Purely Accidental - Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Xu Jingshu's words left Pei Youshan tossing and turning in bed.

—I like you.

—I'm so happy you could be my girlfriend.

—I'll do everything in my power to take care of you.

What did these three sentences truly mean?

Were they expressions of affection directed through her to some future girlfriend?

Or... were they a confession meant for her?

The air conditioning in the master bedroom was set low.

Yet Pei Youshan's face kept growing warmer, the lingering sunset glow from earlier still painted across her cheeks.

She turned over, hugging the pillow beneath her, burying her face in it.

This was terrible.

Absolutely, unreasonably terrible.

It was as effortless as plucking something from a bag—stealing hearts required no effort at all!

Was her lover some kind of arsonist specializing in setting hearts ablaze?

Her gaze drifted to the roses by the window.

Under the cool moonlight, the deep red petals appeared even more bewitchingly mysterious.

Lost in thought, her mind became a tangled mess.

She cared about a child's form of address, bought all the roses just because the term changed.

Didn't that mean... she had feelings for her?

Otherwise, why go through this charade and take a simple form of address so seriously?

So then... maybe she likes me a little too?

Pei Youshan kept asking herself this question over and over.

...

In the adjacent bedroom, Xu Jingshu couldn't sleep either, having just put down her phone.

Because Xu Ge had casually tagged her in their group chat, asking, "What's going on? How did you suddenly get into a relationship?"—waking up everyone who was either asleep or about to sleep.

Messages flooded in one after another, the discussion heating up.

She replied: [It's nothing. I helped her with something, and she agreed to be my girlfriend for one night. It's not even close to being official.]

Then she stopped looking at her phone.

Her mind kept replaying everything that had happened that evening.

No matter what the event, it always circled back to one question.

—Does she like me too?

Her gaze lifted slightly, resting on the blank wall as if trying to see through it to the person on the other side, hoping to find the answer she sought.

Thinking carefully, every moment tonight had been filled with Pei Youshan's indulgence toward her.

And behind that indulgence, faint traces of affection.

Though only the slightest hint, it gave her immense confidence.

—She probably likes me too.

The more she thought about it, the stronger this feeling became, connecting previously unnoticed details like strung pearls, clearly laid out before her.

Pei Youshan had once brought up the topic of "a kept lover falling for their patron."

Her response back then had been decisive, her gaze so straightforward it might as well have spelled out "I'd be an idiot to fall for my patron."

So could it be that Pei Youshan's "idiot"... was referring to her?

Xu Jingshu sat up in bed, a surge of impulsiveness making her eager to demand an answer from Pei Youshan.

But fearing Pei Youshan might already be asleep, she hesitated to act.

She sat silently on the edge of the bed, her heart half joy, half worry.

Joy at finding possible evidence that Pei Youshan liked her.

Worry that it might all be wishful thinking.

Her phone kept chiming with new messages.

She lowered her gaze and picked it up.

[Xu Ge]: ?

[Xu Ge]: Is this for real? She agreed to be your girlfriend, and you're saying it's not official yet?

[Xu Ge]: Did you run into some playgirl or what?

[An Youda]: See! I called this possibility ages ago!

[Xu Ge]: ...I was just making a comparison. That scenario doesn't hold up—otherwise, I might get carried out of Blue Ocean tomorrow after work.

Other friends gradually chimed in.

[Friend A]: Stop bullying her, our Jingshu is just hopeless when it comes to romance!

[Friend B]: That's an even harsher burn.

[Friend B]: Jingshu, if she agreed to be your girlfriend, she must have feelings for you. Think about it—maybe all the strokes of that "eight" character are already there, and you just haven't realized it?

The group erupted in agreement, with some even adding their ID numbers for emphasis.

Xu Jingshu's eyes gradually softened with amusement.

She wished it were that simple, but their unusual relationship and Pei Youshan's personality made it hard to be certain.

She needed a way to break the stalemate.

Just then, several new messages popped up in the group.

