Purely Accidental - Chapter 67
Chapter 67
After returning home, Pei Youshan lay in bed staring blankly at the ceiling after her shower, her mind completely occupied by thoughts of Xu Jingshu from today.
Xu Jingshu in the red dress.
The childish Xu Jingshu.
Xu Jingshu beneath the fireworks.
And Xu Jingshu during their passionate kiss.
Each memory made her heart race.
She rolled over and hugged the soft blanket beside her, slowly closing her eyes.
As if what she held wasn't a blanket, but someone with skin like snow and bones like jade.
She let out a deep sigh.
A single kiss had thrown her into complete disarray.
How utterly pathetic.
No, she couldn't keep thinking about that thousand-year-old temptress Xu Jingshu. She needed to distract herself.
With this thought, she grabbed her tablet and logged into the cloud pet game she hadn't played in ages, intending to check on her little darling "Sansan."
Only to discover Xu Jingshu was still taking care of their Sansan.
Sansan was thriving, its status bar full as it frolicked happily on screen, blissfully unaware of the conflict between its two mothers.
The game had a feature where players could talk to their cat, which would respond with meows—or not.
If synced, all chat logs could be reviewed anytime.
Xu Jingshu always kept her game data synced, so Pei Youshan naturally saw her previous conversations with the cat:
[Your mom won't talk to me]
[Meow?]
[Can you bring her back?]
[...Meow!]
[Shanshan, I'm sorry]
[...]
[...]
[Meow~]
[Why can't you turn human? Preferably into your mom]
[Meow?]
[Try transforming]
[Meow meow meow?]
[Never mind, you can't do it]
[Meeeoow—]
Pei Youshan burst out laughing.
What kind of childish fool was Xu Jingshu, bullying digital data like this!
Still chuckling, she opened the input box: [That other mom of yours is a big baby. Don't mind her. Being a cat is great—retirement from birth! Why turn human?]
The Ragdoll cat on screen seemed to half-understand, rolling onto its back and meowing contentedly.
She screenshot the chat log.
And went to sleep satisfied.
...
The next day during her break, Xu Jingshu logged into the game and discovered Pei Youshan's late-night visit.
Along with being called a "big baby."
She screenshot Pei Youshan's message and sent it to her with an addition: [I want to adopt a cat so it can retire from birth too. Would Miss Pei grant me this opportunity?]
Five minutes later, Pei Youshan replied with an image.
Xu Jingshu opened it.
—Contact information and addresses for all reputable catteries in Jiang City.
[Shanshan]: You're welcome for the free service.
Xu Jingshu chuckled softly, her eyes brimming with tenderness.
That's my Pei Youshan for you.
......
At past nine that night, the gathering ended.
Pei Youshan adjusted her coat collar as she walked toward the restaurant entrance.
True to form, she'd barely eaten today—though this time, for a certain childish someone's sake, she'd deliberately only drank beverages on an empty stomach.
An acquaintance caught up and asked if she wanted to continue to karaoke.
She waved them off: "Can't. Have plans."
"Too bad we booked too late," they lamented.
Another teased: "Plans this late? President Pei, could it be... news we should know?"
Someone else joined in: "We'll need to see who could possibly catch President Pei's eye! Unless you're just making up an excuse not to sing with us."
Pei Youshan checked her phone: "Stop guessing. Just a regular friend. Go enjoy your songs."
Soon, an expensive black sports car pulled smoothly under the restaurant's bright lights.
"Leaving first." After bidding farewell, Pei Youshan turned and strode to the car, opening the passenger door.
Those behind her peeked at the driver when the door opened—and froze.
"Isn't that..."
"Xu Jingshu from Blue Ocean Capital."
Someone finished the thought.
"I saw her at Blue Ocean just the other day."
The group: "..."
What an incredibly regular regular friend...
...
Pei Youshan hadn't driven today.
Partly to avoid drinking pressure, partly because Xu Jingshu forbade it—for similar reasons.
And somehow, she'd inexplicably obeyed.
This marked Xu Jingshu's first open appearance in her social circle.
During their "lover" days, they'd constantly competed, dodged and hid like undercover agents.
Now finally acting openly, Pei Youshan felt indescribably comfortable.
Truthfully, she'd always wanted to proudly hold Xu Jingshu's hand for all to see...
"Drive today?" Xu Jingshu suddenly asked.
"No," Pei Youshan reflexively answered.
Xu Jingshu smiled. "Good girl."
Pei Youshan hastily defended: "Don't misunderstand! I didn't not drive because you said so—I just might drink! One drop and no driving!"
Xu Jingshu played along, amused: "Still a good girl."
Noticing the new plush cat keychain dangling from the keys, Pei Youshan abandoned the argument.
Fine. I'm magnanimous—I'll let her win this round!
Xu Jingshu took her to Jiang City's late-night paradise—the snack street at Baojin Plaza.
