I Am Her Secret Beauty - Chapter 51

Nan Xi was slightly surprised. “Do you really enjoy working?”

“Well… not exactly enjoy, but I have to work.”

“That’s good. I’ve heard most people don’t like working.”

Nan Xi watched Mu Xi arrange the items from her bundle in the room, feeling pleased by how naturally she was treating this place as home.

But thinking that these days were coming to an end filled her with deep regret.

“Will you go somewhere else to continue working as a housekeeper? Actually, if you need, I could help you find another position.”

Mu Xi didn’t doubt this at all. Given Nan Xi’s social status, even with her limited connections, any position she helped secure wouldn’t be much inferior to the Nan family.

However, Mu Xi was contemplating something else entirely.

“Actually, I was thinking, um…” She became rather awkward, slowly sitting down by the edge of the bed, not daring to look up much. “Maybe this is also an opportunity, one that’s pushing me toward a different path…”

“What kind of opportunity?”

After careful consideration, Mu Xi finally made up her mind and said, “I think I’ve done fairly well as a butler, but I always feel exhausted. I’ve been wondering if this daily repetitive and monotonous work is really suitable for me.”

Of course, the most important factor was that Mu Xi had already saved up a sum of money from working as a butler. This money gave her the means and opportunity to experiment, which led her to start considering the possibility of changing careers.

At 25 years old, only proficient in domestic skills, and having lived almost completely isolated from society while with the Nan family, she worried that such thoughts were just wishful thinking.

But she still wanted to tell Nan Xi, even if it meant being scolded back to reality, it would be best if Nan Xi were the one to do it.

Mu Xi looked at Nan Xi like a child who had been pulled out into the hallway by a teacher for punishment.

Afraid of being scolded, yet also hoping to be understood.

Nan Xi only paused for a moment before her eyes widened.

She sat down beside Mu Xi, took her hands, and clasped them tightly in her own. “You’ve finally come to your senses. That’s really wonderful.”

“…?”

“An SSS-grade alpha working as a butler, no one would ever understand that. It’s more like a special agent on a mission going undercover in someone’s home to do something shady. I really don’t know how my mother dared to hire you back then.”

Mu Xi wore an awkward expression. In truth, she had been rejected by several families for exactly that reason. Seeing her discomfort, Nan Xi quickly added, “Of course, I’m especially grateful that Mom hired you. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have reunited.”

“Oh, reunited.”

“Yes! So, Mu Xi, are you interested in military strategy?”

Mu Xi knew that “she” had studied this before, Nan Xi had mentioned it more than once.

She didn’t like hearing Nan Xi talk about it because, although career equality is promoted these days, people always seem to think that studying military affairs is more impressive than studying domestic work.

Just like how Wu Quan believed alphas were inherently superior to omegas.

But she still honestly told Nan Xi, “I know almost nothing about that field. Reading military news every day is the extent of my understanding.”

Nan Xi nodded, and the two fell into silence once again.

Mu Xi sank back into her thoughts about planning her future career path. Perhaps she should start by finding a job as a butler? But would Nan Zhiya mind her working as a butler for another family, carrying so many of the Nan family’s secrets with her…

Just then, Nan Xi abruptly asked:

“Mu Xi, what’s the name of our country’s latest missile?”

“Which one are you talking about? Cruise missiles or ballistic missiles? Or which branch: navy, army, or air force?”

Mu Xi instinctively retorted, but when she looked up, she saw Nan Xi staring at her with a meaningful expression.

They were very close, and that look, so near, made Mu Xi feel deeply embarrassed. “…This isn’t military strategy, is it? It’s just common knowledge you’d pick up from reading the newspapers.”

“I had no idea my butler had this kind of common knowledge.” Nan Xi leaned even closer, determined to lock eyes with her guilty gaze. “You’ve been secretly watching the news behind my back, haven’t you? And you’ve never mentioned being interested in these things before. You’re not actually some kind of spy, are you?”