[Friend C]: @Xu Jingshu, Jingshu, last time we met, you said you didn't know if she liked you back, right?

[Friend C]: I went home and brainstormed, and recently came across this little "crush test" game. You should try it with her when you get the chance.

[Friend C]: The reactions are different depending on whether they like you or not.

A solution appeared in the blink of an eye, as if the heavens were giving her an opportunity.

She read through the game's rules with unusual focus—they were quite simple.

Her friend even left her an out: [You've known each other long enough that she should know you like games. If the test shows she doesn't have feelings, just say it was only a game with no deeper meaning, pretend nothing happened, and stay friends!]

The entire group had gone to great lengths to help their only single friend.

Xu Ge, technically married but effectively single, blended right in.

After some thought, Xu Jingshu found the idea increasingly feasible. Her heart swelled with anticipation, her eyes shining brilliantly.

[Xu Jingshu]: Okay, I'll try it tomorrow.

...

Next door, Pei Youshan remained oblivious.

She was plucking rose petals, alternating between "she likes me" and "she doesn't like me," muttering to herself—a painfully cliché method.

The final petal landed on "she doesn't like me."

Holding the now-bare stem, she fell into a long silence.

"..."

She tossed the lonely stem aside.

"Well, she likes me."

Yet sleep still eluded her that night.

Staring at the ceiling, she remained deeply trapped in the question—"Does she like me or not?"—unable to free herself.

As a result, she slept late and woke late, and since work wasn't busy lately, she didn't even bother going to the office.

Xu Jingshu hadn't gone to work either.

When Pei Youshan stepped out of her room, she found her sitting energetically in the living room, seemingly waiting for her.

While preparing breakfast, Pei Youshan asked, "Why aren't you at work?"

Xu Jingshu answered calmly, "I took the day off."

"Huh?" Pei Youshan's ears perked up. "Sick leave? Are you feeling unwell? Wait here, I'll change and take you to the hospital."

Her anxious expression warmed Xu Jingshu's heart, prompting a gentle smile. "I'm not sick. I just stayed up late and didn't feel like going in today."

"Don't worry, Miss Yue, I already cleared it with the boss."

Pei Youshan: "..."

What a master of playing hooky without batting an eye.

What a considerate boss.

Xu Jingshu set down her water glass. "I'll stay home with you today."

Pei Youshan nodded between bites. "Sure."

Xu Jingshu took a seat at the dining table, her gaze burning into her. "A friend told me about this game—said it's really fun. Would you play it with me?"

Thinking it was no big deal, Pei Youshan easily agreed, adding, "Don't forget to feed Sansan."

"Already did."

Xu Jingshu smiled, reaching out to ruffle her hair.

"Now I just need to feed you."

Pei Youshan slowed as she reached for her milk, suddenly feeling like she was being treated like a cat.

Was that her imagination?

...

"What kind of game?"

Pei Youshan asked as she was led to the couch.

"Simple. Just look at me and say four words."

"Which four?"

Xu Jingshu held her hand, her thumb lightly stroking Pei Youshan's knuckles. Beneath her calm tone surged turbulent emotions.

"I like you."

Pei Youshan froze, suddenly recalling those three sentences whispered to her last night.

Xu Jingshu watched her unblinkingly.

A moment later, Pei Youshan snapped out of it, clearing her throat. "That's it?"

No refusal, no discomfort.

Xu Jingshu's brows lifted slightly, her eyes glinting with amusement.

"Just follow my lead. I'll guide you."

Pei Youshan's ears turned pink again. Though she didn't understand the purpose of this game, she had no intention of refusing.

Since she was already here, why leave empty-handed?

Might as well use this chance to figure out Xu Jingshu's true feelings.

"...Let's try it."

Xu Jingshu took both her hands, gently pulling her closer, her gaze unwavering. Her voice was almost hypnotic. "Look at me."

Pei Youshan slowly lifted her eyes, meeting those bright fox-like ones.

Under that gaze, all her movements seemed to slow, even her thoughts turning sluggish.

