Purely Accidental - Chapter 46
Chapter 46
Pei Youshan truly had no way to handle her lover, because the other party clearly knew what she wanted and didn't want.
They say it's rare to muddle through life in blissful ignorance, but her lover was terrifying—always clear-headed, so clear-headed that Pei Youshan couldn't find any openings, like an impenetrable fortress.
The only consolation was that she could still use money to keep her by her side.
She shared her defeat with Lin Feifei and Shao Xingcheng, who quickly comforted her.
[Shao Xingcheng]: Don't lose heart, it's just unclear whether she likes you or not—it doesn't mean she definitely doesn't.
Lin Feifei actively steered the conversation to distract her from her worries.
[Lin Feifei]: Exactly, it's not settled yet. Don't be discouraged—why not think about what you'll do after you get together?
Pei Youshan: "?"
It's not even nighttime yet—isn't it too early to be daydreaming???
[Lin Feifei]: You're not planning to keep hiding your identity from her even after getting together, are you?
Mention of her secret identity made Pei Youshan pause, her thoughts instantly drawn into it.
Right, she still had her secret identity...
She had initially concealed her identity out of distrust, playing the role of an enigmatic sugar mommy. But relationships were built on sincerity—if it were her, she wouldn't want her partner to date her under a false identity either. That reeked of distrust.
Rubbing her chin, she seriously considered the scenario.
After a long while, she picked up her phone.
[Pei Youshan]: Of course not. Honesty is a must.
[Pei Youshan]: But I can't just blurt it out right away—I need to find the right moment, like after our relationship stabilizes.
Lin Feifei and Shao Xingcheng both approved of her approach, encouraging her to keep imagining what they'd do after getting together.
Pei Youshan snapped back to reality, her face flushing with embarrassment.
[Pei Youshan]: Shoo, shoo, what's there to imagine? There's not even a single stroke of the character "one" yet—this is just wishful thinking, don't you get it?
[Pei Youshan]: If she rejects me, I'll die of embarrassment.
As someone with dignity, she refused to be a foot artist again!
...
Xu Jingshu felt Pei Youshan was a little different today, but couldn't pinpoint exactly what was off.
As for the cooking skills...
If she asked Xu Ge to get recipes from Xue Yingyue, Pei Youshan might find out by asking Xue Yingyue directly, exposing the ruse.
After much deliberation, the only way to replicate Xue Yingyue's cooking was to approach her herself and ask for lessons.
Whether Xue Yingyue would agree was uncertain. But since Pei Youshan loved it, she'd do her best to try.
......
August in Jiang City was always rainy. The drizzling showers melted the summer heat but also drastically reduced Pei Youshan's desire to go out.
Apart from unavoidable work, she mostly stayed home—not just skipping Kitchen Color, but even Sanwei Bookstore. Fortunately, she had a beautiful lover to keep her company.
Xu Jingshu couldn't have asked for more. As long as she spent more time with Pei Youshan than anyone else, she'd have the upper hand in winning her heart over time.
Of course, that was assuming no sudden rivals appeared.
Pei Youshan sat by the bay window, gazing outside.
The foggy sky showed no trace of golden light. The gentle summer rain fell steadily, then suddenly intensified, pattering against the window and merging into thin rivulets that blurred the world outside.
She remained motionless, feeling somewhat sentimental.
Time flew—it was already August. Next month, her new book's adaptation would officially enter filming. Everything was moving forward, except her progress with her little lover, which remained at zero.
She couldn't find a single chink in Xu Jingshu's armor. Xu Jingshu treated her well, but that kindness had been consistent from the start—meticulous and unwavering—making it impossible to discern whether the motive behind it was her or the money.
Faced with her lover's unshakable clarity, she didn't dare make a direct move. What if the other party rejected the idea of dating her sugar mommy on the spot and packed her bags to leave?
Given her lover's personality, if she really decided to go, no amount of money could bring her back.
Pei Youshan sighed softly, feeling like she'd fallen for an iron wall—unmovable, unyielding, and utterly inscrutable.
Xu Jingshu had just entered the bedroom when she heard the sigh. "Why the sigh?" she asked.
Pei Youshan turned to look at her slowly, answering inwardly: Because I don't know what to do with you, of course.
Outwardly, she replied calmly, "Just a little melancholy from being stuck inside because of the rain."
Xu Jingshu sat behind her with a tablet, leaning against a soft pillow. "I'll keep you company."
"Want to play a game?"
Pei Youshan naturally leaned back into her embrace, taking the tablet and scrolling through it. "What game?"
Xu Jingshu replied gently, "Anything you want. I'll play whatever you like."
Pei Youshan browsed the game store and tapped on a cute, healing-style pet-raising game that topped the new releases chart, skimming the reviews.
Comments praised its realism, saying it felt like raising real cats and dogs—basically a "pet ownership deterrent." The only saving grace was the option to give misbehaving pets a good scolding, lest owners die of frustration.
