Purely Accidental - Chapter 80
Chapter 80
Xu Jingying stopped responding.
She was heartbroken by Xu Jingshu's treatment of her as a mere tool rather than a human being!
Putting away her phone, Xu Jingshu glanced up and noticed Pei Youshan's study. She rose and walked in, carefully browsing through the books on the shelves.
A quarter of the books belonged to the same author.
—Yue Qin, a once bestselling writer. Pei Youshan's father.
Though Pei Youshan had never revealed her pen name, she had always been eager to share her writing journey with Xu Jingshu.
Her father, Yue Qin, had undoubtedly been the brightest guiding light on her path to becoming a writer.
From childhood, her imagination had been nurtured and encouraged by Yue Qin, eventually blossoming into a creative drive that led her to pick up a pen, aspiring to craft her own stories and publish her own book, just like her father.
Even her pen name was inspired by one of Yue Qin's novels.
Xu Jingshu quietly flipped through Yue Qin's works, awed by his dazzling imagination. It suddenly made sense why Pei Youshan, as his daughter, had seen her as a doll at three years old—it wasn't so strange after all.
Back then, Pei Youshan must have been an innocent child living in a fantastical world painted in vibrant colors.
No wonder she grew up to be so adorable.
Xu Jingshu couldn't help but think.
The autograph collection album lay beneath Yue Qin's novels.
Setting down the book in her hands, Xu Jingshu retrieved the album on a whim.
She wondered if her Shanshan had collected any new signatures.
Who might they belong to?
The third page was probably still empty...
But when she turned to it, she froze.
The blank space had been filled.
Not with a signature, but with a small note.
—The note she had once passed to her.
Her gaze softened.
Her fingertips brushed lightly across the page.
All the beauty of their relationship condensed into this moment, filling both their hearts.
Shanshan.
Her adorably awkward Shanshan.
How could anyone bear to let go of someone so precious?
Xu Jingshu slowly closed the album.
She knew what to do next.
In the master bedroom, Pei Youshan awoke.
Blinking against the harsh light, she immediately burrowed back under the covers, curling into a tight ball.
When Xu Jingshu entered, she found a human-sized zongzi on the bed—all it needed was a string tied around it.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, she called softly, "Shanshan, awake?"
A muffled "Mmm..." came from under the blankets.
"Ready to get up?" Xu Jingshu asked.
The zongzi made another affirmative noise, then rolled slightly closer before stopping.
Xu Jingshu lay down beside her, propping her head up with one hand as she waited.
After a while, she tried again. "Shanshan, time to eat."
The blanket suddenly shifted, and Pei Youshan peeked out, bleary-eyed like a sleepy kitten.
The sight made Xu Jingshu lean in to kiss her drowsy face.
Every day, she found herself wondering:
How could her Shanshan be this cute?
Once thoroughly kissed awake, Pei Youshan stumbled through her morning routine.
Xu Jingshu then led her to the dining table for what could loosely be called brunch.
But the meal didn't matter—what mattered was the company.
They were finally together again!
Gazing at her stunning girlfriend, Pei Youshan's heart swelled with joy. Just being near her made the whole day brighter.
Handing her a glass of warm milk, Xu Jingshu noticed her radiant expression. "You seem happy. Did something good happen?"
"You happened, girlfriend," Pei Youshan replied with a grin.
Xu Jingshu smiled, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "I'm happy too."
As Pei Youshan sipped her milk while scrolling through her phone, she inevitably came across Xu Jingying's complaints:
[Jingying]: Sis-in-law!
[Jingying]: Your wife bullied me! You have to stand up for me.
[Jingying]: [Waaahhh.JPG]
Pei Youshan: "?"
Setting down her phone, she turned to her elegantly dining girlfriend. "Did you bully Jingying?"
Xu Jingshu paused, then calmly replied, "I merely declined her vacation request."
Five or six days off? The audacity.
Pei Youshan fought back laughter. "Why was she asking for time off?"
"She claimed credit for reconciling us and demanded six days as a reward."
"Don't worry, I'm being reasonable."
A short break was permissible, but five or six days would disrupt her training at the company.
Half a day at minimum, one day at maximum—any complaints would result in zero minutes.
Pei Youshan understood their intentions with Xu Jingying's professional development.
Training required consistency; excessive time off would only hinder progress.
Thus, she stood firmly on Xu Jingshu's side, unable to aid her sister-in-law.
She sent Jingying a consolatory emoji.
Xu Jingshu set down her chopsticks, resting her chin on her hand as she regarded Pei Youshan with an amused smile. "Shanshan, Jingying isn't important right now. We should discuss our next steps."
Pei Youshan licked milk from her lips, confused. "Next steps... staying home together?"
Xu Jingshu chuckled, wiping away a stray drop of milk. "No."
"We need to decide whether to visit Auntie Pei or my parents first."
Pei Youshan's ears instantly burned pink. "We just made up yesterday..." she protested shyly.
Xu Jingshu tenderly grasped her hand. "Shanshan, I saw the autograph album."
She knew Pei Youshan was ready.
Perhaps since the day of their meeting, or sometime after—she had been waiting for Xu Jingshu to approach her and confess once more.
This time, they could openly walk home hand in hand.
Pei Youshan had never intended to hide the album, but having it discovered first still flustered her.
Gazing at their joined hands, she blushed before finally squeezing back. She fed Xu Jingshu a piece of fruit, pouting. "No talking during meals, Xu Jingshu."
