Purely Accidental - Chapter 56
Chapter 56
After learning from Chu Shimiao, Pei Youshan stroked her chin in contemplation.
She truly hadn't expected Xu Jingshu to be this indifferent.
No wonder even someone as witty and humorous as Chu Shimiao couldn't win her over. Case closed, mystery solved.
At this moment, Xu Jingshu was speechless—utterly and completely speechless.
Was that what she called indifference?
That was simply disinterest toward people she didn't like, couldn't be bothered to give much reaction!
—Forget it.
Xu Jingshu took a deep breath.
Considering Chu Shimiao had helped dispel rumors and corrected Pei Youshan's impression of her, she'd let it slide this time.
Noticing this, Pei Youshan asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Xu Jingshu replied calmly. "It's my first time hearing such an analogy. It's quite... unique."
Pei Youshan agreed, sighing, "How could someone so indifferent end up with such flamboyant rumors..."
Xu Jingshu wrapped an arm around her waist, leaning in until her voice brushed against Pei Youshan's earlobe like a temptation: "If you're really curious, you could ask her directly."
"I'm sure she'd be happy to explain."
Pei Youshan shuddered, the embarrassment etched in her DNA instantly activated.
She'd believed the rumors and misunderstood Xu Jingshu first—how could she possibly go ask what she'd done to be misunderstood like this?
Good heavens, what kind of clown behavior was that?
She lowered her head, glancing sideways at the person beside her with embarrassment: "How could anyone ask something like that! Besides, we're not that close—it'd be so rude..."
Though they'd exchanged messages a few times, they'd always maintained a clear boundary, never overstepping or saying anything unnecessary.
Becoming friends was out of the question.
They'd never considered building a friendship—in this regard, they were remarkably aligned.
Hearing "not close," Xu Jingshu chuckled softly, holding her without another word.
Pei Youshan apologized: "I just feel bad for misunderstanding her..."
She was grateful she'd never mentioned this to Xu Jingshu—one less person knowing meant slightly less clownery...
Xu Jingshu spoke sincerely: "It's alright, don't feel sorry. You were just momentarily misled by gossip—it wasn't intentional, and you never publicly named her. It's understandable."
Xu Jingshu knew her well.
Pei Youshan was always measured with her words, never one for idle gossip. Even when sharing such rumors, she'd never revealed the person's identity—only offering well-intentioned advice to stay away from "that type" to avoid getting hurt.
The same applied to Chu Shimiao.
So she didn't blame her—what ill intentions could a kitten possibly have?
Besides, she'd deceived her too.
If anyone was at fault here, it wasn't Pei Youshan.
Listening to her comfort, Pei Youshan froze slightly.
Strangely, hearing her say "it's alright" actually eased a third of her guilt—as if she'd received forgiveness from Xu Jingshu herself, bringing inexplicable peace.
Suddenly, a terrifying thought struck her.
—Could my girlfriend be Xu Jingshu?
The abrupt notion left her stunned.
But Chu Shimiao's words quickly swept it away.
Chu Shimiao said Xu Jingshu was indifferent—her Xiao Jing was anything but cold, burning passionately for her. The two couldn't be more different!
It must be that Xiao Jing's words were just so reasonable they comforted her.
Theirs was a sweet love story, not some bizarre plot twist!
Snapping back to reality, her smile relaxed as she cupped Xu Jingshu's face, covering it with affectionate kisses and nuzzles: "You're right. Thanks to my Xiao Jing, I feel much better."
Then she remembered her promise to Chu Shimiao, pulling out her phone to find a long-neglected contact.
—Xu Jingshu.
After Xu Jingshu went abroad, Chu Shimiao had never seen her again.
Now that she'd finally returned, Chu Shimiao couldn't get a meeting no matter what—so she wanted Pei Youshan's help arranging one.
Success or failure hinged entirely on this encounter!
Pei Youshan thought Chu Shimiao's humor would make their meeting enjoyable. Since Chu Shimiao confirmed Xu Jingshu was single, what harm was there in helping as a friend?
If this worked out, Chu Shimiao and Xu Jingshu could find happiness, and she could make up for her misunderstanding—a win-win!
A new matchmaking star was rising—she could practically feel her red scarf glowing brighter!
Remembering her girlfriend didn't know her ex-fiancée was "Xu Jingshu," she instinctively angled her phone away.
A classic case of "protesting too much."
Xu Jingshu immediately noticed, pulling her back with an amused smile: "What are you hiding from me?"
Pei Youshan grinned: "Playing matchmaker."
"I'll tell you after it works out, okay?"
...
The next morning, before work, Xu Jingshu found two messages on her other phone.
Both from Pei Youshan.
[Pei Youshan]: Miss Xu, hello. Are you free recently?
[Pei Youshan]: I'd like to treat you to a drink—would you honor me with your presence?
Checking the time, it matched when Pei Youshan had mysteriously texted yesterday.
Xu Jingshu raised an eyebrow, not starting the car yet.
She'd see what this kitten was up to.
[Xu Jingshu]: Out of the blue—why would Miss Pei invite me?
In a fitting room, Pei Youshan's phone chimed. She checked it: "..."
[Pei Youshan]: Can't I invite you without a reason?
Xu Jingshu glanced at their last message date—May. It was nearly October now.
With their relationship, did they seem like casual drinking buddies?
Then she recalled Pei Youshan's "matchmaking" comment and suddenly understood—while also feeling utterly exasperated.
Having her own girlfriend set her up with someone else...
[Xu Jingshu]: Can Miss Pei guarantee you'll come alone?
