Purely Accidental - Chapter 52
Chapter 52
Joy puts heart into a man.
Pei Youshan sat by the coffee table, cradling her face as she watched her girlfriend's moving figure, her expression brimming with happiness.
Upgrading from a sugar baby arrangement to being girlfriends—this was truly a qualitative leap.
Most importantly, they both liked each other, and neither had let the other's feelings go unrequited.
In this world, was there anything more enchanting than mutual love?
No.
If she had to name one thing, it would be her girlfriend.
Her girlfriend surpassed everything else in the world; no one was more captivating than her.
Then she remembered that in her excitement, she'd forgotten to share the good news with Lin Feifei and the others.
She opened her phone.
[Pei Youshan]: @Lin Feifei @Shao Xingcheng Sisters, dear friends and family, your pal Pei Youshan is officially off the market starting today!
[Pei Youshan]: She said she likes me too.
[Pei Youshan]: [Shy.JPG]
[Lin Feifei]: Holy shit! Your love story actually started with a sugar baby arrangement?!
[Lin Feifei]: That's amazing, baby! Mom's so moved she could cry enough to flood the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers for you!
[Shao Xingcheng]: That's wonderful. This calls for a proper celebration.
[Shao Xingcheng]: I'll be moving to Sea-Sky Horizon in a few days. How about we have a celebratory dinner at my new place?
After house-hunting for a while, Shao Xingcheng had finally settled on the upscale Sea-Sky Horizon complex, where drawing back the curtains each morning revealed a vast expanse of ocean, refreshing both mind and spirit.
This was his well-deserved reward after working so hard for so long.
Lin Feifei and Pei Youshan both agreed enthusiastically.
When Xu Jingshu brought Pei Youshan's books out from the master bedroom, she found her scrolling through her phone, her smile so bright it couldn't be contained.
As if infected by her joy, Xu Jingshu's lips unconsciously curved upward as she walked over with snacks, fruit, and books. "What are you looking at that's making you so happy?"
Pei Youshan set her phone aside and draped her legs over Xu Jingshu's lap. "I was just telling my friends—"
She nuzzled into Xu Jingshu's embrace, sweetly declaring, "I have a girlfriend now."
Xu Jingshu's heart melted instantly, her gaze tender and affectionate as she pressed a kiss to Pei Youshan's lips.
She no longer had to go to great lengths to stop this kitten from liking someone else.
The thought made her pull Pei Youshan even tighter into her arms.
Thankfully, she liked her back. Thankfully...
Pei Youshan wrapped her arms around Xu Jingshu's waist, glanced at the snacks on the coffee table, and pouted. "I want chocolate."
To fully savor the experience of having a girlfriend, she had temporarily rendered her limbs useless.
Xu Jingshu unwrapped a piece of liquor-filled chocolate and was about to feed it to her when their eyes met again.
Pei Youshan's sparkling eyes were just as bright and clear as when they'd first met, instantly reminding Xu Jingshu of their second encounter—when Pei Youshan had been tipsy, gazing at her like a curious kitten.
With a playful thought, Xu Jingshu teased, "No, cats can't eat chocolate."
Pei Youshan burst into laughter before looping her arms around Xu Jingshu's neck. "Other people's cats can't, but yours can. I'm different from other cats."
"Hmm, fair point." Xu Jingshu fed her the chocolate with a gentle smile, stroking her hair with her other hand. "My girlfriend really is special."
"You're the cutest."
The praise suddenly made Pei Youshan shy. Unsure how to respond, she settled for booping Xu Jingshu's nose and cooing, "Silly."
Xu Jingshu caught her playful finger between her lips, giving it a light nip before murmuring, "Still yours, though. No take-backs."
Pei Youshan's eyes crinkled with delight, her heart blooming with joy.
—Having a girlfriend was wonderful. Being loved by her was even better.
After a while of playful banter, Pei Youshan settled down to read.
Seizing the moment, Xu Jingshu picked up her phone and opened WeChat to message Xu Ge.
Such happy news deserved to be shared with friends.
At Blue Ocean Capital, Xu Ge suddenly received a text.
Opening it, she saw it was from Xu Jingshu.
[Xu Jingshu]: Your 60,000 yuan is gone.
Xu Ge: "?"
Checking their group chat, she saw Xu Jingshu had tagged the friend who'd suggested the game idea.
[Xu Jingshu]: I'll treat you to a meal later.
Xu Ge: "..."
She could smell it.
The pungent stench of love.
Xu Ge lowered her gaze and typed.
