Purely Accidental - Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Pei Youshan held her phone in silence, deep in thought.
[Hello, Miss Pei.]
Five simple, straightforward words devoid of any emotional embellishment.
Yet they made the person on the other end seem increasingly enigmatic, as if shrouded in mist—impossible to discern clearly.
Was Xu Jingshu actually angry or not?
She couldn't tell, only sensing that the situation wasn't simple.
Human thought processes are complex; the smallest detail can trigger a mental storm, stirring up emotions from every angle.
For instance, if Xu Jingshu replied ten minutes later—did she see the message and deliberately not respond, or was she simply delayed by other matters?
Because she had stood her up before, Pei Youshan's mind inexplicably leaned toward the former explanation, leaving her with a twinge of guilt.
"Sigh."
She exhaled and decided to apologize properly.
Resisting the arranged marriage was one thing; admitting fault was another. She needed to address each matter separately.
Her fingertips tapped against the screen.
[Pei Youshan]: I hope I'm not disturbing you, Miss Xu. I wanted to talk about what happened during our last meeting.
Xu Jingshu reclined in her office chair, posture relaxed.
Her left wrist turned slightly as warm red tea swirled against the porcelain-white cup, creating tiny ripples.
Her gaze remained fixed on her phone screen, unmoving.
When she saw the message, her delicate eyebrows lifted slightly.
—How direct.
She casually replied: [Miss Pei still remembers]
Six words, not even a punctuation mark in sight.
Pei Youshan unconsciously began overanalyzing the text, and the more she did, the more convinced she became—Xu Jingshu was definitely angry!
—She must be holding a grudge against me!
She felt deeply troubled, her emotions tangled.
She hoped Madam Pei Lanqing would never arrange such nonsense again!
She obediently apologized.
[Pei Youshan]: Standing you up last time was my fault. I sincerely apologize and hope you can forgive me, Miss Xu.
[Pei Youshan]: Please feel free to name your terms for how I should make it up to you—I'll accept anything.
Xu Jingshu stared at these stiff, perfunctory words, suddenly curious about the Ragdoll cat on the other side of the screen.
The same person who had recently clashed fiercely with Pei Lanqing—was she now apologizing through gritted teeth, or was she meekly hanging her head in contrition?
She couldn't resist teasing the cat a little longer, temporarily ignoring the matter of compensation.
[Xu Jingshu]: Why didn't Miss Pei come to meet me that day?
"......"
A killing blow.
Pei Youshan felt Xu Jingshu clearly didn't understand the principle that "curiosity killed the cat"—otherwise, she wouldn't be so nosy!
[Pei Youshan]: There was an unexpected company meeting, so I couldn't make it.
After sending it, Pei Youshan guiltily rubbed her nose.
After all, apart from Lin Feifei, who joined later, the only other "attendees" at that meeting had been... bottles of alcohol.
Xu Jingshu chuckled silently and replied with a simple, indifferent "Oh."
Their roles were clearly defined now—she was Xu Jingshu of Blue Ocean Capital, not Xu Ge of Penglai Film and Television. There was no need to be warm toward this cat.
Pei Youshan: "......"
What's with the "Oh"?!
She wished Xu Jingshu would be a little more expressive!
But it was important to look on the bright side.
Xu Jingshu's indifference was far better than her being passionately, ardently interested.
Because if Xu Jingshu ever said she wanted to give their relationship a try, Pei Lanqing would undoubtedly be the first to agree and would aggressively push them together.
With this thought, she gradually calmed down, even beginning to find Xu Jingshu's "Oh" somewhat endearing.
—Xu Jingshu, please maintain this level of indifference toward me. Thank you.
She quickly steered the conversation back on track.
[Pei Youshan]: Miss Xu, there's one more thing I'd like to make clear.
[Pei Youshan]: There's no need for blind dates or meetings between us. I think it's best if we each live our own lives.
On this point, Xu Jingshu's views aligned perfectly with hers.
Xu Jingshu had always believed that her marriage and her relationships should be her own choice.
Even if the person she chose had more flaws than virtues, no one else had the right to interfere.
Love was like drinking water—only the drinker knew if it was warm or cold. Mutual affection was what mattered most.
She was glad Pei Youshan felt the same way.
But she couldn't resist teasing her a little more, curious to see how she would explain herself.
[Xu Jingshu]: Miss Pei makes a good point, but I have one question.
[Xu Jingshu]: Why are you so opposed to this arrangement when you've never even met me?
[Xu Jingshu]: Is it because of me?
"......"
The sheer skill of the question left Pei Youshan speechless.
What kind of unassuming genius was this at digging pitfalls?
How did every single question manage to hit her most awkward pressure points?
Had this genius planted a spy by her side or something?
Pei Youshan sighed deeply, never imagining that even a text conversation could be this exhausting.
She missed her little sparrow.
Her sparrow was beautiful, soft, fragrant, and knew how to read the room—utterly delightful.
She replied with dignity.
[Pei Youshan]: Don't overthink it, Miss Xu. I just believe in free love and dislike having my relationships arranged by family.
[Xu Jingshu]: Is that so.
Xu Jingshu smiled faintly.
[Xu Jingshu]: May I ask—does Miss Pei have a girlfriend?
"......"
After twenty-five years of pursuing free love, she had only managed one failed relationship.
