Purely Accidental - Chapter 13
Chapter 13
This is probably what makes a writer—their choice of words always catches people off guard.
And while the damage isn't severe, the insult is profound.
Xu Jingshu calmly looked at Pei Youshan: "Miss Yue means to say I look... hastily assembled?"
Pei Youshan, worried she'd hurt the other's delicate feelings, hurriedly explained: "No no, I was just making an analogy, not saying you look hastily put together."
"Even if you really were a high schooler, you'd be mature-looking—attractively mature!"
"Otherwise someone as appearance-focused as me wouldn't have taken a liking to you, right?"
Xu Jingshu said: "Mmm, right."
Seeing this, Pei Youshan cradled her rapidly beating heart and cautiously asked: "So... you really are a high schooler...?"
Xu Jingshu met those shimmering eyes, the anticipation and nervousness within them stirring her mischievous side.
She suddenly really wanted to... tease her.
"What if I am?"
Xu Jingshu leisurely propped her chin on her hand, smiling ambiguously at her.
"Would big sister abandon me then?"
This "big sister" was uttered without batting an eye, completely out of the blue.
Pei Youshan was stunned, staring at her dumbfounded.
Xu Jingshu touched her own earlobe, enunciating each word: "But big sister has kissed me."
Pei Youshan: "...?"
Xu Jingshu: "And yesterday, saw my body too."
Pei Youshan: "......"
Xu Jingshu curled her lips: "Shouldn't you take responsibility to the end?"
Pei Youshan: "........"
Pei Youshan grabbed the nearby corgi plushie and buried her face in it.
Stop talking.
Big sister's tears are about to overflow.
But the moment she buried her face, she suddenly remembered—this was also a gift from Xu Jingshu.
In that instant, countless memory fragments surged forth like tidal waves, perfectly connecting to form an impeccable chain of logic.
No wonder my little lover is so good at games...
No wonder she wouldn't let me take her home...
So she's a goddamn minor...
Case closed.
Pei Youshan's defenses crumbled too, tears truly about to fall.
Why are the world's schemes so deep...
At her most desperate moment, she suddenly remembered they hadn't slept together yet, instantly feeling slightly less guilty and immensely grateful for her own thin skin.
Putting down the plushie, she spoke with grave earnestness: "You should go back and focus on your studies, don't get involved with adults' messy affairs, studying hard is more important than anything..."
"Let's go, let's pretend these past few days never happened."
Xu Jingshu watched her with amusement—that complex, aggrieved expression carried a hint of wanting to cry but having no tears.
Somehow... even more adorable.
Xu Jingshu suppressed her laughter.
Can't tease anymore, or the ragdoll cat might really cry.
And she'd lose her sugar mommy too.
She shifted closer.
Only to see Pei Youshan immediately recoil like a startled bird, practically wanting to put eight hundred meters between them.
A perfect picture of pitifulness.
The smile in Xu Jingshu's eyes deepened.
She gently placed a hand on Pei Youshan's soft hair, petting as if smoothing fur: "I was joking, I really am twenty-six."
"No high schooler looks like me."
"No matter how hastily assembled."
Pei Youshan tilted her head away, deftly avoiding the touch, eyeing her skeptically: "Then what's with that novel in your room?"
Xu Jingshu remained perfectly calm, countering: "What do you mean?"
"What exactly is Miss Yue asking?"
She was actually quite curious about how much Pei Youshan knew.
This topic started because of a novel.
And that novel happened to be Mirror Inquires Autumn's special signed copy for Producer Chen's daughter.
If Pei Youshan knew about it, did that mean... she was Mirror Inquires Autumn?
The newly signed IP author being her sugar mommy...
Wasn't that just using her own money to support herself?
Pei Youshan wasn't foolish enough to expose herself.
Quick-witted, she fabricated another lie: "I happen to be friends with Mirror Inquires Autumn. She mentioned meeting with a producer yesterday and signing a special copy for his daughter—the exact same words as in your book."
"She even drew a cat face!"
Finding her reasoning flawless, she gained some confidence, straightening up to stare at Xu Jingshu: "That producer's daughter is only a high school sophomore, and the book's with you. What do you think I'm asking?"
