Purely Accidental - Chapter 55
Chapter 55
Pei Youshan had already grasped from that blunt and straightforward address just how challenging it would be to pursue the other person.
She looked at Chu Shimiao with both sympathy and amusement: "No need to go that far..."
Even if Chu Shimiao dared to call her that, the other party probably wouldn't dare to accept it.
As they chatted, Chu Shimiao noticed Cheng Hao appearing at the restaurant entrance and turned to smile at Pei Youshan: "I really enjoyed talking with President Pei today, but I should get to work now."
She tapped the juice glass on the table: "By the way, the juice here is excellent."
Pei Youshan stood up, smiling politely: "I enjoyed it too, Miss Chu. Please feel free to go. I'm glad you liked the juice."
Cheng Hao glanced at Pei Youshan several times, asking curiously: "Who was that? She's stunning."
Chu Shimiao tied up her long hair: "Pei Youshan."
Cheng Hao was stunned: "How do you know each other?"
Chu Shimiao flipped her hair narcissistically: "Obviously because of my charm—even the heiress of Junjiang Hotels loves watching my dramas."
"Ah, this irresistible charm of mine, I just don't know what to do with it~"
"..."
Cheng Hao clenched his fist, cutting off her monologue: "Enough, stop being ridiculous."
As they walked side by side toward the set, Cheng Hao carried her script and phone.
Chu Shimiao asked: "Still haven't managed to get a meeting with Xu Jingshu?"
Cheng Hao sighed wearily: "How could we? She said to contact Penglai for work-related matters and not to bother her with anything else. Blue Ocean isn't involved, she's busy—every minute counts for billion-dollar deals!"
Chu Shimiao stopped walking.
She still wanted to try.
Constant dripping wears away stone; even the most virtuous woman yields to persistent suitors. If there's no opportunity, create one.
Xu Jingshu had been abroad for so many years and had finally returned—still single. How could Chu Shimiao give up without even meeting her once?
If Xu Jingshu hadn't asked for her autograph in the first place, it might have been different. But she had.
That unusual act had fueled the flames, reigniting her hopes.
Whether possible or not, she had to try one last time!
Cheng Hao patted her shoulder when he saw her standing still: "Let it go. I know she means something special to you, but there are plenty of fish in the sea. Why cling to one flower?"
Chu Shimiao scoffed defiantly and shook off his hand: "Go away! What's wrong with me liking a single flower?"
"Besides, I'm trying to help her escape singlehood—that counts as a good deed, doesn't it?"
Cheng Hao: "..."
He said earnestly: "If you weren't acting, you could still make a living just with that mouth of yours."
Chu Shimiao ignored him, glancing back at the restaurant as an idea struck her.
"The Pei and Xu families have reconciled, right?"
Cheng Hao nodded: "Yeah, otherwise they wouldn't have agreed to collaborate with Penglai on this drama."
He paused, suddenly wary: "What are you planning?"
Chu Shimiao raised an eyebrow, her eyes gleaming with cunning: "If I can't get a meeting with Xu Jingshu..."
"Wouldn't Miss Pei be able to?"
Cheng Hao: "..."
Chu Shimiao: "Hehe, I'm so smart."
Cheng Hao: "...I'm seriously worried President Pei might join the ranks of people who want to murder you."
Then Chu Shimiao suddenly realized: "Oh no, I forgot to ask Pei Youshan for her contact info!"
Cheng Hao stared at her speechlessly for a moment: "Funny. Do you think a high-profile CEO would just hand out her contact info to anyone?"
Chu Shimiao retorted: "Funny. Do you think an A-list actress like me would just ask anyone for their contact info?"
Cheng Hao: "..."
"Enough comedy. Get your ass to the set and focus on acting!"
...
Back in the restaurant.
The manager waited until Chu Shimiao had left with her agent before approaching Pei Youshan respectfully to ask if she needed anything.
