I Am Her Secret Beauty - Chapter 14

Over the next three days, Mu Xi and Nan Xi handled numerous matters in various locations.

According to the will long established by Madam Nan Youlin, her real estate and collections were bequeathed to her descendants as per her personal wishes, while all monetary deposits were donated to sanatoriums and charitable organizations.

Nan Xi inherited a property, three paintings, and some jewelry. Among them was a renowned bamboo grove painting that Madam Nan Youlin had treasured for decades, a masterpiece that could easily belong in a museum.

But to Nan Xi, these were among the last gifts from her great-grandmother, precious scrolls imbued with heartfelt wishes, and she would cherish them dearly.

The funeral was held by the lake in the small hometown, town of Nan Youlin. Mu Xi led a team of workers to plant an entire bamboo grove within two days, with nearly a third of the bamboo personally planted by her.

Several landscaped gardens eager to curry favor with the Nan family had offered to host the funeral, but public scenic spots were hardly suitable for such solemn occasions. Nan Xi also preferred to oversee the arrangements herself, so she commissioned several renowned designers to draft the overall layout, which was then executed by Mu Xi.

By the third day, the clear lakeside had transformed into an elegant Chinese-style garden, with swaying emerald bamboo and graceful pavilions, exactly as Madam Nan Youlin would have loved.

Mu Xi remained dressed in her butler attire, a Bluetooth earpiece in place to stay connected with all staff. She stood among the Nan family, yet slightly apart, silently observing as each guest paid their respects.

The Nan family members were all clad in black. Nan Zhiya stood at the forefront, statue-like and immovable, receiving the guests’ solemn gazes, with her husband and children behind her.

Nan Xi wore a hat, its brim draped with a black veil that just concealed her face.

This was Nan Xi’s first public appearance in five years. Though the timing was hardly appropriate, many guests couldn’t resist stealing glances, eager to compare her to her elder sister, who had passed away prematurely.

This was unavoidable, otherwise, Mu Xi would have stepped forward one by one to remind them to show proper respect for the deceased and the young lady.

Nan Zhiya took the stage to deliver a eulogy.

Mu Xi stood below with her arms crossed, slightly lost in thought. She recalled the sight of Madam Nan Youlin’s body when it was brought to the venue.

Time and the embalmer’s skill had left Nan Youlin’s face serene and peaceful, as though she were merely asleep rather than departed.

Around her, the four noble plants: plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, were arranged as per the design. These symbols of virtue encircled a departed soul, creating a scene that was neither wholly sacred nor solemn, yet left a deep impression on Mu Xi.

“…What we mourn here today is such a great family member, such a dear friend.”

Time passed indistinctly as guests filed past the crystal casket to pay their respects, each leaving a white chrysanthemum.

Mu Xi, of course, was not among them.

She simply watched as Nan Xi, clad in a black dress, approached her great-grandmother’s resting place. She bowed slightly, as if making a silent wish, then solemnly placed her white chrysanthemum beside Nan Youlin.

At that moment, among the guests who had been scrutinizing Nan Xi, someone couldn’t resist murmuring:

“The Nan family’s younger daughter seems even more beautiful now.”

Mu Xi couldn’t help it either. She turned and fixed the speaker with a cold glare until the person awkwardly fell silent and lowered their head. Only then did she calmly look away again.

However, wherever there are people, interpersonal interactions are inevitable.

Nan Xi was quickly stopped by a few familiar faces from the past, likely exchanging polite condolences and lamenting how time flies, it had already been five years since they last saw her.

Mu Xi moved around the venue, overseeing the proceedings. As she passed by Nan Xi at one point, she overheard the woman opposite her say, “Welcome back to the country.”

It was a soft, pleasant voice, prompting Mu Xi to glance at her a few more times. The woman had smiling eyes and wore frameless glasses, her demeanor refined and courteous.

The woman’s appearance quickly matched a name on the guest list, Wu Quan, from a family that ran a medical company, likely an old acquaintance of Nan Xi’s.

An alpha.

Mu Xi averted her gaze and continued walking, the voices of Wu Quan and Nan Xi fading behind her in the wind.

Wu Quan also glanced at Mu Xi’s retreating figure. “Who’s that?”

“The housekeeper.”

…

Nan Zhiya let out a casual scoff. “It’s fine. If there’s a chance later, we can still use that money to take Nan Xi out for fun.”

