Purely Accidental - Chapter 28
Chapter 28
The moment the question landed, the atmosphere instantly became delicate and ambiguous.
It was as if they weren't a sugar mommy and her lover, but rather a couple.
Pei Youshan was momentarily stunned by this, blinking slowly as she gazed at the person before her.
Only after a pause did she regain her composure, curving her eyes as she generously answered: "You each have your own merits, both beautiful."
Xu Jingshu smiled faintly, her fair fingertips gently brushing through Pei Youshan's soft long hair as she repeated the answer in a tone that gave nothing away: "Each has their own merits?"
The answer she wanted to hear right now... didn't seem to be this one.
Pei Youshan felt puzzled, not understanding why she suddenly cared about such things.
Then she remembered something that had happened before.
That night in Jinshi, when the person before her had witnessed her being hit on, she'd also asked questions that seemed tinged with jealousy.
But at that time, she'd explained it wasn't jealousy—just inquiring about her thoughts to decide whether to stay or leave, because she didn't want to share a sugar mommy with others.
She'd said it so seriously and righteously that it was impossible to detect even a hint of jealousy in her eyes, forcing Pei Youshan to believe her.
Remembering this, Pei Youshan's confusion instantly dissipated.
—Understood! Xu Ge is worried I might take a fancy to Boss Xue and become her sugar mommy too!
But seeing the usually calm and composed Xu Ge ask such a question for her sake felt novel and pleasantly surprising.
Her mood improved further, a tender smile gracing the corners of her eyes like spring brushing against branches, utterly captivating.
She proactively wrapped her arms around Xu Jingshu's waist, coaxing her sweetly: "Aiya, of course you're the most beautiful in my heart."
Never mind the details—right now, she was her lover, and pampering her was only natural.
Her affectionate gesture worked wonders on Xu Jingshu, gradually restoring her usual tone.
But Xu Jingshu wasn't ready to let her off so easily just yet, posing another question: "Then, Miss Yue, would you choose me or her?"
"You, you, definitely you!" Pei Youshan beamed, swiftly delivering a perfect answer.
The sourness that had been pressing against her chest was instantly swept away by these nine words.
Xu Jingshu felt remarkably lighter, her lips curving into a genuinely satisfied smile.
With unconscious tenderness, she stroked Pei Youshan's long hair: "Good girl."
As long as Pei Youshan wouldn't bring home a second lover, she could rest easy.
Pei Youshan was occasionally met with head pats and this "good girl" praise, making her suspect that perhaps because the other woman was a year older, she habitually saw her as a younger sister...
But she didn't dwell on it, turning instead to peel an orange before heading for a shower.
Before she could even touch the fruit, Xu Jingshu fed her a segment.
"Go shower," Xu Jingshu said calmly. "I'll peel oranges for you afterward."
She was so composed it was as if she hadn't just childishly regarded an innocent bag of oranges as competition.
Her delivery was so natural that Pei Youshan didn't immediately catch on.
Only after her shower, sitting beside her and being fed, did realization slowly dawn on Pei Youshan.
—Her little lover seemed... unusually attentive today?
Oblivious, Xu Jingshu lowered her gaze, her slender fingers meticulously peeling away the rind and pith before bringing another segment to Pei Youshan's lips.
Pei Youshan eyed the offered fruit, obediently parting her lips to accept it. Chewing thoughtfully, she caught Xu Jingshu's hand, eyes bright as she observed: "Xu Ge, you seem... especially affectionate with me today?"
First comparing herself to Xue Yingyue, now proactively feeding her oranges...
If this continued, she might start getting conceited!
Only then did Xu Jingshu belatedly realize she had indeed treated Pei Youshan differently today.
But why?
In silent reflection, she recognized that all her actions seemed aimed at improving her own mood.
Pushing aside those oranges, making Pei Youshan choose her over Xue Yingyue—even feeding her.
Watching Pei Youshan eat fruit from her hand inexplicably lifted her spirits.
Approaching this from a sugar mommy's perspective, Pei Youshan ventured: "Is it because you don't want me to pamper anyone else, so you're trying to... win me over?"
Xu Jingshu: "..."
She didn't refute it.
Because the words... made sense.
From the beginning, she hadn't wanted Pei Youshan to take on a second lover. After discovering Pei Youshan's true identity, that desire only intensified—she wanted more time to tease this beautiful fool who thought she'd hidden her alter ego so well.
Viewed this way, her irritation at Pei Youshan praising Xue Yingyue became perfectly reasonable.
—Exactly. She simply remained consistent in not wanting to see Pei Youshan develop similar feelings for anyone else.
To achieve this goal, what harm was there in being a little more affectionate with her kitten?
Counting all their days together, hadn't she treated her well countless times before?
Having clarified her thoughts, Xu Jingshu grew even more composed, leisurely withdrawing her hand to peel another segment and bring it to Pei Youshan's lips: "Mn, I don't want Miss Yue to have anyone else, so I thought I'd make you happier."
"Is that not allowed?"
Pei Youshan immediately looked smug, her face practically broadcasting "I knew it!"
Simultaneously, she felt a flicker of pride.
Look, just look—even someone as unflappable as Xu Ge wanted to coax and please her. This proved she had some charm as a sugar mommy!
