Purely Accidental - Chapter 38
Chapter 38
Pei Youshan finished arranging her affairs before putting away her phone and walking into the living room.
Xu Jingshu sat on the fluffy white carpet, beckoning her over. She pulled Pei Youshan into her lap, embracing her from behind as warm breath intimately brushed against her pearly earlobe: "What were you talking about just now?"
Pei Youshan felt there was something slightly off about their current position but couldn't quite place it. Her attention was quickly diverted by Xu Jingshu's question.
Picking up an orange, she peeled it leisurely: "Nothing important, just some minor work matters."
Xu Jingshu set down her tablet: "Then why were you looking at me like that earlier?"
Her intuition told her the gaze from this kitten in her arms definitely meant something.
Pei Youshan removed the orange pith and casually deflected: "I thought my lover looked particularly beautiful and wanted to admire her a bit more."
She broke off half the orange and placed it in Xu Jingshu's hand, her tone growing increasingly self-assured: "What's wrong? Can't I do that?"
Xu Jingshu silently observed the plump orange segments in her hand before a faint smile curved her lips, wisely avoiding further pestering questions.
She slowly separated the orange segments, feeding them one by one to Pei Youshan's lips.
Rather than eating it herself, she preferred feeding her Miss Pei.
It wasn't until after the first bite that Pei Youshan realized what was happening. Tilting her head slightly, she chided: "This was for you to eat, not for you to feed me!"
Xu Jingshu moved the orange closer to those delicate, rosy lips: "I enjoy feeding Miss Yue."
Her whisper-light voice brushed against Pei Youshan's ear like a lover's tender secret.
A faint peach-colored blush inexplicably bloomed across Pei Youshan's cheeks. In this moment, no one could possibly refuse such an offer.
She mumbled sheepishly: "It's completely illogical that someone like you stayed single until now..."
With such striking looks and smooth charm, how could she have remained unattended until now? Had young people's standards for partners risen so dramatically?
Contemplating this unsolved mystery of the world, she obediently accepted the next orange segment from Xu Jingshu's fingers.
Xu Jingshu's eyes curved gently at her compliance, responding softly: "There's nothing illogical about it."
—It was simply because I hadn't met you before.
"Has Miss Yue been in relationships before?"
She wanted to know more about her past.
The atmosphere remained relaxed and harmonious, like a casual gathering between friends.
Pei Youshan answered offhandedly: "Of course."
Xu Jingshu's gaze suddenly fixed on her: "What kind of person were they?"
Pei Youshan didn't hesitate: "Trash."
The budding desire to learn from this predecessor was instantly extinguished by these two words: "?"
Xu Jingshu keenly detected something unusual: "Did something unpleasant happen between you?"
"Yeah."
Pei Youshan picked up another orange, naturally leaning back against Xu Jingshu as if using her as a chairback. Her expression remained utterly composed, as if recounting someone else's story.
"She didn't genuinely like me—just wanted my money. I found out early, so we broke up. You could say it was a relationship that ended as soon as it began."
"......"
Pei Youshan noticed the silence beside her. Several seconds later, she heard a chilly remark: "She didn't know what was good for her."
Who did that person think Pei Youshan was?
Just the heiress of Junjiang Hotels?
No—she was the most adorable, most lovable person in the world.
Anyone who would be with her just for money... was utterly ungrateful and hopelessly stupid!
Thought this anonymous secret admirer with rising indignation.
Pei Youshan couldn't suppress her smile. Turning her head, she found Xu Jingshu looking completely serious, genuinely upset on her behalf.
The storyteller wasn't angry, but the listener had gotten worked up first.
Pei Youshan laughed while cupping Xu Jingshu's face: "What's going on? How did you get angry listening to my story?"
Xu Jingshu slowly tightened her embrace, offering belated comfort: "You're wonderful. She wasn't worthy of you."
Just like Lin Feifei and Shao Xingcheng back then.
They had comforted her the same way.
Saying that person was ungrateful, that she wasn't good enough...
Pei Youshan studied Xu Jingshu closely, suddenly realizing that at some point, their relationship had evolved beyond just a contractual arrangement—they had become... friends.
