Purely Accidental - Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Pei Youshan couldn't understand—why change locations when everything was perfectly fine?
Was Lakeside Glaze not good enough?
They had an extensive selection of alcohol, attractive waitstaff, and impeccable service—how could anyone dislike that place?
Xu Jingshu couldn't care less about Lakeside Glaze's drinks or servers. What concerned her was that the staff there recognized her.
Going there would be like a fool voluntarily exposing her secret identity, wouldn't it?
Unaware of the reason, Pei Youshan tapped out a message on her phone: [Why change locations? Isn't Lakeside Glaze good enough?]
Separated by the screen, she couldn't see Xu Jingshu's expression and could only glean hints from her reply.
Then she saw Xu Jingshu's response:
[Xu Jingshu]: Lakeside Glaze is too far from Hanbai Apartments. Somewhere closer would be more convenient.
Currently at Hanbai Apartments herself, Pei Youshan was immediately convinced, suddenly finding the reasoning quite sound.
As expected of her little lover—so considerate.
...
Xu Jingshu parked her car and stepped calmly into an upscale club called "Mistwater Retreat."
Mistwater Retreat was only a seven-minute drive from Hanbai Apartments—close and convenient.
And it wouldn't expose her identity.
A server approached to assist as soon as she entered.
Xu Jingshu stated the private room number and followed the server.
Walking down the brightly lit corridor, her reflection glided across the polished floor like lingering light, never pausing for the scenery on either side until she reached her destination.
"Here we are. Please call if you need anything," the server said.
Xu Jingshu gave a slight nod. "Thank you."
Pushing the door open, the first thing that caught her eye was, as always, that person.
Only afterward did she notice the bottles of wine on the table.
Pei Youshan wore a simple white daisy-print mesh dress, a floral hair clip nestled in her soft black tresses that cascaded over her shoulders like rolling ocean waves—elegant and beautiful.
But she didn't look like someone here to drink; rather, she resembled an innocent young girl who had wandered into the wrong place.
Pei Youshan lifted her bright eyes, and their gazes met.
Her delicate, lovely face instantly bloomed with a captivating smile. "You're here! Come keep me company while I drink!"
Xu Jingshu closed the door behind her. "Miss Yue has started drinking again?"
Hadn't someone claimed they'd quit alcohol?
In high spirits, Pei Youshan declared, "Yes! Today's happy occasion calls for it! We're drinking to our hearts' content!"
Xu Jingshu could guess why she was so happy but played along. "What's the occasion?"
"What else could it be? It's because I'm finally free of that arranged marriage!"
Pei Youshan's eyes curved into crescents, her expression brimming with satisfaction.
More importantly, Pei Lanqing had promised not to interfere in her life anymore—wasn't that worth celebrating?
"This calls for setting off firecrackers!"
Xu Jingshu raised a brow, watching her intently.
—Was not marrying me really such a cause for joy?
Unaware of her thoughts, Pei Youshan cheerfully opened a bottle and filled two wine glasses.
Her eyes sparkled with vibrant delight, as if nothing could dampen her happiness at this moment.
Seeing her like this, Xu Jingshu had her answer.
Yes, she was happy—ecstatically so.
All because she didn't have to marry her.
The thought inexplicably tightened her chest.
Was it because she meant nothing to Pei Youshan, or was there another reason...?
Pei Youshan pressed a glass into her hand, eagerly urging her to drink together.
Xu Jingshu's mood wasn't high. She set the glass down gently.
Turning, she met Pei Youshan's puzzled gaze, then calmly tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, saying softly, "I have work early tomorrow and can't drink—it'll give me a headache."
"Besides, drinking would make driving inconvenient later. I'll just keep you company."
Her explanation was so logical that Pei Youshan couldn't possibly object.
So Pei Youshan, ever considerate, relented. "Then I'll order you some juice to sip while I drink. Sitting here with nothing would be too boring."
Xu Jingshu agreed. "Alright."
Then she quietly observed her.
Pei Youshan's profile was exquisitely flawless, her features flowing like strokes from a master painter's brush—not a single flaw to be found.
When she glanced over, the starlight in her eyes was something one could spend a lifetime pursuing.
"What is it, Xu Ge?" Pei Youshan asked, meeting her gaze. "Why are you staring? Is there something on my face?"
She reached up to touch her cheek in confusion.
The corners of Xu Jingshu's lips lifted slightly as she calmly replied, "No."
"Miss Yue is just too beautiful—I couldn't help but look."
Pei Youshan had been complimented like this before, yet she still flushed, smiling sheepishly. "You and your sweet talk..."
Xu Jingshu remained deadpan. "It's the truth."
Before, she hadn't paid much attention to Pei Youshan's appearance, but recently she'd come to a realization:
—A beautiful airhead was the most attractive person in the world.
"Are you really that happy right now, Miss Yue?" she asked.
