Purely Accidental - Chapter 75
Chapter 75
Changing planets was probably too late now. Pei Youshan couldn't help but wonder why she had worn a black suit yesterday.
If she hadn't been dressed entirely in black, she wouldn't have absentmindedly taken Xu Jingshu's black shirt thinking it was hers, nor would she have worn it directly to the conference room without any chance to change.
She finally understood - she and embarrassment were destined to meet everywhere in life!
Xu Jingshu chose to tell her about this incident mainly because she feared Pei Youshan would be even more embarrassed if she found out later.
Being mentally prepared versus unprepared were two completely different things.
If they were girlfriends, it wouldn't matter much. But her Shanshan was still in that awkward phase, with shyness sensitivity at 300%.
Pei Youshan lowered her head, both ashamed and annoyed: "Xu Jingshu... why didn't you tell me earlier so I could change!"
Xu Jingshu immediately looked innocent: "Shanshan, by the time I went to find you, you'd already left."
Pei Youshan: "..."
She couldn't help but weep silently in her heart.
Was there a crack in the ground? This child would like to crawl into it.
Forget it.
Heaven might as well just stab me directly.
Xu Jingshu held her arm, gently comforting her. To make her feel better, she took the blame upon herself.
"Sorry Shanshan, it's my fault. I should have noticed earlier and come to change clothes with you."
Pei Youshan pursed her lips upon hearing this, then sighed deeply: "It's not your fault, I left too early myself..."
This was originally her mistake - how could she push the blame onto Xu Jingshu?
She just didn't understand why she'd been so good at creating embarrassing moments and black history for herself since childhood.
She felt her toes shouldn't be digging the Forbidden City - they should dig out an entire planet so she could move away overnight!
Xu Jingshu comforted her: "It's okay Shanshan, I'm here with you."
Since both of them had worn the wrong clothes, the embarrassment should be shared equally.
Though her skin was thicker, of course.
Pei Youshan suddenly felt comforted.
Right, she wasn't alone!
She wasn't lonely!
Xu Jingshu stroked her long hair, saying softly: "Or maybe they don't even remember what we wore yesterday."
Pei Youshan raised her eyes, finding this reasoning quite sound.
Most people just glance at others' outfits without specifically remembering what they wore yesterday.
Except for those with exceptionally good memories.
She began silently praying that no one in the conference room remembered their outfits from yesterday.
Just then, Xu Jingshu spoke again slowly: "Even if they do remember..."
She smiled gently: "What's wrong with wearing our girlfriend's clothes?"
She wanted Pei Youshan to acknowledge her status as girlfriend, wanted to stand legitimately by Pei Youshan's side holding her hand.
This thought never left her mind.
Pei Youshan froze momentarily, then pushed her away shyly, removing her hand: "What girlfriend? Please don't talk nonsense, President Xu."
"What happened yesterday was just an accident. I was drunk, it doesn't count."
Xu Jingshu understood and didn't pressure her, instead asking unhurriedly: "Then may I ask President Pei, when can I officially become your girlfriend?"
Pei Youshan's clear black-and-white eyes rolled playfully, her expression turning proud again: "Don't know, won't tell you."
Glancing at her watch: "President Xu, we should prepare for the meeting now."
...
This was the most agonizing meeting opening Pei Youshan had ever experienced, terrified someone might recognize they were wearing each other's clothes.
Fortunately, everyone was focused on work, no one noticed anything unusual about the two bosses' outfits.
Only then did she relax, her body gradually loosening, no longer as embarrassed as at the beginning.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the person beside her suddenly uncap a pen.
So she instinctively, subtly glanced sideways—
Xu Jingshu was writing something.
A small white piece of paper from who-knows-where, tucked beneath some documents.
The black fountain pen moved across the paper with effortless grace.
Slender, distinct finger bones.
Jade-like fair skin.
Beautiful as an exquisitely carved painting.
Pei Youshan couldn't see what she was writing, only her hand moving, so she soon looked away, lifting her eyes to the speaker.
Both of them clearly understood the terms; everyone gathered here to reconcile opinions for deeper alignment.
So even if they zoned out occasionally, it wouldn't affect their ability to follow along.
Xu Jingshu zoned out openly and unashamedly.
Just as Pei Youshan turned to the next page of meeting materials, a note was slid over to her.
The hand resting on the note was all too familiar.
The hand soon withdrew, its owner showing no signs of embarrassment.
Pei Youshan froze, instinctively scanning the people around the conference table.
Everyone appeared composed, focused on their own materials, not sparing them any extra glances.
As if they hadn't seen, or perhaps didn't dare look or wonder.
Pei Youshan glanced at Xu Jingshu.
Xu Jingshu smiled calmly at her, appearing completely unruffled, as if the note contained something very serious she wasn't afraid of others seeing.
Pei Youshan had no choice but to move the note before her and unfold it.
—A large heart.
Below it was a sentence.
—Shanshan looks beautiful today too. I'm happy to work with you.
Pei Youshan was momentarily stunned.
The calm lake of her heart suddenly rippled with waves.
Her heartbeat skipped, then began racing uncontrollably in this serious, stimulating environment.
Nervous, moved, and utterly helpless.
Flirting with her again.
Even zoning out during a meeting to flirt with her!
How did this woman Xu Jingshu have so many flirting techniques!
And she didn't care about the setting!
She suddenly understood how Xu Jingshu had texted her during meetings before.
