Purely Accidental - Chapter 43
Chapter 43
A severe face-con will always find countless ways to inadvertently make their secret admirer jealous.
Xu Jingshu even thought, "Had I known this would happen, I should have gone on the business trip instead," but quickly dismissed the idea.
What ill intentions could a face-con kitten possibly have?
None—she's just a little clueless.
Otherwise, she wouldn't rave about how good-looking other people are right in front of a lover who gets jealous when she gets close to others.
Xu Jingshu's smile didn't reach her eyes, and even her reply was devoid of warmth: [Oh really? Then Miss Yue should take a good look.]
Pei Youshan, being an author, was adept at interpreting a thousand different contexts from this single reply, increasingly convinced there was more to it.
After a moment's thought, she cleverly replied: [Don’t worry, you’re still the most beautiful one in my heart!]
Xu Jingshu's expression softened slightly: [If Miss Yue says so, then I’m relieved.]
Having placated her little lover, Pei Youshan set down her phone and picked up the warm soy milk beside her, sipping leisurely as her gaze wandered aimlessly before settling on a woman strolling into the restaurant.
The woman wore her hair in a casual ponytail, dressed in a light blue jumpsuit, her figure tall and graceful, her features refined and elegant.
—Blue Ocean Capital's Vice President, Xu Ge.
They had already crossed paths at the hotel yesterday and were well aware of each other's identities.
Because she shared the same name as her lover, Pei Youshan couldn’t help but pay a little more attention to her.
Xu Ge, sensing the gaze, instinctively looked up and met the eyes of the young Miss Pei.
Their gazes intersected, they exchanged polite nods, and each averted their eyes.
However, after sitting down, Xu Ge couldn’t resist stealing a few more glances at her.
So this was Pei Youshan.
Pei Lanqing's daughter.
Xu Jingshu's springtime.
Xue Yingyue's dear little sister.
She was indeed stunning—elegant, noble, and possessing a kind of pure, unearthly charm, like a babbling mountain stream, making anyone who saw her feel inexplicably at ease, drawn to her.
Xu Ge rested her chin on her hand, observing her intently, curious how she had managed to win over Xu Jingshu, a woman who could be downright frigid when it came to matters of the heart.
Pei Youshan noticed Xu Ge's lingering gaze, her brow furrowing briefly before smoothing out.
The first time, she politely smiled back.
The second time, she began to wonder if there was something on her face.
The third time… she grabbed her phone and messaged her little lover.
[Pei Youshan]: What the hell? Why does Blue Ocean Capital’s VP keep staring at me? There’s nothing on my face!
[Pei Youshan]: It’s creeping me out.
Xu Jingshu: "?"
She swiftly opened Xu Ge’s WeChat.
[Xu Jingshu]: Watch where you’re looking. Stop staring at my person.
Xu Ge, receiving the message: "?"
The kitten went and tattled?
Tsk, not even together yet and already possessive.
The wandering gaze finally retreated, and Pei Youshan breathed a sigh of relief, though she still didn’t understand why Xu Ge had been staring at her.
It wasn’t until the financial summit that she found out why.
"President Pei." Xu Ge approached with a smile.
Pei Youshan, always patient with good-looking people, replied politely, "Vice President Xu, is there something you need?"
Xu Ge said earnestly, "I was rude at the restaurant the other day. I came to apologize."
"It’s been a while since I’ve seen someone as beautiful as President Pei, so I couldn’t help but look a little longer. I truly didn’t mean to offend. My apologies."
Pei Youshan raised an eyebrow, thinking: She’s clearly never been to Penglai.
Outwardly, she offered a perfectly measured smile. "You flatter me, Vice President Xu. I’m quite ordinary. I think you’re far more beautiful."
Blue Ocean Capital’s Vice President Xu was beautiful, and Penglai Film’s Vice President Xu was beautiful too.
But the latter was superior—at least in her private opinion.
Xu Ge chuckled. "President Pei is too modest. Even our President Xu would be hard-pressed not to praise you if she were here."
Hearing Xu Jingshu’s title, Pei Youshan’s heart skipped a beat.