Mu Xi continued to defend herself, claiming it was because alphas are naturally wired with more aggressive genes, not a personal trait of hers.

But she was cut off by Nan Xi’s retort: “My mom doesn’t like watching this kind of stuff either.”

Mu Xi felt utterly speechless.

“Why are you avoiding your talent?” Nan Xi was genuinely puzzled. “You’re interested, you’ve studied it systematically, if you considered this direction, it would suit you perfectly.”

She pressed on relentlessly, and Mu Xi was almost amused by her persistence.

What Mu Xi hated most was how naturally Nan Xi said these things, so effortlessly merging two souls into one, disregarding her while also disrespecting the person who was already gone.

Once again, she solemnly reminded Nan Xi: “I’ve never studied military strategy, Nan Xi. I’m right here in front of you, I’m not someone else. Please, just look at me.”

“Hmm… Actually, I’ve always wondered why you won’t even admit to having amnesia. Even Senior Tong said so, right?”

Nan Xi lowered her head to scroll through her chat history with Tong An’an, zeroing in on the analysis that had resonated with her so deeply.

“She probably has amnesia, otherwise I can’t think of any other explanation.”

Mu Xi fell silent.

Of course, she had her reasons for not wanting to admit it, but they weren’t something she could share with others. It wasn’t because she didn’t trust Nan Xi.

But today, Nan Xi was unusually persistent. Perhaps Tong An’an’s words had given her great encouragement, making her determined to solve this mystery tonight.

She had her own methods. Since Mu Xi wouldn’t respond to force, she’d try a softer approach.

Nan Xi began kissing Mu Xi’s neck, a spot where she didn’t even have to lift her head.

The sensation of her glands being licked and kissed made Mu Xi’s skin tingle. She understood Nan Xi’s intentions but still tried to maintain her composure.

“You’re being unreasonable,” Mu Xi murmured in protest. “And it’s inappropriate, this is your home, your room.”

Nan Xi pulled off her jacket, greedily taking in the sight of her rumpled shirt, and said, “So what? You’ve already been fired. What are you afraid of?”

“…”

“I’m not threatening or bribing you, Mu Xi.”

Nan Xi whispered temptingly in her ear, “I texted you to come here for this, and you did come. I know you want it too.”

Of course, Mu Xi wanted it.

Just as Nan Xi had said, since she was already fired, theoretically Nan Zhiya could no longer control her. Mu Xi should have been free to do as she pleased without any reservations.

“But you won’t let me have my way.” Mu Xi clutched the collar of her shirt, lowering her gaze to look at Nan Xi. “I’ve already seen how cunning you are. Don’t think you can make me fall for the same trick twice.”

She wasn’t particularly keen on recalling one of Nan Xi’s absurd whims. It likely involved something that was about to happen but was abruptly halted, leaving Mu Xi with a deeply unsettling impression.

Thankfully, she had had a sufficient supply of strong suppressants on hand that time; otherwise, their relationship would probably have ended long ago.

It was too terrifying. Mu Xi absolutely did not want to experience it a second time…

But Nan Xi said, “I don’t like repeating the same tricks either.”

She added, “It’s just doing it. You’re overthinking it, really.”

Fine.

If she said so, Mu Xi would believe her. After casting one last suspicious glance at Nan Xi, she allowed her to pull open her collar.

…

Mu Xi didn’t believe in Wu Quan’s theory that alphas were superior. If possible, she would have liked to tell Wu Quan that, in many ways, Nan Xi was far more dominant than she was.

For instance, at this moment, Nan Xi was in her favorite position of control, something that couldn’t simply be overturned by physical limitations.

Nan Xi enjoyed many peculiar antics that Mu Xi had never even heard of, but she had no choice but to go along with them. Otherwise, she would only suffer more.

Then, when Nan Xi was truly exhausted, Mu Xi would brace her sore and weary body to take care of her.

