Purely Accidental - Chapter 81
Chapter 81
If someone were to ask Pei Youshan: "Between your grandfather, mother, and father, who do you like the most?"
She wouldn't be able to answer.
But if asked who left the deepest impression on her heart, she would definitely say her father.
Because death had seared the word "father" into her heart like a branding iron—painfully hot yet impossible to erase.
How was she any different from other children?
She was just a girl who missed her dad...
Xu Jingshu held her gently, quietly accompanying her through this moment.
After a while, Xu Jingshu heard her whisper: "Xiao Jing, kiss me..."
Xu Jingshu obliged, pressing a tender kiss to her slightly reddened eyelids: "Be good, Shanshan."
Pei Youshan sniffled before breaking into a smile, leaning her forehead against Xu Jingshu's and nuzzling affectionately: "Alright, I'm fine now."
Today was meant for meeting her girlfriend's parents—she couldn't lose composure or it'd be too embarrassing.
Besides, this rare chance to visit the studio of the great artist Xu Zhi shouldn't be wasted.
Yue Qin and Xu Zhi had admired each other's work, but Yue Qin never got to see Xu Zhi's studio before passing away.
So... consider this her seeing it for her dad.
Xu Jingshu tenderly brushed aside her long hair and clasped her hand tightly.
As if declaring to time itself that she'd never let go in this lifetime.
Pei Youshan gazed at her, peach-blossom eyes shimmering with sunlight warmth.
She thought—if her old Yue knew she had such a wonderful girlfriend, and that she was Xu-laoshi's daughter, he'd surely be happy for her.
......
They stayed overnight at the Xu residence.
Dinner was again prepared personally by Xu Zhi, allowing Pei Youshan to finally experience the culinary skills her grandfather had praised.
Noticing her enjoyment, Xu Zhi beamed: "Eat more if you like it, Youshan."
Xu Yingru maintained a solemn expression while moving favored dishes closer to her.
She'd overheard when Xu Jingshu briefed Xu Zhi about Pei Youshan's preferences earlier.
As elders, caring for the younger generation was natural.
Especially when it concerned their daughter's girlfriend.
Pei Youshan smiled brightly: "Thank you, Auntie Xu."
Xu Yingru gave a dignified nod.
Xu Jingying served her more food: "Eat up, sister-in-law!"
Then whispered conspiratorially: "As long as you also hate scallions, ginger, garlic and cilantro, we'll be best friends forever!"
Only to receive a frosty glare from Xu Jingshu.
Xu Jingying immediately sensed an impending accusation of "encouraging my wife's picky eating" and straightened up, pretending nothing happened.
Pei Youshan found this hilarious.
This girl feared neither parent yet trembled before her sister—clearly a veteran of elder sister discipline.
After dinner, Xu Jingshu led Pei Youshan through the expansive garden for a digestive stroll.
Xu Jingying caught up munching an apple, offering them bites before asking between crunches: "Sis-in-law, when will Mirror Inquires Autumn update? Will she publish anything this year?"
Only then did Pei Youshan remember her author persona.
Blame the joys of real life and an amazing girlfriend for making her forget writing.
"Well... she's not sure yet, still brainstorming ideas."
Xu Jingying "oh"-ed before taking another crisp bite.
Xu Jingshu glanced between them and suddenly interjected: "Do you only read Mirror's works? Not her friends'?"
"Books by Mirror's friends must be equally good. Don't you want to try them?"
Her tone carried unmistakable disapproval at the singular focus on Mirror—almost like... indignation.
Indignation on behalf of Mirror's friends.
As both Mirror and Mirror's "friend," Pei Youshan's emotions teetered between awkwardness and amusement.
Xu Jingshu's protectiveness delighted her.
But would Xu Jingshu expose her writing secret?
Would she have to reveal her pen name to Xu Jingying?!
Yet Xu Jingshu harbored no such intentions.
Xu Jingying blinked curiously: "Which friend? She has several writer friends—which one? What's their pen name?"
Xu Jingshu calmly deflected: "No specifics, just a suggestion."
"When Mirror isn't publishing, you could read her friends' works."
Pei Youshan exhaled in relief.
Of course Xu Jingshu understood her boundaries.
Xu Jingying raised an eyebrow before "oh"-ing again, then added: "Wait, that's weird—you don't even read novels, sis. Why promote her friends?"
Xu Jingshu ignored the question, gripping her shoulders to spin her around: "Go finish your apple inside."
Xu Jingying huffed: "Hmph, I'll game instead—no dogfood for me!"
