Purely Accidental - Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Monday morning.
Pei Youshan turned off her alarm and got out of bed. After washing up, she stretched lazily while walking out of her room, only to suddenly find herself in shadow.
What followed was a light fragrance and a gentle kiss.
"Good morning, Miss Yue."
Pei Youshan froze mid-stretch, blinked rapidly twice, and finally processed the situation.
This wasn't a dream.
Now she was the sugar mommy keeping a beauty in a golden cage!
Lowering her arms and rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she curved her lips into an affectionate smile: "Good morning, did you sleep well last night?"
Xu Jingshu placed a glass of milk by her hand: "Thanks to Miss Yue, I slept very well."
Pei Youshan murmured thanks, drinking water before the milk with refined manners.
Then she heard Xu Jingshu ask: "Why is Miss Yue waking up so early on a weekday?"
Pei Youshan with her full-time writer persona: "..."
Xu Ge oh Xu Ge, you're truly a genius at spotting key details.
She cleared her throat and fabricated: "It's habit—helps maintain a regular schedule."
Xu Jingshu asked no further questions, quietly eating breakfast.
Halfway through, Pei Youshan inquired: "What time do you get off work?"
"Normally five, but later if there are meetings or projects to handle."
This was her routine at Blue Ocean—sometimes leisurely, sometimes working through the night without meals.
After answering, she picked up her milk but froze, suddenly remembering she was supposedly employed at Penglai now, not Blue Ocean.
Pei Youshan paused her movements, staring directly at her: "Didn't you say your position was so low you just ran errands?"
Xu Jingshu: "..."
Careless.
She suddenly agreed with Xu Ge—this wasn't being a lover, this was being an undercover agent, constantly exchanging subtle moves with her sugar mommy.
But she was calm enough. Staying composed was one of her principles.
Thus, she calmly salvaged the situation: "I forgot to tell Miss Yue—I got promoted."
"It happened recently."
Pei Youshan had an epiphany.
She'd been busy with work lately and barely interacted with her lover, so not knowing about her job progress was understandable.
Her gaze at Xu Jingshu suddenly turned approving.
"Congratulations on the promotion. Well done—keep it up."
Xu Jingshu: "?"
Wasn't her approval a bit... odd?
Why would a sugar mommy feel proud of her lover's promotion?
Pei Youshan lowered her eyes, gently stirring her congee, her tone turning serious: "Having your own career and financial independence is something to celebrate."
She recalled Pei Lanqing threatening to cut off her trust fund and looked firmly at Xu Jingshu.
"Work hard, earn well—let financial independence be your foundation. Then nothing can stop you from charging forward."
"You understand this, right?"
Xu Jingshu met her gaze. Her eyes and words were so earnest, as if she'd already lived through such an experience.
The atmosphere grew strangely solemn.
After a moment, Xu Jingshu smiled, breaking the tension as she leaned slightly forward: "Didn't Miss Yue promise to let me skip ten years of struggle?"
Pei Youshan hesitated, touching her nose sheepishly: "That was drunk nonsense..."
Xu Jingshu made a soft questioning sound.
Pei Youshan: "But even if I let you skip ten years now, you'll still need to work afterward, right? So gaining experience now is good."
"Besides..." She smiled brightly, "Can you really stay with me for ten years?"
Xu Jingshu didn't answer.
They both knew the answer written from the start.
Xu Jingshu sipped her milk.
Her sugar mommy might seem soft usually, but when serious, her mind was sharp—and oddly concerned about her future.
Setting down the glass, she replied evenly: "Don't worry, Miss Yue. I have my own plans."
"Good."
Pei Youshan abruptly changed topics: "Can you drive?"
Xu Jingshu: "...?"
......
Blue Ocean Capital.
Underground parking lot.
Xu Ge had just parked when she saw Xu Jingshu step out of an unfamiliar cloud-gray BMW Z4.
Xu Ge: "?"
She was shocked. "You changed cars?"
"Someone else's."
Xu Jingshu expressionlessly pocketed the keys.
Xu Ge didn't need to guess who—the environmental pioneer. She eyed the car: "I thought she'd at least give you a million-yuan car to play with."
Patting her shoulder gleefully: "Ah, poor President Xu—driving limited editions worth tens of millions just days ago, now slumming it. How the mighty have fallen."
Xu Jingshu glanced at her and removed her hand.
"She was willing to give one."
"But I couldn't take it."
Because her lover persona only allowed her to drive the sugar mommy's cheapest car.