Pei Youshan: "..."
She couldn't promise that, but didn't want to upset either party.
Her reply was evasive.
Then came Xu Jingshu's response:
[Xu Jingshu]: Whoever asked for your help should come find me themselves.
[Xu Jingshu]: I'll have my secretary keep an eye out.
[Xu Jingshu]: Does Miss Pei need anything else from me?
Pei Youshan: "?"
It was so easily granted it stunned her.
So proactive it baffled her.
This—this was supposed to be indifference?!
Regardless, she'd helped Chu Shimiao. She sighed in relief.
[Pei Youshan]: Nothing else. Thank you for your time, President Xu.
Xu Jingshu called her secretary.
For Pei Youshan's sake, she'd meet Chu Shimiao once—and end this for good!
...
In an inconspicuous corner of a quiet café, Chu Shimiao sat wearing a baseball cap, staring intently at the woman across from her.
After years apart, the once straight long hair was now a mature short cut.
But those fox-like eyes remained the same—cool and distant as an untouchable alpine flower.
Chu Shimiao was speechless, still unable to believe Pei Youshan had actually arranged this meeting.
Xu Jingshu had no time to waste. "Miss Chu," she addressed distantly.
Chu Shimiao's smile vanished: "I have a name, you know. Can't you call me 'Shimiao'?"
Xu Jingshu ignored this, stating calmly: "Don't trouble Miss Pei again."
Chu Shimiao propped her chin up, covering a light laugh: "Then give me a reason not to."
"I can't."
Xu Jingshu replied composedly.
"I have a girlfriend."
Chu Shimiao's heart lurched violently, as if struck hard—the pain left her speechless, eyes wide with shock.
It took several seconds to process this bombshell.
"You... have a girlfriend?"
Xu Jingshu nodded.
Chu Shimiao sat numbly before pressing: "Really? You're not lying?"
Xu Jingshu met her gaze evenly: "Think back—have I ever used this excuse before?"
No.
She'd always been transparent about her feelings, never inventing someone to reject her.
In an instant, the blazing fire before Chu Shimiao's eyes was effortlessly extinguished, leaving only ashes clinging stubbornly to her heart.
Burning, aching, yet helpless.
She hadn't even gotten to say much before years of affection were obliterated by one sentence.
Xu Jingshu looked at her, tone flat but carrying rare sincerity: "Let go. Don't cling to something that'll never bear fruit."
Never bear fruit...
Chu Shimiao sat silently, radiating gloom.
It was rare for Xu Jingshu to see her so quiet.
Noticing her rubbing her eyes, head still bowed, Xu Jingshu pushed a tissue box toward her.
She didn't take any, as if declaring "I'm not crying."
After a while, she composed herself, readjusting back into the cheerful Chu Shimiao.
Used to rejection, she'd always mustered the courage to keep pursuing Xu Jingshu.
But this new reason hit differently—harder to accept.
Yet love was fickle, relying on fate rather than timing.
She and Xu Jingshu simply weren't destined—never had been, never would be.
Success or failure, the outcome was already set.
"Who's your girlfriend?" she asked softly. "Can I know?"
Xu Jingshu lowered her gaze slightly, standing up as her fingers brushed against the hemp bracelet in her pocket.
"You'll know."
"But not now."
After Xu Jingshu left, Chu Shimiao returned to her van—finally dropping all pretense to call Pei Youshan, sobbing.
"Xu Jingshu left the nunnery..."
Pei Youshan was confused: "Huh??"
Chu Shimiao: "Xu Jingshu fucking has a girlfriend!!!"
"I got dumped waaah—"
"..."
Pei Youshan was stunned.
...
Chu Shimiao's heartbroken lament was so moving that Pei Youshan still remembered it upon returning to Biyun Garden after work—even now feeling both empathy and relief.
If her Xiao Jing had rejected her confession by saying she already had a girlfriend, she'd have cried even harder than Chu Shimiao...
The thought made her cherish their serendipitous bond even more—and miss her girlfriend terribly.
She called, asking her to come over.
They hadn't planned to stay together tonight.
Xu Jingshu had intended to visit Kitchen Color to continue learning cooking from Xue Yingyue, but since Pei Youshan wanted her, she immediately changed course.
The moment the door opened, she was tackled into an embrace.
Pei Youshan buried her face against her shoulder, refusing to move: "My friend got rejected—the person she likes has a girlfriend. She cried so hard it broke my heart."
Xu Jingshu held her silently.
"Xiao Jing," she called softly.
Leaning against the door, Xu Jingshu responded tenderly: "I'm here."
Pei Youshan tightened her hold: "I thought about it—if you'd told me you liked someone else when rejecting me..."
She couldn't finish, simply grateful: "Thank you for liking me too."
Xu Jingshu kissed her earlobe gently: "Thank you for liking me."
Pei Youshan smiled contentedly: "Just a little longer..."
...
Not long after Xu Jingshu arrived at Biyun Garden, a black sedan pulled into the parking lot.
The driver parked smoothly, addressing the woman in the backseat respectfully: "We've arrived, Chairwoman Pei."
Pei Lanqing nodded, signaling him to wait.
Exiting the car, she was still on the phone with her father.
"Yes, don't worry—I'm picking up your precious granddaughter now for dinner."
"She's already home."
"In the elevator. Talk later, bye."
Putting away her phone, Pei Lanqing entered the elevator.
The doors closed, floor numbers ascending.
With a "ding," they reopened.
Pei Lanqing looked at Pei Youshan's door.
She stepped out.
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