Purely Accidental - Chapter 36
Chapter 36
The dazzling sunlight was sliced into beams by the clouds, silently spilling across the balcony.
Pei Youshan lay motionless in the beanbag chair on the balcony, the summer breeze brushing against her skin, carrying the refreshing gentleness of the season.
Glistening light beams crept up her fair, slender feet like rippling emerald waves kissing her ankles.
She shifted slightly, tucking her feet in as her entire body sank into the plush sofa. Her exposed skin resembled pure snow, dotted with two or three striking crimson marks.
Xu Jingshu walked onto the balcony and handed her a glass of iced orange juice.
Visible pulp floated between crystal-clear ice cubes, condensation clinging to the glass walls, exuding the heart-fluttering charm of summer.
"Thanks." Pei Youshan sat up straight, her right hand resting on her stomach as she looked up at Xu Jingshu. "I'm hungry. Aren't you?"
Xu Jingshu leaned lightly against the floor-to-ceiling window, her gaze lowering. From this angle, she could see the faint red marks peeking from beneath Pei Youshan's pajama top.
They were both intimate and like a declaration of ownership.
—No matter what the future held, at least for now, she belonged only to her. Only she could be this close to her.
Xu Jingshu's mood suddenly improved.
She reached out and gently ruffled Pei Youshan's hair. "What do you want to eat? Should we order in or have someone cook?"
On a whim, Pei Youshan fixed her clear, sparkling eyes on Xu Jingshu without blinking.
"I want to eat something you make."
Xu Jingshu: "..."
She answered honestly, "I don't know how to cook many dishes."
So few that counting them on one hand would be a waste.
Pei Youshan curved her eyes and said considerately, "It's fine. I'm not picky. I'll eat whatever you make."
Xu Jingshu looked down at her. "Oh?"
Not picky?
Pei Youshan: "...Except for minced scallions, ginger, garlic, and cilantro."
Xu Jingshu fell silent.
Uncertain of her stance, Pei Youshan softened her voice. "It's already past lunchtime. Even if we call someone to cook, we'd have to wait... Xiao Jing, I'm so hungry."
"But if you don't want to cook, it's fine. We can order takeout."
The young miss of the Pei family, spoiled by her father and grandfather since childhood, had always been a child who knew how to act coquettishly with those close to her.
Except for her mother, who was hit-or-miss, no one could resist her acting coquettishly.
Let alone Xu Jingshu, who liked her.
Xu Jingshu had no choice but to turn and head into the kitchen, dusting off her not-so-impressive fried rice skills.
Pei Youshan smiled knowingly, her eyes brimming with triumph, like a kitten who'd successfully stolen a treat.
She wanted to eat Xu Jingshu's cooking.
The focus wasn't really on the food—it was on the person making it.
Besides, her Xiao Jing was so outstanding. Maybe she was a modern-day Zhuge Liang, modestly saying she "knew a little" when she was actually skilled?
She was looking forward to it. With nothing else to do, she recalled the TV show from earlier and immediately called the friend who had solemnly promised it wasn't scary, wanting to vent her grievances.
"It opened with a literal ghost scene. This is what you call 'not scary'?" she grumbled.
The other party replied nonchalantly, "It really isn't scary."
"Didn't you see her bump her head when she got out of the car?"
Pei Youshan: "?"
This unfamiliar plot... What was this?
Her friend, oblivious, continued rambling, "Wow, that sound was so loud. You could tell just from that she was a tough one."
Then, the voice on the other end suddenly paused. "Don't tell me, Pei Youshan, you were so scared you turned it off right then and didn't see the rest?"
Pei Youshan: "..."
She hadn't turned it off—her human early-warning system simply hadn't informed her the show's tone had shifted to comedy.
Then, somehow, they'd ended up... exploring human anatomy, followed by a cool shower together...
What happened in the TV show afterward was long forgotten.
Remembering their earlier intimacy, her face suddenly flushed. Faced with her friend's teasing, she grew embarrassed first.
