Purely Accidental - Chapter 39
Chapter 39
Vice President of Penglai.
The absurdity of this rumor rivaled that baseless sugar baby gossip about her.
Most crucially—where had Pei Youshan even heard this?
Suppressing her astonishment, Xu Jingshu calmly asked, "Where did you hear about this?"
Pei Youshan: "..."
She immediately deployed the classic "I have a friend" deflection tactic.
"A friend of mine does business with Penglai, so I asked her to check how you were doing there—if anyone was giving you trouble."
"Then the Penglai people said nobody would dare bully you."
"Because you're the Vice President."
Xu Jingshu: "..."
Business contacts... Penglai staff...
That rumor-mongering Chen was practically signing his name to this.
But why Chen Hanming of all people?
As a prominent figure at Penglai, if even he claimed this was true, denying it would only make Pei Youshan more suspicious.
Thinking it over, she felt a pang of regret.
That rushed notification had neglected to specify her position, leaving Chen Hanming free to improvise this disastrous narrative.
He'd nearly scared her kitten away!
Unaware of the internal turmoil, Pei Youshan gazed at her with mixed pride and complexity: "I knew I wasn't wrong about you. Rising to VP so quickly—you're truly remarkable."
"A Penglai VP's salary must be substantial. I understand you won't need my modest payments anymore..."
She caressed Xu Jingshu's cheek with a sigh. "Thank you for accompanying me this whole time. Let's each go our separate ways from now on."
Though just a kept lover, their months of intimate companionship made parting unexpectedly bittersweet.
Yet how could she selfishly insist a Penglai VP remain someone's mistress? The very notion was absurd. What right did she have to keep her?
Theirs was always just a relationship built on money...
Pei Youshan's lashes lowered, her chest tight with inexpressible melancholy.
Silence enveloped them.
Xu Jingshu studied her profile, stubborn determination coiling around her heart like relentless vines. Compromise wasn't an option.
"Going separate ways" was unacceptable.
She only wanted to stay together until Pei Youshan's empty heart bore someone else's name.
She gripped Pei Youshan's hand tightly, unblinking—as if her lover might dissolve into mist at any moment.
Any pretext to remain would suffice.
"Why wouldn't I need it?" she finally asked.
Pei Youshan slowly looked up, meeting her burning gaze.
Those usually lazy, distant fox eyes now shimmered with reluctant affection, making her heartbeat stutter.
"Miss Yue," Xu Jingshu said steadily, "I've told you before—no one is ever too rich to need money, not even the wealthy."
Pei Youshan blinked, resolve wavering.
Logically true, but—
"You're a VP now. Wouldn't being my lover damage your reputation if people found out?"
This made Xu Jingshu even calmer.
She'd never feared exposure as Pei Youshan's mistress.
Because she was Xu Jingshu—who'd believe Blue Ocean Capital's heiress would be someone's kept woman?
And if they did? So what?
Playing lover to her beloved was her privilege.
Xu Jingshu stroked her hair tenderly, eyes reflecting only her. "Between consenting adults, there's nothing improper."
Pei Youshan's eyes brightened momentarily before dimming into pensive silence.
Having this beauty willingly as her lover thrilled her, yet... did this exquisite creature truly need her money?
Something felt off, though she couldn't pinpoint what.
Xu Jingshu recognized the precarious moment. Though she often teased her kitten, the power dynamic remained with Pei Youshan as the patron. Without consent, she couldn't force anything.
Then inspiration struck—Pei Youshan's weakness for pitiful displays!
While unfamiliar with playing vulnerable, Xu Jingshu had an expert tutor: her dramatic younger sister. Though immune to Jingying's theatrics, years of exposure provided reference material.
"I understand now."
Pei Youshan turned, puzzled, only to see an uncharacteristically fragile expression on that usually aloof face.
"Miss Yue doesn't want me anymore..."
Like a drenched puppy.
Pei Youshan: "!!!"
Help!
This pitiful beauty was lethal!
What appearance-obsessed person could resist this?!
Her remaining resolve crumbled before this devastating visual.
"No no!" She immediately embraced her. "How could I abandon someone as gorgeous as you? I just worried our arrangement might harm you. Don't be sad!"
Xu Jingshu marveled at the tactic's efficacy—no wonder Jingying abused it.
"Good."
Cuddling her "puppy," Pei Youshan had an epiphany.
To stay with her, this proud woman would play vulnerable—
"Xiao Jing, you really do love money..."
A true gold digger after all.
My respects.
Xu Jingshu: "?"
When she didn't love her, Pei Youshan assumed she did.
Now that she truly did, Pei Youshan thought it was about money.
What baffling logic.
Pei Youshan's fear of embarrassment prevented romantic assumptions. At least financial motives were honest—unlike her ex's emotional manipulations.
"When did you become VP? Why didn't you tell me?"
The newly-minted Penglai VP: "..."
"Recently," she said smoothly. "I planned to tell you properly."
Pei Youshan smiled admiringly. "You're incredible. When we met, you were just an unknown employee."
