Purely Accidental - Chapter 62
Chapter 62
As someone who couldn't be gayer, Pei Youshan never imagined she'd one day be the subject of such rumors.
Truly, calamity had fallen upon her while she sat innocently at home.
She suddenly understood how Xu Jingshu must have felt when falsely accused before, falling momentarily silent.
Well, now they were even on that score.
Hearing it was a misunderstanding, Xu Jingshu's mood instantly brightened like clouds parting, her eyebrows lifting with such delight it made her striking features even more radiant.
But if it wasn't true, why had Pei Youshan said those things?
And kissed him...
"It wasn't a rumor," Xu Jingshu said. "You said it yourself."
"Two days ago I went to Sea-Sky Horizon and accidentally saw you with that man. I heard and saw everything that happened afterward."
Pei Youshan blinked, her focus derailed again: "How did you know I was there??"
Xu Jingshu answered honestly: "I guessed."
Pei Youshan: "...?"
Guessed?!?!
Xu Jingshu explained methodically: "Chu Shimiao said you were staying at a friend's place. I remembered you'd praised Sea-Sky Horizon before, said you wanted to try living there, and that it has the ocean view you love."
"So I figured it out."
Pei Youshan: "..."
Xu Jingshu added: "Chu Shimiao's expression confirmed it."
Pei Youshan was thoroughly impressed.
Damn, Xu Jingshu, you actually guessed that.
Wouldn't it be a waste of talent if you didn't contribute to our country's criminal investigation efforts?
When Xu Jingshu looked at her, her gaze was both tender and pitiful, her tone cautious as if afraid of saying the wrong thing and angering her again: "Shanshan, I just missed you a little, so I stood outside to look."
Seeing her like this reminded Pei Youshan of a drenched, homeless puppy - every inch of her radiating heartbreaking vulnerability.
Not only that, she'd remembered every casual remark Pei Youshan had ever made...
At this realization, Pei Youshan's heart softened abruptly, all harsh words dissolving.
She pressed her lips together and averted her gaze, afraid she'd be enchanted by that look again.
Yet against her will, she found herself inexplicably explaining: "He's not my boyfriend, just a friend of mine and Feifei's named Shao Xingcheng. We've always been close, and he likes men."
"That day I was pretending to be his girlfriend to help scare off his ex. The guy was awful, kept harassing him, so I had no choice but to kiss him."
"Besides, I don't even like men—"
Mid-sentence, she suddenly stopped.
Wait, why was she explaining so much?!
They'd broken up - who cared who she dated!
Coming to her senses, Pei Youshan immediately turned and strode away, steps hurried as if wishing she'd never come.
Seeing this, hope ignited in Xu Jingshu's eyes, shining brighter than stars in the night sky.
She followed Pei Youshan, calling after her with the same tender affection as before: "Shanshan."
Embarrassed by her unconscious explanation, Pei Youshan felt unbearably awkward now, turning her head away from that burning gaze: "Stop following me!"
"Ugh, you're so annoying! I'm still mad! Go away!"
Xu Jingshu kept pace, hearing she was still angry, and obediently extended her other unbitten hand.
One glance and Pei Youshan understood the implication, made worse by Xu Jingshu's utterly serious expression - as if being bitten was her natural due - nearly making her laugh in frustration.
To prevent cracking a smile, Pei Youshan slapped the offered hand away, putting on her fiercest expression like a hissing kitten: "Who wants to bite your hand!"
To Xu Jingshu, even an angry ragdoll cat was adorable, making her all the more unwilling to leave.
She smiled: "Anywhere else is fine too, as long as Shanshan's happy."
Pei Youshan: "..."
No more. She couldn't stay near this woman any longer or she'd forget to stay properly angry.
She needed to make her suffer a few more days, teach her a lesson!
Pei Youshan played her trump card: "Keep following me and I'll leave Jiang City tonight - you'll never find me again!"
The words landed, and the footsteps beside her abruptly stopped.
Rooted to the spot, Xu Jingshu didn't move another inch.
The trump card worked like a magic spell - disobey, recite it, and compliance followed.
Pei Youshan didn't look back, walking straight ahead.
After just a few steps, she heard Xu Jingshu's warm voice behind her: "Shanshan, see you next time."
—Who wants to see you next time!
Pei Youshan thought proudly, though she didn't voice the retort.
