Purely Accidental - Chapter 54
Chapter 54
Biyun Garden.
Pei Youshan sat on the plush carpet in the study, carefully placing Chu Shimiao's autograph into a thick black collector's album.
Xu Jingshu sat beside her, casually flipping through the album and discovering signatures from various prominent figures—finance tycoons, renowned painters—all of considerable collective value.
The first page stood out the most, bearing the signatures of Pei Youshan's parents.
"You enjoy collecting these?" Xu Jingshu asked.
Pei Youshan smiled gently. "Just a harmless little hobby."
After Xu Jingshu finished browsing, Pei Youshan carefully returned the album to the bookshelf and asked, "When you went to get the autograph, did you meet Chu Shimiao in person? How was she? Even more beautiful than on screen?"
Xu Jingshu: "..."
"I didn't go. I had someone else run the errand for me."
Pei Youshan let out an understanding "Oh."
Xu Jingshu tucked a strand of hair behind Pei Youshan's ear, her gaze exceptionally tender. "But no matter how beautiful she is on screen, in my heart, no one compares to you."
Pei Youshan, with her thin skin, blushed at the praise, her eyes shimmering with shyness. "Why are your words getting sweeter and sweeter lately?"
Xu Jingshu kissed the corner of her lips. "Because I have a girlfriend now."
Pei Youshan's smile deepened as she crossed her arms. "So I really don't get how you stayed single for so long. Didn't anyone ever pursue you before?"
"They did."
The first person Xu Jingshu thought of was Chu Shimiao.
The other woman's face and voice instantly surfaced in her mind, along with that infuriating lipstick-stained autograph.
Pei Youshan leaned in slightly, her bright eyes fixed on Xu Jingshu, brimming with gossipy curiosity. "Then why didn't you say yes?"
Xu Jingshu's expression remained indifferent as she answered without hesitation. "She's too noisy. I didn't like it."
Chu Shimiao could chatter nonstop once she opened her mouth, like a bird incessantly chirping on a branch.
Others might find it charming and lively, but to Xu Jingshu, it was just plain annoying.
"She's nothing like you," Xu Jingshu said, gazing at Pei Youshan with eyes full of tenderness. "Everything about you is adorable."
Perhaps it had all been predestined.
When she looked at Chu Shimiao, all she saw was noise and someone who deserved a good smack.
But from the very beginning, when she looked at Pei Youshan, she found her irresistibly cute.
So it was only natural that her heart would race for the latter and never for the former.
Surprised that the conversation had circled back to her, Pei Youshan cupped her cheeks, feigning annoyance. "Hey, why are we talking about me again? So annoying."
Xu Jingshu found her even more endearing like this—so much so that she couldn't resist drawing closer.
"Shanshan."
She gently took Pei Youshan's hand and softly called her name.
"Let me tie your hair up for you, okay?"
Her beauty was utterly captivating, especially those deep, affectionate eyes that always held a thousand tender emotions when looking at Pei Youshan, making it impossible for her to resist.
Pei Youshan unconsciously agreed, feeling like a besotted emperor willingly enchanted.
......
Chu Shimiao wanted to gauge Xu Jingshu's intentions, but after multiple failed attempts to schedule a meeting, she hung up the phone in frustration.
Glaring at her manager, Cheng Hao, she said, "Damn it, is Xu Jingshu playing hard to get with me?"
"..."
Cheng Hao looked at her sincerely. "I think President Xu is genuinely rejecting you."
Chu Shimiao declared righteously, "If she's rejecting me, then why did she ask for my autograph? Does she look like someone who goes around collecting signatures?"
She stroked her chin thoughtfully. "There's definitely more to this. Maybe she's just too shy to admit she's fallen for me? Tsk, that thin-skinned woman."
Cheng Hao: "...I think she just plain doesn't want to deal with you."
Chu Shimiao shot him a glance before turning her attention back to the phone number of Xu Jingshu's secretary.
But she truly liked Xu Jingshu—so much that she didn't want to miss any opportunity.
With a tap of her finger, she put the phone to her ear again.
"One last try. If I still can't meet her—"
"Then I'll go back to filming."
Her professionalism wouldn't allow her to neglect her work.
Love was important.
But money was fucking important too!
...
"For work-related matters, have her team contact Penglai. For anything else, don't bother me. I'm busy."
Xu Jingshu ended the call and put away her phone.
As someone with a girlfriend, she knew full well the importance of maintaining boundaries with other women.
Especially when that woman was clearly interested in her.
She pushed open the door to Kitchen Color and stepped into the back kitchen.
Xue Yingyue stood at the counter, calmly tying her apron. "Let's just do two hours today," she said. "Any more than that, and you won't be able to absorb it all."
Xu Jingshu rolled up her sleeves and nodded in agreement.
......
Pei Youshan wasn't particularly busy today but still had to make time to visit the hotel designated as a filming location for Penglai.
The crew was currently shooting scenes in the hotel garden.
It wasn't until she stepped into the hotel lobby that she remembered the crew had been filming there recently.
She'd been so preoccupied these past few days that she'd completely forgotten.
After discreetly inspecting the work of each department and politely declining the company of department heads, she strolled alone toward the garden entrance, watching the bustling crew from a distance.
Penglai had always been meticulous about their productions, and the director in charge was no exception, insisting on perfection for every take before calling it a wrap.
She had complete faith in their work.
Chen Hanming happened to be on set and immediately spotted Pei Youshan, quickly making his way over.
