Purely Accidental - Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Bright sunlight streamed through the semicircular bay window, casting a smooth, elegant line across the deep blue silk duvet.
A slender, porcelain-white arm emerged from beneath the sheets, reaching for the phone on the nightstand.
The screen displayed a flood of messages, mostly from Lin Feifei.
Pei Youshan pried one bleary eye open to read them.
[Lin Feifei]: Girl, are you awake yet?
[Lin Feifei]: How are you feeling? Everything okay?
[Lin Feifei]: Did that gorgeous woman who took your number yesterday call you back?
[Lin Feifei]: [Peeking out with my nosy little head.jpg]
Pei Youshan: "?"
She was dumbfounded.
Gorgeous woman?
What gorgeous woman???
Did she have some drunken romantic encounter yesterday????
She quickly replied to Lin Feifei.
Two minutes later.
[Lin Feifei]: You don't remember?
[Lin Feifei]: Yesterday you grabbed the hand of this incredibly beautiful woman and refused to let go, staring at her with puppy-dog eyes while asking if she'd agree to your proposal.
Pei Youshan was even more stunned.
She got drunk and harassed someone?!
[Pei Youshan]: And then?
[Lin Feifei]: Then she smiled at you, took your phone number, and said she'd think it over carefully.
At this point, her memories seemed to unlock, flooding back all at once.
She had indeed encountered the stunning woman from a few days prior yesterday, clinging to her hand.
Not only that, she'd proposed to... keep her.
And called her...
An appetizing dish.
Her eyes flew wide open, round as saucers, filled with utter disbelief.
An appetizing dish!
What kind of earth-shattering, tear-jerking nonsense was that?!
How could she have said such a thing?!
Remembering how the beauty had smiled at her afterward...
She set down her phone in despair, gazing melancholically into the distance.
Fortunate people spend their lives healing from childhood.
Embarrassed people spend their lives healing from yesterday.
She was certain there could never be a more humiliating moment than this.
Fortunately, the embarrassment didn't linger. She quickly rallied, comforting herself.
So what if she drunkenly proposed to keep a gorgeous woman?
No big deal, stay calm.
Maybe the other party didn't take it seriously at all!
......
Blue Ocean Capital, CEO's office.
Xu Jingshu sat in a black executive chair, legs crossed, her exquisite fingers toying with a high-level Rubik's cube.
The sound of rotating cube segments mingled with her assistant's steady voice.
"Over the past two years, Blue Ocean has invested a total of 2.34 billion in Penglai Film and Television, acquiring 64% shares to become their largest shareholder."
"We can complete the merger target within this year."
Xu Jingshu gave a slight nod after listening.
Blue Ocean Capital had long-term development plans beyond just investment banking, which was why she'd gone abroad to expand overseas markets and now returned to acquire companies in other industries.
Penglai Film and Television was one such target.
After the assistant left, Xu Jingshu set down the cube, her gaze inadvertently falling on a small slip of paper nearby which she picked up.
A string of numbers was scrawled across the white surface.
Above them, rough black lines indicated cancellation.
Beneath the marks, barely legible, were some crooked digits - worse than a kindergarten child's handwriting.
This reminded her of yesterday.
That beautiful stranger proposing to keep her, saying it would save her ten years of struggle.
Then holding her fingers, gazing at her with those irresistible eyes.
Like an adorable ragdoll cat, making you want to pat its head uncontrollably.
Xu Jingshu hadn't done so, of course.
She'd simply smiled, taken the phone number, and said she'd consider it.
Because it seemed amusing.
In all her years, no one had ever made such a proposition.
Though abrupt and ridiculous, it was strangely entertaining.
And she could never resist amusing things.
The drunken ragdoll cat had been delighted, eagerly searching for pen and paper to write down her number.
Half-lidded eyes produced childishly scrawled characters as she mumbled sleepily, "Tired..."
Ah, too sleepy to write properly...
Eventually the cat's friend took over, crossing out the wobbly digits and writing a proper number before apologizing and leading her away.
Returning to the present, Xu Jingshu studied the slip.
She said nothing.
Then came a knock at her office door.
A beautiful long-haired woman entered - Xu Ge, Blue Ocean's Vice President and her close friend.
Spotting the slip immediately, Xu Ge asked casually, "What's our CEO looking at?"
"The phone number of someone who wants to keep me."
Xu Jingshu pocketed the paper.
Xu Ge was astonished: "Damn, who's bold enough to propose keeping you?"