Only her heartbeat raced uncontrollably.

Suddenly, all other sounds faded away, leaving only their voices.

She heard herself stammer, "I... I like you."

Her face heated up, her gaze flickering away.

The faster her heart beat, the deeper her embarrassment grew.

It felt like laying her heart bare, her secret crush exposed, completely vulnerable before the other.

Xu Jingshu took in every reaction, her own heart stirred. Unable to resist, she leaned closer. "Say it again."

Pei Youshan paused, baffled by the game.

But backing out now would waste everything, and she'd been too flustered earlier to even see Xu Jingshu's expression!

So she mustered her courage, locking eyes with her, her face flushed but her words smoother this time. "I like you."

She saw Xu Jingshu smile faintly, without a trace of discomfort.

But there was no other response—just another "Say it again."

This game was getting stranger. Was it just mindless repetition? Still, trusting her, Pei Youshan complied.

After two attempts, her delivery was much more natural now. "I like you."

This time, instead of hearing another "Say it again," she was met with three different words—

"Me too."

Pei Youshan stiffened, her heart pounding, heat rushing from head to toe.

After confirming she hadn't misheard, she immediately buried her face in Xu Jingshu's neck, hiding her burning cheeks.

Her mind was chaos.

Help help help—

Was this part of the game or real?

Was this a confession??

This had to be a confession, right???

Eyes tightly shut, her ability to think plummeted, her brain overwhelmed into blankness.

Xu Jingshu held her, her own heart suddenly clear.

This "crush test" was meant to observe the other's reactions.

Three "I like you"s, followed by a response. If it were just friends joking around, they'd laugh it off. But if both harbored feelings, that moment of heart-fluttering tension would be unmistakable.

From Pei Youshan's reaction, she clearly felt something too.

That alone was enough to send joy surging through her.

Happiness flooded her entire being, so full it threatened to overflow, making her hold Pei Youshan even tighter.

Hearing no further words from Xu Jingshu, Pei Youshan's chaotic thoughts made everything feel dreamlike, unreal.

Did she truly like her?

Or was this just a game, and she was reading too much into it?

But things had already gone this far—she didn't want to retreat now.

Rather than tormenting herself, she'd get a clear answer today, one way or another.

"Jingshu." She secretly gripped Xu Jingshu's sleeve, both hopeful and fearful. "...Is this still part of the game?"

Xu Jingshu glanced down at her, smiling faintly before looking away, fingers idly stroking her long hair.

"It is part of the game."

Pei Youshan's lips pursed, her spirits instantly deflating—until Xu Jingshu continued.

"But it's also the truth."

Pei Youshan froze.

Xu Jingshu went on slowly.

"You once asked if I could stay with you for ten years. I didn't answer then.

"Now I can tell you my answer.

"—Not just ten years. However long this lifetime lasts, that's how long I'll stay by your side."

Her sincerity moved Pei Youshan to the brink of tears.

Touched, but even more so overjoyed that her feelings were reciprocated.

Her lips trembled. "So you don't like girls who resemble Ragdoll cats anymore?"

Xu Jingshu chuckled. "You're the Ragdoll cat girl I like."

Pei Youshan: "?"

—Damn it! I'm the Ragdoll cat all along?!

Xu Jingshu affectionately patted her head, her voice tender. "I like you. I really, really like you. Not for your money, just for you—and I'll even earn money for you to spend."

"So, Miss Yue, will you give me a chance to be your girlfriend?"

Pei Youshan rubbed her eyes, then said after a pause, "Say you like me."

Xu Jingshu obediently replied, "I like you."

Pei Youshan straightened. "Say it again."

Xu Jingshu gazed at her steadily. "I like you."

Pei Youshan fought back a smile. "Again."

Xu Jingshu wrapped an arm around her waist, her eyes soft as water, her tone endlessly patient and affectionate. "I like you. I like you most. I only like you."

Pei Youshan immediately beamed, leaning in to press a kiss to her lips.

"Hello, girlfriend."

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