Purely Accidental - Chapter 35
Chapter 35
Pei Youshan tilted her head in confusion, unable to comprehend what "somewhat skilled" actually meant.
Could this be... modesty?
A modern-day Zhuge Liang?
She made an understanding "Oh" sound and politely remarked: "Then your future girlfriend will be very fortunate."
Xu Jingshu felt both amused and exasperated.
What fortune would there be in her cooking? The fortune of eating egg fried rice?
This wouldn't do—no idiot in the world would classify "only knowing how to make egg fried rice" as "knowing how to cook." She needed to learn proper cooking.
To capture someone's heart, first capture their stomach.
Just like her parents.
After marriage, Xu Yingru's three daily meals were basically handled by Xu Zhi, and her palate had long been spoiled—she'd eat less if it wasn't his cooking.
If she could capture Pei Youshan's stomach like her father did, making her only enjoy meals she prepared, that would already count as half the battle won.
—She decided she'd ask Xu Zhi to teach her cooking later.
Unaware of the calculations running through her mind, Pei Youshan suddenly felt overwhelming sleepiness crash over her, instantly killing any desire to chat. Bearing the residual exhaustion from their nighttime activities, she obediently sank into slumber, completely tuning out the outside world.
Xu Jingshu silently gazed at her peaceful, beautiful sleeping face before carefully gathering her into her arms.
"Goodnight."
My Miss Pei.
......
After a busy week at work, both Pei Youshan and Xu Jingshu decided to properly rest at home over the weekend, tacitly avoiding any mention of going out.
Pei Youshan had been enthusiastically recommended a modern lesbian romantic comedy drama with some Shan Hai Jing themes—though not the scary kind.
Her friend swore by it with full-star recommendations, guaranteeing it would lift her mood.
So she eagerly pulled Xu Jingshu along to watch, thoughtfully wanting to help relieve her work fatigue too.
Xu Jingshu sat down beside her without batting an eye, her natural composure making this privately-motivated, newfound intimacy seem utterly ordinary—so much so that Pei Youshan didn't even notice.
The drama opened with the overworked female lead, fresh off a night shift, miserably contemplating resignation as she boarded the last bus with only the driver aboard.
The bus started, smoothly traversing the bustling yet lonely city. Light and shadow flickered past the windows like a revolving lantern—bright yet fragmented, failing to leave even a glimmer in her exhausted eyes.
The half-lit, half-dark scene painted a warm yet lonely color palette.
Hugging a pillow, Pei Youshan focused intently on the screen, completely oblivious to the gaze from beside her.
Xu Jingshu quietly watched her, recalling how she'd once been so scared by a drama that she'd trembled in her arms. She suddenly felt a pang of nostalgia.
Nostalgia for being wholly relied upon and trusted.
Then she silently averted her eyes back to the drama.
Once bitten, twice shy—she probably wouldn't get to see that again anytime soon.
Just as this thought crossed her mind, the screen abruptly darkened as the protagonist's night bus entered a tunnel.
In the darkness came the sound of the bus doors opening and closing.
—And the clink of a coin dropping into the fare box.
The atmosphere instantly turned eerie.
When the screen brightened again, the color palette had shifted to a cold, gloomy tone.
The previously empty bus now clearly held a stunning woman in a black dress.
The protagonist's gaze involuntarily drifted downward.
Where legs should have been was instead a vividly patterned, coiled and twisting—snake's tail.
The background music suddenly became hollow and distant, like an icy wind scraping down one's spine.
Xu Jingshu's eyebrows twitched.
In Xu Jingying's words, this scene could be summed up in four characters: a hellish opening.
She was somewhat puzzled.
Is this how lighthearted romantic comedies start now?
In the next blink, someone had already burrowed into her arms.
Pei Youshan, caught off guard, had been thoroughly startled. Alarm bells ringing, she twisted around and dove into Xu Jingshu's embrace like a frightened kitten seeking shelter.
"Is it over yet? Is it over yet?" she asked repeatedly.
She was currently equal parts scared, cowardly, and furious.
How infuriating! They said it wasn't scary—does this look "not scary"?!
She was going to cut ties with this clueless friend for three whole minutes!!!
Xu Jingshu gently embraced this timid ragdoll cat, a soft, tender smile blooming on her lips.
A glance at the TV showed the night bus still moving forward, the eerie snake-woman rising from her seat near the door and slithering toward the protagonist in the back.
She stopped by the rear door and stood motionless.
"Not yet."
After this warning, Xu Jingshu began stroking her long hair, as if smoothing her fur.
Hearing this, Pei Youshan buried her face even deeper into the crook of Xu Jingshu's neck, arms tightly circling her waist and refusing to let go.
Xu Jingshu let her cling freely, even selfishly and childishly wishing this creepy opening would last longer.
That way, she could hold her a little longer without needing any excuse.
Unfortunately, heaven wasn't so accommodating—the scene soon shifted.
The sinister snake-woman didn't attack the protagonist; she was just waiting by the door to disembark.
