Purely Accidental - Chapter 59
Chapter 59
Pei Youshan hadn't actually read any of the messages Xu Jingshu had sent over the past few days. On the first day, she'd skimmed through them briefly, but after failing to find the information she wanted, she closed them. Later, realizing Xu Jingshu's intentions, she stopped looking at them altogether.
Even after five days, her anger hadn't subsided.
Admittedly, they had both deceived each other with false identities at the beginning—both were at fault. But if things had stopped there, she wouldn't have been this furious. As Xu Jingshu had once said, the more unconventional one's identity, the more cautious one needed to be. When they didn't know each other's true backgrounds, choosing to conceal their identities was understandable.
But for Xu Jingshu to deliberately keep hiding the truth even after learning her identity, maintaining the deception for months—that was going too far!
What kind of motive could have driven Xu Jingshu to scheme and deceive her for so long?
If it was supposed to be love, she didn't believe it.
At that point, they had known each other for such a short time that even an idiot wouldn't have fallen for her, let alone someone as shrewd as Xu Jingshu.
So aside from toying with her, she couldn't think of any other reasonable explanation.
If the situation hadn't been so unbearably awkward, she might have even wanted Pei Lanqing to see this—the supposedly reliable life partner she had been so eager to push onto her: Xu Jingshu.
Tell her, how many people in this world could tolerate being so thoroughly deceived by someone they loved, given nothing but false affection?
None.
She had been foolish before, but she wouldn't be foolish again.
Taking a deep breath, she resigned herself to the fact that she probably wouldn't want to date anyone for the next few years.
Being deceived by one person after another was proof enough that her judgment was terrible.
Life was too short to waste on repeated mistakes. Staying single and thriving wasn't so bad.
After sending her message, she was about to put down her phone and get back to work, using it as a way to numb the pain of heartbreak.
Love was fleeting—only cold, hard cash would never betray her!
And then she saw Xu Jingshu reply almost instantly: [Thank you for renewing.]
Pei Youshan: "?"
Was that what she meant?!
Was this woman's pinyin comprehension really that terrible?!
A trick—this had to be another one of her tricks.
Hah, ridiculous. Did she really think she'd fall for it again?
Of all Xu Jingshu's contact methods, only this phone number hadn't been blocked yet.
It was her last act of mercy, leaving her some dignity to withdraw from her life on her own.
Now, it seemed even that wasn't necessary anymore.
...
Pei Youshan didn't reply again.
Xu Jingshu stared at her phone screen in silence for a long moment before dialing her number.
"......"
—Blocked.
Pei Youshan was still angry with her.
Everything connected to her had been severed by Pei Youshan—even the cat-raising game she hadn't logged into since.
Putting down her phone, Xu Jingshu leaned back heavily in her chair, tilting her head up to stare at the ceiling light, her gaze dim.
In the blink of an eye, she—and the cat—had both been discarded by Pei Youshan...
Two crisp knocks sounded at the door.
Secretary Zhang Jingjing entered, standing respectfully at the entrance. Just as she was about to speak, she noticed her boss lost in thought, an inexplicable loneliness in her expression.
Seeing this, the words caught in her throat. For a moment, she wasn't sure whether to speak up or quietly retreat...
Xu Jingshu had already snapped out of her thoughts, slowly turning her head to fix her gaze on her, her tone flat and even icy: "What is it?"
A chill ran down Zhang Jingjing's neck, but she steeled herself and said, "That gaming company from before wants to discuss investment with us again. They're hoping for another chance."
"Director Zhang asked me to get your opinion."
Xu Jingshu had seen countless companies fighting for opportunities—if once wasn't enough, they'd try twice, three times...
Such was the business world. Nothing came easy—it was either exhausting persuasion or painstaking effort. Ease was the rarest commodity of all.
Ease was the rarest commodity...
Her fingers absently traced the linen bracelet around her wrist.
Yes, ease was the rarest commodity.
She, too, should keep fighting for Pei Youshan's forgiveness. If once wasn't enough, then twice. If that failed, then three times, four times... until she succeeded, or was damned beyond redemption.
She averted her eyes and raised a hand, fingers twitching slightly.
"Give them another chance. Have Vice President Xu handle the discussion."
"Understood."
......
Xu Jingshu hadn't been in the mood to drive lately, relying on a chauffeur instead.
