Purely Accidental - Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Xu Jingshu asked Pei Youshan for a coin.
Under the moonlight, Pei Youshan could see her outstretched hand—slender, elegant, and fair as polished jade.
She pressed that hand down, smiling sheepishly: "I'll owe you for now, I'll give it to you tomorrow."
Xu Jingshu instead captured her hand in her palm, her index finger idly stroking the delicate skin: "No credit, no transfers—cash only."
Pei Youshan turned to look at her face, half-shadowed, half-bathed in moonlight, amusement dancing in her unusually gentle eyes.
As if infected by that mood, Pei Youshan gazed back at the ceiling, her tone light and teasing: "A vice president like you, fussing over a single coin?"
Xu Jingshu arched a brow, chuckling: "Absolutely."
Then she leaned close, lips brushing Pei Youshan's earlobe as she deliberately nipped at it with playful tenderness.
"After all, I adore money."
An electric tingle shot through Pei Youshan's nerves, flushing her cheeks as she quickly pulled away.
"I'm still sick..."
Xu Jingshu's smile deepened as she propped her head up to study her: "Mm, I know you're ill. So what exactly were you thinking just now?"
Pei Youshan: "..."
Somehow, under Xu Jingshu's questioning gaze, she felt like some hormone-driven beast obsessed with bedroom matters.
Flustered, she doubled down to save face: "Exactly! I'm sick—so what were you doing?"
Time with Xu Jingshu had honed her deflection skills—if she shifted blame first, the awkwardness belonged to the other!
Xu Jingshu remained unruffled, answering like an obedient student: "Nibbling your ear."
Pei Youshan smirked, inexplicably smug: "Just that?"
"And," Xu Jingshu added, "trying to please you."
Pei Youshan's triumphant expression froze mid-smirk.
Fleeting joy bubbled up from somewhere deep, unfamiliar and directionless—she couldn't even name this feeling.
Until arms encircled her, and she heard: "So Miss Yue won't push me toward someone else again, won't discard me."
—She doesn't like you. She only likes your money.
A phantom whisper seemed to echo in her ear.
Pei Youshan abruptly snapped out of the romantic haze, dispelling her wishful thinking.
"Oh..."
Her reply was hollow, yet her face kept burning.
Even if motivated by money, hearing such words spoken with such sincerity was undeniably alluring.
At this rate, she'd be doomed.
Was she destined to fall for women who only wanted her wealth?
Flustered, she rolled over, turning her back to Xu Jingshu.
"Alright, no more talking. Sleep now."
Xu Jingshu quietly observed her slender silhouette.
Pei Youshan lay awake, met with silence.
The air felt compressed, thick with stifling quiet.
She gripped the blanket, hating this tension but clueless how to break it.
Just as she agonized, Xu Jingshu's arms gently wrapped around her waist from behind.
"Goodnight, Miss Yue."
Pei Youshan glanced down at those hands, hesitated, then couldn't bring herself to push them away.
"Goodnight," she murmured.
......
Dawn broke, sunlight streaming through branches to paint golden patterns on the window frames like luminous artworks.
Pei Youshan woke coughing, fumbling for the water glass on her nightstand—only for it to be handed to her.
Xu Jingshu, still in pajamas with no immediate plans to leave, offered warm water.
Pei Youshan sipped, then asked: "Not going to the office today?"
Xu Jingshu replaced the glass, feeling her forehead: "I'll go this afternoon. Your fever's better—how do you feel?"
"Okay," Pei Youshan sniffled, "nose isn't as stuffy."
Xu Jingshu nodded, satisfied: "Get up and freshen up. Medicine after breakfast."
Pei Youshan obediently complied, then lounged on the balcony's wicker swing, basking in sunlight.
Drowsy from medication, she lay motionless for ages.
Sunlight filtered through the rattan, casting dappled patterns like ocean waves across her hair, tiny light spots dancing on her fair skin like mermaid scales.
Xu Jingshu watched from the doorway.
She resembled a fairy slumbering in an enchanted forest—mystical, beautiful, captivating all who saw her.
Xu Jingshu discreetly captured this scene surpassing all worldly beauty in her phone's gallery.
Though the day was clear and breezy, prolonged exposure wasn't ideal for a patient.
Xu Jingshu didn't let her linger, soon approaching to rouse her fairy with a kiss.
Pei Youshan slowly opened eyes that held startling brightness, making her peach-blossom gaze indescribably lovely.
Xu Jingshu couldn't resist kissing those eyelids: "Time to go in. Too much wind isn't good."
Pei Youshan murmured agreement, clutching her phone like a child as she was led inside to nap on the sofa—then promptly dragged Xu Jingshu down to serve as her personal backrest.
