Purely Accidental - Chapter 68
Chapter 68
Another peaceful night passed without incident.
After returning home, Pei Youshan first dealt with two work emails before relaxing into a bath.
Submerged in warm water, she rested her chin on the edge of the tub, staring intently at her phone placed on a towel nearby.
Waiting for Xu Jingshu's message confirming she'd arrived home safely.
Every minute without that reassurance was another minute her heart couldn't settle.
Her vivid imagination kept conjuring various disastrous scenarios - with Xu Jingshu as the protagonist and random passersby as supporting characters.
All ending tragically.
"Ding—"
A message from Xu Jingshu finally arrived, scattering those dark thoughts like mist.
Pei Youshan grabbed her phone instantly.
[Xu Jingshu]: I'm home.
The tension drained from Pei Youshan's shoulders as she leaned back comfortably in the tub, replying with a simple: [Oh]
She couldn't respond too enthusiastically.
Had to maintain some aloofness.
They weren't back together yet - she needed to preserve some dignity.
Xu Jingshu hadn't even set her phone down when the reply came, making her eyebrows lift slightly.
That response speed...
Had her Ragdoll been waiting anxiously for her message?
The thought warmed her mood considerably.
Suddenly she wanted very much to hear Pei Youshan's voice again.
Before calling, Xu Jingshu checked on Xu Jingying's room, finding her younger sister wearing headphones and gaming at her computer.
Judging by her expression, the match wasn't going well.
Recognizing the game, Xu Jingshu tapped the desk twice. When Xu Jingying removed her headphones, she asked impassively: "Did your internship application get approved?"
"Yep," Xu Jingying replied. "Submitted in the morning, approved by afternoon. Impressive efficiency."
With most fourth-year courses completed, students could apply for internships as long as they maintained passing grades.
Their mother Xu Yingru, thinking her younger daughter too idle, had insisted on the paperwork before dragging her into Blue Ocean Capital to experience workplace realities.
Not daring to disobey the matriarch, Xu Jingying had taken refuge at her sister's place.
Xu Jingshu nodded. "Go to bed early then. No late nights - you're coming to the company with me tomorrow."
Xu Jingying gave distracted acknowledgments while focused on her game.
Xu Jingshu didn't care about her current attitude - tomorrow she'd haul her out of bed regardless of how tired she was.
"Don't bother me later."
With that, Xu Jingshu left, closing the door behind her.
Back in her own room, she dialed Pei Youshan's number while leisurely removing her coat.
"Hello?"
Pei Youshan's voice came through the receiver, soft and gentle like the moonlight outside, though with a touch of playful arrogance.
"Why are you calling if there's nothing important?"
Xu Jingshu hung her coat over a chair, smiling as she picked up her phone and gazed out the floor-to-ceiling window toward where Pei Youshan would be.
"There is something."
"What is it?"
"I miss you."
Pei Youshan blinked, unsure if her flushed cheeks came from the warm water or Xu Jingshu's words.
"What nonsense... we just saw each other..."
"Mhm," Xu Jingshu agreed. "But it's been thirteen minutes since then." A glance at her watch. "Fifteen now."
Pei Youshan laughed, putting the call on speaker as she scooped up handful of bubbles. "You'll have to go several more hours without seeing me. Maybe even a dozen."
"As long as it's not a lifetime," Xu Jingshu said, eyes curving. "What are you doing, Shanshan?"
Pei Youshan stirred the water, the sound carrying clearly through the phone. "Taking a bath."
Two simple words, accompanied by water sounds, landed softly in Xu Jingshu's ear.
Xu Jingshu froze momentarily, suddenly flooded with memories of their intimate moments.
Of Pei Youshan's flushed lips, dazed eyes.
Of her smooth shoulders and perfect collarbones.
Of how she'd sit in Xu Jingshu's lap, sweeping aside her hair to reveal that slender, pale neck...
No elaborate descriptions needed - the implication alone was intensely suggestive.
A small desire swelled into an ocean, permeating every sense like wildfire, instantly igniting her pounding heart.
Xu Jingshu slowly lifted her gaze, her captivating eyes bright and unguarded.
Just like her desire and affection for Pei Youshan.
No hiding, no concealing.
If she hid them, her Shanshan might not see.
When silence stretched from the other end, Pei Youshan checked to confirm the call hadn't disconnected.
Her movement created ripples in the steamy water, the sound unusually clear in the quiet bathroom.
