Purely Accidental - Chapter 63
Chapter 63
Pei Youshan and Xu Jingshu chose the most secluded corner in Kitchen Color for their conversation. It wasn't peak dining hours, so the restaurant was nearly empty.
Xue Yingyue tactfully gave them privacy.
Pei Youshan's gaze drifted from her water glass upward, only to collide with the other woman's intense stare.
Tender yet fervent as sunlight, those eyes laid bare emotions as transparent as her own heart's truth.
A flush crept beneath Pei Youshan's curled tresses, pinkening the delicate shells of her ears.
This marked their first peaceful face-to-face since the argument began—the initial moment in days of stalemate where she could calmly meet that gaze.
Discomfited, she averted her eyes and took a sip of water.
Xu Jingshu tracked every microexpression, lips quirking as she initiated: "How's the food? Enjoying it?"
"It's good," Pei Youshan answered reflexively before catching herself. "Wait—that's not what I wanted to discuss!"
"Glad you like it." Assured, Xu Jingshu transitioned smoothly. "What did you want to say, Shanshan?"
"I'm giving you one chance to explain."
Pei Youshan set down her glass with finality.
"From beginning to end. Everything."
Why become her lover? Why the deception? Why persist until now?
She demanded complete answers.
Seeing Pei Youshan's willingness to converse calmly lifted an invisible weight from Xu Jingshu's shoulders.
During their separation, she'd rehearsed countless versions of this confession, untangling thoughts until they flowed coherently—no longer the floundering mess from that disastrous night when fear of exacerbating Pei Youshan's anger had rendered her mute.
Problems required resolution, not accumulation.
Left unaddressed, this would fester between them forever.
She began with Pei Youshan's core grievance, enunciating clearly: "I admit when I first discovered your identity, honesty wasn't my intention."
Pei Youshan's fingers clenched her skirt.
Hearing this still made her fists itch!
Xu Jingshu continued: "Because that's when I realized your broken promise involved getting drunk at Lakeside Glaze—while believing those ridiculous rumors about me."
"Had it been anyone else, I'd have made them regret it for life."
"..."
Pei Youshan's grip slackened.
"But you were different." Xu Jingshu's voice softened. "Too adorable to punish. Since you'd become my patron, I decided to play along—tease you for some petty revenge."
Pei Youshan frowned. "I apologized later. Why keep lying then?"
Her guilt over unintentionally hurting Xu Jingshu during her feud with Pei Lanqing had been genuine. Why maintain the charade after reconciliation?
—Was "adorable" really the only reason?!
Leaning forward, Xu Jingshu's gaze turned analytical. "I didn't know the engagement stemmed from your conflict with Director Pei. I assumed you despised me sight unseen."
"Since I also wanted the engagement dissolved, I feared meeting might compromise our unspoken anti-marriage alliance. So I withheld the truth until its termination."
"That was my mistake—misjudging you. I'm sorry, Shanshan."
Pei Youshan squinted. "'Compromise how'?"
Xu Jingshu wordlessly tapped her own cheekbone.
Pei Youshan: "..."
Of course! Her reputation as an appearance-obsessed shallow person preceded her—as if she'd abandon principles for a pretty face!
Whatever. Considering Xu Jingshu's successful stand against Pei Lanqing, she'd let this slide.
"But you stayed silent even after the engagement ended," she grumbled.
Xu Jingshu's eyes clouded with self-deprecation. "Because circumstances spiraled beyond expectations."
"—I fell for you."
Pei Youshan's breath hitched.
"Life's irony." Xu Jingshu's smile turned wry. "The moment we gained freedom, I discovered feelings with no idea how to process them."
Her confession unfolded like a lament—a worldly woman undone by love's helplessness.
"After realizing my feelings, I attempted honesty. I tested your reaction, but when you rejected 'Xu Jingshu,' calling her a 'passing stranger,' I panicked. Foolishly hoped you'd accept the truth after falling for 'Xu Ge.'"
