Purely Accidental - Chapter 48
Chapter 48
Golden Jade Manor Restaurant, a property under the Jiang family's name.
The entire estate was bathed in the colorful evening clouds, surrounded by lush greenery meticulously trimmed into various artistic shapes, creating a delightful landscape.
A tranquil fountain pool adorned the pathway, with cobblestone roads winding around it leading to private dining rooms, flanked by willows and blooming flowers.
As she closed the private room door behind her, Pei Youshan's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
She appreciated Jiang Mengmeng's kind intentions, but had she known this was a "singles mixer," she would never have come.
Rather than wasting time meeting strangers here, she'd rather be at home with her lover—perhaps making progress toward officially becoming a couple.
Jiang Mengmeng found it strange that Pei Youshan remained unmoved by the room full of attractive men and women. Grabbing her arms, she scrutinized Pei Youshan before asking: "Is that really you, my dear Miss Pei Youshan?"
Pei Youshan: "?"
Jiang Mengmeng frowned: "You used to appreciate beautiful people. What happened?"
Their tastes had always aligned—what Jiang Mengmeng found attractive, Pei Youshan usually did too. But tonight, Pei Youshan showed no reaction whatsoever.
Was this still the same appearance-obsessed Pei Youshan?!
Lately, Pei Youshan had no interest in admiring others. Half her mind was occupied with JunJiang Mengmeng Hotel Group, the other half consumed by thoughts of making her lover fall for her.
Besides, none here could compare to her Xu Jingshu.
"Not in the mood lately," she replied politely, then added: "Next time, tell me beforehand if you're introducing people."
Jiang Mengmeng readily admitted her mistake: "Got it, won't happen again." She sighed: "I thought you'd enjoy meeting these attractive new friends."
Pei Youshan smiled, linking arms with her: "I am happy to make new acquaintances."
Jiang Mengmeng brightened: "Exactly! More friends mean more opportunities!"
"Several families here have collaborated with yours—you might recognize their parents, or your mother certainly would."
As the JunJiang Mengmeng Hotel Group heiress with striking looks, Pei Youshan unsurprisingly became the center of attention—some viewing her with more than platonic interest.
......
High heels clicked melodiously on cobblestones.
Xu Jingshu walked calmly down the path, black handbag in tow, and pushed open a private room door.
"Hey," Xu Ge greeted warmly from behind the large dining table.
Xu Jingshu sat opposite her with practiced ease.
Their long friendship meant Xu Ge had already ordered dishes to their shared tastes. Xu Jingshu glanced through the glass wall at the distant horizon where vibrant clouds seemed to melt into the earth.
The manicured lawns swayed gently in the pleasant evening breeze.
She had to admit—Golden Jade Manor's scenery was impressive.
She wondered if her kitten had visited yet. If not, she'd bring her here, lest she keep obsessing over Kitchen Color and making Xu Ge nervous.
Xu Ge sipped tea: "Not keeping her company?"
Xu Jingshu met her gaze: "What do you think?"
The answer was obvious.
"Tsk tsk," Xu Ge shook her head, "You're utterly merciless—can't even spare kind words for your friend."
"Pot calling the kettle black," Xu Jingshu retorted.
Both were only free because their partners were occupied—Xu Jingshu wouldn't be here if Pei Youshan wasn't meeting friends.
Her thoughts wandered to Pei Youshan—had she safely met her friend? Where would they go? What would they eat? Who might they encounter? When would she return home... if at all.
Loving someone truly meant your heart constantly worried about them.
Xu Jingshu forcibly redirected her focus to work discussions with Xu Ge.
Mid-meal, Xu Ge asked about her progress with Pei Youshan.
"Not bad," came the measured reply—optimistic but cautious against presumptuousness.
Wiping her mouth, Xu Jingshu stood.
"What does 'not bad' mean?" Xu Ge pressed, chin in hand. "Didn't she say she wanted to taste love's bitterness?"
Xu Jingshu lazily lifted her eyelids: "Mm."
"Then seize the chance to give her a taste?"
"..."
The phrasing was... unfortunate.
"Restroom," Xu Jingshu declared, pushing back her chair.
......
Pei Youshan stood by the fountain, escaping the suffocating adulation inside.
She disliked excessive praise outside professional settings—the exaggerated flattery tonight felt particularly insincere.
As water splashed soothingly, she sighed.
—I want to leave.
"President Pei."
A familiar voice—Zhou Jiayi, the bashful girl two years her junior who blushed easily.
Pei Youshan maintained polite detachment: "Can I help you?"
Zhou Jiayi smiled shyly, cheeks pink: "You seemed unwell... I wanted to check if you needed anything."
"I'm fine, thank you."
"Aren't you coming back inside?" Zhou Jiayi asked innocently.
"It's stuffy—I'll return shortly."
Instead of leaving, Zhou Jiayi timidly sat by the fountain: "It is rather stuffy..."
Pei Youshan subtly shifted away.
Zhou Jiayi pretended not to notice, continuing her delicate act. To her, Pei Youshan represented an ideal marriage prospect—she needed to make an impression.
"I'm not good with words like the others... I noticed you're not drinking. Do you dislike alcohol?"
"I prefer juice," Pei Youshan replied distantly.
Zhou Jiayi turned eagerly: "Me too! I love orange juice best!"
Her infectious smile bought some patience: "Orange juice is nice."
Seizing the moment, Zhou Jiayi clasped Pei Youshan's hands excitedly: "Sister Pei Youshan likes it too?"
"Hm?"
Pei Youshan's gaze turned icy at the sudden familiarity.
Zhou Jiayi shrank back: "Sorry, I got carried away..." Then kittenishly squeezed Pei Youshan's fingers: "May I call you sister?"
Though Zhou Jiayi's act would typically charm, Pei Youshan only felt guilty—she had someone special already.
As irritation surfaced, a familiar voice interjected:
"No."
Pei Youshan whirled to see her lover standing there—tall, elegant, luminous as the moon.
Their locked eyes created an atmosphere akin to a spouse catching infidelity.
—Fuxi and Nüwa above, why here?!
Stay calm, she told herself.
Zhou Jiayi stood defensively: "Who are you to interrupt?"
Xu Jingshu approached, placing a proprietary hand on Pei Youshan's waist: "Why wouldn't it concern me?"
Pei Youshan didn't pull away—this served dual purposes: deterring Zhou Jiayi while testing Xu Jingshu's comfort with public affection.
Xu Jingshu tightened her hold, pleased by Pei Youshan's compliance.
Zhou Jiayi's eyes darted between them: "Who are you?"
Pei Youshan prepared to intervene—Xu Jingshu would only say "friend," and Zhou Jiayi needed to leave before identities were compromised.
But then Xu Jingshu spoke five soft words that fluttered gently into Pei Youshan's ears like the night breeze:
"Her girlfriend."
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