Intrigued, she downloaded it. She had to see just how realistic it was!
Opening the game, she was greeted with an overwhelming variety of pets.
Distractedly, she clicked into the cats section.
To Xu Jingshu, this was a cat lover downloading a game to raise cats—utterly adorable. She couldn't help chuckling.
Pei Youshan, still browsing, asked without looking up, "What's so funny?"
Xu Jingshu wrapped her arms around Pei Youshan's waist from behind and murmured, "Miss Yue is adorable."
Pei Youshan pursed her lips, grumbling inwardly: If you think I'm so cute, why can't you like me back as a basic courtesy...?
The game's cats were all drawn adorably. After much indecision, she handed the choice to Xu Jingshu.
Xu Jingshu didn't hesitate, immediately selecting a Ragdoll cat. The cartoon Ragdoll appeared onscreen—elegant, ethereal, and irresistibly charming.
Pei Youshan, noting her decisiveness, asked, "Do you want to raise a Ragdoll?"
Xu Jingshu glanced down at her, then back at the screen, answering cryptically, "I like girls who resemble Ragdolls."
She added, "If my future girlfriend wants one, I'd raise it with her."
Pei Youshan blinked rapidly, struggling to process this. After a long pause, she managed, "I thought you said you didn't have an ideal type?"
Xu Jingshu looked at the tablet—at the cartoon Ragdoll licking its pink paws, and at the woman in her arms gazing up at her intently.
Her eyes softened with tenderness. "I didn't before. But now... I suddenly do."
The ambiguous phrasing made Pei Youshan frown. "Suddenly?"
"It just occurred to me one day," Xu Jingshu explained calmly, wary of Pei Youshan misinterpreting it as her having feelings for someone else.
Given Pei Youshan's obliviousness in matters of the heart, she feared that if she said she liked someone, Pei Youshan might excitedly offer to help her pursue them—only to infuriate her further.
"Oh."
Pei Youshan relaxed internally. At least there wasn't another girl.
But what exactly was a "Ragdoll girl"? This was completely outside her knowledge!
After selecting and customizing the cat's appearance, it was time to name it—a task Pei Youshan took on with ulterior motives.
Without hesitation, she typed two numbers: "33."
33—Shan Shan.
Might as well pretend this was the girl she liked. It wasn't like Xu Jingshu knew her real name was Pei Youshan!
The moment Xu Jingshu saw the name, she immediately connected it to Pei Youshan's real name. The possibility that this hinted at reciprocated feelings swirled in her mind.
But she worried she might be overthinking it.
Lips parting slightly, she restrained her emotions and repeated, "33?"
Pei Youshan lied casually, "Just random. Simple names are easier to raise, right?"
She entered the game and reassured her, "Don't worry, you can buy a rename item later. Let's make do for now."
Xu Jingshu: "..."
...Of course. Classic Pei Youshan.
"No need to change it. The name is cute."
Pei Youshan took this as a compliment and beamed, happily diving into virtual cat parenting.
Since she'd projected her own feelings onto it, the pixelated cat prancing around seemed utterly enchanting to her.
Xu Jingshu tightened her embrace and seized the moment to ask, "Aside from looks and cooking skills, has Miss Yue's dating criteria suddenly expanded?"
"Yep." Pei Youshan absentmindedly tossed a yarn ball in-game while answering meaningfully, "I like fools."
Specifically, the fool who said, "Only an idiot would fall for their sugar mommy."
Misinterpreting, Xu Jingshu mentally conjured a question mark.
What an unconventional, earth-shattering standard.
Others wanted someone smart or gentle, but she? She wanted someone dim-witted?!
"Why would you like fools?"
Was she somehow inferior to a fool?!
Pei Youshan pouted.
Yes, why would she like a fool? She'd love to know if the heavens had it out for her, cursing her with this unrequited crush on her lover!
In the entire sugar mommy universe, was there anyone as pitiful and lowly as her?!
"I just do," she said. "Liking someone doesn't follow logic—there's no why..."
Xu Jingshu: "..."
Was there no room for negotiation on this standard?
Seeing Xu Jingshu's impassive reaction, Pei Youshan sulked and muttered, "Maybe it's just a passing phase. I'll probably stop liking it soon."
Did you hear that?!
If you don't confess soon, I'll stop liking you!
Xu Jingshu actually sighed in relief, hugging her closer and resting her chin on Pei Youshan's shoulder.
Thankfully this bizarre standard was temporary—otherwise, meeting it would've been... challenging.
Unsure if Xu Jingshu had picked up on her hint, Pei Youshan felt a pang of disappointment at her lukewarm response. Setting the game aside, she turned to watch the easing rain.
After a while, she sighed wistfully, "I really want to taste bitterness..."
Xu Jingshu: "?"
"What bitterness?"
Pei Youshan: "The bitterness of love."
Xu Jingshu: "..."
Now it was her turn to be perplexed.
Was this a desire to end their arrangement...
Or a hint for her?
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