"Instead, as our love deepened, my fear of losing you grew paralysing. The more I cherished you, the more terrified I became of you rejecting my true identity."
"So I buried the secret deeper, clueless how to reveal myself as someone you'd sworn to dislike."
"Until Director Pei appeared... until everything exploded... until you left..."
Her voice dwindled, resurrecting the anguish of those days when Pei Youshan kept pushing her away—a haunting echo.
Pei Youshan's heart twisted painfully.
All those sweet nights had been shadowed by Xu Jingshu's quiet trepidation.
Her own resistance had eroded this fearless woman into timidity.
A suffocating weight settled in Pei Youshan's chest, leaving her speechless.
This woman loved her.
More profoundly than she'd imagined.
Enough to transform from carefree to cautious.
But what possessed Xu Jingshu to accept that absurd arrangement initially?
Baffled, Pei Youshan voiced the question.
Xu Jingshu reclined, propping her temple with fingers, regarding her with amused fondness. "Partly me."
"Partly you."
Pei Youshan: "???"
"We'd met twice then!" she sputtered. "Don't tell me you thought I was 'adorable' already?!"
"Of course not." Xu Jingshu's eyes sparkled with mirth. "I thought you were—"
"Entertaining."
"Remembering a one-night stranger, calling me your 'appetizing dish.'"
"Proposing to shorten my career struggle by a decade through patronage."
"Utterly ridiculous in the most fascinating way."
Each syllable made Pei Youshan's toes curl with secondhand embarrassment, mentally excavating a subterranean mansion.
Must we revisit drunken antics?!
Flustered, she gulped water before retorting: "So you agreed just for amusement? That's... irresponsible!"
If novelty alone motivated Xu Jingshu, wouldn't someone more entertaining easily steal her away?
Such instability!
Xu Jingshu shook her head gently. "While I enjoy amusement, that alone couldn't sway me."
"You did."
"Shanshan, do you know your eyes make refusal impossible?"
Even now, she remembered that night—Pei Youshan clinging to her arm, peach-blossom eyes luminous as starlight, compelling her surrender.
Like drowning in autumn lakes, one glance ensured willing captivity.
Pei Youshan's indignation evaporated into revelation.
No wonder Xu Jingshu constantly praised her eyes, lavishing them with kisses...
"I used to wonder," Xu Jingshu continued, "why your gaze alone could dismantle my defenses when countless others possess beautiful eyes yet leave me unaffected."
Her focus softened on her beloved's face. "Now I understand."
"You're different."
"They're passing strangers."
"You're my gravity—eyes, personality, essence. Resistance was never an option."
Pei Youshan froze.
Sunlight streamed through the windows, brushing Xu Jingshu's raven hair before dissolving into those tender eyes.
Time crystallized into something exquisite and tender.
Her heartbeat stuttered.
With grievances stripped away, she stood defenseless against such sincerity.
Past or present.
Flustered, she broke eye contact, throat inexplicably parched.
Clutching the water cup like a lifeline, she drank hastily.
The whispering breeze amplified the silence, making every heartbeat and breath deafening.
Xu Jingshu's candor shattered all expectations.
Anticipating a simple clarification, she'd instead received a love confession.
Worse, each heartfelt word disarmed her anger, leaving no room for protest.
Yes, Xu Jingshu erred—but not alone.
Nor was she the most embarrassed party.
Accepting this explanation forced Pei Youshan to confront her own cringe-worthy history replaying mercilessly in her mind.
Apparently, anger had temporarily suppressed her shame, now demanding repayment with interest.
—Where's a train to whisk me underground?!
Face buried in hands, she groaned: "Had I known you were Xu Jingshu, I'd never have done those mortifying things..."
Xu Jingshu hadn't intended to trigger this spiral. Grasping her hands penitently, she offered: "My fault entirely. Bite me again for vengeance?"
"Who'd bite you?!"
Pei Youshan glared, torn between annoyance and laughter.
Did Xu Jingshu think her a literal dog?!
(Though admittedly, Xu Jingshu currently resembled a drenched puppy...)