Xu Ge nudged her: "How's living at the sugar mommy's place?"
Xu Jingshu answered objectively: "Very relaxing."
"Very fun."
Teasing her sugar mommy had become one of her hobbies.
"You?" she asked.
Xu Ge tucked her hands into her blazer pockets: "Me? What about me? We're already married—just stuck under one roof, mutually annoying each other."
"At least the kid's cute."
Truly her beloved's child—just as likable.
They took the elevator up and parted ways to their offices.
Secretary Zhang Jingjing entered to confirm upcoming business trip details.
There was an investment project in Jin City that Xu Jingshu wanted to assess personally.
Zhang Jingjing hesitated: "President Xu, should we avoid Junjiang hotels like before?"
The best hotels in Jin City were Junjiang's, but she didn't dare book without confirmation.
The Xu and Pei families had reconciled, but the Pei heiress had stood up her boss at Lakeside Glaze!
So she wasn't sure if Junjiang hotels remained blacklisted.
Xu Jingshu said mildly: "No need."
The blind date was personal—she wouldn't hold it against the company.
Zhang Jingjing understood and left with her tablet.
...
Pei Youshan arrived at work shortly after Xu Jingshu left.
Reminded by her secretary, she remembered her upcoming business trip to Jin City for an agency rights negotiation.
Originally Pei Lanqing's project, it was transferred to Pei Youshan before her semi-vacation.
Officially: So her daughter could enjoy Jin City's beautiful scenery.
Pei Youshan only felt maternal love like a landslide.
But with the project handed over and preparations made, she couldn't back out last minute—so she accepted.
Setting documents on her desk, she told her secretary: "Got it. Prepare everything later."
"For now, get everyone ready for the meeting—we're resolving the Riverside Hotel issue first."
......
Pei Youshan had no fixed work hours—she left when tasks were done.
At 4:24 PM, she was already packing up to leave.
Before exiting, she reconsidered and texted her lover.
In the meeting room, Xu Jingshu sat prominently, propping her head up as she silently watched the presentation.
Glancing down, her silenced phone lit up with a new message.
[Miss Yue]: Can you leave on time today?
Checking the time and presentation progress, she discreetly multitasked.
[Xu Jingshu]: Yes, why?
[Miss Yue]: We're eating out tonight, not at home.
[Miss Yue]: Call me after work.
[Xu Jingshu]: Okay.
She set her phone down, adjusted her posture, and casually corrected a slide error—as if fully attentive.
Employees who saw her multitask: "..."
Dare not speak.
Two minutes later, her phone lit up again.
[Miss Yue]: What cuisine do you want?
[Miss Yue]: Are you free now?
Xu Jingshu openly multitasked again.
Replying succinctly: [Anything's fine. In a meeting.]
She received a string of exclamation marks.
[Miss Yue]: !!!!!!!!
[Miss Yue]: Then stop playing with your phone! Don't get caught slacking or your boss will deduct your pay!
The boss herself smiled slightly.
[Xu Jingshu]: Okay, I'll stop.
Employees witnessing her smile: "?"
—Has our boss's spring arrived?
......
Pei Youshan visited the bookstore again.
Century-old Sanwei Bookstore had a tranquil, rustic ambiance with endless shelves.
Ordering coffee and sitting by the window, she read while waiting.
Three minutes prior, Xu Jingshu texted that she needed to stop home for clothes after work, so they'd meet later.
After reading awhile, she checked her phone.
In a group chat, Shao Xingcheng and Lin Feifei were debating his terrible luck.
—His company's newly appointed art director was his messy ex-boyfriend.
[Shao Xingcheng]: F*ck, he lives next door too. I'm suffocating.
[Shao Xingcheng]: I want to buy a train ticket to the Sahara and vanish.
[Shao Xingcheng]: No one's worse off than me.
[Lin Feifei]: Boss across the hall, ex next door...
[Lin Feifei]: Damn, that luck.
[Lin Feifei]: License it—give it to President Pei as writing material. I've already titled her next book: The Entire Floor Is My Battlefield.
Pei Youshan: "..."
Comrade Lin Feifei, you're full of ideas.
[Shao Xingcheng]: ...Piss off.
[Shao Xingcheng]: I'll earn money to move!
[Shao Xingcheng]: I'm off!!!
Before Pei Youshan could join, Shao Xingcheng had transformed frustration into motivation, diving into work.
Only Lin Feifei's message remained: [Hey, take it easy—I don't want to read "Designer Dies from Overwork" news featuring you.]