They chose a relatively spacious stall.
Xu Jingshu ordered two dishes and soup—all Pei Youshan's favorites.
Pei Youshan picked two spicy dishes because Xu Jingshu liked heat, then calmly sipped tea.
Xu Jingshu smiled wordlessly.
When food arrived, Pei Youshan sneakily glanced at Xu Jingshu before requesting an extra plate and rolling up her sleeves to peel shrimp.
Recalling the curious onlookers earlier, Xu Jingshu asked: "Shanshan, did they know I was picking you up?"
"Yes." Pei Youshan finished her third shrimp.
Xu Jingshu stirred her soup, watching her intently: "How did you introduce me?"
Pei Youshan cracked open a fourth shrimp.
"A regular friend."
Xu Jingshu raised a brow: "Regular?"
Pei Youshan paused, looking up firmly: "Regular."
Xu Jingshu smiled and served her soup.
She didn't know which regular friends kissed, but Shanshan was adorable—Shanshan made the rules.
They wouldn't stay regular forever anyway.
Watching Pei Youshan's focused peeling, she found it odd but still fed her a bite: "Eat first. Don't starve."
Pei Youshan automatically accepted the food before realizing whose chopsticks they were. Chewing, she avoided further bites, glaring like a squirrel overfed to the brink of rebellion.
Adorably unreasonable.
Satisfied, Xu Jingshu stopped feeding her.
Eventually, Pei Youshan stopped peeling and called: "Xu Jingshu."
Xu Jingshu looked up to see slender fingers holding a shrimp coated in red chili sauce.
"Try if it's good," Pei Youshan said awkwardly.
Without thinking, Xu Jingshu bit it, lips brushing Pei Youshan's fingertips.
Their eyes met—electric—and Pei Youshan looked away first.
"Delicious," Xu Jingshu calmly assessed.
Pei Youshan "oh"-ed and pushed the whole plate over: "Then have them all."
Xu Jingshu: "?"
These were for her all along?
"Shanshan..."
Avoiding eye contact, Pei Youshan mumbled: "Don't misunderstand. I just remembered I don't eat spicy after peeling them."
After a pause, she added: "And... you drove so late to get me. Consider it... compensation."
She remembered Xu Jingshu loved shrimp, loved spice—just as Xu Jingshu remembered she always returned hungry from parties.
Though still being pursued and acting awkwardly, she wanted to be kinder—not always cold.
Her face burned as she stubbornly avoided Xu Jingshu's gaze, ordering iced juice to cool down.
Xu Jingshu understood perfectly.
This wasn't dislike, hatred, or impossibility.
Pei Youshan would return to Sansan—and to her.
Perhaps... they could advance further.
......
After their late dinner-disguised-as-supper, they strolled around before Xu Jingshu drove her home.
Same parking spot as yesterday. Same scenario.
Except this time, Xu Jingshu walked her to the residential gate.
Because Pei Youshan exited the car much faster tonight.
The bright moon hung high.
Its glow melted into autumn wind, quietly settling on yellowed branches.
Warmth bloomed in the stillness, making even the breeze less chilly.
Pei Youshan unconsciously slowed, hands behind her back, staring at her toes.
Xu Jingshu walked silently beside her.
Their short distance stretched light-years long—like students secretly dating behind parents' backs.
At the gate, Pei Youshan spoke first: "We're here. Goodnight."
"Drive safely."
Xu Jingshu stopped her as she turned, gazing at her before subtly closing the gap.
Checking her watch—10:25.
"Shanshan, it's late. May I stay over?"
Pei Youshan blinked slowly.
The unspoken intention might as well be pasted on Xu Jingshu's forehead.
She could already predict Xu Jingshu's next move—playing pitiful like yesterday.
Stoically, she refused: "No. You're a regular friend, not my girlfriend. No sleepovers."
Preemptively covering Xu Jingshu's mouth, she smiled: "No acting pitiful. I'm full—can't eat more."
Xu Jingshu chuckled, warm breath tickling Pei Youshan's palm.
She tried logic: "Not even as a friend?"
"No." Pei Youshan huffed. "You're single. I'm single. You like women. I like women. What would people say? I still need to find a girlfriend."
Xu Jingshu wrapped an arm around her waist: "I asked your future girlfriend. She doesn't mind."
Pei Youshan whispered by her ear: "She's not the homeowner. I decide."
Then removed Xu Jingshu's hand and skipped away happily.
Out of sight, Pei Youshan grinned victoriously.
Success!
She, Pei Youshan, had finally resisted the thousand-year-old temptress Xu Jingshu!
—Pei Youshan is amazing! Junjiang is proud to have you!
Watching the triumphant cat disappear, Xu Jingshu smiled.
Reconciliation was imminent.
Tomorrow, a certain cat gets spanked~
Comments
Post a Comment