Pei Youshan felt deeply insulted, scratching the wicker hanging chair in frustration.
But she couldn't quite grasp Xu Jingshu's intention behind the question.
This was the downside of texting—it was hard to gauge tone and meaning.
Sitting quietly in the gently swaying hanging chair, she pondered for a moment before deciding to throw caution to the wind.
Better to overkill than to let even one possibility slip.
No matter what Xu Jingshu meant, no matter whether she was overthinking it—she absolutely could not let Xu Jingshu think there was any hope between them!
If she didn't have a girlfriend, she'd just make one up.
Surely Xu Jingshu wouldn't be shameless enough to try homewrecking if she knew Pei Youshan was taken?
As long as she could deter Xu Jingshu, she would win this battle against Pei Lanqing!
She picked up her phone and typed out a bold, unapologetic lie: [Yes]
[Xu Jingshu]: Really?
Afraid the other wouldn't believe her, Pei Youshan immediately began spinning an elaborate, romantic backstory, striving for realism.
[Pei Youshan]: Of course it's true. If not for my family's objections, we'd already be married!
[Pei Youshan]: We've been together for over two years, and our relationship is stable and sweet. She was the one who confessed first—right after a movie ended.
[Pei Youshan]: I was waiting for the post-credits scene, but that movie didn't have one. Instead, she suddenly kissed me, smiled, and asked, "Can I be your post-credits scene?"
As she typed, Pei Youshan marveled at her own romantic flair and storytelling skills.
She'd have to jot this down later—it was perfect material for her next novel!
Xu Jingshu hadn't believed it at first.
If Pei Youshan had been in a two-year relationship, how could she have been so clueless in bed back in Jin City?
That was more unbelievable than a plot hole.
But as she read line after line, her smile gradually faded.
Pei Youshan did love post-credits scenes—that detail added credibility. Rereading it carefully, it really did sound like a personal experience, making it hard to dismiss.
Xu Jingshu's brows furrowed slightly.
Had Pei Youshan just been putting on an act that night, toying with her for fun?
Did she actually have a girlfriend and had tricked Xu Jingshu into being the other woman?
Mired in these heavy questions, her playful mood vanished entirely.
When she looked back at her phone, Pei Youshan had sent another message, this one particularly grating: [Pretty romantic, right?]
"......"
Recalling Pei Youshan's usual adorable, earnest demeanor, Xu Jingshu found it hard to imagine her capable of such deception.
Her expression cooled as she typed: [Are you making this up?]
Pei Youshan: "......"
Good heavens—how did she guess so accurately?!
[Pei Youshan]: Of course not! Why would I lie about something like this?
Xu Jingshu arched a brow, her gaze icy and detached, like the unreachable peaks of snow-capped mountains.
[Xu Jingshu]: Then prove it to me.
Pei Youshan sank deeper into the hanging chair's cushions, staring at the message with dismay.
She hadn't expected Xu Jingshu to be so stubborn—so stubborn that it almost seemed like she had secretly loved Pei Youshan for years and refused to believe she was already taken, desperately clinging to one last shred of hope.
The moment this scenario popped into her head, Pei Youshan shuddered and quickly smacked her forehead to dispel the horrifying thought.
—No no no, please don't let Xu Jingshu have a secret crush on me. I can't handle that!
[Pei Youshan]: Fine, just wait. I'll prove it to you later.
[Xu Jingshu]: I'll be looking forward to it.
Xu Jingshu set her phone down, her expression dark.
If Pei Youshan really did have a girlfriend, she would dump this two-faced Ragdoll sugar baby immediately!
Who said cats were innocent? They were full of mischief!
The conversation ended there.
Pei Youshan gnawed on her thumb, staring at the chat screen in deep contemplation.
—Would hiring an actress last-minute still work?
......
5:00 PM.
Xu Jingshu left work on time, driving Pei Youshan's cheapest sports car back to Biyun Garden.
Her mood was slightly somber the entire way, and even as she opened the front door, she was still preoccupied with whether Pei Youshan actually had a girlfriend.
Until she heard Pei Youshan's voice.
"You're back!"
Pei Youshan stood in the entryway, smiling brightly, her eyes curved like crescents—radiant and pure as the most flawless white rose.
"Come in, I missed you so much today!"
Xu Jingshu: "......"
Her emotions grew even more complicated.
Pei Youshan suddenly stepped forward, planting a warm kiss on her lips, her voice soft. "Xu Ge, I need you to do me a tiny favor."
Then she took Xu Jingshu's hand, interlacing their fingers.
She raised her phone and snapped a photo.
Xu Jingshu: "?"
Pei Youshan inspected the picture.
The soft light from the entryway chandelier illuminated their intertwined arms, making their clasped hands stand out vividly—impossible to miss.
Perfect. This would do!
She sent the affectionate photo, then happily kissed Xu Jingshu's lips again. "Thanks."
Turning away, she skipped off cheerfully. "Dinner's ready. Don't just stand there—come eat."
Xu Jingshu watched her retreating figure, still feeling dazed.
Until she instinctively pulled out her old phone.
[Pei Youshan]: [Image.JPG]
[Pei Youshan]: Me and my girlfriend.
[Pei Youshan]: Convinced now?
Xu Jingshu: "......"
Pei Youshan, you're something else.
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