“Leaving the money with the butler is something I have no concerns about.”

Mu Xi felt a warm current flow through her heart, a master’s praise and recognition were the greatest treasures for a butler.

But before Mu Xi could bask in that warmth for long, Nan Zhiya added, “If it really can’t be spent, just deduct it from the butler’s future salary.”

“…”

Mu Xi offered a smile and bowed in agreement. “You’re absolutely right.”

It was fine. After all, she had known Nan Zhiya’s character for a long time. Capitalists were experts at knowing when to save and when to spend. It was fine.

Nan Zhiya gave a hum of acknowledgment and was about to lower her head to continue writing when she seemed to remember something and asked Mu Xi, “How’s the progress on Nan Xi’s research institute construction?”

At the mention of those words, Mu Xi’s mind immediately conjured up images of the vast open land, the laborers toiling under the scorching sun, and the endless piles of bricks and cement.

Alarm bells rang in her head. She was terrified that Nan Xi would complain about the slow progress and send her back to the construction site to haul bricks, but there was nothing she could do about it.

Even an SSS-grade alpha’s physical endurance had its limits, she could still get tired and feel the strain.

“It should be completed by next spring.”

Sure enough, Nan Zhiya narrowed her eyes, clearly dissatisfied with the construction speed.

Just as Mu Xi was about to break into a cold sweat, Nan Zhiya spoke again:

“Never mind. Before the institute is completed, Nan Xi probably plans to conduct her research at A University’s lab first. You’ll be responsible for escorting her there and back.”

Mu Xi didn’t dare dwell on what exactly Nan Zhiya had “never minded.”

But escorting the young miss to and from work was far more pleasant than hauling bricks at a construction site, and Mu Xi was more than happy to take on the task.

“She’s frail, and A University… isn’t a place she particularly likes. You’ll need to take good care of her,” Nan Zhiya instructed.

So A University was where that painful incident in Nan Xi’s past had taken place. It seemed Nan Zhiya was aware of the story too. Considering the reactions of Nan Lian and Nan Nan earlier, it was likely the entire Nan family knew about it.

Mu Xi couldn’t help but think that, given how protective Nan Zhiya was of Nan Xi, the heartless alpha who had wronged Nan Xi was lucky not to have been hunted down by the Nan family.

Then again, maybe they had perhaps the grass on their grave was already quite tall.

…No, it was said that person bore a striking resemblance to her. Better not entertain such thoughts.

With mixed emotions, Mu Xi retreated from Nan Zhiya’s study.

She hadn’t gone far when she spotted Nan Xi sitting on the sofa with her back turned, neither reading documents nor checking her phone, as if waiting for someone.

Hearing movement behind her, Nan Xi gracefully turned her head.

She had been waiting for her.

“Finished? What did you talk about with my mother?” Nan Xi asked, as casually as if inquiring whether the other had eaten that day, merely asking for the sake of asking, not to receive an answer.

But Mu Xi answered honestly nonetheless. “Madam said that from now on, I’ll be responsible for escorting you to and from work.”

Nan Xi lowered her gaze, though the corners of her lips curled up slightly.

“Mother has always been thoughtful,” Nan Xi remarked. “You came at the perfect time, you can start working right away.”

Mu Xi glanced at the deep night outside and asked uncertainly, “Young Miss, are you going out to work now?”

“It’s you who will be working, not me.”

Nan Xi corrected her, swinging her long legs lightly, looking in good spirits. “The professor invited me to dinner tonight, take me there.”

It was a professor from Nan Xi’s time at A University, with whom she had always maintained a good relationship. This time, Nan Xi was also planning to temporarily join her research group for over half a year.

Mu Xi didn’t react much. After all, it was just work, either driving the young miss around or working from home, it made no difference to her.

But… “Understood. It’s getting late, so I’ll stay in the car the whole time and remind you promptly when it’s time to go home.”

“?”

Nan Xi frowned slightly. “I’m 25 years old. Are you still worried I’ll stay out all night?”

“Young Miss is an adult, and how you manage your time is entirely your right.” Realizing her slip, Mu Xi quickly added, “But if you need it, I’ll remind you.”

“Hmm…” Nan Xi said mockingly, “Then remind me. I won’t do anything anyway.”

“Remember last time? You should know by now, I don’t waste effort on pointless things.”

Nan Xi: I only do meaningful things~