"Then..." Xu Jingshu ventured cautiously, "may I have another chance?"
Pei Youshan stilled, lowering her hands.
"To properly pursue you."
Uncertain of Pei Youshan's thoughts and fearing prolonged avoidance from embarrassment, Xu Jingshu sought official "pursuer" status—legitimizing her presence until Pei Youshan fully accepted "Xu Jingshu."
Under that tender gaze, Pei Youshan's resolve softened, unable to refuse.
She recognized this as an olive branch—space to process awkwardness before embracing their new dynamic.
Besides, she'd never been properly wooed. If Xu Jingshu volunteered...
"Well?" Xu Jingshu prompted hopefully.
After a prolonged pause, Pei Youshan spoke.
"I moved back to Biyun Garden. Stop going to Sea-Sky Horizon."
—Approval granted!
Joy overflowed in Xu Jingshu's eyes. "Understood."
"One more thing, Shanshan."
"?"
"May I leave your blacklist now?"
"..."
......
That night, Pei Youshan lay in bed scrolling through her phone.
After releasing Xu Jingshu from digital exile, she curiously reviewed accumulated messages.
Flower branches peeking through windows.
Charming succulents.
Sweet-and-sour pork accidentally garnished with scallions.
Even a meticulously arranged Rubik's cube on her desk warranted photographic documentation.
As she silently browsed, an unconscious smile surfaced.
These mundane snapshots wove her seamlessly into Xu Jingshu's daily tapestry.
Then there were the love letters.
Honeyed, earnest, soul-baring.
Especially today's declaration:
—You're my gravity. Escape was never possible.
Nearly fatal.
Scrolling further revealed Xu Jingshu's relentless attempts to explain during their estrangement—messages she'd been too furious to process rationally.
Not that Xu Jingshu was blameless. Trust formed relationships' bedrock—a lesson she hoped was learned.
Then she accidentally unearthed older exchanges.
Cringe tsunami instantly engulfed her.
Phone discarded, she faceplanted into blankets, resuming subterranean architecture projects.
—Never again! Next time, Xu Jingshu could remain a "passing stranger" forever!!!
As if telepathic, her phone rang with Xu Jingshu's call.
"Were you thinking of me?"
Pei Youshan: "..."
More like wrestling with existential embarrassment!
"No," she huffed.
Unfazed, that velvety voice replied: "Then I'll think enough for us both."
Pei Youshan unconsciously drew the phone closer, fingers tracing circles on her sheets. "Why call so late?"
Xu Jingshu eyed the empty space beside her. "Haven't heard your voice before bed in ages."
Nearly two weeks since proper intimacy.
Their last "closeness" involved teeth marks... tragic indeed.
Pei Youshan hugged her blanket wordlessly.
Then recalled something: "Those rumors about you—how did they start?"
"Likely from business dinners where I excused myself, leaving others to assume my secretary was me." Xu Jingshu deduced. "The 'play' referred to mobile games—I have her test them before I play."
"..."
Such absurd misinterpretation!
Internally cringing at her own gullibility, Pei Youshan feigned nonchalance. "You're close with your secretary. Male or female?"
Instantly regretting the jealous undertone.
"Female." Amusement tinted Xu Jingshu's voice. "The 'colleague' from our Jin City trip."
Pei Youshan: "..."
So she'd greeted the secretary too...
Another score settled.
Detecting silence, Xu Jingshu teased: "Jealous?"
"Why would I be?!" Pei Youshan spluttered. "I have multiple secretaries!"
As a dignified pursuee, jealousy would imply premature acceptance—how unseemly!
She resolved to prolong Xu Jingshu's courtship—no kisses or embraces until properly earned!
"Are they," Xu Jingshu's voice turned playful, "attractive?"
"Extremely!"
"More than me?"
Pei Youshan's conscience vetoed affirmation: "..."
Xu Jingshu's triumphant chuckle vibrated through the receiver: "Good. That's reassuring."
At least she remained the superior suitor.
