Purely Accidental - Chapter 78
Chapter 78
After Pei Youshan finished speaking, she didn't dare look Xu Jingshu in the face.
She'd run out of excuses; all that was left was to claw at the walls.
She pressed a hand to her forehead, utterly mortified.
—"Practicing typing," what a brilliant idea born of desperation. Pei Youshan, you're really something else!
The movie hadn't started yet.
Only the two of them were in the theater, and the surroundings were strangely quiet. Every shred of awkwardness seemed magnified in the air.
Until she heard a low chuckle beside her, instantly breaking the awkward atmosphere.
"I believe you," Xu Jingshu said.
Pei Youshan subconsciously turned her head, and her left hand was once again gently taken into someone's palm.
Xu Jingshu toyed with her fingers, her long lashes sweeping lazily, like the flutter of butterfly wings—beautiful beyond measure.
Beneath those lashes, her eyes shimmered like autumn pools.
Even her voice was captivatingly perfect.
"If Shanshan wants me to believe it, then I believe it."
Pei Youshan was momentarily stunned by the coaxing tone, captivated once more by the beauty before her. She forgot to argue, forgot to pull her hand away, still maintaining that awkward, fragile boundary.
She even wanted to kiss Xu Jingshu's eyes and lips, to taste that unique allure, and selfishly keep this wonderful person by her side.
For ten years, twenty years, even a lifetime—never to be separated again.
Pei Youshan's lips parted slightly. Under the theater lights, they glistened like pearls, tempting as the sweetest peach on the tree.
Xu Jingshu's gaze unconsciously fell upon them. Love and desire for her ignited, burning fiercely, unstoppable.
But she didn't indulge the desire in her heart. She simply watched Pei Youshan quietly, waiting to hear what she would say, like a perfect listener.
Pei Youshan's lips parted slightly, staying that way for a long moment before she finally murmured, half-coquettish, half-reproachful: "Xu Jingshu..."
Sometimes she really suspected Xu Jingshu secretly owned a "Guide to Wooing Your Wife." Otherwise, how could she always manage to fluster her so completely, leaving her unable even to utter a harsh word?
What killed her was that Xu Jingshu always seemed utterly sincere, completely genuine.
Xu Jingshu's fingers tested the waters, first brushing against Pei Youshan's, then, seeing no resistance, growing bolder, finally slipping between her fingers to clasp them tightly.
Having done all this, an innocent "Hmm?" escaped her.
Pei Youshan ignored the subtle maneuvering of her hand, asking amusedly, "You believe whatever I say?"
Xu Jingshu smiled, staring straight at her: "Mm."
Just then, the lights in the cinema hall suddenly went out.
The huge screen absorbed all the light, instantly illuminating.
Pei Youshan saw Xu Jingshu's face, half bathed in light, half veiled in shadow. There was amusement in her eyes, yet they held an extraordinary depth of affection.
Then she heard Xu Jingshu say with a smile, "Even if you told me a cat accidentally stepped on the keyboard, I'd believe you."
Pei Youshan: "..."
She blushed and pulled her hand back.
"Sit properly and watch the movie!"
The screen magnified several times, the sound amplified to match, surrounding the enclosed theater.
An upbeat opening theme played over vibrant visuals.
But the story itself was cliché, lacking novelty—barely enough to pass the time.
Pei Youshan watched with waning interest.
Xu Jingshu naturally noticed her lack of interest. "Shanshan doesn't like it."
Pei Youshan snapped back from the dull plot. "It's okay."
Xu Jingshu smiled. "There aren't many good movies lately. The one with high attendance is a horror film, so Jingying initially wanted to pick that."
Pei Youshan's breath caught.
"I didn't let her," Xu Jingshu looked at her. "Because if it were a horror movie, you wouldn't even come to the theater."
Pei Youshan: "..."
"You're right."
The intention behind choosing a horror film would be even more obvious.
Alone time, physical contact, escalating feelings—none would be missing.
Especially for someone like her, she could probably cling to Xu Jingshu for the entire movie, refusing to emerge until it ended.
But that wasn't the point. The point was, she wouldn't subject herself to a horror movie in the first place!
Xu Jingshu asked again, "Still want to watch?"
Pei Youshan thought for a moment. "Let's watch. It's Jingying's kind thought, after all. We shouldn't waste it."