"President Pei, when did you arrive?" he asked. "Is this for work, or are you here to visit the set? Would you like me to introduce you to the actors and director?"
Pei Youshan crossed her arms and waved dismissively. "No need for such formalities. I just had some work to do and remembered you were filming, so I thought I'd drop by. Nothing more."
"You've all been working hard. Have you eaten? Should I have the kitchen prepare something for you?"
Chen Hanming smiled warmly. "We've all eaten, thank you for your concern, President Pei."
Pei Youshan glanced toward the actors before asking, "This scene doesn't involve the leads, does it?"
Chen Hanming confirmed and added, "Both leads are on break. Ah, if I recall correctly, Teacher Chu is resting in the restaurant right now."
"Since she's the lead you personally selected, it's only right to introduce you. Let me take you to her."
Pei Youshan raised an eyebrow and stopped him. "No, no need."
"Go back to work. I'll be on my way. Keep up the good work."
Chen Hanming nodded, and after she left, he returned to the set.
Several people gathered around to ask, "Who was that just now? She's so beautiful."
Chen Hanming chuckled. "That was President Pei."
"Next time you see her, remember to greet her properly. Be on your best behavior, or she might just sweep you all out the door."
"Got it, got it."
"I wouldn't dare be rude to her even if I had eight lives, haha."
"How does someone even look like that? Is this the power of genetics? So jealous."
...
Pei Youshan wasn't in a hurry to leave. Since she was already there, she headed toward the quiet restaurant.
The restaurant had floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides, offering a bright and airy view of the artificial pool outside, its sparkling waters reflecting the lush greenery.
Her gaze immediately landed on Chu Shimiao, seated by the window, sipping juice while flipping through her script.
The face she'd seen countless times on screen now appeared vividly before her in real life.
A hint of starstruck excitement bubbled up inside her.
After smoothing her appearance, she approached politely.
"Miss Chu."
Hearing her name, Chu Shimiao closed the script and looked up.
A stunning woman in an emerald-green belted dress stood beside her table.
The woman's beauty was ethereal, like the moon—pure and radiant.
Her peach-blossom eyes were especially captivating, shimmering like autumn waters, bright as stars—irresistible.
Chu Shimiao blinked. "And you are... a fan?"
Pei Youshan smiled warmly, radiating approachability. "Yes, I've seen all your works and loved every one of them."
"Your acting is truly moving. You bring every character to life so vividly that they stay with me long after. I heard you're filming a new drama now—I'm really looking forward to it. Keep up the great work."
Chu Shimiao put on her professional smile. "It's my honor to have your support."
Noticing the other woman seemed younger, she asked like an older sister, "What's your name?"
Pei Youshan: "Oh, my surname is Pei."
Chu Shimiao: "..."
"You wouldn't happen to be Pei Youshan, would you?"
Pei Youshan laughed in pleasant surprise. "So Miss Chu knows of me?"
Chu Shimiao gestured for her to sit. "Who hasn't heard of President Pei?"
With someone as formidable as Pei Lanqing as her mother, Pei Youshan was naturally no slouch either—her reputation preceded her.
Besides, their crew was filming at Junjiang, so they were all familiar with the hotel group's current and future leadership.
But the most important reason was a rumor she'd once heard that had seared the name "Pei Youshan" into her memory.
—Pei Lanqing and Xu Yingru had intended to set her up with Xu Jingshu.
She'd been utterly shocked and heartbroken when she first heard it.
Who would've thought that even someone as aloof as Xu Jingshu wouldn't escape an arranged marriage?
But as time passed without any engagement announcements, the rumor faded into obscurity.
Until now, when she met Pei Youshan in person.
Curiosity and confusion surged within her, driving her to seek answers from Pei Youshan.
Still, she didn't ask outright—that would've been far too rude.
Instead, she engaged Pei Youshan in casual conversation, planning to broach the topic naturally once they'd warmed up.
But they hit it off so well that she nearly forgot her original purpose.
Chu Shimiao: My bad, I repent.
Pei Youshan found Chu Shimiao incredibly witty and humorous—not a single dull moment in their chat.
Then she heard Chu Shimiao ask, "By the way, I heard before that you and President Xu of Blue Ocean Capital were getting married. Is that true?"
"..." Pei Youshan massaged her temples. "It was. But let me clarify—that's all in the past. Neither of us had any intention of going through with it."
Chu Shimiao instantly felt relieved.
Thank goodness. Xu Jingshu was still single, which meant she still had a chance.
She couldn't help studying Pei Youshan—truly a beautiful and adorable person.
Propping her chin on her hands, she asked, "President Pei, do you have someone you like?"
Pei Youshan thought of her girlfriend, her expression softening with happiness. "Yes, I have a girlfriend."
Chu Shimiao felt a pang of envy.
She wanted to be in a relationship too.
Xu Jingshu was single too—why couldn't she just give her a chance?!
She was gorgeous, damn it!
Noticing the emotion in Chu Shimiao's eyes, Pei Youshan asked gently, "Miss Chu is still single?"
Chu Shimiao admitted freely. "Yeah."
She gazed out at the shimmering pool and sighed wistfully. "Blame it on falling for someone so impossible."
There was actually someone even a renowned actress like Chu Shimiao couldn't win over?
Pei Youshan's interest was piqued. Leaning on her hand, she smiled. "Just how impossible are we talking?"
Chu Shimiao thought for a moment before grinning. "Let me put it this way—if anyone can actually land her, I'll respectfully call them—"
"Ancestor."
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