Hearing her silence, her friend sighed dramatically and said pityingly, "Look at how timid you are. Tsk."
"Don't worry, I guarantee there are no bloody or scary scenes. It's all fake-outs and unexpected comedy!"
Pei Youshan: "Oh..."
Her friend: "Next time, don't be so quick to turn it off!"
Pei Youshan grew even more flustered. "Alright, alright, I got it."
The other suddenly added, "Or better yet, hurry up and get a girlfriend! Find someone brave to watch with you!"
"Oh, right! I've met so many pretty girls lately. There's definitely one that's your type. I'll introduce you when I get the chance!"
Pei Youshan: "..."
"Did you switch careers to matchmaking?"
...
Pei Youshan stared at the lonely plate of fried rice on the table, then at Xu Jingshu.
After a long pause, she finally asked, "That's it?"
Xu Jingshu wiped her hands leisurely. "That's it."
"This is all I know how to make."
Pei Youshan: "..."
So your "knowing a little" really was just "a little"...
Sorry, I misunderstood you.
Seeing her sudden silence, Xu Jingshu also paused before asking tentatively, "You don't like it?"
Come to think of it, after being together for so long, she hadn't even known Pei Youshan disliked fried rice... Was she failing as a lover?
Pei Youshan quickly picked up a spoon and smiled. "No, no, I don't dislike it. Fried rice is great too."
Xu Jingshu frowned slightly and pressed down on her hand. "Miss Yue, if you don't like it, you don't have to eat it. Don't force yourself. I won't mind."
Pei Youshan hesitated, realizing there seemed to be a small misunderstanding between them.
She couldn't help but laugh, explaining sheepishly, "It's not that I dislike it. I just misunderstood earlier, thinking you were being modest..."
Xu Jingshu: "..."
She really hadn't been modest.
Pei Youshan quickly took a bite. The rice was soft, the seasoning just right—it was delicious and far from poorly made.
Her face lit up, and she said sincerely, "It's really good. I like it."
Xu Jingshu exhaled slightly in relief.
But she still couldn't relax completely. No matter how good the fried rice was, it didn't make her the girlfriend who could cook that Pei Youshan wanted.
In the pursuit of Pei Youshan, the road was long, and the burden heavy.
...
Pei Youshan spent another peaceful and sweet weekend at Hanbai Apartments, even if the person with her was just her lover and not her girlfriend.
Come Monday, it was time to return to Biyun Garden.
Standing at the door, she looked at her little lover. "I'm heading back now. I'll come see you again when I have time."
Suppressing the reluctance in her heart, Xu Jingshu nodded calmly.
If the kitten wanted to leave, forcing her to stay wouldn't work.
This would also give her time to go home and learn to cook, secretly attending a crash course.
Seeing how composed Xu Jingshu was about her departure, Pei Youshan hesitated before asking, "Your gold master is leaving. Aren't you even a little reluctant?"
Just a few days ago, you called to say you missed me. Now you're so cold... What kind of moody lover are you?
Was that "I miss you" just something you said while half-asleep?
Hearing this, Xu Jingshu suddenly smiled.
"I am."
She reached out and pulled Pei Youshan into an embrace, capturing her lips in a kiss as tender as treasuring a priceless gem, carefully restraining the burning affection within her.
She hugged her tightly.
"Be careful on the road. Message me when you get home. I'll be waiting for you."
"Don't forget about me."
Her voice was too enchanting, her tone too gentle, like a spring breeze brushing past Pei Youshan's ears or the murmurs between lovers, intoxicating enough to paint her cheeks pink and make resistance impossible.
Pei Youshan hugged her back slowly, her heart instantly satisfied, every beat light and buoyant.
"I won't forget you."
Never would.
......
Xu Jingying noticed that her older sister had suddenly been coming home much more frequently lately.
Strangest of all, she was coming back to learn how to cook.
Xu Jingying: I smell something unusual!
Xu Jingshu, an expert at handling her nosiness, not only refused to explain but also dragged her in as a guinea pig, feeding her all sorts of newly learned dishes.