Pei Youshan nodded firmly. "Of course! This is the best news I've heard all year."
Pei Lanqing would finally stop controlling her like she had in childhood—this made her happier than earning her first bucket of gold through her own efforts!
Xu Jingshu wasn't on the same wavelength, assuming Pei Youshan's joy was directed at her personally.
Hearing this answer, coupled with the knowledge that she was the very fiancée in question, her chest grew even heavier, her mood unshakably somber.
In Pei Youshan's eyes, was she really that undesirable?
But... why did she even care about Pei Youshan's opinion of her?
The realization brought an inexplicable restlessness.
She couldn't trace the origin of this question.
Nor could she understand her recent self.
It was as if she'd become a different person, unconsciously preoccupied with everything about Pei Youshan.
Meanwhile, Pei Youshan remained jubilant all evening, throwing her alcohol abstinence to the wind.
The two seemed to exist in separate worlds, their emotions never aligning.
Even so, Xu Jingshu dutifully kept Pei Youshan company, her expression betraying nothing.
Pei Youshan, in her euphoria, drank glass after glass, as if making up for lost time.
Within minutes, a drunken flush crept across her cheeks, and her words grew increasingly slurred.
Leaning against Xu Jingshu's shoulder, her gaze drifted lazily to the wine glass as she murmured with a soft, gentle smile, "You know... I've been waiting for this day since I was little. Finally, it's here..."
Xu Jingshu frowned. "...?"
Since childhood...? We weren't childhood sweethearts, were we?
Pei Youshan threw her arms up excitedly. "Today—I'm finally free!"
"Cheers!"
Abandoning all decorum, she tipped her head back and gulped straight from the bottle, determined to drown years of resentment over forced childhood extracurriculars.
Xu Jingshu could only patiently remind her to slow down, worried she'd choke in her enthusiasm.
One juice, several bottles of wine, and an hour later, Pei Youshan had completely lost her faculties, her pretty face flushed as she nuzzled into Xu Jingshu's neck, motionless.
Xu Jingshu held her quietly, gently stroking her hair.
Minutes later, a familiar word drifted sleepily from Pei Youshan's lips: "Sleepy..."
This was typical of her—drunkenness always led swiftly to drowsiness.
Recalling their second encounter, Xu Jingshu wasn't surprised.
Pei Youshan whimpered softly twice, as if urging her.
Resigned, Xu Jingshu patted her head. "Good girl, let's go home."
Just then, Pei Youshan suddenly lifted her head to look at her.
Squinting with effort, she finally recognized the face before her and broke into an adorable grin. "It's you..."
Xu Jingshu's interest piqued. Instead of standing, she asked softly, "Who am I?"
Pei Youshan looped her arms around Xu Jingshu's neck—this time, no shocking propositions emerged like their first meeting. Instead, she sweetly cooed, "You're the beautiful Xu Ge."
In that moment, she was like spring's sudden arrival, a freshly bloomed camellia—so lovely it made hearts skip.
Xu Jingshu's pulse stuttered inexplicably.
—Strange. Why did this beautiful fool keep getting cuter?
Having identified her, Pei Youshan drowsily nuzzled back into Xu Jingshu's neck like a cat, mumbling, "Sleepy..."
It melted both ears and heart.
Helpless, Xu Jingshu guided her out of the room with unconscious tenderness in her eyes.
The entire way, Pei Youshan clung to her as if she'd found treasure.
In the lobby, Xu Jingshu needed to pay the bill, but Pei Youshan's octopus grip made it difficult.
She coaxed her onto a sofa, promising to return quickly, then headed for the counter.
Pei Youshan sat silently for a moment, holding her forehead, before suddenly remembering something. Dazedly, she looked around.
Where was her little birdie?
Where had her big, precious birdie gone?
Not spotting it, she decided to search, swaying as she stood.
A responsible keeper wouldn't just lose their bird!
Xu Jingshu finished paying and turned to see Pei Youshan bump into a passerby.
The stranger politely steadied her—just as Xu Jingshu had once done.
And this passerby... was rather good-looking.
Pei Youshan stared blankly as the stranger asked kindly, "Are you alright, miss? Did I hurt you?"
Then Xu Jingshu watched Pei Youshan nod and inexplicably bow. "Hello."
Xu Jingshu: "..."
What a familiar scene.
What next? Would she proposition this stranger like she had back then?
The thought darkened Xu Jingshu's eyes. Without thinking, she strode over, steps hurried.
Just as Pei Youshan began to ask, "Have you seen my birdie—", the world tilted, and she was yanked into familiar arms.
"Apologies. She's drunk."
Xu Jingshu hauled her away possessively.
From the moment she saw Pei Youshan with someone else, a possessive fire had gnawed at her heart—so intense she couldn't ignore it, so fierce she rejected the idea of Pei Youshan offering that same intimacy to another.
And it forced her to confront a painfully complex question:
Could it be... I like her?
Yessss
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