I Am Her Secret Beauty - Chapter 65

To allow someone who hadn’t slept all night to catch up on rest, Nan Xi was prepared to spend over eight hours alone. After finishing breakfast and having the plates cleared away, she settled on the living room sofa, opened her laptop, and began reading research papers.

The lab’s current focus remained on materials-related topics. Yu Yacheng was both highly professional and kind-hearted, making working with her a comfort for Nan Xi, far better than enduring the silence of a completely unfamiliar research environment abroad.

Occasionally, however, Yu Yacheng would mention a thing or two about S.Life and Wu Quan. After all, biology and chemistry, especially biochemistry, were closely intertwined fields. Each time Nan Xi heard those names, she felt a subtle wave of disgust.

She didn’t know whether Yu Yacheng was aware of S.Life’s project objectives, nor did she ever want to ask. If Yu Yacheng expressed even a hint of approval for them, her image in Nan Xi’s mind would undoubtedly be tarnished.

Before the research institute at Nan Zhiya’s side was completed and she left A University, Nan Xi figured she could help Yu Yacheng wrap up her current project, aiding her in securing the annual Scientific Research Achievement Award.

Nan Xi scrolled line by line through the dense, abstruse text on the screen, time slipping away in the gaps.

Around 2 p.m.,

Nan Xi finished lunch. Without Mu Xi’s company, eating had become merely a task to fill her stomach. She rose from the dining table, planning to take a few laps around the balcony before returning to her reading.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Nan Xi went to answer it.

Expecting a hotel staff member to collect the dishes, she was surprised to find Nan Lian standing calmly outside, her gaze meeting Nan Xi’s through the peephole.

Nan Xi sighed softly, opened the door, and stepped aside to let her sister in.

A hotel employee followed behind Nan Lian, swiftly gathering the dishes from the table before scurrying away as if Nan Lian were some kind of grim reaper, not daring to lift their eyes for fear of seeing something they shouldn’t.

Watching the door close behind the staff, Nan Xi teased Nan Lian, “Look how terrified they are, they probably thought you were here to collect my soul.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Nan Lian settled naturally onto the sofa in their room, her eyes drifting to the laptop Nan Xi had left open.

The text on the screen lay beyond Nan Lian’s knowledge, a domain only her sister commanded within the family.

Her sister was different from everyone else at home. Science was pure, and so was she. That was why Nan Lian always showed a bit more concern for Nan Xi, perhaps because what she did was genuinely meaningful, unlike their own struggles over trivial matters and internal strife.

“Was there no bloodshed last night? Such a loud commotion.”

Nan Lian shifted her gaze from the screen back to Nan Xi’s face. “The soundproofing in this hotel is terrible.”

“Please don’t shut this place down, okay? Mu Xi and I are still staying here.” Nan Xi chuckled, sitting close to Nan Lian, their bodies touching affectionately. “With a noise that loud, even the best soundproofing wouldn’t help. Did that poor soul have all their bones shattered?”

“You’re as sharp as ever.”

Nan Lian had no desire to elaborate on the previous night’s events at the hotel and changed the subject. “What about you and Mu Xi? Did you find anything you wanted to know at the Home Economics University yesterday?”

The driver who drove Nan Xi and Mu Xi was her own person, so it was perfectly normal for him to report their movements to her. Nan Xi wasn’t surprised that Nan Lian knew their whereabouts.

“Mm, a little.”

Nan Lian glanced around the room. “Where’s Mu Xi?”

“Sleeping. She didn’t sleep at all last night and only just dozed off this morning.”

“Seems like things aren’t exactly pleasant on your end either,” Nan Lian remarked.

Nan Xi nodded repeatedly, determined not to tell her that Mu Xi had stayed up all night for such a childish reason.

That was something she could just laugh about to herself.

“But,” Nan Lian continued, “since you’ve already found what you were looking for, it’s best if you leave Z City as soon as possible.”

So, Nan Lian was here to kick them out.

Nan Xi found it amusing:

“What, so it’s not just this hotel you’re planning to take down, but the entire Z City? Have mercy on this city… after all, Mu Xi’s alma mater is still here.”

“No.”

It was just that, if things continued, the events that would follow would be even more brutal than last night’s. She didn’t want Nan Xi to see that. She still wanted to maintain the image of a kind older sister in her younger sister’s heart, even if that image might have long since faded.

Ever since Nan Lian stepped into the room today, Nan Xi’s attitude toward her had been unusually good, warmer and more affectionate than usual.

Whether it was to please her or to offer some warmth so Nan Lian wouldn’t spiral out of control, it was hard to say.

That sound last night must have frightened her. The hospital had just sent word, the person couldn’t be saved and had died. Nan Lian showed no reaction. She would simply find the next person who might have clues and do the same thing.

From the moment she boarded the plane, Nan Lian had given up any thought of stability.

She was going to disappoint her sister.

“Alright,” Nan Xi said seriously, “but we’d like to stay here a few more days. It’s not just for business, we might even do some sightseeing. You know I hate taking time off, and Mu Xi finally has some free time.”

“You really can’t go a single sentence without mentioning Mu Xi now.”

Nan Lian fell silent for a moment before saying, “Wouldn’t it be better to go somewhere else? Does it have to be City Z?”

“This city is special. Mu Xi spent the years she was away from me here. I want to take a good look at it.”

Nan Xi answered earnestly, knowing that sincerity was the way to go with Nan Lian, she disliked people trying to outsmart her.

Nan Lian fell into an even longer silence.

As she stayed quiet, Nan Xi leaned against her shoulder, hoping that through their physical closeness, Nan Lian could feel her sincerity.

