How I Accidentally Bent My Best Friend - Chapter 13

“To all the students, regarding my inappropriate words today and in the past, and the harm they may have caused you, I hereby offer my sincere apologies.” The male instructor stood rigidly straight, his expression somber, his gaze wandering. After finishing his speech, he bowed stiffly, his face dark with discomfort, then quickly turned and walked away.

A school administrator promptly stepped forward and announced, “Students, after discussion among the faculty, we’ve decided to assign you a new instructor. Everyone must be tired, so please head back now ”

Before he could finish, cheers erupted from the crowd below, interspersed with occasional remarks about teaching the male instructor a lesson.

At first, the administrator tried to quiet them down, but once the male instructor and his group were out of sight, he gave up and simply waved with a smile. “Alright, kids, you’ve had a rough day. Go treat yourselves to something nice tonight and get some rest.”

Having witnessed almost the entire scene, Chen Yushu felt an involuntary fire ignite in her chest. When her gaze landed on a certain someone, there was an intensity in her eyes that even she didn’t realize.

“Everyone, we won!”

“This is so rare, I’m calling today the ‘September 15th Incident of Yun University’s Fine Arts College’!”

“Then we’ve got to celebrate with a proper meal!”

Amid the lively clamor behind her, Lu Wei removed her cap, letting the evening breeze gently tousle her hair. Her expression was serene and untroubled, like a heroine who had accomplished her mission and walked away without a trace, her deeds known but her name unspoken.

Chen Yushu walked under a streetlight and, without thinking, raised her phone. The screen blurred momentarily before focusing on a single figure. The person stood sideways in the frame, half of their face bathed in the warm orange glow of the light, radiating brilliance, dazzling and unforgettable.

The moment Chen Yushu pressed the shutter, the person on the screen suddenly turned their head, their beautiful face now directly facing the camera.

Chen Yushu’s breath hitched, her mind going blank as she froze in place.

Time seemed to stand still as the two of them locked eyes through the lens for several seconds.

Thump, thump, thump

Chen Yushu could hear her own heartbeat, loud and unrelenting.

Finally, the person in the frame tilted their head slightly, flashed a lazy smile, and then started running straight toward her.

Like a tidal wave surging forth.

The short distance between them stretched into slow motion in Chen Yushu’s eyes—the strands of hair flying, the edges of clothes fluttering, every detail became crystal clear.

Like a warrior returning victorious.

Time rewound, memories flooding back. Lu Wei had always been this kind of person. Chen Yushu knew it had always known.

Back in middle school, when they were still in the same class, there was a teacher who favored boys over girls. One day during a recitation exercise, Chen Yushu was called on and mispronounced a single character, earning her a long scolding from the teacher. But when it was a boy’s turn, he not only recited poorly but also smirked through it, yet the teacher said nothing and even smiled as she let him sit down.

Chen Yushu hadn’t thought much of it at the time, quietly repeating the correct pronunciation to herself.

But then, in the next moment, the girl in front of her abruptly stood up, her chair clattering loudly. “Teacher, isn’t this a bit unfair?”

The entire class gasped, turning to look.

“Lu Wei,” Chen Yushu whispered urgently, reaching out to tug at her sleeve, but Lu Wei dodged her grasp.

“Chen Yushu only mispronounced one character, was it really necessary to humiliate her like that? Lu Yang butchered the whole thing, and you didn’t say a word to him. Could you be any more obvious with your favoritism?”

“What’s wrong with me?” The female teacher’s expression instantly darkened as she pointed at her with a pointer. “Lu Wei, what do you think you’re doing? Is this any way to speak to a teacher? A girl like you, with no manners at all!”

“Teacher, Lu Wei isn’t wrong. You’re being biased.” The words slipped out before she realized what she was doing, but she didn’t regret it.

“Chen Yushu, you!” The teacher’s eyes widened in disbelief that even the model student would defy her. She slammed the lectern in fury. “Both of you, get out of the classroom and stand outside for this lesson!”

Lu Wei clicked her tongue in annoyance, shoved her hands in her pockets, and strode out. Chen Yushu followed, head bowed, clutching a notebook.

They leaned against the wall, one after the other, turning to face each other wide eyed, staring, before both covered their mouths, their eyes brimming with unmistakable laughter.

“Tsk tsk, such a model student, bringing homework even to a punishment session.”

“It’s not homework.” She flipped the notebook open to show her. “Just a draft pad. It’s light, so I brought it to keep up appearances.”

“Chen Yushu, you… hahaha.” Lu Wei took the notebook, pulled an automatic pencil from her pocket, and quickly sketched a simple drawing.

Their heads pressed together, Chen Yushu immediately recognized the caricature of their teacher. The ridiculous likeness made her burst into laughter.

“This class is going to drag on forever. I’m starving. Wanna hit the snack shop?”

Without waiting for an answer, Lu Wei grabbed her hand and pulled her into a run. Stumbling to keep up, all Chen Yushu could see was Lu Wei’s face.