People shouldn't overwork—balance is key.
Clearly, her mother Pei Lanqing mastered this, combining work and leisure perfectly.
Setting her phone down, she gazed outside.
Sanwei Bookstore stood at the end of a cobblestone alley, beside a handicraft shop and locust trees—serene as a hidden utopia.
Her eyes traced the dark stones until someone appeared at the alley's entrance.
Pei Youshan watched through the window.
In heels, stepping rhythmically over stones—though distant, Pei Youshan already heard the clicks.
Pei Youshan smiled, shelved her book, and exited.
"You're here."
"I'm surprised you found this place."
Xu Jingshu stood before her: "Been here before."
Mainly accompanying Xu Jingying for books.
Pei Youshan went "Oh" and extended a hand: "Let's go eat."
Xu Jingshu took it.
Side by side, they walked through summer breezes into locust tree shadows.
Pei Youshan asked: "Any cravings?"
Xu Jingshu shook her head.
Pei Youshan: "...Me neither."
She hadn't planned this—it was impulsive.
Xu Jingshu pondered: "There's a new restaurant outside—people said it's good. Want to try?"
Pei Youshan agreed cheerfully: "Sure."
...
Xu Jingshu held a queue ticket showing one party ahead.
They waited ten minutes before being called.
The restaurant, Kitchen Color, had Nordic minimalist decor—clean white tables and sofas under warm lighting.
Near dinner rush, busy servers wove through aisles.
"That's all."
Pei Youshan handed the menu back, receiving a smile and a request to wait.
Glancing around, she noticed a woman not in uniform carrying dishes.
The woman wore a plain dress, her delicate features as gentle as moonlight—strikingly beautiful.
Pei Youshan heard others call her: Boss Lady.
As an appearance enthusiast, she loved spotting beauties—and sharing them.
Delighted, she turned to Xu Jingshu: "Look—the boss lady's gorgeous!"
If possible, she'd befriend her!
Xu Jingshu glanced over, expressionless but humoring: "Mm, pretty."
Pei Youshan patted her hand: "You're the prettiest to me."
Xu Jingshu: "Miss Yue is to me too."
Pei Youshan found her obligatory tone amusing and changed topics: "Did your boss catch you texting during the meeting?"
Xu Jingshu lied smoothly: "No."
Pei Youshan nodded: "Good."
Xu Jingshu smiled, unusually honest: "Don't worry—I won't get caught."
Pei Youshan assumed she meant stealth skills and grew more concerned, cupping her face: "Still, if caught, even without pay cuts, being scolded sucks."
"Especially with your boss's pride—she'd tear into you."
Sighing—such beauty shouldn't endure scolding.
Xu Jingshu chuckled: "Got it. I won't do it again."
Pei Youshan brightened instantly.
She prepared to mention her upcoming absence but was interrupted by a juice pitcher.
Boss Lady Xue Yingyue stood nearby, smiling: "Juice first—dishes will arrive shortly."
Faced with such beauty, Pei Youshan smiled politely: "Thanks for your hard work."
Xue Yingyue: "Enjoy."
Pei Youshan nodded. As she turned away, Pei Youshan called out: "Xu Ge, I have something to say."
Hearing the name, Xue Yingyue paused.
Xu Jingshu's gaze flicked to her retreating back before returning to Pei Youshan: "What is it?"
Pei Youshan: "I'll be away for a few days—not sure when I'll return."
Xu Jingshu raised a brow: "Understood."
—Perfect timing for her business trip.
......
When they finished and paid, the restaurant had emptied.
Xue Yingyue personally saw them out.
"If satisfied, please visit again."
Pei Youshan smiled: "Don't worry—I definitely will."
Xu Jingshu glanced at her, seeing through her motives.
Beyond the good food—her appearance-obsessed sugar mommy would return for the view.
—So predictable.
Pei Youshan met her gaze, blinking confusedly: "?"
Xu Jingshu lazily lowered her eyes and took her hand, leading her away.
Xue Yingyue watched until they vanished from sight.
Then a familiar voice spoke behind her: "Xue Yingyue."
Turning, she saw Xu Ge, arms crossed, her bright face scrutinizing.
"What held your attention so intently?"
Xue Yingyue said calmly: "A customer today shared your name."
Xu Ge raised a brow, about to call it coincidence, when Xue Yingyue added leisurely: "Such misfortune for her."
Xu Ge: "..."
"Xue Yingyue, why aren't you mute?"
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