Purely Accidental - Chapter 27
Chapter 27
When Xu Jingshu sent the message "Miss Yue, I'm working overtime tonight and might return late," Pei Youshan was having dinner with Pei Lanqing.
Hearing the notification tone, she picked up her phone and glanced at it.
Then a plate of braised crab claw fins, aromatic and visually appealing, was gently placed before her.
Dishes continued to arrive at the table.
Pei Lanqing's voice came from across: "Shanshan, eat."
Pei Youshan tucked her phone into her chain bag: "Got it."
Pei Lanqing tilted her chin slightly: "Their soup is excellent. Have more to nourish yourself."
Pei Youshan obliged with two sips before gathering courage to speak.
Since Xu Jingshu had promised to clarify things with Xu Yingru, she couldn't afford to lag behind.
This matter needed resolution—the sooner, the better!
"Mom, I have something to tell you."
Pei Lanqing looked up at her.
Pei Youshan went straight to the point: "It's about that matter again—I don't want to marry Xu Jingshu."
"We have no feelings for each other. Give up on this, and don't arrange any more blind dates for me in the future. I dislike them."
Pei Lanqing raised an eyebrow, resting her chin on interlaced fingers as she silently observed her daughter.
Her gaze held both scrutiny and contemplation.
After a moment, she asked softly: "Have you two actually interacted?"
Pei Youshan nodded emphatically.
Pei Lanqing continued leisurely: "You don't like her, and she doesn't like you either?"
Another nod from Pei Youshan.
Pei Lanqing narrowed her eyes appraisingly: "That can't be right. Is my daughter's charm really that lacking?"
Pei Youshan: "..."
"Is that the point here?!"
Pei Lanqing stroked her chin thoughtfully before deciding: "Call her. I have questions for her."
Pei Youshan instinctively clutched her bag: "Why?"
Pei Lanqing replied candidly: "Nothing much. Just want to hear her thoughts directly."
Pei Youshan eyed her suspiciously.
Pei Lanqing compromised: "Rest assured, once clarified, I'll never interfere in your marriage choices again."
This only heightened Pei Youshan's wariness.
Her mother's sudden concession seemed suspicious—she had to stay guarded.
"If you're willing to relent so easily now, why were you so insistent before?"
Pei Lanqing smiled lightly, answering with disarming honesty: "Because I genuinely admire Jingshu and truly hoped you'd marry her."
She trusted her judgment—Xu Jingshu was someone worthy of her daughter's lifelong commitment.
But now, with neither party willing, her personal preference became irrelevant.
Besides, her stubborn little rabbit had long outgrown childhood docility.
Pei Youshan paused momentarily before retrieving her phone: "Fine, let's settle this once and for all—there's absolutely no possibility between us."
Then she frowned: "Wait, you have her number. Why can't you call her yourself?"
Pei Lanqing picked scallions off a meat slice and placed it in her dish: "I've never called her before."
"At this hour, wouldn't a call from a familiar number be more appropriate?"
"..."
Resigned, Pei Youshan unlocked her phone, first sending Xu Jingshu a preparatory text to avoid interrupting any meetings.
As fate would have it, Xu Jingshu was available.
This seemed providential—even heaven wanted her mother to abandon this matchmaking scheme!
She hastily typed a reminder, typos not withstanding, praying Xu Jingshu would be astute enough—
—to not expose her fictitious girlfriend!!!
...
When the call came through abruptly, Xu Jingshu visibly startled.
She couldn't fathom why Pei Youshan would call her suddenly.
Reason dictated she shouldn't answer—Pei Youshan might recognize her voice over the phone.
Yet the urgency in that typo-ridden message suggested immediate necessity...
After brief deliberation, she stood and strode out of her office.
...
When the call connected, Pei Youshan's heart leapt to her throat, pounding violently.
"Miss Pei?"
A gentle, stream-like voice flowed into her ear—
—brighter and livelier than her lover's usual tone.
Then came faint keyboard sounds as the speaker asked: "Where are you?"
Pei Youshan glanced at Pei Lanqing: "Having dinner with my mom."
On the other end, Xu Jingshu and Xu Ge exchanged startled looks—Pei Lanqing's presence was unexpected!
Xu Jingshu frowned slightly—now Pei Youshan's caution made sense.
At least it wasn't an emergency.
Xu Ge frantically signaled with her eyes—What now?!
After a pause, Xu Jingshu calmly typed four characters: [Play it by ear]
Then added: [Ask her purpose]
Xu Ge complied.
Pei Youshan explained: "It's my mom—she wants to talk with you."
Pei Lanqing reached out calmly: "Pass it to me."
Xu Jingshu: "..."
Xu Ge: "..."
Their locked gazes crackled with tension, as if facing imminent peril.
At the restaurant, Pei Lanqing took the phone gracefully, gesturing for Pei Youshan to continue eating while greeting: "Xiao Xu, have you eaten?"
The voice that responded carried more gravity than what Pei Youshan had heard earlier—Xu Jingshu's natural tone.
"I have."
"What did Aunt Pei wish to discuss?"
Xu Ge watched eagerly from beside her laptop, thoroughly entertained despite not understanding why Xu Jingshu avoided speaking directly.
Pei Youshan ate while covertly observing her mother, ears straining to catch Xu Jingshu's responses.
Pei Lanqing glanced at her: "Eat properly."
Then addressed the caller: "Nothing urgent. Just wanted your opinion."
"What do you think of my Youshan?"
Pei Youshan's heart clenched at the question, pounding erratically.