While exiting, she forgot to duck due to her height and slammed her head against the doorframe with a loud "thunk." Wincing in pain, she embarrassedly turned to the protagonist and mumbled, "Sorry about that."
The entire mood instantly lightened.
Xu Jingshu shared the protagonist's speechlessness: "..."
...So it really was a comedy.
Pei Youshan, still unaware, clung tightly without moving.
Xu Jingshu's familiar, gentle scent exuded safety, gradually relaxing her tense body until she held on almost contentedly.
Xu Jingshu selfishly didn't want her to let go.
No matter how many times they'd been intimate, she could no longer remain indifferent to her advances like before.
She loved her closeness, loved every version of her—hopelessly addicted.
Hearing no updates from Xu Jingshu, Pei Youshan hesitated to check the screen herself. She timidly lifted her head to ask again.
But when she met Xu Jingshu's eyes, words failed her.
Those lazy, captivating eyes were slightly lowered, long lashes framing starry pupils—clear black and white, brimming with tender warmth like a meandering stream.
In that instant, she realized those eyes held more than just endless charm; they concealed a gentleness too.
The closer she got, the more moving it became.
She forgot speech, forgot how to blink, quietly reflected in this tenderness as if enveloped by lingering autumn waters—inescapable.
Then her heart skipped a beat before accelerating wildly, leaving her flustered.
Her mind blank, she stared dumbly for a long moment before arriving at one thought:
She's so beautiful.
The kind of beauty that makes people pause and hearts race.
Today's temperature wasn't as high as previous days, the sunlight milder as a cool summer breeze lifted the white curtains, softly brushing over them.
Surrounding sounds seemed carried away by the wind, leaving only each other's near breaths.
The atmosphere was perfect—as if not starting a romance today would be wasting this exceptionally pleasant breeze.
But this notion doused her racing heart like cold water, abruptly calming it.
Start a romance?
What romance?
Hadn't her words that day been clear enough? Her reaction might as well have slapped "I'd be an idiot to fall for a sugar mommy" across her face.
Besides, they had no feelings for each other—what romance was there to start?!
The more she thought, the clearer her mind became, quickly snapping her out of the summer wind's overly tender spell and dismissing any whimsical notions of romance.
This ridiculous idea was definitely the weather's fault!
Absolutely!
Just as she prepared to look away to avoid further absurd thoughts about her lover, an arm circled her waist.
Then another's breath grazed her lips.
Xu Jingshu couldn't bear to miss this heart-stoppingly beautiful version of her, nor let her escape.
Not knowing whose heart might race for her, Pei Youshan seemed like clouds or mist—visible yet impossible to grasp. So she could only clumsily keep her in sight, refusing to let her leave.
Their lips met with a secret, boundary-crossing desire—more fervent yet gentler than ever, as intoxicating as the summer breeze.
Gradually, neither cared about the drama's progress. Their eyes held only each other, each wishing to be the other's most unique existence in this moment, melting together in summer's thin sweat.
Whether on top or beneath, Pei Youshan had one takeaway: no sofa could compare to a bed.
An hour of passion soon wound down. With energy mostly spent, Xu Jingshu held her, stroking her hair as she asked tenderly: "More?"
Perched in her lap with arms around her neck, Pei Youshan replied in a soft, almost coquettish tone: "No... too hot. Shower time."
Sweltering summers were best for cold showers.
Icy water cascaded, stimulating every cell and banishing stifling heat.
When Xu Jingshu lifted the showerhead, Pei Youshan was still engrossed in blowing bubbles.
She occasionally enjoyed this during showers—lathering her hands with soap, blowing bubbles big and small that either floated down or burst against her palms in tiny sprays.
As foam splattered, she briefly closed her eyes, lashes fluttering before reopening them to grin at Xu Jingshu.
No matter how much time passed, her smile remained as brilliantly pure as the sun—mesmerizing, irresistible.
Xu Jingshu's gaze softened adoringly, but her mind stayed clear.
This sun might belong to her, or to someone else. For now, she only had her temporarily.
"Miss Yue."
She lowered her eyes to rinse the soap from Pei Youshan's hands, voice deliberately calm.
"If you ever like someone, tell me."
If I can't be the one you love, at least let me earn the right to wish you happiness...
Pei Youshan suddenly recalled their initial agreement.
—If either got a girlfriend, their arrangement would end immediately with no lingering attachments.
Xu Jingshu's tone felt like a detached, emotionless reminder not to forget this.
Her mood inexplicably dipped, smile fading slightly.
Her heart twisted yet felt relieved.
So she really has no feelings for me. Why was I even thinking about romance?
Good thing I don't like her either.
—Good thing we're still each other's dispensables.
Pei Youshan quickly adjusted, her smile bright as if nothing happened.
"Don't worry."
"When I like someone, you'll be the first to hear the good news."
Xu Jingshu's grip faltered as waves of emotion crashed inside her, leaving no peace.
This casual tone clearly stated she felt nothing for her.
But all turmoil could only surface as a faint ripple: "Mm, looking forward to your good news, Miss Yue."
She'd just have to see who dared steal her cat—and succeeded!
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