I Am Her Secret Beauty - Chapter 13

Amidst the blessings of her family, the remains of Madam Nan Youlin were laid to rest without delay.

As Mu Xi had anticipated, the subsequent funeral arrangements were only briefly outlined by Nan Zhiya before the actual execution was left entirely to her or more accurately, to her and Nan Xi.

Since the Nan family was otherwise occupied, Nan Xi, who had just returned from abroad, was the only one with any free time. She was thus designated as the family representative to oversee the funeral.

Of course, this was merely a nominal role. In reality, Mu Xi was the one who would handle everything.

For those alphas perched at the pinnacle of the social pyramid, the time allotted for grief lasted only a single night.

By the next day, when Mu Xi saw Nan Zhiya again, she had already regained her usual composure. Nan Lian was the same, even calling out to the distracted Nan Xi in the living room.

Nan Xi’s eyes were still slightly swollen, her body languid and visibly worn. Hearing her sister call her name, she looked up and managed a faint smile.

“What is it?”

“Yesterday was too sudden, and my schedule was packed. I didn’t have time to give you your homecoming gift.” Nan Lian gestured to her expensive handbag. “Care to guess what it is?”

“Jewelry? Luxury goods? If it’s a house, I won’t accept it.” Though still subdued, Nan Xi played along with Nan Lian’s lighthearted tone.

Nan Lian chuckled at that, dropping the pretense as she pulled out a stack of documents from her bag. “Those are all fine, but I know my sister wouldn’t be impressed by such things.”

“What is this?”

Nan Xi took the documents and flipped through them casually. Her dull eyes gradually brightened, her tone lifting with excitement.

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

What Nan Xi held in her hands were employment contracts Nan Lian had secured for her from top-tier research labs around the world. Once the research institute Nan Zhiya was building for her was completed, these scientists would arrive in City A to begin work.

“Mom’s gift was a grand one, I couldn’t let her outdo me.” Nan Lian gave a soft laugh, giving Nan Xi’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Honestly, it was simple. Just offer them terms they couldn’t refuse. Besides, working under my sister isn’t exactly beneath them.”

Mu Xi couldn’t help but agree. “Terms they couldn’t refuse”, the alphas of the Nan family were experts at luring talent with irresistible salaries.

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

With those words, Nan Lian stepped forward and embraced her sister, a formal gesture to welcome her home.

Then she withdrew, picked up her bag, and strode out the door to return to work, her steps brisk, much like the hug she had just shared with Nan Xi.

She and Nan Zhiya were cut from the same cloth: devoted to family, decisive in action, and never hesitant to express affection. It was why they had achieved what the world deemed nearly impossible, success in both career and family life.

Nan Xi clutched the stack of documents, her fingers tracing the edges of the paper as her eyes repeatedly scanned the text on the cover. Finally, she lifted her head.

She looked out the window.

The sunlight was warm, the flowers and trees vibrant. Today was a bright day, no place for excessive sorrow.

“Butler Mu.” Nan Xi’s voice was softer now, the earlier aloofness gone. “Let’s discuss how to arrange this funeral.”

“She lived a life of grandeur. She deserves an equally dignified departure.”

Mu Xi had been standing to the side, quietly observing the interaction between the two sisters.

She grew increasingly curious about how these three siblings, who seemed so harmonious now, would eventually come into conflict with one another. The thought of it was rather regrettable.

Hearing Nan Xi call her name, Mu Xi immediately smoothed the wrinkles on her clothes and stepped forward. “Yes, Miss Nan.”

The two sat facing each other on the sofa as Nan Xi began sharing her thoughts.

Nan Youlin had lived a fortunate life, free from major regrets, save for the early passing of her daughter, Nan Zhiya’s mother and Nan Xi’s grandmother. She had departed without suffering from severe illness and at an advanced age, so her funeral should be a celebration of her life.

She had loved bamboo in her lifetime, choosing convalescent homes surrounded by lush greenery and collecting paintings of bamboo by renowned artists.

At this point, Nan Xi snapped out of her reverie and looked at Mu Xi.

Mu Xi nodded in understanding. “I will find a place abundant with the finest bamboo for Madam.”

“And water… she loved rivers and lakes,” Nan Xi added. “Great-grandmother was a woman of refined taste. Perhaps the venue could be arranged in the style of a classical Chinese garden.”

“I understand. I will contact professional landscape designers and reach out to the finest gardens in the country to see if they can offer their expertise.”

Every few sentences, Nan Xi would pause, and Mu Xi would seamlessly translate each idea into actionable steps, organizing them into a clear execution plan.

Surprisingly, they worked together with remarkable synergy, their collaboration smooth and effortless. Unlike Nan Zhiya, Nan Xi spoke to Mu Xi as if they were equals, her tone gentle and pleasant to the ear.

Mu Xi was so engrossed in reviewing the items on her tablet that it took her a while to realize Nan Xi had fallen silent for some time.

She looked up to find Nan Xi resting her chin on her hand, watching her with a patient and relaxed expression.

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

Mu Xi was taken aback.

So far, all she had done was implement Nan Xi’s ideas.

After all, it was Nan Xi’s family member who had passed away. As the housekeeper, she couldn’t possibly take the lead in decision-making.