"Wait, does such a person actually exist?"
Xu Jingshu recounted yesterday's events matter-of-factly.
Xu Ge nearly doubled over laughing: "Hahaha! So you missed meeting Miss Pei but got this hilarious story instead - not a bad trade, right? Hahaha—"
Xu Jingshu waited calmly until her friend finished laughing.
Wiping tears, Xu Ge asked, "What did you tell Chairwoman Xu about the meeting?"
Even calmer now: "She's too busy lately to bother with trivialities."
"When she's free, we'll talk properly."
Pei Youshan hadn't come to meet her.
Hadn't offered any explanation for standing her up.
Wasn't the message clear enough?
Frankly, she was somewhat grateful for Pei Youshan's resistance.
Mutual rejection beat Pei Youshan actually wanting to marry her.
Then she recalled those eyes staring intently at her last night.
Luminous and mesmerizing, like mist over water.
After three silent seconds, she extended a hand: "Lend me your phone. Mine's dead and charging."
Xu Ge handed it over teasingly: "Our CEO should keep her phone charged so big clients can reach her."
Xu Jingshu replied evenly: "They can call my secretary if needed. I pay her salary."
......
Pei Youshan was eating while recounting yesterday's events to Lin Feifei and Shao Xingcheng in their group chat.
[Shao Xingcheng]: Hahaha only you, Pei Youshan.
[Shao Xingcheng]: But what if she actually shows up demanding you keep her?
[Lin Feifei]: Then keep her!
[Lin Feifei]: Not only have you met twice - fate! - but that face hits all your aesthetic buttons!
[Lin Feifei]: Even this straight girl thinks she's extremely extremely extremely dateable!
Pei Youshan nodded vigorously at her screen in full agreement.
Absolutely! No one could resist that face!
But she soberly typed:
[Pei Youshan]: Though she's totally my type, no one would take drunk talk seriously.
This thought filled her with regret.
Why couldn't she have just struck up a normal friendship instead of that wild proposal?
The former might have led somewhere - the latter was probably already dismissed as a joke!
"Sigh..."
Another message to the beauty lost in the void.
Her journey as an appearance enthusiast was so bumpy.
Suddenly, a text from an unknown number popped up:
[Hello, regarding yesterday at Lakeside Glaze, I think we should discuss it in person. Your thoughts?]
Pei Youshan froze.
A face surfaced in her mind. Hesitantly, she replied: [Who is this?]
The response came swiftly:
[Appetizing Dish]
Pei Youshan: "..."
Was this... a demand for retribution?
......
Pei Youshan went anyway.
To apologize for her drunken words.
And for that face that perfectly matched her aesthetic.
Her gaze naturally drifted to the woman across from her.
Alluring fox eyes lowered, then slowly opened - dazzling light swirling within, breathtakingly vivid.
Exquisite features paired with an aloof, distant aura, like the unreachable moon in the night sky.
- Perfection!
Appearance-enthusiast Pei Youshan screamed internally.
Was she into women? Was she single?
Clearing her throat, Pei Youshan began with an apology: "My drunken words yesterday were inappropriate. I sincerely apologize."
Her plan: apologize, get contact info, become friends.
Bury those wild proposals in the past!
Xu Jingshu's eyebrow arched slightly. "Drunken words are understandable."
Pei Youshan relaxed - until the next sentence tensed her right back up.
Xu Jingshu: "So does your offer to keep me still stand?"
Delivered with complete composure.
Pei Youshan: "...?"
#What's it like having someone reference your most embarrassing moment to your face?#
Pei Youshan: Thanks for asking. See this hole? I dug it with my cringe.
She fiddled awkwardly with her silver lotus earring, avoiding eye contact: "I thought you wouldn't take drunk talk seriously..."
Surely few would.
Xu Jingshu: "I was sober. If I said I'd consider it, I meant it."
Surprisingly earnest.
Seeing no mockery, Pei Youshan's surprise gradually replaced her embarrassment.
I thought you came for revenge, but you're here about the keeping proposal?
- Well then, Pei Youshan is wide awake now!
"So... have you considered it?" Her voice held a hint of hope.
Xu Jingshu smiled faintly: "I need details to consider properly."
Pei Youshan: "What do you want to know?"
Xu Jingshu lifted her coffee cup, posing questions between sips:
"Monthly allowance?"
"24/7 availability required?"
"Any unusual demands?"
"Private time permitted?"