As a beginner, her control over heat and seasoning was still unrefined, so naturally, many dishes turned out disastrous—some too salty, others too bland.
Xu Jingying grew terrified of being fed. The moment she saw Xu Jingshu enter the kitchen, she bolted, and not even nine oxen could pull her back.
Xu Yingru occasionally passed by and would taste a bite or two.
But in the end, the only one who stayed was her father, Xu Zhi.
Xu Zhi had always been patient. If his daughter wanted to learn, he was happy to teach.
"It's normal to fail at first. Don't be discouraged. Just keep trying."
"Mm."
Xu Jingshu mentally noted her mistakes before turning to Xu Zhi. "Dad, I'll try again."
Xu Zhi nodded and stepped aside to peel an apple for her. Watching her focused expression, he smiled warmly and gently pierced the invisible veil. "Jingshu, do you have someone you like?"
Xu Jingshu's hand stilled momentarily, but she didn't deny it.
Xu Zhi didn't press further, simply instructing calmly, "Keep going."
"Turn the heat down a little."
......
Lately, Pei Youshan found herself thinking about her little lover much more often, though she couldn't pinpoint why.
Every time she recalled how Xu Jingshu had whispered in her ear while holding her, telling her not to forget her, her heart ached at the thought of betraying such tender words.
But then she'd remember how Xu Jingshu had calmly reminded her with lowered eyes that starting a real relationship would mean ending their arrangement.
It was like having cold water dumped over her head, snapping her back to reality.
Theirs was a transactional relationship. Her lover's kindness was part of the deal.
Staying rational and not crossing boundaries was also part of it.
Yes, exactly. It was all part of the deal.
She snapped out of it again, patted her cheeks, and turned back to her work.
...
This time, Pei Youshan once again visited Hanbai Apartments to see her little lover on the weekend.
She didn't need to explain why she never came on weekdays, and her lover never asked. In a way, it was considerate, saving her a lot of mental energy.
But tonight, Xu Jingshu had plans to go out for a gathering with friends.
Pei Youshan didn't mind, waving her off breezily. "Go ahead. Just remember not to drink if you're driving."
Xu Jingshu looked at her for a moment before suddenly stepping forward.
A faint, pleasant fragrance wafted past Pei Youshan's nose, and the next thing she knew, she was enveloped in a familiar embrace.
A voice as charming as ever whispered gently by her ear, "If you need anything, call me. I'll come back right away."
The tone was both coaxing and reassuring, inexplicably making Pei Youshan's ears burn. "Just go already. Don't keep people waiting..."
...
Xu Ge, An Youda, and the others had been sitting in the private room for about ten minutes when Xu Jingshu finally arrived.
After taking her seat, she said matter-of-factly, "This round's on me."
The others naturally cheered, not refusing at all.
This was how their group operated—whoever was late paid.
Xu Jingshu asked casually, "What were you talking about?"
Xu Ge answered, "Cats. Old An recently adopted a calico at home."
An Youda immediately chimed in, "Cats are great. So adorable."
He began egging Xu Jingshu on. "Xiao Xu, it must get lonely living alone. You should get a cat for company."
Xu Jingshu suddenly thought of the "cat" at home and smiled. "I have a cat."
Xu Ge raised an eyebrow.
The gazes of the cat owners in the room instantly snapped to her.
An Youda asked eagerly, "Since when? What breed?"
Xu Jingshu smiled faintly, answering seriously, "A very cute ragdoll."
The others nodded understandingly.
Xu Ge stifled a laugh.
An Youda said, "You must really like her."
Xu Jingshu nodded. "I do. I always hug her before leaving the house."
An Youda's eyes swept over her black dress, not finding a single cat hair. "Were you ten minutes late because you were de-furring at home?"
Xu Jingshu remained composed. "No, I never de-fur."
Because there was no fur to begin with.
An Youda suddenly sensed something amiss. "Xiao Xu, you've been scammed."
Xu Jingshu: "?"
An Youda adopted an extremely professional and solemn attitude, explaining gravely, "Ragdolls shed!"
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