[Xu Ge]: Congrats.
[Xu Ge]: But now I just have one question.
[Xu Ge]: When are you planning to come clean about your identity?
Xu Jingshu silently glanced at the woman quietly reading beside her.
[Xu Jingshu]: I need to think about it.
[Xu Ge]: ?
[Xu Ge]: What's there to think about? If you both like each other, shouldn't you have a truth-telling session?
[Xu Jingshu]: You don't understand.
[Xu Jingshu]: My girlfriend is different from others.
[Xu Ge]: ?
[Xu Jingshu]: She's terrified of awkwardness.
To prevent Pei Youshan from being so embarrassed she'd literally flee on a train, Xu Jingshu couldn't just blurt out the truth outright.
[Xu Ge]: ...
Xu Ge suddenly felt sympathetic. After a moment's thought, she offered some comfort.
[Xu Ge]: It's fine. She hasn't come clean to you yet either. You're still on equal footing. [Pat on the back.JPG]
Xu Jingshu found this reasonable.
If Pei Youshan wasn't in a hurry, neither was she.
For now, focusing on their relationship was what mattered.
Pei Youshan leaned against the sofa, absorbed in her book, when the sound of fabric rustling reached her ears.
In the next blink, Xu Jingshu had wrapped her arms around her waist, nestling against her chest with quiet devotion.
Pei Youshan smiled softly, stroking her hair as she continued reading.
This peaceful, intimate time together felt just right.
……
September arrived in the blink of an eye, and filming for Pei Youshan's new book adaptation officially began. The cast had all gathered for script readings, starting their initial rehearsals.
Xu Jingshu remembered Pei Youshan's fondness for one of the lead actors, Chu Shimiao, and had assumed she'd want to meet her. Yet Pei Youshan never showed up.
After hanging up a call, Xu Jingshu didn't ask why Pei Youshan hadn't gone.
Maybe she was busy, or maybe she'd lost interest in Chu Shimiao... As long as Pei Youshan was happy.
Pushing open the door to Kitchen Color, Xu Jingshu locked eyes with Xue Yingyue, who had just emerged from the kitchen.
Xue Yingyue had already heard about their relationship from Pei Youshan.
Seeing Xu Jingshu alone now piqued her curiosity. "Just you?"
Xu Jingshu nodded calmly. "Yes. I came to ask for a favor, Boss Xue."
Xue Yingyue leisurely dried her hands, her demeanor as gentle as ever. "No need for formalities, Miss Xu. Just say what you need."
Xu Jingshu took a step forward.
"If possible, I'd like you to teach me how to cook."
Xue Yingyue paused. She'd had plenty of customers come to eat, but few who came to learn cooking.
She smiled. "Why the sudden interest in learning?"
"She likes your cooking," Xu Jingshu answered earnestly. "If you agree, I'm willing to pay for your time. I won't take advantage of your skills."
She'd promised Pei Youshan she'd strive to match Xue Yingyue's culinary prowess, and she intended to keep that promise.
Xue Yingyue set down the towel, studying her silently.
Coming here for her girlfriend's sake... They shared the same surname, so why wasn't the one she knew this proactive?
Still, she was happy for her friend—at least she'd found someone who genuinely cared for her.
Xue Yingyue chuckled softly. "It's just a humble skill, hardly worth payment. Since it's for Xiao Yue's sake, I'll teach you."
Folding the towel neatly, she added, "But I recall Xiao Yue mentioning your job isn't exactly relaxed. Will you really have time to learn?"
Xu Jingshu replied seriously, "You teach when you're free, I'll learn when I'm free. The fee stays the same."
This was Xue Yingyue's livelihood—why should anyone learn it for free?
Even if she only picked up the basics, she'd pay every cent owed.
This was a principle instilled in her by her parents since childhood.
Xue Yingyue smiled warmly at her insistence.
"Then it's settled."
"Come to the restaurant when you're free, and I'll teach you here."
"Thank you. Please keep this from my girlfriend for now."
She wanted to surprise Pei Youshan.
Xue Yingyue agreed.
Xu Jingshu immediately added, "Let's discuss the fees next."
Xue Yingyue nearly laughed at her stubbornness.
Was she always this meticulous?
……
Summer faded into autumn, the distant winds carrying a newfound chill.
Pei Youshan, dressed in a black long-sleeved shirt, closed her office window with one hand while holding a mug in the other, shutting out the autumn air.
By her count, they'd been together for over a month now, their relationship steady and strong.
Xu Jingshu's affection for her was unlike anyone else's—more special, deeper, gentler.
