Chapter 45: About to Get Doxxed, Meow?
A Probing Question
“Miss Xiao Xi, do you have any other jobs or sources of income?”
Xiao Xi gritted her teeth but straightened up and answered, “No… not at the moment.”
She wasn’t lying. Her novel hadn’t been published yet, and she wouldn’t earn anything until next month.
Mu Xingge narrowed her eyes slightly but didn’t press further. Instead, she asked a few harmless personal questions before cutting to the chase.
“Miss Xiao Xi, could we check your phone, please?”
“Don’t worry, the Association has no interest in invading your privacy. We just need to confirm if there are any suspicious messages.”
Here it was! Xiao Xi froze in her chair. She knew Mu Xingge’s earlier questions were a smokescreen. This was the real trap!
Clearly, Mu Xingge’s goal wasn’t the phone itself, but Xiao Xi had no way to refuse. Mu Xingge was using the Association’s interrogation as a pretext, leaving her no grounds to say no.
“Miss Xiao Xi?” Mu Xingge smiled kindly. “It’ll be quick. You can watch me check your phone. I promise I won’t snoop.”
“As it’s official business, I hope you’ll cooperate.”
What a sneaky move! What good was supervising? One glance at her chat list, and Mu Xingge would see the pinned group chat!
Xiao Xi nodded reluctantly, slowly pulling out her phone. She racked her brain but couldn’t think of any excuse to dodge this.
Refusing too strongly would raise suspicion. She couldn’t exactly claim she forgot her password or her phone was dead, could she?
A Timely Rescue
Just as Xiao Xi, with no choice, began unlocking her phone in front of Mu Xingge, the interrogation room door burst open.
“Xingge? What are you doing here? You’re not supposed to be handling interrogations, are you?”
Miss L stood at the door, adjusting her glasses. Xiao Xi’s eyes lit up. For the first time, Miss L’s entrance felt like a dazzling, sparkling rescue.
“I… just wanted to handle it myself,” Mu Xingge said. “It’s related to the monster attack case, after all.”
Disappointment flickered in Mu Xingge’s eyes at the interruption, but she couldn’t reveal her true intentions. She just smiled at Miss L.
“No need, Xingge,” Miss L said. “We’ve confirmed Su Ying has nothing to do with the monster attack. She and her employee are just bystanders caught up in it. No need to keep questioning.”
“Go rest, Xingge. I’ll take care of the rest.”
So close to getting Xiao Xi’s phone, yet Mu Xingge didn’t push back. She nodded and left the room swiftly, surprising Xiao Xi with how quickly she gave up.
“Alright, Miss Xiao Xi, if there’s no issue, sign here, and you’re free to go…”
As Mu Xingge’s footsteps faded, Miss L’s formal tone paused. She switched to a casual one.
“Should’ve had [Sirius] on this mission too, huh? You’re pretty unlucky, A-Xing, getting targeted by Xingge like that.”
“Phew… you came just in time, Miss L.”
Xiao Xi slumped in her chair, exhaling. She’d been one step away from unlocking her phone.
The room’s cameras and mics were off, so their conversation stayed private.
“But how’s Xingge so sharp? She met you once and already suspects you’re [Eternal Star]?”
Xiao Xi gave an awkward laugh, dodging the question. No way she’d admit Mu Xingge was actually suspicious about her writing spicy fanfic!
“By the way, is the manager okay?”
“She’s fine,” Miss L said. “Su Ying just bought a mimicry magic device from someone. She’s got no ties to the monster attack or any crime.”
“She’s in the medical room getting checked. If all’s clear, you both can leave.” Miss L waved, making a “bye” gesture.
“I’ll go see her.”
A Hidden Observer
Xiao Xi stood and left the interrogation room. Hurrying down the corridor, she didn’t notice Mu Xingge lurking around a corner, watching her go.
Mu Xingge narrowed her eyes. Did Xiao Xi think she’d give up that easily? Or that her personal questions were just casual chatter?
In truth, Mu Xingge had memorized every detail Xiao Xi shared. With that info, doxxing her would be a breeze.
If Xiao Xi knew Mu Xingge’s plan, she’d probably regret not letting her find the fanfic. At least then, Mu Xingge might not dig deeper.
Because if Mu Xingge uncovered Xiao Xi’s past, she’d likely realize more than just the fanfic. As a former teammate, Mu Xingge would almost certainly figure out Xiao Xi was [Eternal Star].
Back to the Café
Twenty minutes later, Xiao Xi stepped out of the Magical Girl Association and spotted Ye Xinglan nearby, idly kicking pebbles.
Ye Xinglan had come along but refused to enter the Association, insisting on waiting outside. Seeing Xiao Xi, her eyes lit up, and she ran over.
“All done? Can we go home now?”
Xiao Xi rolled her eyes. Ye Xinglan had zero awareness of how much trouble she’d caused today.
“Wait, we’re not going home yet,” Xiao Xi said, glancing at Su Ying, who emerged from the Association with her head down. “Let’s take the manager back first.”
Back at the café, Su Ying quickly used her magic device to hide her monster traits, then sighed heavily in relief.
“Sorry for dragging you into this mess today,” she said. “The café can’t open now, so you both should head home…”
Su Ying’s voice trailed off. She realized her monster identity was now exposed to Xiao Xi and Ye Xinglan.
Recalling the strange looks she’d gotten for being a monster, Su Ying wondered if Xiao Xi would still want to work here or stay colleagues with a monster like her.
“Okay, Manager, you rest up too,” Xiao Xi said, giving Su Ying a small hug. “I’ll be here on time tomorrow.”
Su Ying froze, her eyes welling up again.
Xiao Xi didn’t mind Su Ying’s monster identity. Besides, Su Ying was kind, paid well, and Xiao Xi was broke. She’d probably work with the Blood Moon Witch if it paid!
Ye Xinglan chimed in, “See you tomorrow, Manager~” As a monster herself, she empathized with Su Ying’s plight. Today’s ordeal only made her want to befriend Su Ying more.