Perhaps it was from being a butler for too long, but Mu Xi’s obedience and sense of responsibility had been trained to an alarming degree. No matter where she was, she felt compelled to serve others.

…What a bad habit.

Mu Xi drifted off to sleep in a daze, just as Nan Xi had said at the beginning, once you start, you don’t stop until it’s done. Now, it was time for her to rest.

Mu Xi woke up groggily.

When she saw Nan Xi sitting with her back to her on the opposite side of the bed, her first thought was how energetic she still was. If she had known Nan Xi had such stamina, she should have retaliated a little longer.

Then, her sluggish sense of smell alerted her that something was off. A scent that shouldn’t be there was spreading through the room.

Mu Xi’s eyes snapped open, and she sat up abruptly in bed. “Are you smoking?”

The pungent smell of tobacco was assaulting her lungs, which was probably why she had woken up in the middle of her sleep.

As someone in domestic service, she was well aware of the harms of smoking. The cigarette butts and ash produced by smokers were significant pollutants to any household environment, requiring more air purifiers and more frequent air quality checks…

And, of course, it was common knowledge that smoking was harmful to health.

Mu Xi was even more shocked to see Nan Xi smoking than she would have been with anyone else. Not only had she never seen her do it before, but Nan Xi’s health was already fragile. How could she further damage her body like this?

“Mind your image. This is so unbecoming.”

Nan Xi glanced candidly several times at Mu Xi’s disheveled state after the covers had slipped, then continued leisurely blowing smoke rings. “Yes, I’m smoking.”

She admitted it just like that.

There wasn’t a hint of shame in her tone, as if she were doing something perfectly right.

Without a word, Mu Xi wrapped herself in the blanket, got out of bed, and stood in front of Nan Xi, holding out her hand. “Give it to me.”

“What, the cigarette?”

“Yes.”

Nan Xi gradually began to laugh, the slender cigarette held between her fingers making her appear utterly frivolous.

Under normal circumstances, Mu Xi might have taken a moment longer to appreciate the sight, but not today, not now.

“What are you laughing at?”

Nan Xi even mimicked others by flicking the ash with her index finger, letting it fall onto the carpet.

This blatantly unsafe and low-class behavior made Mu Xi’s temples throb.

Her movements were clumsy, her smoking technique unskilled, and she occasionally made faces as if she couldn’t stand the taste of the smoke. It was Nan Xi’s first time smoking, and she was likely doing it with some ulterior motive.

At that moment, Mu Xi understood, she herself was probably the target of that motive.

“You’re not even my girlfriend, so why do you care if I smoke?”

Nan Xi spoke in an utterly infuriating tone, glancing sideways at Mu Xi: “Weren’t you the one who refused to confess or acknowledge who you are, Agent?”

Mu Xi’s chest heaved, though the movement was concealed beneath the blanket.

Since Nan Xi was being so unreasonable, she couldn’t blame Mu Xi for what came next.

It wasn’t something she couldn’t say, she had only held back this long to protect Nan Xi’s worldview.

Keeping it bottled up with no one to confide in had been unbearable.

“You want to know why I refuse to admit I’ve lost my memory? Fine, I’ll tell you,” Mu Xi said coldly.

Nan Xi subtly straightened her posture. “Why?”

“Because I’m certain I haven’t lost my memory. I know exactly what happened to me, enough to confirm that I am not your ex-girlfriend.”

When she uttered the words “ex-girlfriend,” Mu Xi emphasized them, pleased to see Nan Xi’s face contort.

“Hah… Go on, then.”

“I’m not from this world.”

Mu Xi spoke with utter seriousness.

But,

Nan Xi’s hand trembled, nearly dropping the slender cigarette from her fingers.

“What? What did you say?”

“I said, I’m not from this world. I can repeat it as many times as you like.” Mu Xi didn’t even blink, watching as Nan Xi sat before her, eyes darting wildly. “I’m a soul that crossed into this body, and this world was originally just a book.”

“…”

For once, Nan Xi fell silent.