She felt lucky to have met her and cherished her sincerity.
Which was why she'd decided: it was time to come clean.
A fake identity was fine for a lover, but for a partner, honesty was essential.
The heiress of Junjiang Hotel Group... Surely she wouldn't mind, right?
Having made up her mind, Pei Youshan checked the time on her phone and messaged Xu Jingshu.
[Pei Youshan]: Hello, I'd like to take my girlfriend to Baojin Plaza for a date tonight. Could you ask her if she's interested?
It was the most bustling spot in Jiang City.
And the place where they'd first become girlfriends—a location brimming with significance.
So she wanted to make her confession there too.
A reply came swiftly.
[Girlfriend]: She says it's up to you, and to remind you to dress warmly so you don't catch a cold.
[Pei Youshan]: Got it. You too.
[Pei Youshan]: [Cute.JPG]
…
Under the night sky, the city pulsed with life, neon lights diligently illuminating the streets.
Hand in hand, Pei Youshan and Xu Jingshu strolled across the overpass at Baojin Plaza.
Vendors lined both sides, calling out to passersby from their stalls.
Drawn to a game booth, they paid to play a round.
Xu Jingshu won them a pair of handmade hemp bracelets—ten yuan for two.
Pei Youshan happily extended her wrist, letting Xu Jingshu fasten it for her.
"How was work today, Jing? Was it tiring?"
Xu Jingshu lifted her gaze, kissing Pei Youshan's lips with a smile. "Seeing you makes it all worth it."
"I still need to earn money to support you."
Pei Youshan's eyes curved with laughter. "You really want to support me?"
Xu Jingshu nodded solemnly. "Didn't you want me to be your sugar mommy so you could laze around forever?"
Pei Youshan guiltily rubbed her nose.
Squeezing Xu Jingshu's hand, she chose her words carefully. "Jing, have you ever considered... that I might actually be incredibly wealthy? So much so that I don't need anyone to support me?"
Xu Jingshu studied her, quickly grasping her intent.
—She was preparing to come clean.
Xu Jingshu wasn't in a hurry to hear it. Instead, she seized the chance to playfully turn the tables. "Then have you considered that I might be just as wealthy as you—or even more?"
Pei Youshan took it as a joke but answered firmly. "No way. What kind of rich person would be that bored?"
Who in their right mind would pretend to be a kept woman when they were already loaded?!
Her girlfriend wasn't that ridiculous.
Xu Jingshu chuckled, cupping her face. "What if someone out there really is that bored?"
"What would you do?"
Pei Youshan frowned, stroking her chin as she humored the hypothetical.
If the person she was "keeping" turned out to be just as wealthy—or even wealthier—than her...
Oh no. The embarrassment hardwired into her DNA was activating.
What kind of rich idiot would do that?!
She looked up at her girlfriend.
If she really were another wealthy heiress...
In that instant, Pei Lanqing came to mind.
Pei Lanqing had always wanted her to find a well-matched, accomplished partner.
So the more impressive Xu Jingshu was, the more likely Pei Lanqing would approve.
And if they were equals in status? Even better. Pei Lanqing wouldn't worry about her being naive and getting scammed.
So if her girlfriend really were loaded, the awkwardness would be a minor issue. No need to panic!
"It sounds a bit silly, but it's not so bad," she mused aloud. "As long as it's not someone who'd make things awkward for me."
"Someone who'd make things awkward?" Xu Jingshu asked slowly, hope and worry intertwining. "Like who?"
Pei Youshan's embarrassment radar immediately flared, one name flashing through her mind:
—Xu Jingshu.
After all, she'd said plenty of foolish things about Xu Jingshu in front of her "lover."
Was there anything more mortifying than "unknowingly keeping your ex-fiancée as a sugar baby while badmouthing her to her face and making a fool of yourself"?
No.
This was the pinnacle of awkwardness—enough to make anyone flee the planet.
But she was certain this was just a joke.
Her girlfriend couldn't possibly be Xu Jingshu.
If Xu Jingshu were both stunningly beautiful and devoted, how could those rumors have started? And why would she stoop to being a kept woman?
She shook her head, banishing the name of her supposed nemesis. "Like my ex-fiancée."
"You have to understand, we're just... cosmically incompatible. If I'd somehow ended up keeping her, I'd have made sure she knew..."
Her ex-fiancée, Xu Jingshu: "Knew what?"
Pei Youshan gazed mournfully at the sky.
"That I'd have bought out every train in China."
Xu Jingshu: "..."
lol
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