No matter when or where, the mere mention of Xu Jingshu reminded her of those rumors. Though their later conversations had slightly improved her impression, the shock of those rumors still lingered.
Even now, she didn’t want too much to do with Xu Jingshu, so even if Xu Jingshu praised her, it wouldn’t make her happy.
Her smile was lukewarm. "Is that so?"
Xu Ge took one look at her and knew just how negatively "Xu Jingshu" weighed on her mind.
Out of a sense of "we’ve been friends for years, might as well help," she said, "President Pei, President Xu and I are friends. I know a little about what’s between you two."
Pei Youshan watched her, her expression unreadable.
Xu Ge smiled. "Our President Xu is actually a very good person—loyal, devoted, and considerate. If you’re interested, you could give her a try. I guarantee you won’t regret it."
Pei Youshan didn’t believe her.
Xu Ge was from Blue Ocean Capital, and Xu Jingshu was her boss. If she was being paid by her boss, would she dare badmouth her in front of others?
And how could someone so devoted have rumors like that circulating about her?!
She mentally scoffed but outwardly smiled. "Thank you for the suggestion, Vice President Xu, but we’re really not suited. I’m sure she’ll find the right person eventually. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave."
Xu Ge remained courteous. "Of course. Safe travels, President Pei."
Watching Pei Youshan and her secretary walk away, she crossed her arms, her eyes crinkling with amusement.
—She had already found the right person. It’s just that the right person said they weren’t suited.
What an ironic twist of fate.
……
Pei Youshan’s business trip lasted a week. Day after day, surrounded by work documents and her secretary Ye Qin, life felt utterly flavorless, making her miss her sweet, soft lover all the more.
For some reason, whenever she was with her lover, even the most mundane afternoons spent doing nothing on the couch became extraordinarily cozy and sweet.
Maybe it’s because I’m a face-con, she thought. Because I love beautiful people, having someone like Xiao Jing—the pinnacle of beauty—by my side makes everything enjoyable.
One evening, when she wasn’t working, Pei Youshan and Ye Qin happened to pass by a charmingly decorated dessert shop.
She decided to drag Ye Qin inside for a quick bite before leaving.
After picking out cakes and drinks, they found a table.
Ye Qin answered a call from a man, her expression sweet yet restrained.
Pei Youshan saw right through it. Once the call ended, she grinned. "Boyfriend?"
Ye Qin smiled sheepishly.
Pei Youshan laughed. "Well, well, you’ve all gone and gotten into relationships behind my back. Now I’m the only single one left in charge."
Ye Qin immediately said, "That’s only because no one’s good enough for our President Pei! With your looks, skills, and presence, you deserve nothing less than the best person in the world!"
Pei Youshan shot her an amused glare. "Sweet talker."
Ye Qin: "Hehe."
Just then, the welcome chime at the door jingled, and a young couple walked in hand in hand, utterly absorbed in each other.
The air around them seemed to thicken with sweetness, as if in that moment, they were each other’s entire world.
Pei Youshan watched them and suddenly found herself thinking uncontrollably about her lover.
When they first met, they had also sat across from each other in a dessert shop.
Back then, a couple had walked in just as lovey-dovey.
Later, she had gently wiped cream from her lips and told her she was beautiful…
If you ignored the context, disregarded their roles as patron and lover, it almost felt as sweet as a real relationship.
Pei Youshan snapped out of it, smacking her forehead to clear her head.
—Why am I getting so sentimental? It’s not like she’s gone forever. Once work’s over, I’ll see her again!
Ye Qin stared at her boss in confusion: "?"
What’s wrong?
Has she… gone mad from being single?!
……
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. With just two days left, Pei Youshan would soon return to Jiang City.
Xu Jingshu knew she wouldn’t make it to the Golden Sand Park fireworks show—it was happening tomorrow as scheduled, waiting for no one.
Tomorrow was the weekend, so Friday night already carried a leisurely vibe.
Xu Jingshu sat alone on the balcony, gazing at the glittering river in the distance.
She was waiting for Pei Youshan’s reply.
The chat log stopped at her last message: [Do you really want to see the fireworks that much?]
Five minutes later, Pei Youshan replied: [Yeah, I do.]