Suppressing the urge to turn back, she kept walking.
Exiting the east gate, she finally stole a glance toward Xu Jingshu while pretending to turn left.
Tall ginkgo trees stood in rows, their fan-shaped leaves already tinged with autumn hues at the edges.
A breeze rustled through the woods, shaking loose leaves that drifted down to settle by Xu Jingshu's feet.
She remained motionless where she stood.
The hem of her fitted black trench coat fluttered in the wind, her tall, straight figure strikingly eye-catching.
Her face was as flawlessly beautiful as ever, though somewhat weary, but her eyes shone captivatingly bright, fixed lovingly on Pei Youshan's departing figure.
In that moment, Pei Youshan no longer saw the cunning fox that had once been so hard to pin down.
Instead, she saw a hopeful little dog wagging its tail, waiting to be taken home.
The transformation suited her perfectly.
The image seared itself into Pei Youshan's mind.
A thousand words condensed in her heart, even her gaze wavering.
She quickly averted her eyes and sped up, almost fleeing the scene.
......
That evening, Pei Youshan sat on the balcony hugging a pillow, gazing at the sea.
The moonless night blended sky and water into an indistinguishable dark mass.
Lost in thought, her mind inevitably drifted back to today's Xu Jingshu.
Beautiful, pitiful Xu Jingshu.
Shao Xingcheng returned later than usual, but in exceptionally high spirits.
He called for Pei Youshan the moment he entered, joy overflowing in his voice.
Snapping out of her reverie, she responded.
He rushed over excitedly, grabbing her hands: "Darling, he confessed to me!"
"He confessed!!!"
Pei Youshan blinked, then broke into a radiant smile: "Really?! That's wonderful!"
Then asked: "Did you go to Nanhai Park today?"
Shao Xingcheng's elation paused, surprised: "How'd you know?"
"Xu Jingshu saw you."
Pei Youshan hugged the pillow again, hiding half her face.
"She thought you were my boyfriend, that I'd been fooled again."
She summarized today's encounter for him.
After listening, Shao Xingcheng sat beside her, propping his chin on his hand, smiling: "Shanshan, she can't let you go, and you can't let her go either."
Pei Youshan buried her face in the pillow, despondent: "I'm so pathetic. After what she did, just a few words and I already softened..."
Shao Xingcheng gently ruffled her hair, comforting her:
"Not 'just a few words' - it's sincerity. If Xu Jingshu had walked away after deceiving you, or offered a half-hearted apology, you wouldn't have softened, right?"
"It's precisely because she's genuinely remorseful, sincerely seeking your forgiveness, that your heart responded."
"Even I feel bad for her hearing this. Besides, you held strong! If it were me, I might've forgiven her already."
"Thinking about it... wow, turns out I'm the pathetic one?"
Pei Youshan chuckled at his antics.
Shao Xingcheng smiled too: "Good, you're laughing. Don't dwell on this. At least one problem's solved."
"What?" Pei Youshan didn't follow.
He patted her shoulder: "She really does love you."
After a pause, he added: "Loves you deeply, as certain as the sun and moon."
Pei Youshan flushed: "Sh-she still did wrong!"
Shao Xingcheng asked knowingly: "She did. So what's your plan? Keep giving her the cold shoulder?"
"Not going to hear her out properly?"
After consideration, Pei Youshan said: "I will... when I'm less angry..."
She hoped Xu Jingshu's explanation wouldn't reignite her fury then.
Changing the subject, she told Shao Xingcheng: "Now that you have a boyfriend, I should go home. I'll move out tomorrow - one last night here."
He joked: "Yes, go! If you stay longer I might end up on her blacklist."
"Next thing you know, I'll be 'the weather's cold, let's bankrupt the Shao family'..."
Pei Youshan laughed, standing to massage his shoulders: "Don't worry, I'll protect you! CEO Pei's got your back!"
......
Though she'd said "next time," Xu Jingshu had no idea when that would be.
She was at Pei Youshan's mercy now.
But thankfully, Pei Youshan's attitude had softened - at least she'd offered an explanation.
With Blue Ocean not busy and no girlfriend to accompany, Xu Jingshu returned to Kitchen Color as an apprentice.
Xue Yingyue rolled up her sleeves, asking gently: "Haven't seen you and Xiao Yue together lately?"