"Your boss must have recognized your talent early."
Logically deduced: Hence the premium hotel suite.
Xu Jingshu nodded serenely. "Mhm."
Pei Youshan extended her hand. "Now that you're VP, hand it over."
"What?"
"Car keys."
...
Next morning, Blue Ocean Capital parking lot.
Xu Ge parked her car and spotted Xu Jingshu emerging from a luxury vehicle worth millions.
"New wheels, President Xu?" she teased.
"Mhm." Xu Jingshu pocketed Pei Youshan's keys. "Got promoted."
Xu Ge: "?"
"Chairwoman?"
"No," Xu Jingshu deadpanned. "Vice President."
"Vice President Xu."
Xu Ge: "???"
The actual Vice President clutched her jacket nervously.
Xu Jingshu promptly settled scores with Chen Hanming via An Youda.
When An answered, an eerie voice slithered through the receiver: "Uncle An."
Chills cascaded down his spine—this was a Code Red emergency.
Old Chen was doomed.
After the "enlightenment session," Chen Hanming survived physically but would forever associate "President Xu" with mortal peril. Henceforth, "Xu Jingshu" joined "Pei Youshan" as forbidden topics.
...
Pei Youshan's health declined—sneezing fits, sore throat, culminating in fever the day Pei Lanqing departed for business. Secretary Ye Qin escorted her to the hospital for IV fluids.
7:13 PM.
Slumped in the infusion chair, Pei Youshan massaged her temples, breathing labored.
Ye Qin offered water anxiously. "Feeling better, President Pei?"
"Much. Thank you." Pei Youshan accepted the cup weakly.
Ye Qin hesitated. "About Chairman Pei's video call..."
Pei Youshan: "?"
"She instructed me to report immediately if you fell ill..."
Maternal vigilance knew no bounds.
Resigned, Pei Youshan coughed before facing the camera. "Mom."
Pei Lanqing scrutinized her. "I told you to take care."
Pei Youshan ducked her head guiltily.
Pei Lanqing's sternness melted. "Are you improving? Should I send Grandpa over?"
"I'm grown! Just a minor illness." Pei Youshan sniffled. "No need worrying Grandpa."
Pei Lanqing sighed. "Rest properly. Follow doctor's orders."
Pei Youshan nodded drowsily.
After hanging up, she dismissed Ye Qin, who insisted on seeing her home. Too tired to argue, Pei Youshan checked her phone.
She'd planned to visit Hanbi Apartments today...
Life had other plans.
[Pei Youshan]: Sorry, something came up. Won't make it this week.
The reply came instantly: [Okay]
Xu Jingshu could only offer that single word. Glancing at her coughing sister sprawled on the sofa, she added: [Take care. Don't get sick.]
Pei Youshan: "..."
Too late for warnings—the needles had already struck.
Still, she played healthy benefactor: [Got it! You too ❤]
Satisfied, Xu Jingshu served her father soup.
"Delicious!" Xu Zhi beamed. "Give some to your sister—let her taste your skills."
"She refuses. Thinks I poison food."
Xu Zhi chuckled. "Perfect—her cold needs counteracting toxins."
Xu Jingying gaped. "Dad! Am I not your precious baby anymore?!"
...
After the IV, Pei Youshan barely had energy to shower before collapsing into bed.
She awoke at 10 AM to water and medicine Ye Qin had left. Her nose remained congested, throat scorched. Though her fever had subsided, weakness lingered.
She nibbled toast, took medication, and burrowed back under covers.
After updating her mother and friends, she checked her lover's messages—last night's goodnight, and three minutes ago: [Miss Yue?]
Those three characters radiated concern. Normally responsive, her sudden radio silence clearly worried Xu Jingshu.
[Pei Youshan]: Morning.
Instantly: [Just woke up?]
Still groggy, Pei Youshan replied truthfully: [Yeah]
The screen switched to an incoming call.
"Hello?" Her voice was hoarse.
A pause. Then realization: "You're sick."
"Since yesterday," she admitted nasally.
Xu Jingshu dismissed Secretary Zhang, then asked tightly, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Not important. I'll recover."
"Important."
The firmness startled her. Before she could respond, coughing overtook her.
"Breakfast? Medicine?" Xu Jingshu pressed.
"Ate something. Took meds."
Xu Jingshu could imagine that "something" was negligible.
Checking her schedule, she softened her tone. "Sleep if tired. I'll hang up."
Pei Youshan murmured assent, already drifting off.
...
11:30 AM.
A savory aroma roused Pei Youshan. Blinking awake, she found her beautiful lover beside the bed—white silk shirt sleeves rolled up, collar revealing exquisite collarbones, sunlight haloing her like a divine vision.
"Why are you here?" Pei Youshan rasped.
Xu Jingshu felt her forehead. "You said no appetite."
"Mhm."
Calmly, Xu Jingshu declared: "So I brought appetite stimulants."
Pei Youshan's feverish brain wondered—
Was she referring to the food...
Or herself?
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