Purely Accidental - Chapter 40
Chapter 40
Pei Youshan hid half her face under the blankets, revealing only a pair of starry peach blossom eyes.
Beneath that innocent exterior lurked a question utterly at odds with her appearance.
If it were just about food, that'd be one thing... but if it were about people...
Her face grew increasingly flushed.
Clutching the blanket edges with both hands, she spoke with mingled shyness and embarrassment: "You were talking about... food, right?"
After speaking, she distinctly felt the other woman's gaze linger on her face longer than before.
The room suddenly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop, the silent air brushing against her ears with inexplicable awkwardness.
Especially when she noticed the faint upward curve of Xu Jingshu's lips—that knowing, half-smile expression—the wave of awkwardness and shyness hit her unprepared.
With a rustling sound, she yanked the blanket up to block all eye contact, curling her toes as she wallowed in private mortification beneath the covers.
—I must be delirious from fever, otherwise how could I ask such an embarrassing question ahhhhh!
Suddenly, a hand gently rested on her fingers, slowly pulling the blanket down until she met those captivating eyes again.
She saw the faint amusement in those eyes, heard the tender voice whisper two simple words by her ear: "Both."
Pei Youshan: "..."
"Whoosh"—the blanket went back up.
"—You're awful!"
Ahhhhhh!!
What's wrong with this woman, why is she so good at flirting!
Is she trying to kill me while I'm sick?!
Xu Jingshu couldn't suppress a soft chuckle, the smile at her lips growing increasingly irrepressible.
She'd been the one to bring it up, yet ended up the shyest too.
How could she be this adorable?
"Alright." Xu Jingshu patted the blanket, rising with indulgent affection in her tone. "Time to eat something. There's water here—drink some first while I get your congee."
Footsteps gradually faded away.
Pei Youshan slowly lowered the blanket, her stuffy nose occasionally catching whiffs of congee aroma that left her puzzled.
Getting congee?
Did she make it for me?
But she only knows how to make fried rice...
And wasn't she supposed to be at work today?
Could it be... she came specially to take care of me?
Her fever-addled brain, operating at 70% capacity, cycled through these questions without reaching conclusions before Xu Jingshu returned with a bowl of congee.
And a small plate of appetizing pickled vegetables.
Just as Pei Youshan was about to say she had no appetite, the words inexplicably transformed when she saw Xu Jingshu: "You made this for me?"
"Mhm."
Xu Jingshu calmly sat on the bedside.
"Try it."
Pei Youshan's eyes rounded slightly, her appetite miraculously returning somewhat.
Propping herself up with Xu Jingshu adjusting her pillows, she asked curiously: "I thought you only knew fried rice?"
Xu Jingshu handed her water, urging her to hydrate first before answering: "Learned a few things recently."
Pei Youshan clutched the cup, staring unblinkingly with eyes like autumn lake ripples—utterly captivating.
In that moment, a narcissistically hopeful thought emerged:
—Was this for me?
She didn't ask.
Xu Jingshu first fed her a bite of refreshing pickles to stimulate appetite, her expression lake-calm: "Since Miss Yue wants to eat my cooking, I should learn more than just fried rice."
—Otherwise how could I please you?
She scooped congee from the bowl's edge, blowing gently before offering it: "Tell me if it's bad—don't force yourself. I'll improve next time."
Her tone remained typically even, yet carried unprecedented sincerity that plucked invisible strings in Pei Youshan's heart, planting subtle seeds amidst rhythmic heartbeats.
Suddenly words felt inadequate before such devotion—only actions could respond.
"My Xiao Jing's cooking must be delicious." Smiling, she set the cup down and reached for the bowl.
Xu Jingshu deftly avoided her hands, insisting: "Just sit still. Let me feed you."
Pei Youshan retracted her hands obediently, accepting the pork-and-greens congee.
Her blocked nose barely detected the aroma, but the flavors shone clearly—tender meat, soft rice, perfectly seasoned broth that delighted her tastebuds.
"Mmm, so good!"
Xu Jingshu exhaled inwardly, eyes curving: "Glad you like it."
Between spoonfuls, she glanced at Pei Youshan's left hand: "Got an IV yesterday?"
"Mhm."
"Need another today?"
"Doctor said just rest with meds at home."
Xu Jingshu nodded.
Pei Youshan looked between the congee and her: "Weren't you... working today?"
Xu Jingshu remained unflappable: "At my level, schedules are more flexible."
Referring to her position as Blue Ocean Capital's CEO.
"Oh." Pei Youshan's lips kept twitching upward. "So you came rushing here just for me?"
"Mhm." Xu Jingshu said. "Lucky you didn't change the door code."
Pei Youshan smiled, inexplicably sweetened, then remembered Ye Qin and quickly texted her:
[Pei Youshan]: No need to come.
[Pei Youshan]: My friend's already here with me, don't worry.
Seconds later, Ye Qin replied:
[Ye Qin]: Understood. Call if you need anything, President Pei.