As they watched her leave, Xu Jingshu suddenly remembered: "Gaming? Did you finish your report?"
"Xu Jingying."
Xu Jingying froze mid-step before scrambling behind Pei Youshan: "I, uh, forgot..."
Xu Jingshu crooked a finger.
Xu Jingying covered her forehead dramatically: "Save me sis-in-law! Xu Jingshu's gonna flick my skull again—"
Pei Youshan shielded her: "There there, it's okay. She's just asking—no hitting."
Then gently coaxed: "Be good, Jingying. Finish your report first, then game, alright?"
"Wouldn't playing feel better without pending tasks?"
Xu Jingying nodded while side-eyeing Xu Jingshu.
Xu Jingshu remained motionless, as if Pei Youshan's word was law.
Xu Jingying's inner self suddenly perked up.
—This was the good life! No more skull flicks from Xu Jingshu!
"I'll do it now! Sis-in-law, keep holding her so she can't attack her poor helpless sister-in-law!"
"Protecting adorable sisters-in-law is everyone's duty!"
She declared with righteous conviction.
Pei Youshan didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Just then, Xu Jingshu grabbed Pei Youshan's arms to wrap around her own waist, looking utterly pleased: "Hold me."
Meeting Pei Youshan's gaze, she even requested: "Tighter, Shanshan."
"......"
Pei Youshan flushed slightly: "The kid's still here, what nonsense..."
Xu Jingying, halfway gone, turned to witness this: "......"
Holy hell, did I just manufacture my own dogfood?
Abort! Flee this love-stench polluted zone!
Apple still in mouth, she bolted.
Outrun the blade, outlive the hounds!
With Xu Jingying gone, tranquility returned, leaving just the two of them.
Despite her blush, Pei Youshan kept holding Xu Jingshu. Gazing into those affectionate eyes, she suddenly asked: "How do you know my writing's as good as Mirror's?"
Xu Jingshu tucked stray hair behind her ear: "Because it's yours."
"Just because it's mine means it's good?"
"Mhm."
"What if it's terrible?"
"Then it's still good to me."
"Xu Jingshu, that's blind praise."
"Not blind—because Shanshan is peerless to me. Everything you do is perfect."
She'd brushed past countless souls yet only paused for Pei Youshan.
Because Pei Youshan was matchless, one-of-a-kind.
Thus she willingly drowned in those clear eyes, succumbed to that cloud-soft love, beyond redemption.
Pei Youshan fell speechless, heart melting into autumn waters rippling with adoration.
Suddenly, she knew her next story's theme.
A sweet romance.
No dramatic love-hate—just gentle, flowing affection.
Enough to flutter hearts, enough to warm souls.
And she wanted Xu Jingshu to know one thing.
She was worthy of her love.
In every aspect.
"I know what to write next."
Meeting Xu Jingshu's curious gaze, she winked playfully.
"You'll understand when it publishes."
Xu Jingshu smiled: "Then I'll await Shanshan's new work."
They walked until snow began falling before heading back.
The housekeeper had prepared fruits; Xu Zhi awaited them in the living room.
He requested a private talk with Pei Youshan.
Xu Jingshu squeezed her hand: "I'll check on Jingying's report."
Pei Youshan nodded.
Alone with her girlfriend's parent, Pei Youshan felt nervous but composed: "Uncle Xu, what did you want to discuss?"
Xu Zhi smiled kindly: "Relax, Youshan. I wanted to talk about your father."
Pei Youshan stiffened, hands clasping tightly.
Xu Zhi offered her fruit: "May I call you Shanshan? Your aunt and I know your father's passing hit you hard."
"You miss him, don't you?"
Pei Youshan clenched her right hand before finally nodding.
As a child, she'd believed her dad was the world's best.
He knew star names, countless fairytales, and could peel apples in one unbroken spiral.
To adults, this meant little—but to a child, it marked him as the most remarkable grownup.
After Yue Qin's illness took him, she'd wondered if heaven coveted his stories too, thus cruelly claiming him.
But why?
She wasn't a stingy child.
Had others wanted to hear his tales, she'd have gladly hosted storytimes.
Why steal him away?
Couldn't they have borrowed him temporarily? Did it have to be forever...?
He never saw her enter university.
Never saw her fall in love.
Never saw her first published book.
Never fulfilled his promise to grow old with his wife...
The air around Pei Youshan grew heavy.
She rarely spoke of Yue Qin—her heart's tenderest, most fragile spot.