"Shanshan..."
Xu Jingshu's mature voice softened suddenly, intimate as a whisper against her ear.
"Do you know this counts as seduction to someone who likes you?"
Pei Youshan paused before remembering Xu Jingshu wasn't actually present, emboldening her to prop her chin on her hand and address the phone: "Our President Xu is made of sterner stuff - surely not so easily tempted?"
"Depends on who's doing it," Xu Jingshu answered without hesitation. "If it's you, even just lifting a finger would make me willingly take the bait."
"..."
Pei Youshan's face heated again.
She pounded the tub edge with her fist.
—Why? Why was Xu Jingshu so good at sweet talk?!
"Smooth-talking... I-I'm hanging up now!"
Pei Youshan fled the conversation.
Xu Jingshu looked at the ended call, then contemplatively at her fingers, her smile deepening.
Time for a trim.
She'd make this cat compensate doubly later.
......
The plane trees had turned completely golden.
Brilliant against the clear autumn sky.
In her car after meeting a client, Pei Youshan closed a contract file, ready to return to Junjiang.
Glancing outside, she suddenly asked: "Xiao Ye, is Blue Ocean Capital's headquarters up ahead?"
Secretary Ye Qin confirmed it was.
Pei Youshan made a noncommittal sound before asking: "Hungry? I'll treat you to dessert - I'm craving some too."
Inside the shop, Ye Qin watched bewildered as her boss ordered enough for three people.
Had their president secretly expanded her appetite?
Then she saw Pei Youshan take the packaged desserts and drinks and head straight out: "To Blue Ocean Capital."
Ye Qin's confusion deepened: "???"
After zero interaction with Blue Ocean for ages, why this sudden visit?
Pei Youshan paused, turning back: "Our companies will be collaborating soon. I want to check out their facilities first."
Then added entirely unnecessarily: "Don't misunderstand."
Yes indeed, she was only going to evaluate Blue Ocean's architecture and decor...
Definitely not to see Xu Jingshu.
Absolutely not!
Ye Qin scratched her cheek: "?"
Where would one even begin misunderstanding?
...
Xu Jingying was exhausted, napping with a pillow in Xu Jingshu's office.
When her merciless sister had dragged her from bed that morning, she'd wanted to rewind time and throttle the online troll who'd provoked her all night.
Xu Jingshu opened her office door to find her sister slacking, her gaze immediately turning dangerous.
Standing over the peacefully sleeping figure, she called coolly: "Xu Jingying."
Xu Jingying's eyes flew open as she sat up hastily, pleading: "Jie, I'm so tired..."
Xu Jingshu crooked a finger.
Xu Jingying leaned in unsuspectingly—
Only to get flicked hard on the forehead.
The pain woke her completely as she clutched her head miserably.
Xu Jingshu returned to her desk, expressionless. "My office isn't for napping."
Xu Jingying hugged the pillow pitifully: "Just a short nap, please..."
"I told you to sleep early. Why didn't you listen?"
Xu Jingying bristled at the memory: "Some jerk kept targeting me in-game last night! Taunting me, insulting me! Could I tolerate that? No way!"
"I'm the younger sister of our server's second-ranked player! I couldn't lose face! I had to destroy that bastard!"
The aforementioned second-ranked player remained impassive: "So you lost all night?"
Xu Jingying deflated, covering her face: "Don't remind me..."
"You gamed all night?"
"...Yes."
"And now you're napping in my office?"
"...Mhm."
Xu Jingshu's gaze sharpened: "Xu Jingying, are you trying to shorten your lifespan?"
Xu Jingying immediately abandoned the pillow to cling to her sister dramatically.
"Jieee— I know I messed up! I got bullied all night, I'm suffering too! Don't scold me!"
"That asshole mocked me so badly! If I could reach through the screen, I'd beat him senseless!"
"No next time, promise! And don't tell Mom..."
Xu Jingshu rested a hand on her head: "If there is a next time, know who'll be supervising you?"
Xu Jingying paused: "Who?"
"Chairman Xu."
—Damn, she'd be micromanaged to death!
Xu Jingying straightened immediately: "Understood, President Xu! It won't happen again!"
Xu Jingshu nodded. "Back to work."
"You won't even let me nap first?!"
"If you dozed in class, would the teacher pause lectures for you?"
"Your supervisor will monitor you. Don't make mistakes from sleepiness - your current workload is light enough."
She needed Xu Jingying to learn this lesson thoroughly.