She dreaded hearing: "Your daughter is wonderful, but we're incompatible—she already has a girlfriend."
Her mind raced for solutions before settling on a desperate resolve—
—if necessary, she'd pay Xu Ge extra to reprise her fake girlfriend role!
Understanding Pei Lanqing's intent, Xu Jingshu visualized Pei Youshan's face—how she'd clutched her clothes, gazing up pleadingly.
An image that invited neither aversion nor refusal.
"Miss Pei is remarkable," came her sincere reply, though she remained unaware of her own earnestness.
Catching her tone, Pei Lanqing smiled: "But you're incompatible, correct?"
Pei Youshan's eyebrow twitched.
Xu Jingshu didn't deny it.
Pei Lanqing pressed: "Are you certain?"
"Absolutely."
After brief silence, Pei Lanqing responded: "It seems fate hasn't destined you two together. I understand now."
Xu Jingshu smiled faintly: "Thank you for your understanding, Aunt Pei."
That ragdoll cat would surely be delighted now.
After hanging up, Pei Lanqing returned the phone.
Pei Youshan demanded eagerly: "What did she say?"
"Nothing consequential." Pei Lanqing swapped dishes to her preferred ones, teasing: "Now you're concerned about her?—Eat properly before the food cools."
Pei Youshan set down her chopsticks solemnly: "What's your decision? Give me a clear answer."
Pei Lanqing met her gaze: "I'll clarify matters with Xu Yingru."
Since Xu Jingshu shared this stance, she wouldn't lose face before her rival.
Their children were equally uncooperative, after all.
Pei Youshan relaxed slightly but urged: "I'll await your update. You must follow through—absolutely must!"
"Understood, understood."
"Such a nagging little rascal."
......
After parting from her mother, Pei Youshan urgently messaged Xu Jingshu to confirm whether she'd mentioned the girlfriend matter.
[Xu Jingshu]: No.
Sensing the cat's nervousness—as if committing some larceny—she couldn't resist teasing.
[Xu Jingshu]: Why? Is Miss Pei worried about something?
Like being exposed for her nonexistent girlfriend?
Pei Youshan: "..."
Here it was again—this woman's uncanny ability to pinpoint sensitive questions!
Thinking quickly, she fabricated an explanation through the screen.
[Pei Youshan]: I feared mentioning her might revive Mom's matchmaking efforts. This benefits us both!
Xu Jingshu seemed to visualize her flustered expression, smiling involuntarily.
[Xu Jingshu]: Miss Pei is very considerate.
[Pei Youshan]: Just doing my part.
Having glossed over the issue, she cheerfully contacted her lover, spreading her joy.
[Pei Youshan]: Working overtime is tough—I'll be waiting for you at home!
Xu Jingshu smiled, tucking her phone away.
Xu Ge approached, grinning: "President Xu, may I ask—why avoid speaking to Miss Pei yourself?"
"Hiding some scandalous little secret, are we~"
"Indeed."
Xu Jingshu patted her shoulder with an enigmatic smile.
"I'll tell you later. Time to clock out now."
"My patron awaits."
She departed without further ado.
Xu Ge watched her leave, clicking her tongue.
Was it her imagination, or had her friend been particularly diligent in her canary role lately...
......
While awaiting Pei Lanqing's update, Pei Youshan remained in high spirits.
Xue Yingyue, noticing her buoyant mood, offered extra hospitality during her restaurant visits—double celebrations.
"Wait, Xiao Yue." Xue Yingyue called out.
Pei Youshan turned: "Yes?"
Xue Yingyue retrieved a bag of oranges from behind the counter, offering it warmly: "Today's fruits are exceptionally fresh—these oranges are particularly sweet. I saved some for you."
Pei Youshan declined in surprise: "I couldn't—these are for your business."
Xue Yingyue gently took her arm: "They're just oranges. Take them."
"But don't overindulge—moderation is key."
Pei Youshan eyed the glossy-skinned oranges, then Xue Yingyue's moonbeam-soft smile.
She finally accepted.
"Then I'll gratefully accept."
Xue Yingyue patted her head affectionately: "Travel safely."
...
Good fortune breeds good cheer.
Pei Youshan walked with a spring in her step.
At Hanbai Apartments, she encountered a freshly showered Xu Jingshu, who asked upon seeing her radiant expression: "What has you so happy?"
Pei Youshan set the oranges down, playfully holding one: "Getting to eat sweet oranges makes me happy."
"Here, try one—they're delicious."
As Xu Jingshu picked one up, Pei Youshan added: "Sister Xue is so kind—she specially saved these for me."
"..." Xu Jingshu looked up slowly. "Who?"
Pei Youshan beamed, eyes sparkling: "Owner Xue from Kitchen Color."
Xu Jingshu fell silent, an unfamiliar heaviness spreading through her chest—
—a sour, swelling sensation that made the term "Sister Xue" grate uncomfortably.
Her brow furrowed as she asked pointedly: "You're this happy because she gave them to you?"
Oblivious, Pei Youshan peeled her orange cheerfully: "Of course! She's gentle and beautiful—why wouldn't I be happy receiving gifts from her?"
The orange was abruptly plucked from her hands.
She turned in confusion to find Xu Jingshu suddenly close, her familiar fragrance enveloping her once more.
Those fox-like eyes held her captive, reflecting her image with crystalline clarity.
With one hand, Xu Jingshu pushed the orange bag aside, increasing its distance from Pei Youshan.
Her whisper carried both tenderness and danger, her expression teasing yet composed.
"Then tell me—who's more beautiful? Her, or me?"
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