How I Accidentally Bent My Best Friend - Chapter 15

It was always like this. Even though Chen Yushu knew Lu Wei was just putting on an act, those tearful emojis still softened her heart. But this time, she didn’t indulge her with comforting words as she usually did.

Suddenly, a faint sob broke the silence in the quiet dorm room fortunately, the others were already asleep. Then came the sound of tissues being pulled, followed by slightly ragged breathing.

Concerned, Chen Yushu glanced toward Jiang Yuran’s bed just in time to see her abruptly sit up, climb down, slip on her shoes, and quietly open the door before stepping out.

At the sight, Chen Yushu’s heart clenched.

A long while passed, and Jiang Yuran still hadn’t returned. Uneasy, she sent her a message asking if everything was alright, but there was no reply.

After a moment’s hesitation, she climbed down from her bed as quietly as possible, intending to check on her, just to make sure she was okay before coming back.

The hallway lights were still on, casting an eerie green glow down the seemingly endless corridor, straight out of a horror movie.

Chen Yushu immediately broke out in goosebumps. Rubbing her arms, she steeled herself and pressed forward.

She finally found Jiang Yuran in the stairwell on the basement level. Before even descending, she heard the muffled sound of stifled crying.

Chen Yushu stood still for a moment. Seeing that Jiang Yuran wasn’t doing anything reckless, she decided to slip away unnoticed.

But then she didn’t know when, Jiang Yuran’s sobs stopped. Emerging from the stairwell, she caught sight of Chen Yushu’s retreating figure.

Hearing movement behind her, Chen Yushu froze, instantly overwhelmed by awkwardness.

Why did it always end up like this? She inwardly cursed herself for not leaving faster.

“Sorry, I just you were gone for so long, and I got worried” Chen Yushu turned around, speaking earnestly, afraid Jiang Yuran might think she had some voyeuristic tendency.

Jiang Yuran’s eyes were red and swollen from crying. Wiping her tears with the back of her hand, she rasped, “Yeah, I know. Thank you, Shushu. It’s just I’m so pathetic. I knew she was trash, yet here I am, bawling like this. So embarrassing.”

“It’s normal. Besides, you might not even be crying for her,” Chen Yushu said, stepping closer. “Maybe you’re crying for yourself for the sincerity you once poured into it, and for the part of you that’s now gone with it.”

Jiang Yuran paused, then let out a soft laugh. “Shushu, I never knew you were so good at comforting people. Someone must’ve told you before that you have a way with words, right?”

Chen Yushu wasn’t sure why she said that. “Hmm?” she responded, puzzled.

“When I first met you, I thought you were so aloof like you’d keep everyone at arm’s length. But you’re nothing like that at all.” Jiang Yuran sighed, her eyes reddening again. “Guess I really suck at judging people. No wonder she…”

Chen Yushu quickly handed her a tissue. Frowning, she disagreed, “People are inherently deceptive sometimes even to themselves, let alone others.”

“And maybe that person was right at first, but over time, they changed. That’s not your fault.”

The words hung in the air. Jiang Yuran fell silent for a few seconds, as if struck by a sudden thought. Then her lips began to tremble, and she could no longer hold back. Leaning against the railing, she slowly slid to the ground and broke into quiet sobs.

So much for being good at comforting people!

Chen Yushu bit her lip in confusion and sat down beside her, hesitantly placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

After what felt like an eternity, the sobs gradually subsided. Jiang Yuran lifted her head, staring ahead as tears silently streamed down her face. “Shushu, you’re right. I just I’m having a hard time accepting it.”

Chen Yushu let out a relieved sigh. “Breaking a habit is always difficult.”

As the words left her lips, she froze for a moment, as if struck by a sudden thought. Her lashes fluttered slightly before she exhaled a faint sigh.

The two leaned against each other in silence, lost in their own thoughts, neither speaking another word.

It had to be said fate was a strange thing. In the span of a single night, they had both found themselves heartbroken.

While trying to console another, she had unwittingly become part of the same story.