Pei Youshan burned with the realization she'd been outmaneuvered. "Enough! I'm sleeping!"
"Sweet dreams, my love."
As the call disconnected, Xu Jingshu switched off her bedside lamp, content.
Tonight's dreams would be sweet.
Her cat had returned.
......
"Someone's glowing."
Xu Ge handed over coffee, eyebrows dancing.
"Did... Miss Pei forgive you?"
"Astute observation." Xu Jingshu's smile confirmed.
"Nothing else could brighten your mood these days," Xu Ge shrugged. "Not even a billion-dollar windfall."
Conversation shifted to business.
"Directors Xu and Pei seem interested in co-developing a designer hotel. Any predictions on who'll oversee it?"
Xu Jingshu sipped coffee pensively. "You'll see."
That smirk triggered Xu Ge's alarm bells. Tracking her retreat, she protested: "Your mother will delegate this! Don't volunteer me!"
"I've got family plans!"
"Lao Xu—"
"Relax." Xu Jingshu paused, glancing back. "I'm not that cruel."
With a dismissive wave, she departed: "Call if needed."
......
Xu Jingshu worked from home to prepare soup for Pei Youshan—nourishment and a pretext for visiting post-work.
Excellent pursuers created opportunities.
While chopping ingredients, her knife slipped, drawing blood.
She barely flinched, disinfecting and bandaging seamlessly before resuming.
With Pei Youshan still emotionally tentative, every interaction mattered.
......
Returning home, Pei Youshan received Xu Jingshu's text: "Dinner plans? Craving soup?"
Pre-Xu Jingshu, she'd never prioritized soups. Now the question triggered Pavlovian hunger.
[Pei Youshan]: Maybe...
Instant reply: [Delivering soon. Wait for me.]
Pei Youshan: "???"
This premeditated speed!
Minutes later, Xu Jingshu's doorbell chimed.
Last visit here had yielded emptiness. Not tonight.
Noticing her bandaged finger, Xu Jingshu paused—then peeled it off.
Pei Youshan opened the door to find her holding a thermos, smiling: "Delivery."
"You pre-made this!" Pei Youshan accused, accepting the container.
"Worked remotely this afternoon." Xu Jingshu admitted, trailing inside.
Pei Youshan turned, puzzled. "Why follow me?"
Xu Jingshu presented her injured finger solemnly: "Cut myself cooking."
Pei Youshan inspected the wound, aghast. "Where's your bandage?!"
"Had one."
"Then where is it?!"
Emperor's New Bandage?!
"Removed it."
"Why?!"
Xu Jingshu gazed at her imploringly: "Wanted you to reapply it."
"..."
Checkmate.
How did Xu Jingshu seamlessly blend aloofness, allure, and puppy-dog eyes?!
Pei Youshan's stern facade cracked, torn between exasperation and amusement.
Only someone who bickered with children over honorifics would pull this!
Guiding Xu Jingshu to the sofa, she retrieved the first-aid kit.
As she carefully applied a new bandage, she murmured: "Does it hurt?"
Xu Jingshu watched her lashes flutter. "Terribly."
Pei Youshan instinctively caressed the finger—then recoiled: "Really? Didn't hear complaints when I bit you!"
"You didn't ask then."
Seizing the advantage, Xu Jingshu extended her wrist, edging closer with pitiful eyes: "Hurts. More touches, please?"
"..."
Since when was Xu Jingshu this irresistible?!
Some millennium-old vixen!
Her traitorous hands already cradled Xu Jingshu's wrist, gently massaging as she soothed: "There, better?"
Xu Jingshu leaned in, desire blazing openly. "Kisses would heal it faster."
That sultry whisper short-circuited Pei Youshan's brain, freezing her in place.
Atmosphere thickened as lips neared—
—Only to brush a flushed cheek.
Pei Youshan sprang up. "Dinner time!"
Foiled, Xu Jingshu rose gracefully, smiling as she followed.
The road to reconciliation remained long—Comrade Xiao Jing must persevere.
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