…Miss Nan Xi.” Mu Xi felt she ought to say something, so after a moment’s hesitation, she attempted an explanation. “We shouldn’t have met before.”

As soon as these words left her mouth, Nan Xi’s gaze turned several degrees colder.

The girl’s chest was heaving violently, and at several points, her face twisted with pained, conflicted expressions. Mu Xi immediately reached for her phone to call the family doctor but was stopped.

Admittedly, Nan Xi’s grip was weak.

But since she’d made the effort to stop her, what could Mu Xi do but obediently cease her movements and await further instructions?

Nan Xi stubbornly clung to Mu Xi’s collar, refusing to let go. “Tell me, is your name Mu Xi?”

“Yes.”

Nan Xi continued glaring at her with an air of expectation, as if waiting for her to say something.

…What was she supposed to say?!

“Ahem.” Mu Xi cleared her throat awkwardly. “Have you perhaps encountered someone who resembles me? Maybe even shares my name?”

She admitted it was quite a coincidence, but she truly couldn’t recall anything related to Nan Xi! Mu Xi had never even seen her face before, so the sense of awe she’d felt upon seeing her two minutes ago was genuine—she was certain this was their first meeting.

If there was any romantic debt involved, it must belong to this body’s original owner and had nothing to do with her.

Mu Xi thus comfortably drew this boundary for herself.

This subtle shift in attitude didn’t escape Nan Xi’s notice.

Nan Xi finally released the poor collar, looking at her with a gaze both icy and mocking.

The standoff lasted quite some time until Nan Xi spoke again: “You’re currently the butler of my household?”

“Yes, young mistress.”

“Do you wish to continue working here?”

Nan Xi’s tone turned sharply sarcastic, “Don’t even think about it. I won’t allow you to stay a single day longer.”

Mu Xi had to admit—after being berated by Nan Xi this entire time—her heart truly shattered at this moment.

She never could have imagined that after dutifully serving as the Nan family’s tool all this time, her exit would take such a humiliating form.

Don’t workers have dignity?!

Don’t butlers have dignity?!

“…Young mistress.” Maintaining her perfect smile, Mu Xi bowed respectfully yet unyieldingly. “I respect all your decisions. However, until my resignation takes effect, I remain the butler here. Please allow me to summon the family physician—you don’t look well.”

Nan Xi fell silent, simply staring at her intently.

Unperturbed, Mu Xi bent down to feel the teacup before Nan Xi, then turned to address the servants watching the drama unfold:

“The tea’s temperature is too low. The young mistress has delicate health—prepare warm water from now on.”

“……”

Nan Xi stood frozen, her expression complicated, neither speaking nor moving.

Mu Xi then tidied the finished snacks before Nan Xi and, completing these tasks, bowed once more. “My apologies for displeasing you. The physician will arrive shortly, so I shall take my leave now.”

“Stop.” Nan Xi instinctively shouted the command before her brain caught up, and by the time it did, Mu Xi had already frozen in place.

Some primal instinct told her she couldn’t let this person leave just like that.

After all, this individual’s track record showed that once gone, she wouldn’t return for at least five years.

“…I don’t want a family doctor, and I won’t drink warm water.” Nan Xi kept her gaze fixed solely on Mu Xi. “Come here, sit down.”

She gestured to a spot on the sofa for Mu Xi.

With no other choice, Mu Xi obediently followed her instructions, walking over to take the designated seat. She looked up, awaiting Nan Xi’s next command.

Would she be ordered to pick up the fruit knife and commit suicide?

Should she comply if that happened?

Surely the employment contract had clauses allowing her to refuse orders threatening personal safety… but did contracts even hold weight against the Nan family?

Mu Xi’s eyes involuntarily darted toward the fruit knife on the table.

Nan Xi, who’d been studying her closely, noticed this immediately. Following her gaze to the knife, Nan Xi suddenly had an idea. She picked it up and handed it over: “Peel an apple for me.”

Mu Xi accepted the knife without protest, selecting the largest, reddest apple from the bowl. Her hands moved with practiced precision as she began peeling.

Her technique was impeccable—removing just the thinnest layer of skin while preserving maximum flesh. It was the kind of skillful peeling that would make any mother proud.

As the knife moved steadily, Nan Xi pressed on with her questions:

“You really remember nothing?”

“Young Miss, I remember everything clearly,” Mu Xi corrected earnestly, her hands never pausing. “But I’m certain that in my twenty-five years of life, I’ve never met you before.”

The moment these words left her mouth, Nan Xi swayed slightly, her soft black hair swaying with the movement.

She looked like a porcelain doll on the verge of shattering. While omegas were indeed more fragile, none should be this close to breaking point at all times.

Mu Xi shot her several concerned glances, only resuming her task when Nan Xi seemed to regain composure.

Yet what filled her vision wasn’t the apple, but the image of Nan Xi’s crumbling facade.

Though no sobs escaped, intermittent tears had already carved noticeable trails down her luminous cheeks—as if they might slice through her skin at any moment.

Her complexion, normally pale as porcelain, now burned with an unnatural flush. Anger and anguish were reshaping her features. Had Mu Xi looked closer, she might have seen the chaotic thoughts materializing as visible veins beneath that translucent skin.

“…Tell me your work history. Start from university.”

“I’ve always found fulfillment in serving others, so after high school I enrolled in domestic science university.”

“After four years, I graduated with honors. I’ve worked for two households—first as a home consultant, then as a housekeeper. These positions spanned three years total, but when the second employer passed away unexpectedly, her family left City A to avoid painful memories. That’s when I saw the Nan family’s job posting…”

Mu Xi recounted her credentials methodically, her expression perfectly natural throughout. Even her apple-peeling hands remained steady—no telltale signs of deception.

Nan Xi covered her face in agony.

It all sounded so plausible. Yet it contradicted everything she knew…

Domestic science university? Finding joy in service?

For five years, all the grievances and heartaches were magnified beyond measure at this moment. Nan Xi felt warm tears continuously welling up in her eyes, seeping into every crevice between her fingers. Some merged with her skin, while most quickly turned cold before dripping down from her palms.

Mu Xi immediately stopped when he saw her like this, gazing at her with concern.

Though he wasn’t the one she had been longing for all this time, seeing her in such a state filled Mu Xi’s heart with melancholy and emotion.

If she’s suffering this much now, she must have loved him deeply back then.

She had slapped him, but it didn’t hurt—no need to dwell on it.

“Do you really not need a family doctor?”

Mu Xi heard himself ask. Just moments ago, he had privately harbored some resentment toward Nan Xi, but now he genuinely wanted to call a doctor for her.

A doctor couldn’t heal the pain in Nan Xi’s heart, but at least they could ensure her physical well-being.

Nan Xi raised her head, rubbing her tear-filled eyes.

Through blurred vision, she said:

“I don’t need one. I just need you.”