Pei Youshan glanced at the juice glass, remembering Chu Shimiao's sincere praise, and patted the manager's shoulder with a smile: "Keep up the good work."
Customer satisfaction was their top priority.
After leaving the restaurant and getting into her car, she didn't drive off immediately. Instead, she sat in the driver's seat and texted her girlfriend.
[Pei Youshan]: Jingshu, I ran into Chu Shimiao today.
[Pei Youshan]: She's even prettier in person than on screen.
[Pei Youshan]: And her personality is great—witty and fun. Talking to her was never boring.
Blue Ocean Capital, CEO's office.
Xu Jingshu unlocked her phone to three consecutive messages.
Seeing the words "witty and fun," she fell silent.
A phrase Xu Jingying often used echoed in her mind:
—"Human joys and sorrows don't connect; I only find them noisy."
As for jealousy? Impossible.
She trusted Pei Youshan wouldn't develop feelings for Chu Shimiao.
[Xu Jingshu]: That's good. What do you want for dinner tonight?
......
Pei Youshan had thought she wouldn't see Chu Shimiao again anytime soon.
Chu Shimiao thought the same.
Yet three days later, they unexpectedly ran into each other at a café.
Both were stunned when they spotted one another.
Pei Youshan's surprise came slightly slower—Chu Shimiao was in full disguise and hard to recognize.
Chu Shimiao greeted her first: "Miss Pei, what a coincidence! Here for coffee too?"
Pei Youshan smiled: "My girlfriend wanted coffee, and I happened to pass by on my way back from the office."
"No work today, Miss Chu?"
"Day off."
Chu Shimiao leaned casually against the counter.
She frequented this café; the staff and owner knew her and wouldn't reveal her identity.
"Miss Pei, how about exchanging contacts? We could grab coffee again sometime."
Pei Youshan studied her silently.
Chu Shimiao quickly realized how that sounded and clarified: "Not because I'm into you! Just because we hit it off last time—thought we could be friends."
"Besides, you have a girlfriend. I'm not the type to chase after taken people."
Pei Youshan's lips curved into a gentle smile: "I believe Miss Chu knows her boundaries."
They exchanged WeChat IDs.
Pei Youshan picked up her coffee and dessert, turning to flash her a bright smile: "See you later!"
Chu Shimiao waved, eyes crinkling.
Miss Pei had an indescribable charm.
And knowing she could help arrange a meeting with Xu Jingshu made her even more endearing!
......
"She added you first?" Xu Jingshu asked.
"Yeah." Pei Youshan sat beside her, tapping the "pet" option on the tablet in Xu Jingshu's hands. The Ragdoll cat onscreen immediately rolled onto its back happily.
Xu Jingshu didn't comment.
Pei Youshan was free to make friends—she wouldn't interfere.
Besides, Chu Shimiao had limited interactions with her and didn't know her well. She had no photos either, so a few chats with Pei Youshan wouldn't expose her identity.
As long as Chu Shimiao wasn't using Pei Youshan, it was fine.
Rather than controlling Pei Youshan's social circle, she needed to focus on how to reveal her true identity.
The woman in her arms was enthusiastically playing with the virtual cat.
She called softly: "Shanshan."
"Hmm?" Pei Youshan looked up, peach-blossom eyes sparkling like stars.
Xu Jingshu suddenly changed her mind, pulling the radiant star closer.
—She was still afraid of losing her.
Pei Youshan stroked her hair: "What's wrong?"
Xu Jingshu said casually: "You smell nice."
"Like it?" Pei Youshan's voice turned sweet when talking to her. She spread her arms invitingly: "Take a good whiff then—I changed perfumes today."
Xu Jingshu chuckled softly: "Mhm."
Pei Youshan was pleased she liked the new scent at first, but her expression soon shifted.
"Hey, if you're just smelling me, where's your hand going...?"
"Not drinking coffee anymore?"
"No."