Xu Jingshu's movements slowed before she replied quietly: "We had a fight. I messed up and made her angry."
Xue Yingyue closed the fridge, studying her silently before sighing: "Apologize properly. Sincerity matters most in relationships."
Xu Jingshu nodded slightly.
Yes, sincerity.
Exactly what she'd lacked during those days that drove Pei Youshan away.
Life without Pei Youshan had taught her that lesson well.
Though unaware of specifics, Xue Yingyue offered advice as both their friend and mentor: "Don't repeat mistakes. Cherish Xiao Yue."
Xu Jingshu nodded again: "Don't worry, I understand."
Satisfied, Xue Yingyue changed topics, asking about her previous dishes before teaching new recipes.
Soon, the entrance bell chimed.
"Keep practicing," Xue Yingyue said, setting down her spoon. "I'll greet the guest."
Emerging from the kitchen, she recognized the visitor immediately.
"Xiao Yue." She glanced back toward the kitchen before approaching warmly. "Long time no see."
Pei Youshan smiled sheepishly: "Been busy, sorry. Came as soon as I could - missed your cooking!"
Xue Yingyue seated her: "Not bringing your girlfriend?"
"We... had a fight." Pei Youshan fidgeted with her earlobe. "We'll work it out. Any new dishes to try?"
Understanding, Xue Yingyue decided to help: "No new dishes, but an apprentice's work. Could you evaluate it?"
Pei Youshan grinned: "With your teaching, it must be delicious!"
"Sweet talker." Xue Yingyue booped her nose. "Wait here."
......
The apprentice's dishes soon covered half the table.
Each dish looked and smelled exquisite, clearly made by skilled hands.
Pei Youshan surveyed them, scooping salted egg yolk broad beans with fluffy rice - perfectly appetizing.
While not quite matching Xue Yingyue's standard, the effort to emulate her was evident.
Strangely, it reminded her of Xu Jingshu's version.
Was she losing it, thinking of Xu Jingshu while eating?
"Well?" Xue Yingyue asked expectantly.
Pei Youshan sipped soup before answering: "Almost as good as yours! Delicious!"
"Does it remind you of anyone?"
"Who?"
"Your girlfriend."
Pei Youshan started: "How'd you know I thought of her?"
Xue Yingyue gestured toward the kitchen: "Because she made these."
Pei Youshan whirled around, but the kitchen entrance stood empty.
Her emotions tangled as she turned back awkwardly: "Don't joke - she's too busy for this."
Xue Yingyue remained serene: "No joke. She's been learning here since last month."
"Why?"
"For you." Xue Yingyue poured tea. "You said you liked my cooking, so she came to learn. Didn't want me to tell you - planned it as a surprise."
Pei Youshan remembered - she had said that.
Last month, before their fight.
Just an offhand comment meant to provoke jealousy, yet Xu Jingshu had taken it to heart and acted on it.
Exactly as Shao Xingcheng said.
She loved her - deeply, undeniably.
Pei Youshan's anger dissolved. Hesitantly, she asked: "Why didn't she tell me herself?"
Xue Yingyue smiled: "Afraid seeing her would ruin your appetite. Didn't want you going hungry."
"But since you enjoyed it, I took the liberty of telling you."
Since their breakup, Xu Jingshu had trailed after her like an apologetic puppy.
This sounded exactly like something that contrite dog would do.
Overwhelmed, Pei Youshan fell silent.
Perhaps it was time to hear her out properly.
......
Xu Jingshu stood frozen by the kitchen counter, too nervous to continue working.
She worried her cooking hadn't pleased Pei Youshan.
Then footsteps approached from behind.
She turned - and froze.
Pei Youshan stood in the doorway, arms crossed awkwardly after failing to decide where to put them.
After days of anger, the sudden calm left her feeling stranded without a way back to their old ease.
Her expression twisted between not wanting to seem too harsh or too soft. Even her tone, meant to sound neutral, came out stiff from lingering embarrassment: "Come out. We need to talk."
Xu Jingshu studied her posture and asked seriously: "Shanshan, are you..."
"Going to hit me?"
Pei Youshan: "???"
Who wants to hit you!!!
Author's Note: Puppy: Can we do the hitting in bed?
Kitten: No thinking about that!!
Doggo hasn't held his wife in days - life is hard.
A fox to others, a puppy to Pei.
A cat-and-dog love story (not really)
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