Xu Jingshu's instincts told her things weren't so simple, but Pei Youshan's explanation was logically sound, leaving no room for further questioning. She could only answer honestly.
"Miss Yue misunderstood—the book isn't mine, I was just delivering it."
Pei Youshan: "?"
Delivering?
Why would someone from Penglai have her deliver it?
Pei Youshan's mind raced before landing on a realization: "You work at Penglai?"
After a pause, she added warily: "Don't lie this time—I can check with Penglai."
Xu Jingshu initially didn't plan to admit it, but hearing she'd verify, immediately changed tactics: "Mmm, I work at Penglai."
Other companies might be beyond her control, but her own family's? She'd just have An Youda arrange to insert "Xu Ge" into Penglai's roster.
Pei Youshan was momentarily speechless: "..."
Seriously? The lover I'm keeping turns out to be an employee of my copyright buyer?
She suddenly felt her life was extraordinarily colorful, coincidences popping up everywhere.
Was the universe providing her with writing material?
She didn't know, but seeing Xu Jingshu so forthright actually relieved her.
Because this precisely proved she wasn't a minor—she could keep this beautiful lover after all!
Her tense body gradually relaxed. Pei Youshan hugged the corgi plushie again, covering half her face, only revealing autumn-water eyes beneath lightly furrowed brows, guilt and awkwardness mingling: "Sorry Xu Ge, for misunderstanding you..."
"It's fine."
Xu Jingshu never considered it a big deal to begin with, and seeing her so meekly apologetic made it even less so.
Silence enveloped them, moonlight wordless.
Xu Jingshu slowly raised a hand, gently tracing Pei Youshan's eyebrows and the corners of her eyes, feeling long lashes tremble against her fingertips.
The eyes beneath her palm resembled autumn waters holding stars—all grievances could dissipate here, making refusal or blame impossible.
The touch tickled. Pei Youshan caught her wrist, lowering the plushie to reveal her full face, puzzled: "What's wrong?"
—These eyes perfectly suited this face.
Withdrawing her hand, Xu Jingshu smiled slightly: "Miss Yue has beautiful eyes."
The unexpected praise flustered Pei Youshan: "Why... why suddenly compliment me..."
Xu Jingshu answered matter-of-factly: "As your lover, complimenting you to make you happy is part of my job."
Unable to refute but too embarrassed to continue, Pei Youshan fled with a hurried: "It's late, let's shower and sleep—work tomorrow," disappearing into her room.
Watching the door close, Xu Jingshu took out her phone and stepped onto the balcony, calling An Youda while keeping an eye on the master bedroom.
Once connected, she cut straight to the chase: "I need a favor."
"If anyone asks Penglai whether 'Xu Ge' exists, the answer must be yes."
"Notify Producer Chen first."
Since Chen Hanming was Mirror Inquires Autumn's contact, she couldn't guarantee her sugar mommy wouldn't investigate through him.
An Youda: "?"
"..."
"You're transferring Xu Ge to us?"
Xu Jingshu: "..."
"Nice try."
......
In her room, Pei Youshan vented to Lin Feifei.
Mostly about herself.
"I actually told her to go back to studying, and it was all a misunderstanding—oh heavens, Fuxi and Nüwa, so embarrassing..."
Lin Feifei laughed uncontrollably: "Not your fault—she teased you first."
"Who could've guessed?"
"Your little lover seems so aloof, yet she jokes around too."
Pei Youshan mumbled: "She's also crazy good at games—dominates arcades..."
Lin Feifei: "A beauty of contrasts—even more enticing!"
"May you live happily together for a hundred years."
Playing along, Pei Youshan said: "I'll take that blessing."
Lin Feifei added: "Hey, since she's apartment hunting, why not let her stay with you? Or give her a place temporarily? That way you can see each other whenever, plus solve her housing problem—two birds with one stone."
"Besides, it's standard sugar mommy practice—what sugar mommy doesn't have a love nest?"
Pei Youshan: "..."
It did make sense.
But she had other matters to handle first.
"We'll see. First I need to verify the Penglai situation."
