I Am Her Secret Beauty - Chapter 58

Nan Xi’s understanding of Nan Lian was quickly validated just a few days later.

Nan Lian sent a message:

[We’ll depart for City Z at 1 PM tomorrow if you’re still interested.]

Mu Xi and Nan Xi reacted immediately. While Nan Xi was still at A University’s laboratory, Mu Xi began packing their luggage, this time aiming for minimalism since it wasn’t a leisure trip.

Their days had followed this rhythm lately. Mu Xi was enjoying her longest break since graduation, outside of her sensitive periods, spending leisurely days at home with no tasks beyond escorting Nan Xi to and from work as before. Evenings were reserved for walks and dates, creating an unprecedented sense of contentment.

Once or twice, Nan Xi asked what Mu Xi did while she was away.

After serious reflection, Mu Xi realized these were all activities she’d previously dismissed as “lazy” reading military books she’d purchased, researching online about adopting a kitten, already ordering pet supplies despite not yet seeing a single tail.

Nan Xi told her they’d actually raised two cats together before, and she’d find it incredible once those memories returned.

Mu Xi looked forward to recovering such moments, packing with extra enthusiasm before settling down to await Nan Xi’s return.

When they met Nan Lian the next afternoon, she appeared far calmer than either of them. Dressed in black with sunglasses, she looked prepared for a funeral.

Her thin lips pressed into a tight line as she unsurprisingly acknowledged them, signaling her assistant to load their luggage into the vehicle.

The only peculiarity was Nan Lian’s refusal to share a car to the airport. Even on the chartered flight, where besides the accompanying assistant, only the three of them were passengers, she seated herself far apart.

She’d rather sit in economy class than beside them. Mu Xi initially assumed this was due to lingering dislike.

But reality proved otherwise. Nan Lian demonstrated greater magnanimity than expected, even offering as Mu Xi passed by:

“I believe you’re currently unemployed. If interested, you could work as my butler.”

“Thank you, but doesn’t Young Miss already have a butler?” Mu Xi asked, flattered yet puzzled.

Nan Lian sneered, “Dismissed long ago. She allowed Bai Ran into my study, I don’t keep such people around.”

Bai Ran.

Hearing that name after so long felt strangely unfamiliar.

Memories began surfacing: the woman who’d pointed a knife at her in the darkness, that frenzied face streaked with tears.

She’d claimed to have discovered items related to Nan Lian’s unattainable love, exactly like those plot devices in CEO novels, always hidden in studies.

Hesitating briefly, Mu Xi softened her tone: “May I ask what became of Bai Ran?”

“I’ve no idea.” Nan Lian’s eyes held utter indifference, as if discussing a stranger. “I never saw her again.”

Meaning any fate could have befallen her.

That woman who’d caused such turmoil had vanished without a trace.

Mu Xi sighed inwardly. She didn’t ask any more about Bai Ran and prepared to take her leave and return to Nan Xi’s side.

Nan Lian took the initiative to ask:

“Do you have plans for what comes next?”

“Yes.”

To pursue a degree in military strategy, just as Nan Xi had suggested.

Nan Lian gave a brief nod, not pressing for specifics, and put her sunglasses back on. “Best of luck.”

Her blessing seemed sincere.

Even if it wasn’t, Mu Xi was willing to take it as such.

Mu Xi thanked her and returned to Nan Xi’s side.

City Z was almost the farthest city in the country from City A, and it was also small. During her time studying at the Home Economics University, Mu Xi had often heard her classmates complain about its remote location.

Mu Xi had some ambition back then. After graduation, she sent her resume to the most prosperous City A, stubbornly making her way from the most remote corner to serve as a butler in the Nan family.

At the time, her idea was to see more of the world and get more entangled with the so-called “plot” from the books.

Looking back now, that so-called “plot” was probably just memories processed by her damaged brain.

Little did she expect that, three years later, she would return to City Z not to visit her former teachers and classmates, but to handle such a strange matter.

Mu Xi shared this sentiment with Nan Xi, who set down the documents in her hand and said seriously, “Mu Xi, don’t be disappointed. We’ll definitely go see your teachers too.”

“And if things go smoothly, we might even be able to spend a few days sightseeing here. It’s my first time in City Z, after all.”

Nan Xi thought she was nostalgic for her student days and the city, so she wanted to comfort her.

But Mu Xi was too embarrassed to admit that not only did she have no deep impressions of the city, but the same went for the Home Economics University and her teachers and classmates.

When Nan Xi returned to A University after five years, at least she had Tong An’an by her side. But Mu Xi couldn’t find a single friend at the Home Economics University she could talk to.

For now, she didn’t want to admit her emotional detachment to Nan Xi, so she brushed it off with a laugh and said she was ready to sleep.

Nan Xi didn’t suspect anything and even handed her the eye mask from her bag, saying she’d wake her when they were close.

…

City Z was in the north, and the climate was colder than in City A. Winter had already set in. The coat Mu Xi had reminded Nan Xi to pack earlier came in handy, fending off the chilly wind at the airport for a moment before being discarded again as they quickly got into the waiting car.