Xu Jingshu said, "No need to force yourself. This movie really doesn't have much appeal."
Pei Youshan shook her head. "It's still watchable."
Xu Jingshu: "?"
Pei Youshan: "To see just how boring it can get."
Xu Jingshu: "..."
Pei Youshan stared seriously at the screen.
—I definitely can't write like this, or all my readers will leave.
Besides, she could wait for the post-credits scene.
Maybe, just maybe... the post-credits scene would be interesting?
Moreover, was the movie really the point today?
No, it was the time alone with Xu Jingshu.
They hadn't watched a movie together in a while. After being busy for days, finally having a weekend break, just sitting together like this was nice too.
Xu Jingshu chuckled softly, obediently staying put beside her.
Actually, Xu Jingshu was quite pleased that Pei Youshan considered Xu Jingying's feelings, treating her like her own sister.
Xu Jingshu looked at the hand resting on the armrest.
Acknowledging Xu Jingying as a sister.
No longer refusing her closeness.
No longer awkwardly keeping distance.
These were enough to prove their relationship was repairing at a visible pace.
—Enough to return to how things were before.
…
Pei Youshan finally endured until the ending theme played.
Watching the rolling credits, she felt a sense of relief, completely relaxed.
This movie had redefined her understanding of boredom, teaching her that "there's always something more boring beyond boring"!
This movie wasn't even as captivating as Xu Jingshu playing with her fingers!
Yes, Xu Jingshu had spent most of the latter half playing with her fingers.
Movie?
Nonexistent.
Thinking about Xu Jingshu having to sit through such a terrible movie with her, Pei Youshan felt a surge of affection and didn't stop her from playing with her hand.
For the sake of the post-credits scene, she didn't rush to leave.
Xu Jingshu understood her intention and didn't hurry her, sitting quietly, looking at her phone for a while before silently accompanying Pei Youshan in waiting for the post-credits scene.
The ending theme faded.
The rolling credits dwindled.
The theater lights came on simultaneously, as if joining Pei Youshan in welcoming the post-credits scene.
Perhaps a character epilogue.
Perhaps some behind-the-scenes footage.
Or maybe a teaser for a sequel.
The post-credits scene was like opening a blind box, waiting ahead for them.
Pei Youshan watched intently as the credits finished rolling completely.
—Then the screen went black and never lit up again.
Pei Youshan: "..."
There—was—no—post-credits—scene!
She sighed, "Let's go."
A wasted expectation.
Xu Jingshu held her hand, looking intently at her: "Is Shanshan disappointed?"
Pei Youshan answered honestly: "A little bit, I guess. I was quite looking forward to seeing the post-credits scene..."
Xu Jingshu raised an eyebrow and called out: "Shanshan."
Pei Youshan responded with a hum, and before she could ask what was wrong, her lips were captured.
A soft touch, completely unexpected.
She couldn't help but freeze in her seat.
Then she saw Xu Jingshu smile at her.
"Can I be your movie's post-credits scene?" Xu Jingshu asked.
Pei Youshan suddenly recalled a certain day months ago.
Back then, they hadn't fallen for each other yet.
To prevent the person she hadn't met from liking her, she had specifically fabricated a girlfriend.
How had she described it then? Oh, right.
—'She confessed to me first, right after a movie ended.'
—'That movie didn't have a post-credits scene, but she suddenly kissed me, smiled, and asked: "Can I be your movie's post-credits scene?"'
The movie's post-credits scene...
A casually fabricated romance...
—It had actually come true!
Pei Youshan looked at the person before her, her face instantly flushing bright red.
…
Pei Youshan walked ahead, face flushed.
Xu Jingshu followed behind, smiling.
How boring the movie was, whether it had a post-credits scene—Pei Youshan couldn't remember anymore.
Her mind was filled with Xu Jingshu recreating the romantic confession she had fabricated.
This surpassed the surprise of any movie, making her heart pound uncontrollably even now.
Suddenly, fine snow drifted down before her eyes.
She stopped, looking up at the ink-dark night sky.
Fine snow fell silently, blanketing the entire city.
Jiang City's first snow of the year had arrived quietly.
She watched the snow, then slowly turned back.
Xu Jingshu was watching the snow, and she was watching her, her heart wanting nothing more than to draw closer.