"And am I becoming a mistress?"
Setting down her cup, she waited calmly for responses.
Pei Youshan blinked, feeling like she was interviewing an employee.
An utterly composed employee who might walk out any moment.
This left the first-time keeper puzzled:
Is this how all kept relationships start?
Newbie benefactor was confused.
But she maintained composure to avoid appearing gullible.
Running through the questions mentally, she straightened like an HR manager:
"60,000 monthly, gifts separate."
"No 24/7 requirement - just when I need you."
"I'm not a pervert."
"Private time allowed."
"I dislike infidelity - hope you feel the same."
She valued appearances but wouldn't poach taken people.
Xu Jingshu lingered on "when I need you" before nodding at the last answer: "I'm single."
Had she been taken, she wouldn't be here.
Or being set up with that Pei heiress.
Not that they'd met.
Said Pei heiress internally sighed in relief.
Thank goodness she's single.
"So... is that a yes?"
Xu Jingshu studied Pei Youshan silently.
Elegant yet approachable features, peach-blossom eyes perpetually shimmering like autumn waters - a natural beauty who'd stand out anywhere.
Wealthy, gorgeous, single, and polite.
This deal seemed risk-free.
And investors loved risk-free ventures.
She nodded. "Yes, I accept."
Pei Youshan's grip tightened on her skirt, expression controlled.
Internally, fireworks exploded.
- What a quantum leap! I can die happy!!!
Remembering yesterday, she asked suspiciously: "Why were you at Lakeside Glaze?"
Xu Jingshu lied effortlessly: "Fetching items for my boss. Low-level errands."
Glancing at her outfit: "Image-conscious employer requires presentable attire."
Thank goodness she hadn't worn limited haute couture.
Pei Youshan's doubts vanished.
Wealthy people don't agree to be kept.
Unless they're insane.
She trusted this beauty's sanity.
Though she pitied such looks wasted on errands - modeling would pay far better!
Nodding, she added: "I never got your name?"
Xu Jingshu began: "Xu—"
Paused, then emphasized: "Xu Ge."
Selling out her laughing-stock friend without remorse.
Pei Youshan didn't suspect, smiling gently: "I'm Miss Yue."
Currently adopting her father's surname.
Junjiang Hotel Group was prominent - she wasn't ready to reveal her identity.
Equally secretive, Xu Jingshu nodded: "Miss Yue."
They shared a polite smile, mutually complicit in their deception.
Then lapsed into silence over coffee and watermelon juice.
Neither mentioned drafting a contract.
Both wondered when the other would bring it up.
Hopefully never.
Fake names would render any agreement void anyway.
Claiming work obligations, Xu Jingshu didn't linger, nor did Pei Youshan press her to stay.
Before leaving, Xu Jingshu broached the contract topic first.
Better to clarify now than wait indefinitely.
"Miss Yue, regarding our arrangement's contract—"
"Unnecessary!" Pei Youshan cut in hastily.
Xu Jingshu was puzzled by her reaction: "?"
Meeting those scrutinizing eyes, Pei Youshan improvised: "Save paper, save the planet."
Then solemnly patted Xu Jingshu's shoulder: "Basic trust between people - I trust you, please trust me."
Xu Jingshu chuckled at her earnestness, playing along.
"Of course. I trust you, Miss Yue."
......
"You sold me out just like that???"
Xu Ge stared incredulously at the woman by the floor-to-ceiling window.
- Some friend you are, Xu Jingshu!
Xu Jingshu turned calmly. "I listed your bank account. Free 60,000 monthly - want it or not?"
Xu Ge: "?"
She immediately complied: "Thank you, boss. Come again anytime."
Why not just give Xu Jingshu a card directly? No matter - free money shouldn't be refused!
With Xu Ge handled, Xu Jingshu awaited her secretary's delivery of a new phone.
She planned to compartmentalize - this arrangement deserved a dedicated device to maintain her cover thoroughly.
She found the charade amusing enough to warrant the effort.
As they waited, Xu Ge asked: "So what's this Miss Yue like?"
Xu Jingshu recalled their meeting, lingering on the "save paper" moment.
Her objective assessment:
"A beautiful environmental activist."
Xu Ge: "???"
Note: While both romanized as "Xu," the surnames in 徐静舒 (Xú Jīngshū, 徐 meaning "gradual" or "composed") and 许歌 (Xǔ Gē, 许 meaning "permit" or "praise") are unrelated characters with distinct pronounciation.
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