Xu Jingshu was puzzled.
"Your embrace is comfortable," Pei Youshan mumbled sleepily. "Just let me lean on you a bit..."
"You like it?" Xu Jingshu asked, smiling down.
Pei Youshan nodded.
Xu Jingshu's smile widened, indulging her completely.
But less than a minute later, Pei Youshan's phone erupted, startling her awake.
—[Mom] is calling...
Xu Jingshu's gaze landed on the screen.
Both froze, then reacted simultaneously—Pei Youshan scrambling away, Xu Jingshu springing upright.
The air solidified for a beat as they stared at each other.
Pei Youshan: "...What are you doing?"
Was it her imagination, or had her lover dodged with unusual haste?
"..."
Xu Jingshu remained composed: "We agreed to keep this private. It wouldn't be proper for me to intrude on your mother's call. I'll wait in the bedroom."
Her logic was impeccable.
Pei Youshan accepted this with an "Oh," then went to fetch headphones.
"You took so long to answer," came Pei Lanqing's voice. "Still unwell?"
Pei Youshan coughed deliberately, drinking water: "Much better than before."
Pei Lanqing launched into maternal admonishments, which Pei Youshan endured without protest.
"Are you alone?" Pei Lanqing suddenly asked. "Didn't Ye Qin come?"
"I can manage," Pei Youshan said. "Besides, friends visit sometimes."
Reassured by her improved condition, Pei Lanqing relented: "Rest well. Call your grandfather if needed—I can't return yet."
The call ended just as a message arrived from Xue Yingyue.
Xu Jingshu emerged once silence fell, finding Pei Youshan typing rapidly:
[Pei Youshan]: Sorry Xue-jie! After I recover, I'll definitely taste your new dishes!
[Pei Youshan]: [PuppyEyes.jpg]
Concerned by her illness, Xue Yingyue called—this time, Pei Youshan didn't avoid Xu Jingshu's presence.
"Don't worry Xue-jie, I'm fine."
"Yes, got shots and medicine."
"No need to deliver food—someone's already making congee for me."
"I'll recover soon, we'll meet then."
Xue-jie...
Xu Jingshu's eyes cooled. When the call ended, she asked neutrally: "Xue Yingyue?"
Pei Youshan nodded absently, missing her expression.
Xu Jingshu crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe: "What did Boss Xue want?"
"Heard I was sick," Pei Youshan said offhandedly. "Wanted to bring me nourishing soups." She beamed: "Xue-jie's so kind."
Xu Jingshu's eyes narrowed, her smile devoid of warmth: "I also make you congee and soup. Am I not good enough?"
"..."
Pei Youshan suddenly felt like some ungrateful scoundrel neglecting her devoted partner.
How could the absent party get praised over the one actually caring for her?
Guilt-ridden, she backpedaled: "Of course you're wonderful too! Each in your own way. For thoughtfulness, you're number one!"
Truly, Pei Youshan the Diplomat.
Xu Jingshu studied her impassively before wordlessly heading to the kitchen to prepare lunch.
Pei Youshan watched her retreating figure, baffled.
Though outwardly unchanged, something felt distinctly... vinegary?
......
3 PM, post-meeting.
Xu Ge caught up to Xu Jingshu, eyeing her attire: "Isn't this yesterday's outfit? Too busy to change?"
Xu Jingshu said flatly: "Tending to a patient." After a pause: "And being provoked twice by a certain silly cat."
First the matchmaking attempt.
Then Xue Yingyue.
Mainly Xue Yingyue.
Beautiful and culinary-skilled—practically Pei Youshan's ideal lover.
Remembering the glowing compliments...
Xu Jingshu inhaled deeply.
Xu Ge commiserated: "That woman's been infuriating me too lately—raving about some 'adorable regular,' how sweet and delightful she is." Her voice rose. "What, this girl has no partner? Why's she always at the restaurant taste-testing? Can't I do that? Is her tongue gold-plated or something?!"
Xu Jingshu froze, piecing things together. She gripped Xu Ge's shoulders solemnly: "Your wife—Xue Yingyue? Owns 'Kitchen Color'?"
Xu Ge blinked: "How'd you know?"
Their adversarial history meant Xu Ge had only ever referred to Xue Yingyue as "that woman"—Xu Jingshu never knew the restaurateur's identity.
Xu Jingshu's lips curved mirthlessly: "Guess."
Xu Ge's eyes widened in horrified realization.
—The "regular" plaguing her was her boss's sugar baby/ex-fiancée/secret crush?!
They stared mutely at each other.
Three seconds later, they spoke simultaneously:
Xu Jingshu: "Control your wife."
Xu Ge: "Control your cat."
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