Moreover, as company president, she had to lead by example.
If she gave Xu Jingying special treatment, others would follow suit, coddling her instead of properly training her.
Wouldn't that harm Xu Jingying's development?
"You can nap during lunch break," she added.
Xu Jingying pouted but didn't argue further.
Though the family's most spoiled, she was willful but not unreasonable.
Her elders' decisions were for her benefit - no point being stubborn.
Besides, she was clearly in the wrong here...
"Fine..." she grumbled before brightening. "Then can I ask a favor, Jie?"
"Speak." Xu Jingshu didn't look up from her computer.
"Could you... help me get revenge?"
Xu Jingshu finally glanced at her.
"I told him I'm your sister, but he called me a liar! Said if it were true, he'd livestream washing his hair upside down!"
Xu Jingshu felt like she was mediating a playground dispute.
"I'll lend you my account."
"That won't work!" Xu Jingying worried her nails. "My skills suck - he'd just accuse me of hacking."
Xu Jingshu propped her chin up. "What does Miss Xu the Second propose?"
Xu Jingying grinned, showing cute canines as she clung to Xu Jingshu's arm: "Play a few matches and crush him! He mocked me so badly I got dark circles! How can you let your little sister suffer?"
"What exactly did he say? Vulgarities?"
"No actual swearing, but his insults were vicious!"
Xu Jingshu disliked such toxic gaming behavior intensely.
Were game mechanics designed just to facilitate trash talk?
And seeing her sister so upset... that truly was unacceptable.
Who dared bully their family's youngest?
"Alright," Xu Jingshu agreed.
Overjoyed, Xu Jingying hugged her tightly and planted a loud kiss on her cheek.
Xu Jingshu was caught off guard.
At that exact moment, Secretary Zhang Jingjing entered with documents, holding the door open just enough for those outside to witness the affectionate scene.
Pei Youshan froze mid-step, forgetting all intentions as the sight stabbed through her.
She'd never expected to find Xu Jingshu canoodling with some strange girl upon locating her office...
While supposedly pursuing her!
After she'd specially bought her desserts!
Furious and hurt, Pei Youshan's mind blanked.
Demanding explanations felt inappropriate - what right did she have to make a scene?
She needed composure first.
So without fuss, she coldly handed the treats to the secretarial staff.
"For President Xu," she said through gritted teeth. "Wish her good health!"
Then turned sharply and left.
The secretary stared after her: "???"
Was the Pei heiress here to pick a fight???
By the time Xu Jingshu looked up, she only caught a glimpse of Pei Youshan's hair disappearing around the corner.
Pushing Xu Jingying away, she frowned.
Had that been Shanshan?
...
Pei Youshan fumed in the car's backseat.
Opening her phone revealed the virtual pet game she'd launched earlier.
As if misfortune never came singly, her virtual cat Sansan had clawed up all the furniture.
The game offered three options: [Comfort], [Discipline], [Deal Later].
Remembering that infuriating scene, Pei Youshan selected [Deal Later], paid to rename the pet, then firmly chose [Discipline]!
Then logged off angrily.
How could Xu Jingshu do this!
Hadn't she claimed others couldn't easily tempt her?!
No - she needed to calm down.
Believe in Xu Jingshu's character, trust her...
...
Xu Jingying skipped back to work cheerfully.
As Secretary Zhang began outlining Xu Jingshu's schedule, Xu Jingshu first messaged Pei Youshan about dinner plans, then opened the cat game to browse idly while listening.
Checking the system logs, she wanted to see if Pei Youshan had played recently.
The records made her pause.
Displayed clearly on screen:
[Pet name changed successfully]
[Ragdoll "Xu Jingshu" was disciplined by owner]
Xu Jingshu: "?"
What happened? Why was she being punished??
Before she could ponder this, another secretary entered with desserts.
"President Xu, these are from President Pei. The one from Junjiang."
Xu Jingshu's surprise turned to delight. "When did she come?"
"Right when Secretary Zhang went in."
"She left a message too."
"Which was?"
"She wishes you good health."
Xu Jingshu: "..."
Combined with the game log, that blessing sounded suspiciously like a curse.
Her phone buzzed before she could analyze further.
Pei Youshan had replied to her dinner inquiry with an innovative menu:
[Shanshan]: Spicy stir-fried kidneys.
[Shanshan]: Hold the kidneys.
Xu Jingshu understood perfectly.
—She's mad at me.
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