Purely Accidental - Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Just... missed you a little.
...Missed you.
Pei Youshan's heart was unexpectedly fluttered.
Perhaps it was because these words were too touching, or because the person on the phone rarely spoke like this, or perhaps because her voice was too gentle and captivating—regardless, Pei Youshan found herself blushing helplessly.
A fiery blush quickly spread across her cheeks, like the intensifying heat of summer, stirring a restless warmth in her heart.
Though it made her shy, these words... sounded so sweet.
"Ahem..." Taking advantage of being alone, she didn't suppress the smile on her lips. "What's wrong with you? Why suddenly say something like this out of the blue?"
On the other end of the line, Xu Jingshu stood on the balcony, gazing at the shimmering river view that Pei Youshan had once imprinted in her eyes.
The night breeze was cool as water, the moonlight hazy and gentle.
Pei Youshan's voice coming through the phone sounded even softer than tonight's moonlight.
Xu Jingshu unconsciously tightened her grip on the phone, her tone frank: "I'm not used to Miss Yue being away."
Xu Ge had told her she needed to learn to take initiative.
Initiative in showing affection, initiative in expressing herself, initiative in seduction.
"Make her remember your kindness, remember that you need her.
"Also make her grow accustomed to your presence, need you, and reciprocate your kindness.
"But before she likes you, remember 'to hold the pipa half-hidden'—don't be too hasty, lest you scare her away or lose the upper hand."
These were all words from emotional consultant Xu Ge.
So when returning to an empty house, Xu Jingshu had decisively called Pei Youshan, revealing her true feelings.
A genuine expression that wouldn't expose her secret identity.
Hearing this answer, Pei Youshan inexplicably felt comforted and relieved.
—So it really is a matter of habit, not just my problem!
Then she heard the person on the phone ask: "Does Miss Yue not miss me?"
The tone was light, carrying a hint of small expectation.
So small she almost thought it was her imagination, but she still answered with a smile: "Of course I do."
"I'll come see you in a few days, be good."
She felt that at this moment, she finally resembled a proper sugar mommy!
Getting the answer she wanted, Xu Jingshu was satisfied.
As long as Pei Youshan missed her too, it proved she had grown accustomed to her presence, that there was a place for her in her heart—something worth being happy about.
"Alright," she said gently. "I'll wait for Miss Yue to return."
Pei Youshan hung up and slowly lowered her phone.
She felt her little lover was especially sweet today, sweet enough to improve her mood.
Xu Jingshu silently looked at the phone in her hand, recalling Pei Youshan's sweet-voiced reply, the corners of her lips unconsciously curving upward.
If this was her sugar mommy... then playing the fool once wasn't so bad.
......
In the following days, Pei Youshan not only had to complete the tasks assigned by Pei Lanqing but also took time during breaks to discuss script adaptation and other issues with producer Chen Hanming.
Chen Hanming also brought her good news.
"The person President Pei recommended last time—we've reached an agreement and signed the contract."
Pei Youshan's eyes flew open as she sat up from the wicker swing chair: "Really? You really signed Chu Shimiao?"
She had only given a friendly suggestion back then, not insisting Chu Shimiao must play the role nor holding much hope Penglai would choose her.
Never did she expect Penglai to actually take her advice!
Having her favorite actress star in her own novel—what incredible fortune!
Chen Hanming answered earnestly: "Rest assured, we would never lie to you."
Pei Youshan instantly grew more excited about the adaptation, while also feeling a greater sense of responsibility, sincerely hoping Chu Shimiao wouldn't let Penglai or her down.
Otherwise she'd feel guilty for her poor suggestion for the rest of her life!
"I hope Miss Chu lives up to your expectations," she said conventionally.
"We trust President Pei's judgment and Teacher Chu's abilities," Chen Hanming replied politely. "We do have some script questions we'd like to consult you about."
Having soaked up enough sun, Pei Youshan stood to return inside, answering just as politely: "Feel free to ask anything. If I'm unavailable to call, just message me on WeChat—I'll reply when I see it."
"And thank you for serving as intermediary, Producer Chen. I'll treat you to a meal when I have time."
Chen Hanming quickly responded: "President Pei flatters me. It's all part of my duties, only what I should do."
......
Xu Jingying immediately volunteered to intern at Penglai the moment summer break started.
Only to be ruthlessly dragged into Blue Ocean Capital by Xu Yingru to start from the basics and temper her impetuousness.
Xu Jingying: "..."
Am I not your favorite baby anymore?
But she wasn't disheartened. On her second day of work, she began energetically... keeping tabs on Mirror Inquires Autumn's new book from afar.
With Penglai Film now under Blue Ocean's umbrella, as the Xu family's second daughter, her information channels were naturally more extensive and reliable than others'.
Thus, she unsurprisingly learned that Chu Shimiao would star as the female lead in Mirror Inquires Autumn's adaptation.
Chu Shimiao—renowned actress with consistently solid skills.
She didn't doubt Chu Shimiao's professional abilities, only her motives for signing on.
Because Chu Shimiao had once pursued Xu Jingshu.
As an avid gossip enthusiast, she was intensely curious whether Chu Shimiao was here for the role or to pursue her sister—that elusive high mountain rose—once more.
Even more curious whether Xu Jingshu knew about this.
The questions piled up, itching at her until she couldn't resist rushing to Xu Jingshu's office during a break.
Xu Jingshu sat in her office chair, legs elegantly crossed, signing documents with swift, decisive strokes before closing the folder.