"Shanshan," Xu Zhi's gentle voice reached her, "I want you to know—if you're willing, you can consider me your father too."
Pei Youshan looked up, stunned.
Xu Zhi's smile mirrored Yue Qin's warmth: "A girlfriend's father is half a dad, no?"
Playfully adopting a grandiose tone: "Being half-dad to the great Yue Qin's daughter is an honor!"
Pei Youshan laughed, nearly dislodging unshed tears.
The Xu family's warmth embraced her as one of their own.
Perhaps this was love's continuity.
Though Yue Qin couldn't love her anymore, others would carry that love forward.
Like his admirer, Mr. Xu Zhi.
Suddenly shy, she demurred: "Uncle Xu, let's save 'Dad' for... after Jingshu and I..." she hesitated, "...get married."
Xu Zhi chuckled heartily at the thought of his daughter's impending union: "Of course, we'll save it."
......
That night, Xu Jingshu propped herself up, stroking Pei Youshan's hair: "What did Dad say earlier? Your eyes were red when you returned."
Pei Youshan smirked mysteriously: "He said..."
"—I'm not telling."
Xu Jingshu arched a brow, pulling her close for a fierce kiss.
Then began kissing increasingly inappropriate places.
Pei Youshan gasped: "We're at your parents'! Stop or else..."
She gripped the sheets, biting her lip.
Xu Jingshu understood, whispering hotly: "My room has more than just a bed."
Nipping her earlobe.
"There's also the bathroom."
Pei Youshan glared at this millennia-old vixen: "You're really..."
Xu Jingshu stood, leading her by hand.
Undoing buttons with faux innocence: "Winter's cold—I just want to warm up with Shanshan."
Pei Youshan: "?"
She laughed against the door: "Xu Jingshu, claiming you're cold while wearing short sleeves?"
Xu Jingshu nodded solemnly.
"I should've taken this off first."
Utterly shameless.
Yet Pei Youshan was helpless against her.
Especially when admiring that exquisite figure...
She surrendered into her arms.
Whatever.
Who could resist Xu Jingshu?
Certainly not her.
Not when she craved her body.
And her lifetime.
......
Before joint venture shareholder meetings, internal approvals occurred first.
As respective leads, Pei Youshan and Xu Jingshu naturally attended.
But this time, employees noticed something new beyond work.
Were those... matching couple bracelets their bosses wore?
Worse, they'd abandoned note-passing—now whispering directly into each other's ears during discussions.
Complete with intimate eye contact!
The conference hall reeked of romance.
Even the densest observer could see their unique relationship.
The original two witnesses exchanged "told-you-so" smirks.
—Called it! Our bosses are totally together!
Soon, all single employees reached silent consensus.
Dammit, we're here to work, not eat dogfood!
Someone control these two!
......
A month later, Mirror Inquires Autumn published anew.
Xu Jingying excitedly spammed Xu Jingshu the link.
On a lazy weekend movie date, Xu Jingshu checked the messages.
[Jingying]: [link]
[Jingying]: SIS!!!!!!!! MIRROR INQUIRES AUTUMN POSTED—
[Jingying]: You know why I sent this right?
[Jingying]: Tell Uncle An to buy adaptation rights! Stat!
[Jingying]: [Rawr.JPG]
Hearing constant notifications, Pei Youshan looked up: "Something urgent?"
Xu Jingshu shook her head: "Jingying. Mirror Inquires Autumn updated—wants me to buy rights."
Pei Youshan laughed: "It just started! No rush for adaptations."
Xu Jingshu remembered something: "What about your story? When's it publishing?"
She eagerly awaited her wife's pen name reveal.
Pei Youshan hugged a pillow: "Jingying wants you reading Mirror—go on."
Xu Jingshu studied her before opening the link.
The new title appeared:
—"You Are My Gravity"
Tagline: "You are my gravity—meeting you, I had no escape."
Hadn't she said this before?
Glancing at Pei Youshan, realization dawned.
"Mirror Inquires Autumn?" Xu Jingshu grinned.
Pei Youshan fidgeted: "I said nothing."
Xu Jingshu had her answer, embracing her tightly.
Their connection ran deeper than imagined.
Pei Youshan pressed a finger to her lips: "Don't tell others. Too many knowing would... embarrass me."
"No pressure for updates either."
She preferred writing peacefully in privacy.
Xu Jingshu kissed her fingertip: "As my Shanshan wishes."
Pei Youshan kissed her: "I'm visiting Teacher Chu's set soon—wanna come?"
Xu Jingshu nodded.
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