After a long while, Nan Lian finally said:

“I think I’m starting to understand you two.”

“If it can be like this, it’s good. As long as she’s still by your side, it’s good. Not holding grudges is good too.”

Nan Xi laughed. “So, are you still holding grudges, sis?”

Just as Nan Lian was about to say something, she saw Mu Xi, hair disheveled and in pajamas, open the bedroom door and walk out. Spotting Nan Lian and Nan Xi sitting close on the sofa, she looked dazed.

“You’ve only slept for a little over six hours.” Nan Xi glanced at the time and pretended to scold Mu Xi. “Go back to sleep.”

Mu Xi shook her head. “Can’t sleep.”

As she spoke, she noticed Nan Lian staring at her without a word, and remembering last night’s sound, she instinctively took a step back, away from them. “…I’ll go freshen up first, then head out for a walk and grab something to eat.”

Mu Xi quickly retreated back into the room, gently closing the door behind her to give the two sisters ample space to talk.

Nan Xi couldn’t help but chuckle.

“I’m not like you, I don’t have the chance to regain what I’ve lost,” Nan Lian calmly averted her gaze. “Since you two don’t want to leave, then brace yourselves. I won’t hold back.”

“Nan Xi… don’t be disappointed in me.”

Nan Xi shook her head. She wasn’t one to easily lose faith in family. Even after the terrible things Guan Yan had done to her, she still planned to visit home during the holidays.

She just couldn’t bear to stay there any longer.

After exchanging a few more words, Mu Xi stealthily slipped out of the room, skirting along the edge of the wall, and hurriedly exited, closing the door behind her.

“Was she always this timid?” Nan Lian asked Nan Xi.

“Sis, she’s just being cautious,” Nan Xi replied patiently, unbothered. “She’s emotionally intelligent, isn’t she? She didn’t interrupt our conversation, which is far better than those slick-tongued people who love to show off.”

“Have you always been this protective of her?”

“Sis, I’m just being fair.” Nan Xi wanted to say more but ultimately shook her head. “Anyway, Mu Xi is a reliable and good person. Yes.”

When mentioning Mu Xi, Nan Xi seemed to radiate a faint, inexplicable glow, perhaps the legendary aura of happiness. It was subtle, but Nan Lian noticed it.

Nan Lian felt a twinge of jealousy, envious that they could mend their broken relationship, envious of their current happiness.

But then she remembered how devastated Nan Xi had been after losing Mu Xi and all the struggles she had endured. It made sense.

The reward she now enjoyed was proportional to what she had once sacrificed.

“…Are you really decided on not leaving City Z?”

Nan Lian didn’t know what else to say, so she repeated her earlier question.

Nan Xi’s answer was the same as before.

She was resolute, and Nan Lian respected her decision. Her purpose for coming to the room had already fallen through, and there was no need to disturb them further. Staying would only be in the way.

So, Nan Lian stood up. “I’ll be going then.”

“Alright, goodbye, sis.”

Nan Xi bid her farewell obediently but remained seated on the sofa without moving.

Nan Lian nodded and reached for the doorknob to leave.

But before she could turn it, the door swung open. Mu Xi, who had just left moments ago, appeared in the doorway, looking embarrassed when she saw Nan Lian.

Her gaze drifted, her eyes darting around, but she couldn’t bring herself to look directly at Nan Lian.

Seeing her like this, Nan Xi knew something was troubling her or that she had encountered something unusual.

“What’s wrong?”

Mu Xi squeezed past Nan Lian into the room, unsure whether she should reveal what she had seen in front of Nan Lian.

Given Nan Lian’s current state… if she spoke up, wouldn’t she be causing trouble?

She shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

“Is it related to me?” Nan Lian suddenly spoke up from the doorway. “Don’t worry. I haven’t lost my sanity. I won’t lash out at people for no reason.”

Oh, really?

Mu Xi was skeptical.

So, she kept her lips sealed and said nothing.

Only after Nan Lian shrugged and walked out did Mu Xi finally turn to Nan Xi excitedly and say, “Guess who I saw downstairs? I saw Bai Ran!”

She had just taken the elevator down to the first floor when she spotted Bai Ran outside the hotel entrance, peeking furtively in their direction. Shocked, Mu Xi immediately turned back to tell Nan Xi.

To some extent, Bai Ran was truly audacious, daring enough to follow Nan Lian all the way to City Z.

But she had been missing for so long, how did she manage to track Nan Lian’s whereabouts now?

“Bai Ran?” Nan Xi was equally astonished. “You mean that person who hurt you with a knife, the one related to my sister…”

“I injured my own hand. Don’t put it that way,” Mu Xi corrected promptly, then added with lingering fear, “We absolutely must not let your sister find out about this, or I’ll be the death of Bai Ran, though I’m not sure why she came here, since it’s practically asking for trouble.”

Mu Xi rambled on, describing Bai Ran’s state when she spotted her.

Her clothes were decent, it seemed life hadn’t been too hard on her after leaving Nan Lian. In other words, Nan Lian hadn’t treated her poorly when they were together.

But she looked extremely uneasy, hiding behind a car and peeking out with just half her head visible. If not for Mu Xi’s sharp eyesight, she might have gone unnoticed.

However, Mu Xi forgot one thing: she was alone, while Nan Lian had brought along an entire team of professional bodyguards.

Against someone as defenseless as Bai Ran, they found her with ease.

An hour later, Nan Lian paid another visit.

“Is what you wanted to talk about related to Bai Ran hiding downstairs? We’ve already caught her.”

Nan Lian smiled faintly. “Don’t worry. As I said, I won’t resort to violence lightly.”