Purely Accidental - Chapter 47
Chapter 47
Pei Youshan's lament about "the bitterness of love" kept Xu Jingshu pondering for days.
Was she hinting at wanting to end their arrangement, or simply expressing a desire to experience romance?
Xu Jingshu hoped for the latter, yet feared discovering her own wishful thinking—that confronting the truth might push Pei Youshan away beyond retrieval. Relationships built on financial transactions were fragile like this.
As a lover, she knew what Pei Youshan wanted physically.
As a secret admirer, she couldn't fathom what kind of person truly captivated Pei Youshan's heart. The criteria seemed ever-changing—from "attractive" and "can cook" to now inexplicably adding "foolish" to the list.
This dilemma tormented her.
She'd molded herself to meet Pei Youshan's stated preferences. When would Pei Youshan voluntarily choose her as the standard?
Sitting in her office, she opened the pet simulation game and logged in.
San-San remained an adorable kitten, at that universally endearing stage where every action charmed.
Pei Youshan had insisted they raise this virtual cat together, assigning Xu Jingshu feeding duties, playtime, and maintaining its happiness meter to accelerate growth.
She tapped the yarn ball toy, tossing it onscreen, watching the kitten cautiously emerge from beneath the virtual desk—an uncanny parallel to their real-life dynamic.
She too was waiting for Pei Youshan to open her heart, to approach and accept her.
Onscreen, San-San tentatively investigated before abandoning caution, gleefully batting the yarn ball across the floor, tiny tail swaying adorably.
Xu Jingshu rested her chin on one hand, silently observing the name tag. When would the real "San-San" become exclusively hers?
...
"Sigh—"
Pei Youshan exhaled dramatically, sipping juice before reclining into the wicker chairback. Her peach-blossom eyes, usually vivacious, now clouded with melancholy.
"What exactly is a 'Ragdoll-cat type' girl anyway?"
Lin Feifei glanced up at the lovelorn heiress, stirring her strawberry shaved ice. "Ragdolls? Let me think... docile and clingy?"
Pei Youshan arched an eyebrow. "That's pretty standard dating criteria, no?" She'd lost count of friends seeking obedient, affectionate partners. Was her lover also drawn to that type?
Lin Feifei scratched her cheek. "Or maybe... an elegant fairy? Aren't Ragdolls considered the celestial beings of cats?"
Pei Youshan, self-assessing as average-looking and hardly ethereal, sighed deeply. "Well, fairyhood's beyond me."
Lin Feifei: "?"
Excuse me?
With grave seriousness, Pei Youshan declared, "I'll visit Nanshan Temple tonight and beg the Bodhisattva for instant ascension. Failing that, I'll start cultivating immortality—aiming to transcend before death."
Lin Feifei: "...Even the Bodhisattva would ignore you." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Also, what distorted self-image do you have? You're literally walking goddess material!"
"Miss Pei, I formally prescribe daily mirror sessions to recalibrate your self-perception. Thank you."
Pei Youshan pouted. "Then why doesn't she like me? Am I really that unappealing?"
Lin Feifei soothed, "Nonsense! Our Shanshan is the most captivating person alive! Anyone immune to your charm must be blind!"
Unconsoled, Pei Youshan massaged her temples, gloomily studying the white wicker side table. "Her vision's fine. She just doesn't fancy me."
Lin Feifei adopted a scholarly tone. "Ah, but as Lu Xun once said, 'Some who see are already blind.' Your Xiao Jing might exemplify this condition."
Pei Youshan shot her a look, then deadpanned, "Lu Xun also said, 'I never said that.'"
After Lin Feifei's teasing interlude, Pei Youshan quieted again—and with silence came relentless thoughts of the woman occupying her heart.
Her affection hadn't struck suddenly but grew traceably through each embrace, every murmured "I missed you," and countless considerate gestures that made her pulse quicken.
Xu Jingshu's inherent loveliness meant attraction was inevitable. While her own feelings surprised her, they remained logical.
Yet uncertainty plagued her.