Back then, even the hallway breeze tasted sweet.

And from that day on, the teacher never dared to deliberately pick on the girls again.

Remembering the past, Chen Yushu couldn’t help but laugh.

How could she not fall for someone like that?

“Chen Yushu!”

As she approached, Lu Wei spread her arms and called her name. Chen Yushu stood still, letting herself be pulled into an embrace, one that held not just Lu Wei, but also her youth, her youthful affection.

“Look at you, hiding here just to watch me, huh?” Lu Wei wrapped an arm around her waist and gently pinched her nose with the other hand. “Little Yushu, tell me, was I cool or what?”

“Eh, just average.” Chen Yushu breathed in the scent of Lu Wei’s hair, feeling the warmth where their bodies pressed together. Emotions surged, spilling uncontrollably from her eyes.

An impulse rose, urging her to confess everything.

“Liar!” Lu Wei smirked smugly and suddenly leaned closer. “Your eyes already betrayed how much you admire me.”

Their breaths mingled, noses almost touching. Chen Yushu felt herself drowning in Lu Wei’s gaze. She swallowed hard, lips trembling slightly as she whispered, “Lu Wei.”

“Yeah, what is it?”

Chen Yushu licked her lips, fingers unconsciously tightening around the hem of Lu Wei’s shirt. “If I mean, just if”

“Lu Wei!”

Wen Yan’s voice cut through the moment.

Instantly, Chen Yushu’s smile froze. Her excitement deflated, and a cold sweat broke out across her skin.

Lu Wei released her and turned toward Wen Yan, her brow furrowing almost imperceptibly. She didn’t move from her spot.

“I knew you’d be here. Good thing I’m not too late.” Wen Yan, as composed as ever, stepped forward and reached out to embrace Lu Wei.

Lu Wei clasped her hands behind her neck, subtly sidestepping the gesture. “Wen Yan, I’ve made myself clear. For both our sakes, let’s not stay in touch for now.”

Wen Yan’s expression shifted slightly, and her gaze inadvertently flickered toward Chen Yushu standing nearby. She asked Lu Wei, “Okay, I get it. But I’m curious, if it were another female friend confessing to you, would you react the same way?”

“Of course,” Lu Wei replied without hesitation. “Like I said, I’m not into women.”

Chen Yushu instantly understood the implication behind Wen Yan’s question. Unsurprisingly, a hint of triumph flashed in Wen Yan’s eyes.

But Chen Yushu felt nothing. The moment Lu Wei’s words left her lips, it was as if icy water had drenched her entire body, extinguishing the last flicker of warmth in her chest.

She didn’t catch what Wen Yan said afterward, but the two eventually waved goodbye, the tension between them noticeably eased.

“Phew, finally settled,” Lu Wei sighed, hands on her hips. “See? Being friends is so much better.”

Chen Yushu glanced at her, making a questioning sound.

“You didn’t hear? Wen Yan finally decided to let go. Thank goodness!” Lu Wei clapped her hands.

Chen Yushu nodded silently, thinking to herself: Yes, it’s time to let go.

If even friendship was a luxury, how could she ever hope for love?

Lu Wei stretched. “Let’s go grab dinner. I’m starving.”

“Okay.”

They walked side by side, their shadows stretching long across the ground. Chen Yushu lowered her gaze, tilting her head slightly, her shadow leaned against the other’s.

The next second, she felt a weight on her shoulder as Lu Wei leaned into her.

Chen Yushu stiffened but quickly straightened and looked ahead. “By the way, what exactly happened today?”

“That idiot drill instructor?” Lu Wei’s temper flared again at the mention. “You know that lucky bead bracelet you gave me? He insisted it was a necklace. I explained, but he wouldn’t listen wanted to confiscate it.”

“No way was I handing it over. So he punished me with squats and took his anger out on our whole class.”

Just then, a few classmates passed by. Spotting Lu Wei, they clasped their fists in salute and cheered, “Wei-jie, you’re a legend! From now on, you’re our queen!”

“Wei-jie, you rock!”

Lu Wei laughed and cursed, “What nonsense? Get lost!”

“Hey, Wei-jie, who’s that next to you?”

“Use your eyes that’s the wife.”

“Ohhh, my bad, my bad. Sorry ‘bout that!”

Back when they were together, they’d often been teased like this. Lu Wei, ever the drama queen, would play along, treating it as harmless fun.

But now, Chen Yushu realized that maybe the problem had always been their blurred boundaries, letting feelings drift off course.

Friends should keep a proper distance. Cross that line, and everything collapses.

Sure enough, Lu Wei still didn’t deny it. Instead, she pulled Chen Yushu into a half-hug. “Good. None of you better get any ideas about her.”

“Don’t listen to her. We’re just friends,” Chen Yushu corrected for Lu Wei’s sake, and her own.

Lu Wei made a surprised sound and nudged her shoulder. “In such a hurry to clear things up? Worried I’ll scare off your suitors?”

“Mhm. Now you’re getting it.”

“Wait Chen Yushu, are you serious?”