She felt she should say something.
Something fitting to perfectly conclude this unfinished movie.
"It's snowing," she heard herself say.
Xu Jingshu hummed in agreement, then continued waiting for her next words.
Pei Youshan felt her face heat up under those expectant eyes. Finally, looking away awkwardly, half her face hidden in her scarf, she asked hesitantly: "It's cold. Do you want to... come over to my place?"
The moment she spoke, she regretted it.
—Silly Pei Youshan, is that what you wanted to say!
Awkwardness is fatal.
Awkwardness kills!
Xu Jingshu heard this and beamed: "Yes."
…
Pei Youshan was restless from the moment she stepped into the elevator.
Because she hadn't managed to say the words Xu Jingshu expected to hear due to her awkwardness. So she blamed her own awkwardness, feeling ashamed of letting Xu Jingshu's expectations down.
—Next time, definitely not like this!
Xu Jingshu stepped into her home and immediately pushed her luck.
"Shanshan, can I stay here tonight?"
Pei Youshan looked at her.
She replied composedly: "It's cold outside."
Although the excuse was terrible, Pei Youshan didn't refuse, because she no longer wanted to refuse Xu Jingshu.
Pei Youshan poured her a glass of warm water, and they sat on the sofa chatting for a while.
They talked about anything and everything.
About the joint venture.
And about why Xu Jingshu had played games so late the previous night.
"So, did he really livestream washing his hair upside down?" Pei Youshan asked with interest.
Xu Jingshu drank some water to moisten her throat, nodding slightly: "Mm, Jingying said so."
Pei Youshan understood, smiling: "Oh, so Jingying stayed home to watch the livestream. If it were me, I wouldn't have gone out either."
Such a rare livestream!
Who wouldn't be interested!
Xu Jingshu put down her water glass: "Want to watch?"
"I can challenge him again next time."
Pei Youshan: "..."
"That's... probably unnecessary..."
Any more bullying, and the player count might drop by one.
She glanced at the time and noticed they'd been chatting for over an hour without realizing it.
Thinking about work tomorrow, she didn't continue chatting, standing up: "It's late, let's sleep early. Work tomorrow. I'll get you pajamas."
Xu Jingshu nodded, watching with smiling eyes as she retrieved a set of pajamas.
—Then placed them in the adjacent guest room.
Her smile instantly froze.
Sleeping in the guest room? How could she advance their reconciliation?
Tonight, her Shanshan had clearly softened. All she needed was a few more steps...
So she couldn't sleep in the guest room, absolutely not.
Tonight, she had to seize the opportunity and clear this stage!
Having been separated for a while, Pei Youshan hadn't shared a room with Xu Jingshu in some time.
So putting the clothes in the guest room felt perfectly natural; she didn't sense anything wrong.
Afterward, she returned to her room and changed into her short-sleeved pajamas.
The room had floor heating, no need for long sleeves.
By the time she finished changing and washing up.
Xu Jingshu had done the same and walked to her door, knocking.
Pei Youshan opened the door and looked at the person standing there: "What's wrong?"
Xu Jingshu stated directly: "Shanshan, I want to sleep in this room too."
Then casually made an excuse: "The air conditioner in the guest room is broken and hasn't been fixed yet."
Pei Youshan was successfully led astray by the latter half: "...Is the guest room AC broken?"
Xu Jingshu: "Did Shanshan forget? You said before you'd call someone to fix it."
Pei Youshan: "?"
Xu Jingshu: "That time we first met, when I was changing..."
Pei Youshan remembered and quickly stopped her.
Fine, fine, no need to dredge up embarrassing history.
The most important thing for a person is to cherish the present and live in the moment.
Xu Jingshu saw she hadn't realized it was winter yet and felt even more strongly that she was adorable.
Her beautiful fool was the cutest person in the world, so tonight she absolutely had to clear this stage.
Get the cat home early to avoid long nights and many dreams.
She gently held Pei Youshan's hand, employing her beauty trick with a flower-like smile.
Under the double buff of affection and appearance obsession, Pei Youshan couldn't resist her attack at all.
Plus, looking at her short-sleeved pajamas, she felt that summer without air conditioning would indeed be tough, so she kindly agreed to let her sleep together.
Until she was lying in bed—
"Wait, it's winter now, why do you need air conditioning???"
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