Though fireworks weren’t rare for her, Jiang City only held this annual event once a year. It’d be nice to soak in the lively atmosphere if she had the time.
Xu Jingshu rested her chin on her hand, unable to resist teasing the kitten: [But Miss Yue won’t be back in time.]
[Silly Cat]: ……
[Silly Cat]: There’s always next year!
Xu Jingshu chuckled softly.
Yes, there was always next year.
Pei Youshan received a voice message. When she played it, the woman’s gentle, mesmerizing voice drifted into her ears.
"Mm, next year I’ll take you to see them."
Pei Youshan froze, then inexplicably played it again.
She buried her face in her pillow, listening to it over and over.
—Damn, it sounds so good!
…
Xu Jingshu went to the fireworks show but didn’t follow the crowd into Golden Sand Park. Instead, she stopped at a painted wooden bench near a flower bed just outside.
The bench stood alone, backed by an empty road, with few people around. From here, she could still see the fireworks lighting up the sky.
Three minutes until the show began.
She messaged Pei Youshan: [Are you busy right now?]
Pei Youshan replied quickly: [No, I’m free. What’s up?]
Xu Jingshu sent another: [Put on your headphones.]
Three minutes later, with her headphones on, Pei Youshan received a video call.
Baffled, she answered. The screen showed a tranquil night sky adorned with a sliver of cold moonlight.
Then—a streak of light shot upward, bursting into a dazzling firework that illuminated the entire frame, breathtakingly beautiful.
Pei Youshan stood frozen as that gentle, calm voice whispered in her ear: "I’m treating you to fireworks."
One after another, brilliant fireworks bloomed across the small screen, each leaving fleeting yet stunning traces in the sky.
The light brightened the heavens and cast a glow on their faces.
Pei Youshan stood outside Golden Sand Park, where magnificent fireworks exploded overhead, yet she couldn’t tear her eyes away from her phone.
There were fireworks here too—and her lover. Even if she wasn’t on screen, Pei Youshan could feel her presence vividly.
Her heart began to race uncontrollably.
For her, who was more dazzling and passionate than any firework.
Longing surged like a tidal wave, filling her heart to the brim, making her crave her presence more intensely than ever before.
"Where are you?" she asked.
Xu Jingshu glanced around and described her location roughly before asking, "Why?"
Pei Youshan grinned. "You treated me to fireworks. Now I’ll treat you to a magic trick."
"Wait three minutes—no, two! Wait for me, okay?"
Xu Jingshu seemed to sense something. She whirled around, staring down the empty road.
An invisible force pulled at her, drawing her to the roadside, phone clutched tightly as she fixed her gaze in one direction.
The call was still connected.
Through the headphones came hurried breaths, the sound of suitcase wheels rolling over pavement—each noise converging before her eyes, transforming into Pei Youshan, rushing toward her through the gentle night breeze.
She was back.
On the other side of the road, like magic, she had given her an unexpected surprise.
Pei Youshan stopped, looking at the figure beneath the streetlamp, her heart inexplicably swelling.
"I’m back!"
She beamed, her eyes curved like crescents.
"Did you miss me?"
The person across the road didn’t answer. Instead, her voice whispered through the headphones: "Did Miss Yue miss me?"
Pei Youshan met her gaze from afar, then nodded emphatically. "Mm."
The moon was bright, the fireworks dazzling, the cool breeze brushing past silently, softening the emptiness around them.
Even the voice in her headphones grew more enchanting: "Then don’t move."
"Wait for me to come to you."
Pei Youshan didn’t know why, but her heart suddenly began to race, all her focus locked onto the woman walking toward her, unable to look away.
A familiar fragrance filled her senses, soft lips pressed against hers, her heart leaping like never before. The emotions buried deep within began to sprout, vines wrapping around her heart.
In that moment, she realized something.
Brilliant fireworks burst overhead, as radiant as ever—but she no longer cared. Because she had encountered the most wonderful thing in her life.
A gentle breeze, a bright moon.
And you, whom I love.
If you'd like to read ahead and support me, you can request extra chapters or get the complete book as an EPUB on my Ko-fi shop.
Comments
Post a Comment