After responding, she saw Lin Feifei and Shao Xingcheng asking in their group chat if she needed company.
She stole a glance at her lover beside her.
[Pei Youshan]: No need no need.
[Pei Youshan]: My sweetheart's keeping me company, even made me congee.
[Pei Youshan]: [Cute.JPG]
[Shao Xingcheng]: Damn competent lover [ThumbsUp.JPG]
[Lin Feifei]: Tsk tsk.
[Lin Feifei]: NGL, if she weren't your lover, I'd suspect she has feelings for you—treating you this well.
Pei Youshan sent a smiling emoji before exiting WeChat.
Xu Jingshu asked calmly: "Someone coming over?"
Pei Youshan shook her head.
Originally she hadn't thought she needed company—just a minor illness requiring sleep and meds.
But this unexpected visitor disrupted her plans, making her realize... having someone by her side felt unexpectedly nice.
Especially when that someone was this captivating.
Just as Xu Jingshu was about to ask if she wanted her to stay, she felt a hand slowly grasp her sleeve.
"Stay with me..."
Pei Youshan whispered, inexplicably shy again.
"If it's inconvenient, that's okay too."
A simple request, but to Xu Jingshu, it brimmed with promise.
—She's asking me to stay. She needs me.
How could she let this opportunity slip?
Tucking Pei Youshan's hair behind her ear, Xu Jingshu smiled: "Alright, I'll stay."
"With Miss Yue."
Just like their first shared night in Jin City.
Yet their hearts were now worlds apart.
If she'd known back then she'd fall for this beautiful fool...
She'd have treated her even better from the start.
......
That evening, following Xu Zhi's recipes, Xu Jingshu prepared steamed fish and soup for Pei Youshan, pushing her culinary skills to the limit.
Pei Youshan praised every bite—regardless of others' standards, these dishes suited her palate perfectly.
She even felt secretly envious of her lover's future girlfriend's good fortune.
Sigh. Why couldn't she land such a perfect girlfriend?
There was one right before her, but as the woman herself said—only fools fall for their sugar mommies. Was she supposed to force her into foolishness?
Impossible. Forced fruits never taste sweet.
She wanted a sweet, mutually willing romance.
Unaware of these thoughts, Xu Jingshu felt her forehead—less feverish than morning—and relaxed.
"Rest well tonight too."
Pei Youshan coughed twice: "Mhm."
Before she knew it, bedtime arrived again.
But tonight, someone would share her bed.
Xu Jingshu insisted calmly—she was staying to monitor her condition.
Pei Youshan blinked: "Aren't you afraid I'll get you sick?"
Xu Jingshu pulled back the blankets, lying down unfazed: "Perfect excuse for sick leave."
"..." Pei Youshan said, "My coughing will wake you."
Xu Jingshu tucked her in: "Then I can fetch you water."
Pei Youshan: "..."
Such considerate bird behavior left her speechless with gratitude.
Xu Jingshu drew her close, kissing her forehead: "Sleep. Goodnight."
Having napped all day, Pei Youshan wasn't sleepy yet, so she nestled silently against her.
That familiar embrace (though currently scentless to her blocked nose) radiated security.
She snuggled closer, burying her face in Xu Jingshu's neck.
A mesmerizing voice floated down: "Can't sleep?"
"Mhm."
Fingers combed gently through her hair: "I'll chat with you then."
"Okay~" Pei Youshan answered sweetly.
Xu Jingshu couldn't resist ruffling her hair: "What about?"
Rolling onto her back, Pei Youshan pondered before asking: "Do you know Xu Ge from Blue Ocean Capital?"
Xu Jingshu's eyes flew open, breath hitching momentarily.
"What about her?"
"She shares your name."
"With Penglai acquired, haven't you met yet?"
Xu Jingshu: "...No."
Pei Youshan giggled: "When you do, it'll be hilarious."
Same name, same company—what are the odds?
Xu Jingshu who sees Xu Ge daily: "..."
"Perhaps."
Pei Youshan patted her belly lightly, recalling her matchmaking friend: "A while back, a friend offered to introduce me to pretty girls."
Xu Jingshu stiffened, glaring down at the dark-haired head against her chest.
The possessive, jealous words "Don't you dare" surged to her lips—
—until Pei Youshan continued cheerfully: "Maybe I should introduce them to you instead? Help you find love?"
Xu Jingshu: "..."
She nearly laughed from sheer exasperation.
Never in her life had she been this dumbfounded.
"Unnecessary."
Her tone chilled as she pulled Pei Youshan closer.
"Sleep."
Pei Youshan: "?"
"You said we'd chat! Why sleep now?!"
Xu Jingshu deadpanned: "Chat time's up. Bedtime."
"..."
Two seconds later, Pei Youshan tugged her sleeve, nasal voice solemn: "Hello? Paying to extend—one coin's worth."
Xu Jingshu: "..."
Her anger instantly dissolved.
—Damn Pei Youshan and her overwhelming cuteness.
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