Only true friends would empathize and feel indignant on each other's behalf like this.
"Thank you."
Pei Youshan gently pressed her forehead against Xu Jingshu's.
"You're wonderful too."
Xu Jingshu unexpectedly regressed into childish comparison: "Better than her?"
Pei Youshan laughed: "Of course."
She continued thoughtfully and sincerely: "Compared to you, she falls far short. If I'd met you earlier, I would never have looked twice at her."
She had to admit—this person's radiance in every aspect was simply too dazzling. Anyone who compared themselves to her was just asking for humiliation.
If someone could have her as a girlfriend...
Pei Youshan imagined the scenario and sighed deeply—it would be an absolute steal!
Xu Jingshu was thoroughly satisfied with this answer, smiling as she buried her face in the crook of Pei Youshan's neck.
"I'll remember Miss Yue's praise."
—I hope you'll come to like me, who's better than her, soon. Very soon...
Pei Youshan leaned back against the sofa with a bright smile, peeling another orange while keeping Xu Jingshu in her embrace.
Though she couldn't pinpoint what exactly felt different, having her little lover cling to her like this... she didn't mind at all.
—Who could refuse being clung to by such a beautiful older sister!
Her gaze drifted to the tablet Xu Jingshu had left on the coffee table, its screen paused on some game interface.
Curious, she asked: "What are you playing?"
Xu Jingshu replied: "A new mini-game that recently came out. Just casually playing."
This reminded Pei Youshan how often she'd seen Xu Jingshu playing various games during leisure time—and excelling at them, with many records ranking in the top ten, as if naturally gifted for gaming.
Pei Youshan set the orange peel aside and asked casually: "Since you enjoy gaming so much, did you ever consider joining a game company?"
Xu Jingshu chuckled softly, her breath tickling Pei Youshan's skin like a kitten's whiskers.
"Different professions require different expertise. I only know how to play, not develop."
"Nor do I have interest in development."
At most, her interest extended to investing in game companies for profit.
Pei Youshan nodded: "True enough—different professions require different expertise."
Then she beamed: "Then if I ever write about film-related topics and need clarification, I'll count on you!"
Xu·Investment Specialist·Non-Film Expert·Jingshu: "......"
Wasn't this precisely venturing into her blind spot?
Receiving no response, Pei Youshan continued: "Don't worry, I'll pay consultation fees—won't make you work for free."
Xu Jingshu lifted her head, leaning leisurely against the sofa: "No need for payment. Just ask me directly whenever you need anything."
She wanted Pei Youshan not only to grow accustomed to her presence but to rely on her.
With this goal in mind, she couldn't refuse.
Besides, she had Penglai's founder An Youda as her behind-the-scenes advisor—she could always consult him for unfamiliar topics.
Friends should help each other, after all.
Pei Youshan smiled and nodded.
Then she heard Xu Jingshu ask: "Has Miss Yue already sold your adaptation rights?"
Pei Youshan paused mid-bite of her orange.
Xu Jingshu's gaze remained fixed on her: "If not, would Miss Yue consider Penglai?"
"With Penglai's quality standards, you can trust us to faithfully adapt your work—just like we did for your friend, Mirror Inquires Autumn."
If she could obtain Pei Youshan's adaptation rights, she would ensure Penglai devoted their utmost effort—they wouldn't stop until her Ragdoll cat was completely satisfied.
Good works shouldn't be treated carelessly—especially those created by one's beloved.
Pei Youshan: "......"
To be perfectly honest... I am that Mirror Inquires Autumn...
Not wanting to expose her pseudonym, she turned away with a stiff smile, improvising quickly: "My adaptation rights have already been sold. Yes, all sold out."
"Is that so." Xu Jingshu said nothing more, quietly observing her profile with thoughtful silence.
Was this kitten hiding something from her again?
Pei Youshan picked up the tablet, changing the subject: "I want to play too. Teach me, okay?"
Xu Jingshu snapped out of her thoughts.
Never mind—as long as it wasn't someone else in her heart, nothing else mattered. She could share if willing, or keep secrets if preferred.