As if sensing her hesitation, Nan Xi shook her head with a smile. “No, I’ve never done anything like this before. I’m afraid I might overlook details, but you have more experience than I do. I’m sure you can offer valuable insights.”

“After all… you are the real housekeeper.”

The real housekeeper.

Mu Xi chose to ignore the deeper implications behind Nan Xi’s words and simply straightened her posture with a polite smile.

“If I think of any better approaches, I will certainly share them with you, Miss Nan,” Mu Xi replied humbly. “You’ve already been incredibly thorough and thoughtful, I haven’t found anything that needs improvement yet.”

Her words were entirely sincere.

Contrary to her cool exterior, Nan Xi was soft-hearted and meticulous. She wanted the funeral to be filled with love, ensuring her great-grandmother was laid to rest surrounded by the affection of her descendants.

Hearing Mu Xi’s praise, Nan Xi softened slightly and reached for the tablet beside Mu Xi to review the list.

Mu Xi let her take it, watching as Nan Xi went through each item with serious focus.

Then, suddenly, Nan Xi spoke again:

“I’ve been abroad for the past five years. I never got to spend time with her.”

Mu Xi listened quietly.

People could never escape the curse of realizing what they had only after losing it. Once gone, they would endlessly replay the person’s kindness in their minds, drowning in regret and self-reproach.

From the moment Nan Xi received the news of Madam Nan Youlin’s passing yesterday until now, she hadn’t broken down in tears like Guan Yan. Yet, an inescapable sorrow lingered between her brows, clearly weighed down by unspoken thoughts.

It turned out she was burdened with guilt for not having spent more time with her great-grandmother in the past.

“Five years ago, I insisted on going abroad and never came back even once. Looking back now, it wasn’t just my great-grandmother, I also missed out on five years with my parents, my brother, and my sister.” Nan Xi closed her eyes, turned off her tablet, and set it aside before burying her face in her arms. “I was too selfish.”

Mu Xi felt she had to say something.

Awkwardly, she moved behind Nan Xi. Initially intending to lean down, she hesitated and instead picked up the coat Nan Xi had draped over the sofa and gently placed it over her shoulders.

She could sense Nan Xi’s emotions at this moment, so palpable that her own eyes softened. She spoke softly:

“At least the young miss wasn’t wasting her time. Studying abroad and becoming a better person, everyone will understand.”

Nan Xi’s face remained hidden in her arms, and Mu Xi could only hear her muffled voice, unsure if she was crying:

“That’s exactly why it hurts more…”

“Because they understand.”

“I did something truly terrible.”

Mu Xi stood stiffly behind Nan Xi, her hands empty and unsure of what to do. All she could do was gaze at her slender, despondent back, trying to imagine what she must be feeling.

She had to admit she didn’t quite grasp the full meaning behind those words.

So, Mu Xi chose to speak cautiously or rather, not at all, afraid of misinterpreting Nan Xi’s feelings and making her even more upset.

The home economics professor had taught family psychology to students, but none of those lessons could truly make Mu Xi understand what having a family felt like.

“Butler Mu,” Nan Xi lifted her face but still rested it against her arm. “Have you ever experienced something like this? I mean, losing a loved one? What would someone like you think about when going through such a thing?”

“Apologies, young miss. I don’t have any family.”

Mu Xi lowered her head slightly in embarrassment, her dark hair cascading over her face, making her appear pitiable.

In truth, she didn’t feel particularly sad about it.

When Nan Xi turned around, this was the sight that greeted her, and Mu Xi saw her face in return. Nan Xi wasn’t crying… that, at least, was a relief.

“Ah, my apologies.”

Nan Xi lightly cleared her throat, pressing a loosely clenched fist to her lips, brushing past the unintended offense.

She stood up, slipped into the coat Mu Xi had draped over her, then picked up her car keys from the coffee table and handed them to Mu Xi. “Let’s go.”

Mu Xi took the keys and followed. “Where is the young miss headed?”

“My sister discussed the handling of my great-grandmother’s estate with the lawyer yesterday. I need to go sign some documents.”

“There are also matters to settle at the nursing home.”

Nan Xi was dressed entirely in black again today. Perhaps it was the somber color, but she seemed far more mature and composed, faintly reminiscent of Nan Zhiya.

Once both were seated in the car, Mu Xi caught sight of Nan Xi’s tightly pressed lips and upright posture in the rearview mirror. Suddenly, it dawned on her:

Nan Xi was trying to make up for those five missed years with Madam Nan Youlin through these actions.

And perhaps it wasn’t just her great-grandmother, because now, she was also sharing the burden for her mother and sister.

Faced with this sudden change, Nan Xi’s response was to grow, attempting to stand on her own with a more mature demeanor.

…Though an omega, though physically fragile, Nan Xi seemed far stronger than she believed, at least that’s how it appeared now. She wouldn’t even yield to herself.

Thinking of this, Mu Xi tightened her grip on the steering wheel before loosening it, then clenched her fingers one by one.

Such a stubborn and persistent person, would she really let go so easily of that heartless woman from five years ago who looked just like her? Would she ever forgive herself?