Though Xu Ge remained as unapologetic as ever, showing no shyness about her changes and behaving as if everything were perfectly natural, it didn't stop Pei Youshan from enjoying her attentions.
"Of course it's allowed," she said, eyes curving as she half-joked. "But is this all? Other sugar babies go all out to please their benefactors."
Xu Jingshu propped her chin on her hand, gazing at her with an amused smile: "Then would Miss Yue like to sleep with me tonight?"
Pei Youshan: "..."
Xu Jingshu serenely added: "The hair-tying kind."
The tips of Pei Youshan's ears betrayed her, flushing red once more.
—How could this woman drive so shamelessly with a straight face?!
......
By late June, temperatures climbed daily, the sunlight scorching skin like relentless flames.
Pei Youshan and Lin Feifei sat in an air-conditioned spa, sipping iced juice while flipping through magazines.
"Any news from Madam Pei?" Lin Feifei asked between pages.
Pei Youshan shrugged around her straw: "Not yet, but she's meeting Chairwoman Xu in a couple days."
Lin Feifei nodded: "Then it won't be long."
"But seriously, don't you have any plans to date? You've been single forever."
Were it not for Pei Youshan's sugar baby arrangement, she'd suspect her friend had sworn off love—retaining only her appreciation for beautiful faces.
Pei Youshan took a sip.
Not only had she no such plans—her sugar baby's exceptional performance had made her forget dating was even an option.
But what was wrong with that?
Romance and her current lifestyle were equally valid life choices, both meant to bring happiness.
Since she could freely choose and enjoy the latter, and they were both single, why bother seeking someone new?
"Fate should unfold naturally," she said placidly. "No point forcing it."
"Besides, I'm perfectly content as is."
Lin Feifei suddenly snapped her magazine shut, grinning mischievously: "Youshan, since you're so satisfied with her... have you considered making her 'official'?"
Pei Youshan side-eyed her: "But we have no feelings for each other."
"Love can grow with time!"
Pei Youshan smiled slowly, radiating 'oh you sweet summer child': "Impossible."
"I asked her recently if people could develop real feelings for their sugar parents."
Lin Feifei leaned forward, hands clasped: "And her answer?"
"She said it happens," Pei Youshan replied. "But not to her."
Lin Feifei: "..."
What a heartless canary.
Pei Youshan propped her cheek, smiling serenely: "She's clear-headed and knows what she wants."
"And what she wants... doesn't include me."
Rising, she declared: "Enough chatter—I'm off to pamper my gorgeous hair."
......
Two days later, Pei Lanqing and Xu Yingru met for dinner.
Xu Jingshu learned of this while working late at Blue Ocean Capital.
After glancing at her younger sister Xu Jingying's text, she set her phone aside to wrap up her tasks.
Xu Ge knocked and entered, documents in hand.
Accepting them, Xu Jingshu said: "Thanks, head home early."
Seeing her nearly done, Xu Ge lingered instead, leaning casually against the desk: "Hey, are you falling for her?"
"What?" Xu Jingshu looked up.
"Tsk tsk," Xu Ge teased. "Your sugar mommy. You said she's beautiful, wealthy, around your age, and single. And you've been such an eager little canary lately—wouldn't it be natural?"
"Plus you mentioned having a little secret the other day~"
She was certain that if Xu Ge knew her sugar mommy was Pei Youshan, the teasing would cease immediately.
But she wasn't ready to share that secret yet.
"You're overthinking."
Xu Ge studied her perpetually single friend before finally clapping her shoulder.
"Alright, alright. But if our Chairwoman Xu ever needs romance advice, my door's always open. Payment can be deducted from that 60k—fair and square, right?"
Xu Jingshu's lips quirked briefly before flattening as she coolly removed the offending hand.
"Go home to your daughter."
......
After waiting most of the evening, Pei Youshan finally received Pei Lanqing's message:
[Pei Lanqing]: We've settled things with Xu Yingru. No more pressure about the marriage.
She shot up from the couch like an overjoyed firework.
Then her expression sobered abruptly.
[Pei Youshan]: Does this mean no more blind dates?
[Pei Lanqing]: What's wrong with them?
[Pei Youshan]: That's not the point! Just answer!
[Pei Lanqing]: Need you ask?
[Pei Lanqing]: You're so stubborn—would you go even if I arranged them?
Pei Youshan relaxed, joy overflowing—she might as well have turned into fireworks lighting up the sky!
Another message followed:
[Pei Lanqing]: I won't interfere with your relationships. But if you find someone to marry, bring them home first—no repeat of last time.
Her reply was buoyant:
[Pei Youshan]: Got it!
Pacing excitedly, she decided this merited celebration.
She messaged Lin Feifei and Shao Xingcheng, but both were busy.
Determined to share her happiness, she thought of someone else.
—Xu Ge.
Having confided in her about the marriage pressure, she naturally considered her an ally.
What harm in celebrating together?
Action followed thought as she opened WeChat:
[Pei Youshan]: Xu Ge! I have wonderful news to celebrate—join me for drinks at Lakeside Glaze?
[Pei Youshan]: [cute sticker]
Though she'd vowed to quit drinking, special occasions warranted exceptions!!!
Four minutes passed before her sugar baby replied:
[Xu Ge]: Let's go somewhere else.
Pei Youshan: "?"
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