The driver pulled up at the residential complex's entrance, considerately opening the door for her.
As she stepped out, her gaze landed on a man in a suit standing outside the gates.
Beside him was a suitcase—one that looked oddly familiar.
Noticing her arrival, the man observed her for a few seconds before approaching politely. "Excuse me, are you President Xu?"
Xu Jingshu gave him a once-over. "And you are?"
"I'm President Pei's driver, surname An."
At the mention of "President Pei," a flicker of light passed through Xu Jingshu's eyes.
The next second, Uncle An pushed the suitcase toward her. "President Pei asked me to return your belongings."
Xu Jingshu: "......"
No wonder it looked familiar—it was her suitcase.
So even clinging on by sheer stubbornness wasn't going to work.
Resigned, she accepted it. "Thank you for your trouble."
Seeing his task complete, Uncle An prepared to leave.
Just as he turned, Xu Jingshu spoke again, her voice measured: "Please relay a message to President Pei for me—if anything is missing, I'll come find her."
She wouldn't let slip any opportunity to see Pei Youshan again.
Uncle An glanced back at her, sensing something off but unable to pinpoint what.
He nodded in acknowledgment, promising to pass it along, then called Pei Youshan after getting back in the car.
Pei Youshan listened expressionlessly before hanging up.
Missing items?
Impossible.
She might as well have thrown the entire Hanbai Apartments at her.
......
That weekend, Xu Jingshu went to Biyun Garden—but Pei Youshan wasn't there.
She went to Hanbai Apartments—still no Pei Youshan.
She even visited Lin'an Residential Area under the pretense of paying respects to Pei Songwen, but his beloved granddaughter was nowhere to be seen.
Even Pei Lanqing had no idea where Pei Youshan had gone.
Xu Jingshu's heart sank like a stone to the bottom of a lake, heavy and aching.
If she had known it would come to this, why had she done it in the first place?
Even the gentlest cats could turn fierce and difficult to coax when angered.
The only consolation was that Pei Youshan was still in Jiang City.
Pei Youshan was indeed in Jiang City—just not at home.
Instead, she was at Shao Xingcheng's new place in the Sea-Sky Horizon complex.
Sea-Sky Horizon overlooked the ocean, its vast seascape stretching endlessly, a sight that lifted the spirits.
When Shao Xingcheng had extended the invitation earlier, she'd already been considering staying for a while to decide whether to buy a place there.
It also gave her the chance to pose as Shao Xingcheng's girlfriend, helping him ward off his persistent ex-boyfriend—another soul bruised by love.
The arrangement suited them both perfectly.
Sitting on the balcony swing, she gazed silently at the rolling waves in the distance.
She had imagined countless times walking hand-in-hand with Xu Jingshu along the shore, barefoot on the soft sand, leaving footprints behind.
In her world, it was the most beautiful scene—her favorite person and her favorite thing combined.
But it had all been a lie.
As Shao Xingcheng stepped onto the balcony, he was met with her sigh.
He'd lost count of how many times she'd sighed like this—and he knew exactly who was on her mind.
"Still thinking about her?" Shao Xingcheng handed her a cup of warm coffee.
Pei Youshan nodded weakly. "After all, she was someone I truly loved—so, so much..."
It was precisely because she had loved so deeply that the anger ran so fierce.
And because she couldn't forget, the resentment only grew stronger without her realizing.
Shao Xingcheng studied her, then the sea, sitting quietly with her for a while before murmuring, "Then what if... she truly loved you too?"
Pei Youshan slowly turned to him, silent.
After a moment, she gave a faint smile and patted his shoulder.
"Be realistic."
"The love wasn't real—the deception was."
Shao Xingcheng chuckled softly too, turning to look at her, his windswept bruffle fluttering slightly in the breeze. "Then why keep thinking about a liar? Forget her sooner—no need to torture yourself."
Pei Youshan averted her eyes, pursing her lips.
Easier said than done. The deeper the love, the harder it was to erase.
"I'm trying..."
Shao Xingcheng smiled gently. "Cheer up. Feifei's right—the world is vast, and there are plenty of beautiful women. She's not the only one."
"I have a new colleague who's really good-looking. Want me to introduce you two later?"