Right as the girl across from her finished rambling: "So, sis, do you actually know Penglai signed Chu Shimiao?"
Xu Jingshu replied calmly: "I do."
Xu Jingying sharply inhaled, stroking her chin as she entered detective mode: "Then do you think there's a chance she came for you this time?"
"To pursue you, so she volunteered? Tsk tsk..."
Xu Jingshu lifted her eyes, gaze scrutinizing: "Do you only gather half the intel when investigating?"
Xu Jingying: "?"
"What do you mean?"
Xu Jingshu: "Chu Shimiao was personally recommended by the author, so Penglai reached out to her. Didn't you know?"
Xu Jingying had an epiphany: "Oh, so that's how it is!"
Unfazed by the awkwardness, she leaned forward, eyes sparkling: "Does Mirror Inquires Autumn like Chu Shimiao? Is she her fan?"
Xu Jingshu set down the documents with an indifferent expression, clearly uninterested in the topic.
Whether Mirror Inquires Autumn liked Chu Shimiao, she didn't know. But she did know a certain cat adored Chu Shimiao.
Back when they first met at the movies, before the film started, Pei Youshan had bombarded her with enthusiastic recommendations—words she could still recall.
She countered: "Do I seem like someone who'd care about that author's affairs?"
Xu Jingying cheerfully said: "Hah, true enough—guess I'll go ask Uncle An then!"
Xu Jingshu glanced at her, crooking a finger to beckon her closer.
Xu Jingying cluelessly obliged.
—Only to get flicked hard on the forehead without warning.
"Ow!" She clutched her forehead in pain, features scrunched up. "That hurt!"
Xu Jingshu showed no remorse: "Focus on your work instead of irrelevant nonsense."
Xu Jingying indignantly pointed at the Rubik's cube by her hand.
Xu Jingshu remained unfazed: "I can. You can't."
Xu Jingying: "..."
"Ugh, the double standards are coming from inside the house!"
Then she left, grinding her teeth, planning to find An Youda after work instead.
Xu Jingshu watched her go, unconsciously connecting Mirror Inquires Autumn's and Pei Youshan's shared fondness for Chu Shimiao.
Pei Youshan had mentioned knowing Mirror Inquires Autumn, so perhaps she'd recommended Chu Shimiao. Or perhaps Mirror Inquires Autumn simply shared her taste.
The world was full of coincidences—this proved nothing about her being the author herself.
Thinking this, Xu Jingshu lightly brushed the matter aside, refusing to dwell further on meaningless speculation.
Instead, she turned her thoughts to where to take Pei Youshan for dinner tonight.
By her count, they hadn't seen each other for five whole days.
She wondered if this cat missed her at all...
......
At 6:30 PM, Pei Youshan arrived at the restaurant before Xu Jingshu.
Having lived together for some time now, they were familiar with each other's preferences and habits, so by the time Xu Jingshu arrived, she'd already ordered most of the dishes.
The private dining room's door opened, and Pei Youshan looked up to see Xu Jingshu enter.
A black fitted dress accentuated her slender waist, her snow-pale wrist adorned only with a diamond-studded watch—no other accessories.
Her demeanor remained poised and graceful, her features as strikingly handsome as ever—a feast for the eyes no matter when.
"You're here." Pei Youshan's eyes curved into crescents, smiling brightly. "Have a seat, some tea first. I've already ordered."
Xu Jingshu's gaze hadn't left her since entering, scrutinizing her from head to toe, not sparing a single strand of hair, only relaxing after confirming she looked as well as days prior.
Pei Youshan touched her face curiously: "Is there something on my face?"
Xu Jingshu shook her head with a smile, affectionately and naturally taking her hand: "Many people have been catching colds lately. I'm relieved to see Miss Yue is well."
Warmth blossomed in Pei Youshan's chest: "You should take care too."
Xu Jingshu nodded, thumb gently stroking the hand in hers, luminous eyes fixed on her as she asked an important question: "Where is Miss Yue staying tonight?"
As she spoke, her fingers unconsciously tightened around Pei Youshan's hand.
Under that direct gaze, Pei Youshan felt this wasn't so much a question as a statement of the answer.
Like a cat staking claim to its meal.
Pei Youshan couldn't help laughing, giving the answer they both wanted: "Your place. I'll spend the weekend with you."
......
Under the hazy glow of the entryway light, behind the closed door, between the rustling of fabric, lingered an air of impatience.
Pei Youshan tilted her head slightly, warm breaths like a breeze gently caressing the pale, slender column of Xu Jingshu's neck, quietly igniting a blaze of desire within her.
Parting her lips, she murmured the name of the woman before her: "Xu Ge..."
Hearing this, Xu Jingshu's movements hit an almost imperceptible pause.
The next second, her fingers interlaced with Pei Youshan's, holding tight as her lips wandered to the corner of Pei Youshan's mouth, kissing her again and again: "Don't call me that."
Some fool could no longer bear hearing a name that wasn't hers.
Pei Youshan's desire-clouded eyes reflected her image, voice clearing slightly: "Then what should I call you?"
Xu Jingshu: "..."
She hadn't thought that far.
Before Pei Youshan could press, she decisively captured her lips, distracting her with lingering kisses until she could multitask her way to a solution.
"Call me Xiao Jing," Xu Jingshu said.
Pei Youshan was baffled: "Xiao Jing? Where's that from?"
Xu Jingshu calmly replied with four words:
"My childhood nickname."
Xu Ge: Damn, why not Xiao Shu then!
President Xu: Because that would mess up the family hierarchy.
Xu Ge: ...You're something else.
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