Purely Accidental - Chapter 21
Chapter 21
After careful consideration, Pei Youshan decided to buy a new property to house her secret lover, ensuring today's incident wouldn't happen again.
If such a situation recurred, even becoming a vegetarian monk couldn't save her fragile disguise!
However, Pei Lanqing was aware of most properties under her name, with over half purchased by Pei Lanqing herself.
This wouldn't do—she needed a new residence unknown to her mother.
Then she remembered the various property photos Shao Xingcheng had been sharing in their group chat recently.
Shao had refined tastes in living standards—any property catching his eye would undoubtedly be excellent. She resolved to select one from his recommendations while keeping it strictly confidential from Pei Lanqing.
A grown child was entitled to her little secrets.
Action followed intention. Post-shower, she began scrolling through chat histories, oblivious to her lover observing her from the opposite sofa—with amused, scrutinizing eyes.
Xu Jingshu sat composedly.
Though Pei Youshan now possessed her contact details, as someone with two phones and an intact alternate identity, she remained utterly unperturbed.
Even fearless, one might say.
Yet tonight remained indelibly etched in her memory—both poignant and absurd.
Not only had she encountered the fiancée who stood her up, but she'd also unwittingly become the very pervert her fiancée vigilantly guarded against.
Most egregiously, during those interminable hours waiting at Lakeside Glaze, her fiancée had been drinking in one of its private rooms!
Preferring alcohol over meeting her.
Such quintessential Pei Youshan behavior.
Truly the woman who'd proposed keeping her as a mistress during their second encounter.
Oblivious to Xu Jingshu's mood and her own identity's untimely demise, Pei Youshan remained engrossed in property selection—her innocence almost endearing.
Xu Jingshu adjusted her posture slightly, fair fingertips brushing through her intellectual bob before resting lightly on her temple.
Frankly, no one enjoyed being stood up this way.
The last person who dared leave her waiting now resided permanently on Blue Ocean Capital's blacklist.
But this one...
As she pondered, Pei Youshan suddenly looked up, gradually moving closer to plant two butterfly kisses on her lips.
Her affectionate demeanor remained unchanged, devoid of any awkwardness.
Xu Jingshu didn't resist the intimacy, calmly observing her next move.
"Xu Ge, what kind of property do you prefer?" Pei Youshan asked brightly.
Xu Jingshu frowned slightly. "Meaning?"
Was this about giving her an apartment before their amicable separation?
Pei Youshan clasped her hands apologetically, luminous eyes radiating innocence. "You recall our agreement about discretion, right?"
"Given that, you can't continue staying here. I'm arranging new accommodations."
"But don't worry—I'll visit often after your move."
She kissed Xu Jingshu's lips tenderly, gaze softening. "You wouldn't mind, would you?"
As Pei Youshan spoke, an intriguing notion crystallized in Xu Jingshu's mind.
Since Pei Youshan showed no intention of ending their arrangement, why should she terminate this game prematurely?
Was her patron not adorable enough? Or insufficiently entertaining?
She'd maintain this relationship to continue teasing this Ragdoll cat—as punishment for that egregious no-show and being labeled a pervert.
—She was neither magnanimous nor forgetful.
Masking these thoughts, Xu Jingshu's expression gentled as she encircled that slender waist, reciprocating the kiss.
"No objections. Anywhere you choose."
Relocating actually suited her—fewer chances of encountering Pei Lanqing again.
While Pei Youshan didn't recognize her, Pei Lanqing certainly would.
Delighted by her compliance, Pei Youshan beamed. "I'll select somewhere with excellent environment and views!"
Resuming her property search, she decided to personally inspect options later.
Maintaining their proximity, Xu Jingshu caught whiffs of Pei Youshan's shampoo—subtle gardenia notes.
Neither retreating nor pushing her away, Xu Jingshu continued studying her as if meeting her anew.
The elegant Ragdoll's full attention remained on her phone, screen light casting starlight reflections in her eyes.
Her aristocratic beauty radiated harmless charm, belying any capacity for malice.
Xu Jingshu grew inexplicably curious.
What rumors could make someone like Pei Youshan brand her a pervert?