Lin Feifei agreed.
After hanging up, Pei Youshan searched her contacts for Chen Hanming and messaged him.
[Pei Youshan]: Hello, sorry to bother—are you free?
Having just received An Youda's instructions, Chen Hanming promptly replied.
[Chen Hanming]: Yes, what can I do for you, President Pei?
After pleasantries, Pei Youshan got to the point.
[Pei Youshan]: Nothing urgent—just wanted to ask if your company has an employee named Xu Ge?
Chen Hanming immediately understood.
Though unclear about Xu Jingshu's motives, he now knew the directive was meant for Miss Pei.
This puzzled him further.
—Their indirect sparring didn't look like reconciliation at all!
But he dared not ask, only obediently typed.
[Chen Hanming]: Xu Ge? I believe we do.
[Chen Hanming]: Is there something you need?
[Pei Youshan]: Nothing, just asking for a friend.
Pei Youshan collapsed onto her bed, relieved.
Good—she exists.
Not a minor—good.
Picking up her phone, she idly browsed social media.
Only to find three consecutive posts from her mother's vacation photos.
Caption: Happiness is this simple.
Pei Youshan, nearly splitting from work overload: "..."
She liked the post and commented with a skull emoji.
One minute later.
[Pei Lanqing]: Thanks darling, mom's very happy [rose]
[Pei Lanqing]: Got you gifts, don't worry [heart]
Pei Youshan: "..."
Thanks, that stings even more.
She promptly exited the app to find her little lover.
......
As the bedroom door opened, Xu Jingshu's gaze shifted from her phone to Pei Youshan.
The screen showed a message from Xu Ge:
[Xu Ge]: What did you do? Old An just asked if I pissed you off.
Seeing Pei Youshan beckon, Xu Jingshu nodded slightly, quickly replying "minor thing, talk later" before putting away her phone.
Entering the room, she sat opposite Pei Youshan on a barstool.
Pei Youshan instinctively reached for wine, then remembered and—under her appetizing dish's gaze—switched to juice.
"Thanks."
Xu Jingshu accepted the glass, coldness instantly spreading through her fingertips as pulp drifted inside.
Pei Youshan carefully began: "Xu Ge, you mentioned apartment hunting before, right?"
Xu Jingshu tapped the glass lightly, gaze traveling up to Pei Youshan's face: "Mmm."
Pei Youshan continued: "Found anything?"
Xu Jingshu knew answering yes or no was pointless—her sugar mommy clearly wanted to solve this problem.
The solution wasn't hard to guess.
She cut straight to it: "Does Miss Yue want to help me with this?"
Pei Youshan made a noncommittal sound.
Her little lover really was sharp.
Since they'd come this far, she might as well be direct.
Standard sugar mommy procedure—nothing to be shy about, especially when it benefited her!
"I want you to stay here with me."
Xu Jingshu arched a brow: "Live here?"
Pei Youshan nodded: "Mmm, here."
Probably temporarily, she mentally added.
Instead of agreeing, Xu Jingshu propped her chin on a hand, smiling ambiguously: "Didn't Miss Yue say living alone was more comfortable?"
"...Ahem."
Pei Youshan awkwardly rubbed her nape.
No need to remember my words so precisely...
Xu Jingshu found her reactions increasingly amusing, like a mischievous child.
"If Miss Yue prefers solitude, what if I become a nuisance?"
Pei Youshan immediately said earnestly: "Don't overthink it—I like you so much, how could you be a nuisance?"
Xu Jingshu smiled.
"Alright."
"Then I'll be imposing."
......
After showering, Xu Jingshu finally replied to Xu Ge, summarizing the day's events.
[Xu Ge]: Tsk tsk.
[Xu Ge]: You're not being a lover here.
[Xu Ge]: You're doing undercover work.
[Xu Ge]: And not even tired of it.
Xu Jingshu calmly responded.
[Xu Jingshu]: Not tired.
[Xu Jingshu]: Because I realized something.
[Xu Ge]: What?
[Xu Jingshu]: She's more fun than games.
After a pause, she added:
[Xu Jingshu]: A bit.
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