Leaning closer, she replied gently: "Alright, I'll teach you."
By the end of their gaming session, Pei Youshan had developed some interest in the game, while Xu Jingshu successfully gained herself an adorable gaming partner.
From then on, whenever Xu Jingshu wasn't reading, she would pull Pei Youshan into playing games together.
As if she'd hired an expensive gaming companion.
......
3:00 PM on Monday, Purple Cloud Teahouse.
Chen Hanming arrived punctually for their appointment alone.
Pei Youshan was already waiting in the private room.
As Chen Hanming opened the door, a sneeze greeted him.
Pei Youshan covered her mouth with a tissue apologetically: "Excuse me."
"My apologies for keeping President Pei waiting." Chen Hanming inquired politely, "Many people have been catching colds recently—please take care of your health."
Pei Youshan nodded: "I just arrived myself. Thank you for your concern, Producer Chen. Please have a seat."
With both parties present, they quickly got down to business, discussing collaboration details.
After carefully reviewing the contract, Pei Youshan accepted Penglai's terms.
This wasn't just about providing filming locations for her new book—it was also excellent publicity for Junjiang Hotels. A win-win situation she had no reason to refuse.
The contract discussion proceeded smoothly without any surprises.
Then Pei Youshan noticed Chen Hanming pulling out two more books.
Not her latest work this time, but other titles from her bibliography.
Chen Hanming smiled sheepishly: "Apologies, President Pei, but I must trouble you for autographs again. My child admires your work immensely..."
There was actually one more person—their President Xu's younger sister.
But uncertain about the exact nature of Pei Youshan and Xu Jingshu's relationship, he decided against mentioning it.
Autographs were a trivial matter that could also leave a favorable impression with industry professionals. Pei Youshan had no reason to decline.
She politely signed with a smile, casually inquiring about the child's academic performance.
Chen Hanming beamed with paternal pride: "She did quite well in last semester's final exams."
"Oh, she also says she wants to enter the film industry when she grows up—to personally adapt one of President Pei's books."
Mention of children triggered flashbacks of when Pei Youshan had mistaken her little lover for Chen Hanming's underage daughter.
Her toes curled in embarrassment, as if trying to excavate the Potala Palace from sheer cringe.
Unfortunate as she was, it might take a lifetime to recover from this mortifying memory.
She feigned nonchalance: "By the way, a friend asked me to check—how is Xu Ge doing at your company?"
"No one's giving her trouble, right?"
Chen Hanming froze momentarily at the name before realizing "this Xu Ge ≈ President Xu." He instinctively shook his head vehemently: "Of course not! Who would dare bully President Xu!"
That was Xu Jingshu they were talking about—you'd need nerves of steel to even consider it!
Pei Youshan's eyes narrowed suspiciously at the unfamiliar title: "President Xu?"
Chen Hanming: "......"
In that instant, he suddenly remembered something.
Hadn't their President Xu specifically instructed them not to reveal her identity in front of President Pei?
Survival instincts kicked in as he attempted damage control: "President Pei, you misheard—it wasn't 'Xu' but 'Xu.' I must have spoken too quickly, making the pronunciation unclear."
Pei Youshan looked even more shocked.
"Huh?"
"She's already a 'president' now?!"
Chen Hanming: "......?"
What did I... say wrong this time?
......
When Xu Jingshu opened her front door and stepped into the living room after changing shoes, she found Pei Youshan staring at her with an inscrutable expression.
"What's wrong?" She moved closer, gently tucking a strand of Pei Youshan's hair behind her ear.
Pei Youshan spoke with complicated emotions: "I think..."
"We should terminate our arrangement."
The abrupt declaration stunned Xu Jingshu.
Countless possibilities swirled like a tempest through her mind, leaving devastation in their wake and an unbearable tightness in her chest.
Bewildered, hesitant, and unwilling to accept, she asked: "Why?"
Pei Youshan took a deep breath before slowly turning away, her tone grave.
"Because you're already Penglai's vice president now—you don't need my money anymore..."
Xu Jingshu: "???"
What an impressive "Penglai Vice President."
—Who on earth started this rumor?!
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