After eating, Pei Youshan stepped onto the balcony with her phone and dialed Pei Lanqing.
"Hello," came Pei Lanqing's voice. "Why aren't you at the office today?"
Pei Youshan rubbed her nose. "Didn't feel like going. Wanted to slack off..."
A brief silence. "You've been working hard on the joint venture. One more day of rest is fine."
"Why are you calling?"
Watching the snowflakes drift outside, Pei Youshan murmured, "There's something I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
Pei Youshan glanced back at her girlfriend, who sat on the sofa with a laptop. "Well..."
"Our relationship has progressed."
......
They visited Pei Lanqing first, then Xu Yingru and Xu Zhi the following day.
Having already met Pei Lanqing—and being naturally thicker-skinned than Pei Youshan—Xu Jingshu remained perfectly composed during their visit, especially since Pei Lanqing had always approved of her.
Pei Lanqing simply sighed. "You youngsters are so rebellious..."
Then she advised them to cherish each other and their serendipitous bond.
With that, they passed her inspection.
In contrast, Pei Youshan grew nervous meeting Xu Jingshu's parents.
She even regretted not attending Pei Lanqing and Xu Yingru's initial meeting.
"If I'd met Auntie Xu back then, I wouldn't be this anxious now."
Pei Youshan clutched Xu Jingshu's hand tightly in the backseat.
"Might've even met you sooner..."
Xu Jingshu smiled reassuringly and squeezed her hand.
When they arrived at the Xu residence, Xu Jingying came bounding out excitedly.
"Sis-in-law!" she chirped sweetly, behaving like an absolute angel.
Pei Youshan patted her head. "Good girl, Jingying."
Xu Yingru and Xu Zhi awaited them in the living room.
The Xu couple were both strikingly attractive, and their daughters had inherited every bit of their good looks.
Such were the wonders of genetics.
Pei Youshan greeted them politely. "Auntie Xu, Uncle Xu."
Setting down her teacup, Xu Yingru studied her daughter's girlfriend alongside her husband.
Tall stature, exquisite features, and limpid peach-blossom eyes.
Undeniably Pei Lanqing and Yue Qin's child.
Their daughter had finally found love—with Pei Lanqing's daughter, no less.
As parents, they had no intention of making things difficult.
Xu Zhi invited them to sit.
Xu Yingru began bluntly: "You've both worked hard on the joint venture recently."
Pei Youshan blinked, unprepared for such a formal opener.
Quite different from her own mother's immediate teasing about their rebelliousness.
"Just doing our jobs," she replied with a smile.
Then Xu Yingru continued sternly: "Since you've chosen to be together, we as parents naturally support you. We only hope you'll treat each other well—the rest goes without saying."
Suddenly, Pei Youshan understood why Pei Lanqing had pulled her aside yesterday to warn: "Xu Yingru is very serious and blunt, but her heart's in the right place. Don't be intimidated. As my daughter, you're beyond reproach—she couldn't possibly disapprove."
Years of rivalry had given her mother unparalleled insight.
Xu Zhi, noticing Pei Youshan's tension, interjected warmly: "You've grown even more beautiful, Youshan. Your eyes resemble your father's."
"Thank you, Uncle Xu," Pei Youshan said gently. "I've seen your artwork—it's truly remarkable. My father used to praise it often."
Xu Zhi's eyes crinkled affectionately. "Just casual doodles. Your father's writing was extraordinary—I used to follow his serials—"
He stopped abruptly.
That particular story would never reach its conclusion.
Meeting Pei Youshan's gaze, he murmured, "Forgive me, Youshan."
Her nose tingled, but she quickly composed herself. "It's alright. My father would've been thrilled to know you were among his readers."
Xu Jingshu sensed her emotional shift and silently tightened her grip on Pei Youshan's hand.
Xu Yingru's gaze flickered over their joined hands before she looked away without comment.
Noticing the somber mood, Xu Jingying interjected cheerfully: "Casual doodles? They're masterpieces! Sis-in-law, come see Dad's studio!"
"Go ahead," Xu Zhi encouraged.
Xu Yingru watched impassively as the trio headed toward the studio.
Throughout the tour, Pei Youshan refused to let go of Xu Jingshu's hand.
Xu Yingru's gaze lingered before she turned back to her husband.
Xu Zhi looked remorseful.
Yue Qin had been gone for years—why had he brought up such painful memories?
Inappropriate. Deeply so.
Just then, a hand rested on his shoulder.
"It's alright. You meant no harm."
Xu Yingru's expression remained placid, but her eyes held warmth as she gazed at her beloved husband.
"Besides, you can be there for her—just as Yue Qin was."
......
Xu Zhi's studio overlooked the garden, its wide windows framing a peaceful snowfall.
Canvases stood neatly arranged inside, with paint splatters dotting the floor.
Xu Jingying launched into an enthusiastic explanation.
Noticing Pei Youshan's subdued mood, Xu Jingshu gently dismissed her sister.
Jingying caught on immediately. "Feel free to look around, sis-in-law! Ask my sister if you have questions. I'll leave you two alone~"
Pei Youshan managed a small smile.
Once the door closed, she turned and buried her face in Xu Jingshu's shoulder.
Xu Jingshu embraced her, stroking her hair. "I'm sorry about what my father said earlier. He didn't mean to upset you."
Pei Youshan shook her head. "I don't blame him. Uncle Xu is kind. It's just..."
She sighed softly.
"I suddenly miss my dad..."
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