"No thanks." Pei Youshan declined flatly, her tone lifeless. "I've transcended worldly desires."
Shao Xingcheng: "......"
Damn. She'd gone full celibate.
While Pei Youshan had renounced romantic pursuits, she still had some unfinished business to settle.
Like with Chen Hanming.
At 3:30 PM on Sunday, the film crew was still shooting at the hotel.
Today's scenes focused on the main cast.
Chen Hanming happened to be present.
A staff member approached him, whispering, "Producer Chen, President Pei is looking for you."
Chen Hanming turned to see Pei Youshan standing not far away, arms crossed as she silently observed the scenery.
Chu Shimiao also noticed Pei Youshan but was tied up for the moment, planning to catch up with her later.
"President Pei." Chen Hanming walked over. "What can I do for you?"
Pei Youshan turned to face him. "Producer Chen, I never took you for a dishonest man."
Her lips curved into a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes—chillingly hollow, enough to make one's scalp prickle.
Chen Hanming immediately knew something was wrong, though he couldn't pinpoint what. "I'm not sure what you mean, President Pei."
Pei Youshan let out a light laugh. "Tell me—if I were to meet Penglai's Vice President Xu now, would I actually be seeing Blue Ocean Capital's Vice President Xu?"
Chen Hanming's heart dropped.
Damn. The jig was up.
"President Pei, you know? About this matter—"
Pei Youshan clapped him on the shoulder, cutting him off. "It's your President Xu's fault."
Her visit wasn't really about settling scores with Chen Hanming—just a warning.
After all, Chen Hanming had helped keep her writing pseudonym a secret. Caught between them, he'd had a tough position to maintain.
"Don't help Xu Jingshu deceive me again."
"If there's a next time, I won't let you off either."
"Then don't let me off."
A woman's voice suddenly came from another direction, footsteps growing closer.
Hearing it, Pei Youshan stiffened. She wanted to leave but didn't move.
Xu Jingshu shot Chen Hanming a glance, and he immediately took the hint, making himself scarce to give them privacy.
After days of searching, she had finally cornered her bristling kitten.
Nearly a week apart, and Pei Youshan was as stunning as ever.
The only difference was in her demeanor and gaze—distant, resentful, no longer affectionate.
"If you're not letting me off," Xu Jingshu said gently, "then don't avoid me. Don't stay silent—that's no way to get revenge."
Pei Youshan scoffed. "Seems President Xu has plenty of experience."
"None." Xu Jingshu was utterly candid. "I just miss you, so I'm making excuses to see you."
Pei Youshan turned away, hardening her heart. "No need for the act. We're over."
After all these days, her emotions had settled somewhat.
At least she wasn't like that day, nearly shattered by rage.
But her heart still ached, still resented...
"It's not an act."
Seeing her calmer now, Xu Jingshu decided to block her path and lay everything out.
"I didn't tell you back then on purpose, that's true. But afterward, I didn't tell you because I liked you. I didn't know how to bring it up without making you uncomfortable—I didn't dare."
"Shanshan, my feelings for you are real. That's beyond doubt."
Pei Youshan extracted two key points from her words.
Her love was real.
But the deception was real too.
Her temper flared instantly.
"You admit you deceived me," she said through gritted teeth, glaring at her. "What did I ever do to deserve being toyed with like this? Just because I stood you up?!"
"No..." Xu Jingshu had no choice but to confess, gazing into those eyes that had been impossible to resist from the very start. Softly, she added, "It was also because you were cute... I just wanted to tease you..."
"......"
Pei Youshan was momentarily speechless.
Cute... Cu—how the hell was that her fault?!
In all her life, she'd never heard a more absurd reason!!!
Her fists clenched.
She was about to lose her composure!
Pei Youshan shut her eyes, taking a deep breath.
Just as Chu Shimiao approached, she heard Pei Youshan roar furiously: "Xu Jingshu, you're fucking insane!!!"
Chu Shimiao: "?"
Wh-what was happening?
Then she saw Xu Jingshu reach out to grab Pei Youshan's wrist, revealing a linen couple's bracelet.
Identical to one Pei Youshan had once worn.
Her eyes darted between the two of them in shock.
—Holy shit, the legendary couple was right in front of her!
Teacher Chu, meanwhile, is doing her best to process: What's happening? How did this happen? Who am I? Where am I?
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