No wonder Blue Ocean's employees seemed so composed—their boss was a "repeat offender"!
She propped her forehead with a hand, frowning back at her, signaling with her eyes:
—Focus on work, no zoning out!
Xu Jingshu looked utterly innocent.
—Shanshan, I am listening.
To prove she really was listening, she naturally supplemented Blue Ocean's proposed terms.
Clear articulation, meticulous logic, seamless reasoning.
Not at all like someone who'd zoned out.
Pei Youshan: "..."
Fine then.
Regarding Xu Jingshu's additions, she calmly offered her own suggestions as if they'd discussed this beforehand and were now announcing it to everyone.
The staff below had an epiphany.
—Oh, so the bosses were exchanging opinions via notes just now!
Only the two employees who'd witnessed Xu Jingshu's flirting yesterday sensed something unusual.
Watching their bosses, they detected an indescribable aura surrounding them.
—The bosses' clothes seem unchanged?
—The boss's shirt looks like... the other boss's shirt???
They didn't understand this operation, didn't dare ask, but were thoroughly shocked.
—Heavens, have I truly discovered something incredible?! Why did my memory have to be so good right now?!
Later, Pei Youshan saw Xu Jingshu writing notes again.
She suddenly wondered—where did Xu Jingshu keep getting all these small notes?!
This time though, Xu Jingshu didn't pass her any.
Until the meeting ended.
After two days, both parties signed a cooperation framework agreement, reaching consensus on contract terms.
Next they'd jointly draft the joint venture company's articles of association, undergo internal approval procedures, convene a shareholders' meeting to announce relevant matters, then send joint representatives to complete registration formalities at the business bureau and obtain business licenses.
In short, Pei Youshan and Xu Jingshu would be working closely together frequently during this period.
As Pei Lanqing put it—their fates had eighteen hundred opportunities to intertwine.
Pei Youshan casually tucked Xu Jingshu's note into her folder, not considering throwing it away.
Shortly after leaving the conference room, Xu Jingshu caught up with her.
Pei Youshan glanced at her but said nothing.
Xu Jingshu smiled softly, eyes tender as water: "I'm returning to Blue Ocean soon. What about you, Shanshan?"
Pei Youshan replied offhandedly: "Junjiang."
People passed by intermittently, occasional "President Pei" and "President Xu" greetings heard.
When the crowd had mostly dispersed.
Xu Jingshu asked: "Free for dinner tonight?"
Pei Youshan suddenly recalled yesterday's events—pouring red wine onto those beautiful collarbones... Her ears burned instantly, face flushing as if on fire.
Alcohol was dangerous.
But meals with this thousand-year-old temptress Xu Jingshu were even more perilous.
Noticing her pink cheeks, Xu Jingshu smiled slowly: "No alcohol."
Having her thoughts exposed made Pei Youshan even shyer.
Xu Jingshu: "But we could shower."
Pei Youshan: "..."
Pei Youshan: "Xu Jingshu, you're so annoying!"
Xu Jingshu gazed at her calmly, then suddenly smiled tenderly: "Shanshan is so cute."
Her shyness was cute.
Her anger was cute.
Even frowning with flushed cheeks calling her annoying was cute.
She'd probably contracted a lovesickness called "finding everything Pei Youshan does adorable."
Pei Youshan: "..."
Under those fox-like eyes, she turned away in defeat, avoiding Xu Jingshu's gaze.
Then instantly, a note was pressed into her palm.
Xu Jingshu said seriously: "As requested—the number of a skilled, attractive bath attendant. Free of charge."
Pei Youshan: "???"
Unfolding it left her speechless.
"Has President Xu changed careers to bath attendant now?"
Xu Jingshu's focus shifted entirely, eyes lighting up with delight: "Shanshan remembers my phone number?"
"..."
Pei Youshan hastily stuffed the note into her bag, flustered: "Ahem, no, I don't. Just a wild guess, don't misunderstand!"
Xu Jingshu's gaze grew even tenderer, suddenly wanting to kiss her—but couldn't.
As Pei Youshan struggled with embarrassment, she saw Xu Jingshu raise a hand, extending two elegantly bony fingers to lightly tap her own soft lips.
Pei Youshan blinked, meeting her eyes, unwittingly falling into those mesmerizing orbs.
The next moment, Xu Jingshu's fingertip landed on her lips, pressing gently as if to leave her own warmth there.
"This counts as kissing you too," Xu Jingshu said smilingly.
Pei Youshan's heart raced violently, momentarily stunned, her eyes shimmering movingly.
Why was she so good at flirting...
Then Xu Jingshu couldn't resist brushing her thumb across those soft lips, caressing gently as if touching smooth, bouncy jelly.
"Shanshan," Xu Jingshu said tenderly, "I look forward to our next meeting."
Hoping by then I can embrace you openly.
Can kiss you without restraint.
Can declare our love to the world.
Hoping...
"I'll miss you."
"Shanshan must remember to miss me too, okay?"
Pei Youshan felt her heart might burst from pounding so hard.
As if enchanted, she wanted only to obey: "Okay..."
Xu Jingshu smiled contentedly: "Good girl. I'll leave first, will message when I arrive."
Pei Youshan numbly watched her departing figure.
Then suddenly snapped back to reality, clutching her chest feeling the wild heartbeat.
Only one thought filled her mind—
Am I already completely wrapped around her finger for life?!
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