Her relationship with her secretary was purely professional—how had it morphed into "no-limits debauchery" in others' mouths?
And "ugly"? Was her appearance truly that offensive?
She needed answers from this "cat."
After extensive deliberation, Pei Youshan shortlisted two properties for tomorrow's viewings before setting her phone aside with a satisfied stretch.
Mid-extension, arms encircled her waist, pulling her into a faintly fragrant embrace.
Xu Jingshu idly stroked her soft hair. "Miss Yue, may I ask something?"
"How did you conclude your fiancée has poor character?"
Pei Youshan absently touched her chin. "From others' accounts..."
Xu Jingshu's tone carried veiled amusement. "What exactly did they say?"
She'd hear how she became a "pervert."
Pei Youshan straightened, puzzled. "Why this sudden interest?"
Her lover never previously probed such details...
Xu Jingshu: "..."
She casually reeled Pei Youshan back in. "Better prevention through understanding."
With an accepting "Oh," Pei Youshan relaxed against her, omitting names while recounting the gossip.
"Someone attended a business dinner where my fiancée was present. Curious attendees asked staff to identify her."
Xu Jingshu: "And?"
"The staff said, 'The one with the secretary.'"
"They saw an unattractive person beside a secretary—case closed."
Xu Jingshu smirked. "I see..."
Though she couldn't recall which event this was, she suspected she'd been absent—likely visiting the restroom.
Unaware of her reaction, Pei Youshan continued, "Later, they overheard her telling the secretary: 'I'm bored with this one, get another,' 'Find something fun—no more dull ones,' 'Test it before handing it over.' Things like that."
She suddenly looked up. "Don't those remarks sound suggestive?"
Xu Jingshu arched an eyebrow.
Suggestive? She'd clearly been discussing games.
Yet she replied, "Extremely suggestive."
Perhaps Pei Youshan's misunderstanding served her purposes—reinforcing anti-marriage resolve while minimizing exposure risks.
A double victory.
The gossip's origin hardly mattered. One public appearance would shatter the "ugly" myth anyway.
Validated, Pei Youshan happily patted her head. "Good girl."
Xu Jingshu felt oddly like the one being pet.
...
True to her word, Pei Lanqing granted Pei Youshan several restful days.
But she remained busy securing her lover's new residence. Only after finalizing everything did she finally examine the phone number Pei Lanqing provided.
Xu Jingshu...
Sitting on her balcony, she drowned in overwhelming questions, her mind turbulent with unanswerable scenarios.
Would Xu Jingshu resent her for standing her up?
Was she awaiting their second meeting?
Would she comply with parental pressure to "give it a try"?
If so, how could she extinguish such intentions?
Frustrated, she scratched her head. Social interactions sometimes exhausted her more than work.
Yet standing someone up was undeniably wrong...
Why make an innocent party suffer for her conflict with her mother?
With a deep sigh, she pasted the number into her dial pad—only to exit abruptly.
No—phone calls were awkward. She loathed awkwardness.
A text message would suffice.
Transferring the number to her messaging app, she carefully composed a formal greeting before hitting send.
As the message delivered, anxiety about the impending response set in. She fidgeted on her wicker chair, awaiting reply.
...
Blue Ocean Capital CEO Office.
Xu Jingshu's desk phone lit up briefly with an unfamiliar number's text before dimming again.
The empty office remained still.
Ten minutes later, Xu Jingshu entered.
"Proceed as discussed. Send me reports immediately upon completion."
Secretary Zhang acknowledged, closing the door behind her.
Checking her phone, Xu Jingshu discovered an unusual message from an unknown number:
[Hello Ms. Xu, this is Pei Youshan]
The tone was polite yet distant, as if they were truly unacquainted.
Xu Jingshu smiled faintly at the screen before replying with equal formality.
...
After nearly ten anxious minutes without response, Pei Youshan's imagination ran wild—until her phone finally vibrated:
[Hello]
[Miss Pei]
Five simple words across two lines.
Propping her chin, Pei Youshan suddenly thought—this Xu Jingshu seemed...
Remarkably proper.
Comments
Post a Comment