Nan Lian didn’t linger; the car parted ways with them halfway, likely so she could attend to her own matters.

They didn’t ask much about Nan Lian’s situation, just as Nan Lian hadn’t inquired about their plans.

If Nan Lian had asked, Nan Xi would have told her honestly: they would first go to the hotel to drop off their luggage, rest briefly, and then head to Mu Xi’s alma mater, the Home Economics University. Perhaps those familiar with Mu Xi from the past might know something.

From the moment they arrived at the hotel, Mu Xi grew quiet.

In truth, Mu Xi had been acting a little strange these past few days. Nan Xi hadn’t been sure at first, but now, the closer they got to City Z and the Home Economics University, the stranger Mu Xi became. Only then did Nan Xi confirm that Mu Xi was uneasy about something.

Nan Lian left them with a local driver and a car. The driver had likely been instructed in advance to speak less and do more, so aside from driving, he did nothing else along the way, simply following directions to head to the Home Economics University.

The moment the car stopped at the entrance of the Home Economics University, Nan Xi took Mu Xi’s hand.

Like almost every school, the snack street outside the Home Economics University was bustling with people. Students gathered in small groups to buy food, and the steam rising from the stalls condensed into a white mist due to the low temperature.

Unlike them, who had a car with air conditioning, many of the university students were even wearing down jackets. However, Mu Xi, being a physically strong alpha, had always been among the last to switch to a down jacket back in the day. Standing out in the crowd with just a hoodie, she hadn’t yet had time to reconcile this scene with her memories when her hand was grasped by Nan Xi.

She hesitated, lowering her gaze to their joined hands. “…Hmm?”

“If you’re uncomfortable, we can wait a bit longer before going in,” Nan Xi said seriously. “Or we don’t have to go in at all.”

Mu Xi was momentarily speechless. “But… we’re already here.”

“But you’re afraid to go in.”

Just like that, Nan Xi decisively put into words the emotion that had been troubling Mu Xi for days.

Fear? yes, that was it. She was afraid of this place.

Mu Xi fell silent, turning her gaze back to the lively university students buying snacks outside the car window.

There was nothing about them that should make her afraid.

It wasn’t them she feared, nor was it the Home Economics University.

…“Nan Xi, I have to tell you something first,” Mu Xi said, lowering her head in shame, her hand stiff and unmoving in Nan Xi’s grasp. “I didn’t have many friends at school, and I never interacted with the teachers. So, we might not be able to find out anything.”

Nan Xi’s gaze was filled with tenderness as she looked at her:

“I was the same.”

“It’s not the same,” Mu Xi insisted stubbornly. “Tong An’an is the perfect example. She cares about you a lot, you could tell from her conversation with me last time.”

Nan Xi smiled helplessly and withdrew her hand from Mu Xi’s.

Just as Mu Xi was starting to feel the cold, Nan Xi wrapped both arms around Mu Xi’s.

“But back when I was in school, I really wasn’t close to her at all. It was only after returning to the country, at that gathering Professor Yu organized, the one you dropped me off at that we spoke for the first time.”

“That doesn’t stop us from being friends now.”

“Senior Tong An’an said she’s known about me for five years, that she often heard things about me… and about you.”

“So, when she seemed surprised to see you back then, I found it really strange.” Nan Xi couldn’t help but laugh at this point, her eyes sparkling. “I wondered how she could know about you and me. Later, she told me it was all through hearsay, that there were many people at school who cared about us.”

Mu Xi’s face was full of confusion, forcing Nan Xi to pause and carefully confirm:

“Do you understand what I mean?”

“A lot of people like to gossip…?”

“Not at all,” Nan Xi scolded her playfully. “What I’m saying is, someone as remarkable as you, Mu Xi, must have had many people quietly caring about you at school too. You just didn’t know it.”

Mu Xi fell silent. Nan Xi’s theory might be true, but she didn’t dare believe it.

Looking back at her past self with present eyes, she found that version of herself too dull and uninteresting. Even if someone had noticed her back then… how could it have been a positive impression?

This was the most timid Nan Xi had ever seen Mu Xi since getting to know her.

Soon, Nan Xi felt this wouldn’t do. If she let Mu Xi continue chewing over her thoughts like this, she’d probably sink into depression before figuring out any “build it and they will come” life lessons.

“No, I changed my mind. We have to go in,” Nan Xi declared unapologetically, retracting everything she’d just said.

She began pulling Mu Xi’s arm toward the car door, gazing at the food street outside with anticipation. “Mu Xi, buy me some snacks, will you? The airplane food was terrible, and I’m absolutely starving.”

What nonsense? just half an hour ago, Nan Xi had been praising how good the inflight meal was.

But Mu Xi had no choice but to follow Nan Xi out of the car. They stopped at a candied hawthorn stall, squeezing among a group of college students to ask the vendor for prices.

Nan Xi trailed behind, watching Mu Xi struggle to decipher the vendor’s heavy accent and covering her mouth to suppress giggles.

She was absolutely essential, how could Mu Xi possibly manage without her?