They'd entered this arrangement both single, yet she'd fallen first while Xu Jingshu remained obscured behind mist—inscrutable.
Was she truly so unlikable? So devoid of charm?
Dejected, Pei Youshan cupped her cheeks. "Am I really this unalluring?"
As Lin Feifei prepared another pep talk, a young couple approached, discreetly jostling and playing rock-paper-scissors.
Lin Feifei: "?"
The losing male mustered courage, offering a shy smile with his phone. "Hi, hope we're not interrupting."
"We noticed you earlier—you're stunning. Would you... consider adding me on WeChat? Just as friends?"
Pei Youshan offered a perfunctory smile. "Sorry, no."
After the dejected retreat, Pei Youshan sighed profoundly. "See? Totally uncharming."
Lin Feifei's fists clenched.
Pei Youshan, you absolute Versailles reincarnate!!!
She grabbed Pei Youshan's face. "Snap out of it! This is just the beginning—no self-doubt!"
"Even if she doesn't like you now, can't we make her? Love requires initiative! If it fails, screw it—plenty of fish in the sea!"
Pei Youshan blinked slowly before gripping Lin Feifei's hands. "You're right!"
If her lover could captivate her, she too could conquer her lover's heart!
...
Xu Jingshu noticed Pei Youshan's growing clinginess.
Meals, showers, reading, sunbathing—all required her presence, as if Pei Youshan couldn't bear separation.
On this balmy afternoon, gentle sunlight and summer breezes accompanied their shared repose on the balcony swing. Pei Youshan clung to her waist, nestled intimately against her—a picture-perfect couple.
Xu Jingshu didn't resist, quietly observing the flawless complexion, wind-tousled hair, and serene beauty that made her wonder: Does this proximity mean she feels something too?
Pei Youshan remained silent, diligently channeling Ragdoll-cat energy, willing her to reciprocate.
Xu Jingshu's fingers carded through her hair—light, rhythmic strokes that accelerated Pei Youshan's heartbeat.
Flustered, Pei Youshan tightened her embrace. "What is it?"
"Nothing." Xu Jingshu smiled. "Just noticing Miss Yue's recent... attachment."
Pei Youshan tested the waters. "Don't you like it?"
Xu Jingshu: "Hmm?"
Misinterpreting, Pei Youshan released her, turning away coolly. "If not, you may leave."
Internally, she prayed: Stay, please stay—give me hope!
Xu Jingshu embraced her from behind, murmuring, "I never said dislike. Accompanying Miss Yue is my honor."
Heart soaring, Pei Youshan pressed further: "You enjoy it?"
Xu Jingshu's lips brushed her ear. "Yes, I do."
The tender sincerity, like baring her soul, made Pei Youshan's pulse race—half from attraction, half elation.
No rejection. She said she liked it! Hope blossomed!
Pei Youshan fought back gleeful laughter, the sun now a beacon illuminating their future path. She demurely covered Xu Jingshu's hand. "Good."
Just... good.
The relieved undertone made Xu Jingshu doubt her ears. Observing Pei Youshan's actions, delight sparkled in her eyes—was possibility dawning?
...
Buoyed by this, Pei Youshan radiated joy all day, her cheer evident even during phone calls.
"What's got you so happy?" a friend inquired.
Pei Youshan demurred coyly. "Secret. What's up? Not another drama recommendation?" She recalled being traumatized by that mythological rom-com pitch.
"No worthy shows lately—I'll tag you when there are. Actually, let's hang out! When are you free?"
In her euphoric state, Pei Youshan agreed. "Wednesday works."
Come Wednesday, she discovered this wasn't a simple reunion.
The private room contained unfamiliar faces—all exceptionally attractive, genders varied—brought by her friend Jiang Mengmeng.
"Well?" Jiang Mengmeng elbowed her conspiratorially. "I gathered the hottest people I know. Your ticket to coupledom starts here!"
Pei Youshan's eyelid twitched. Dread pooled in her stomach.
Comments
Post a Comment