Xu Jingshu slid her hand in without hesitation.
"Coffee isn't as important as my girlfriend."
......
Pei Youshan and Chu Shimiao met again at the same café.
Chu Shimiao removed her mask and hat—business was slow at this hour, with no other customers around to recognize her.
Noticing the linen bracelet on Pei Youshan's wrist, she smiled: "Matching couple's set? It's cute."
Pei Youshan nodded cheerfully: "Like it? It's super cheap."
Chu Shimiao thought: How cheap could something bought by an heiress possibly be?
Then Pei Youshan said earnestly: "Baojin Plaza overpass, ten yuan for four. Handmade by the vendor."
Chu Shimiao: "..."
So humble! My bad for assuming!
But it made Pei Youshan even more likable—the kind of person you'd want as a friend.
She didn't beat around the bush, openly stating her desire to be friends.
Pei Youshan agreed immediately.
They launched into lively conversation.
From the struggles of making money to accessories, fashion, makeup, and perfume—no topic was off-limits. They clicked instantly, chatting more and more animatedly.
Eventually, the topic circled back to romance.
Now that they were friends, Pei Youshan ventured further: "Who's the person you like...?"
Honestly, anyone would be curious about who could stump an A-list actress like Chu Shimiao.
Gossip is human nature.
Chu Shimiao didn't mind sharing: "You know her—Xu Jingshu."
Pei Youshan's eyes widened in shock, doubting her ears: "You like her?!"
The rumors resurfaced in her mind, deepening her confusion.
"What do you like about her?"
Chu Shimiao gave a "you just don't get it" look: "So many things."
"She's smart, dedicated to work, has an eye for talent."
"And she's incredibly beautiful!"
Pei Youshan was baffled: "???"
Beautiful?
Incredibly beautiful???
That's not what the rumors said????
Chu Shimiao found her reaction odd: "What's wrong?"
Pei Youshan frowned, choosing her words carefully: "But I heard a rumor about her... that she's 'ugly, promiscuous, and changes lovers like clothes'?"
Chu Shimiao burst into uncontrollable laughter, abandoning all decorum.
"That's absurd—the most ridiculous rumor I've ever heard. If someone that gorgeous is ugly, then no one in this world is attractive."
Wiping tears of laughter, she grasped Pei Youshan's hands, still grinning: "Darling, it seems you've really never met her."
Pei Youshan flushed with embarrassment: "...We really haven't."
She'd been too busy stubbornly opposing Pei Lanqing back then.
Attending would have meant surrender—no way.
Still, she didn't regret it, though she felt guilty for misjudging Xu Jingshu.
Chu Shimiao composed herself, clasping Pei Youshan's hands solemnly: "I must clear her name—she's not ugly at all. That's pure slander."
"As for lovers? Even more ridiculous. She's so aloof, so cold that..."
She paused, thinking.
Then said something Pei Youshan would never forget—and completely changed her view of Xu Jingshu.
......
That night, Pei Youshan lay absentmindedly in Xu Jingshu's arms, expression blank.
Xu Jingshu, puzzled, massaged her temples gently: "What's with that look? Did something happen?"
Pei Youshan snapped out of it, murmuring guiltily: "Jingshu... I think I misjudged my former arranged marriage partner..."
The said partner: "?"
"How so?"
Pei Youshan lowered her eyes: "I met Teacher Chu today—she happens to know that person."
"She said she's very beautiful, and claims about her being unattractive are false."
"She didn't have photos, but she sounded absolutely certain."
Xu Jingshu arched a brow, amused: "And?"
"And Teacher Chu said she'd never take lovers because she's too aloof. Her exact words were—"
Pei Youshan sat up, mimicking Chu Shimiao's tone:
"'If she didn't have hair, I'd swear she was a runaway nun from some convent!'"
Xu Jingshu herself: "..."
—Does Chu Shimiao have a death wish?
Comments
Post a Comment