How I Accidentally Bent My Best Friend - Chapter 32.1

After returning from the hotel, Chen Yushu rested for two days before resuming her long jump practice with Lu Wei in the evenings.

After more than a week of training, her long jump performance had finally improved from passing to good, but this distance was still far from enough. With only a few days left until the sports meet, the two gradually increased their practice time.

One evening, after self-study sessions ended, Chen Yushu spotted a familiar yet unfamiliar figure at their usual spot. The person had platinum-blonde, slightly wavy hair with a few strands of pale purple mixed in, shimmering beautifully under the streetlights.

It wasn’t until she noticed the takeoff board in the girl’s hand that she confirmed it was Lu Wei. She approached and softly called her name.

“Changed my hair color and you don’t recognize me anymore?” Lu Wei turned around. Her platinum hair made her skin appear even more translucent and radiant, and paired with her delicate features, she looked like a real-life Barbie doll.

Chen Yushu was momentarily stunned, almost forgetting to breathe. Suddenly, the person in front of her leaned in abruptly, bringing with her the scent of her hair.

“What? Already captivated by me?” Lu Wei said with a playful grin.

Chen Yushu’s heart skipped a beat. She stepped back while giving Lu Wei a light shove, wrinkling her nose in disgust. “Ugh, you’re so corny it’s making me sick.”

“Isn’t it pretty?” Lu Wei pouted, placing her hands on her hips. “What’s with that expression? You were clearly mesmerized just now, and now you won’t admit it.”

“Let’s go already.” Chen Yushu nudged her forward and asked, “When did you dye your hair? Didn’t you have class today?”

“You remembered I had class?” Lu Wei bumped her shoulder lightly against Chen Yushu’s, then paused thoughtfully. “Don’t tell me you actually have a crush on me?”

Having heard this kind of talk so often, Chen Yushu was completely immune by now. She let out a nonchalant “Oh” and said nothing more.

True to form, Lu Wei didn’t press further. “The teacher didn’t show up today. Class was rescheduled for next week.”

“Why did you dye your hair again?” Chen Yushu couldn’t help but reach out and twist a strand of Lu Wei’s hair between her fingers. “It hasn’t been that long since the last time. Bleaching and dyeing again do you even want to keep your hair?”

Her fingertips accidentally brushed against the side of Lu Wei’s neck, sending a tingling sensation through her. Lu Wei instinctively shrugged her shoulders, wondering when she had become so ticklish.

Chen Yushu asked, “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“Huh? Oh, this? The color from last time had faded so much it looked awful,” Lu Wei said, tilting her head slightly to the side. “Anyway, my hair’s already damaged, so I might as well dye it a color I like.”

Lu Wei had mentioned wanting to dye her hair platinum blonde before, but for some reason, she’d added a touch of purple. Still, it gave her a dreamy vibe and definitely looked even prettier.

Chen Yushu couldn’t resist stealing a few glances at Lu Wei’s profile.

Lu Wei added, “Once this color fades, I’m going to cut my hair and let it recover.”

“You’d have to shave it all off,” Chen Yushu quickly averted her gaze, putting on a disdainful expression.

“What’s wrong with being bald?” Lu Wei flicked her hair indifferently. “Even bald, I’d still be the hottest one.”

Chen Yushu couldn’t take it anymore and bent over, pretending to gag. “I’m definitely eating something light tomorrow.”

“What’s that supposed to mean, Chen Yushu? You’re so annoying.” Lu Wei grabbed her arm, whining, “You’re always putting me down.”

After a moment’s thought, Chen Yushu sighed. “Isn’t it because I’m jealous of you? I thought you’d notice.”

“Hmph, I knew it.” Lu Wei’s expression instantly brightened, and she puffed up like a proud peacock.

Chen Yushu shook her head, unable to hold back a laugh.

They were a bit delayed on the way, arriving at the field a little later than usual.

As soon as Lu Wei placed the take-off board, Chen Yushu conscientiously began her training.

“Don’t be afraid, speed up a bit more jump.” Lu Wei followed alongside her, occasionally offering a few pointers.

Chen Yushu said, “You should take a break. I’ll practice on my own. If you keep following me, I’ll get nervous.”

Lu Wei was about to say it wasn’t a bother, but hearing the latter part, she pursed her lips and reluctantly walked to the side, saying, “Oh, alright then. Don’t slack off, and call me if you need anything.”

Chen Yushu hummed in agreement. Afraid of embarrassing herself during the upcoming competition, she didn’t dare slack off in the slightest and focused intently on her training.

“Yay! So far! Lu Wei, come quick.” Chen Yushu stood in place, unable to hide her excitement as she turned to call out, only to find Lu Wei with her back turned, talking to a tall boy.

Seemingly hearing her voice, Lu Wei quickly ended the conversation and ran over to her. “What’s up?”

Chen Yushu pointed at the sandpit, then couldn’t help but ask, “Who were you talking to just now?”

“Our class’s P.E. monitor. He said he saw me doing the long jump here a few days ago and wanted to invite me to join some club or something. I forgot,” Lu Wei replied, then bent down to take a closer look at the measuring tape on the ground. “Not bad! Way better than before. You’re a quick learner! Keep working hard, and let’s aim for a medal.”

Chen Yushu felt a bit giddy from the praise. She never imagined she could jump this far one day. Still, compared to Lu Wei, she was still quite a ways off. Thinking this, she couldn’t help but voice it out loud.

Hearing this, Lu Wei immediately became smug. “Well, look who I am. It’s not that easy to surpass me, you know.”

“I can’t stand you, you narcissist,” Chen Yushu said as she stepped out of the sandpit. Suddenly, she noticed the boy from earlier still glancing their way repeatedly. She glanced at him but didn’t pay it much mind and continued practicing.

However, over the next few days, she kept seeing that boy at the field. Whenever he had a free moment, he would strike up a conversation with Lu Wei, and the topics gradually shifted from the long jump to other things.

Chen Yushu finally caught on, and a sour feeling inevitably welled up in her heart. But there was nothing she could do about it, so she silently tried to console herself: Lu Wei was pretty, had a great personality it was only natural for people to like her. Maybe there were even more instances like this that she wasn’t aware of.

Unfortunately, this self-consolation didn’t help at all. She had no interest in training anymore and leaned against the wall under the bleachers, staring intently at the two of them.

The bitterness and jealousy in her heart surged like a tidal wave, threatening to suffocate her. She couldn’t help but clench her fists tightly, letting her nails dig deep into her palms.

Lu Wei, while chatting with the boy, occasionally glanced in her direction. Soon, she noticed something was off.

“What’s wrong?” Lu Wei ran over and asked.

Finally separating the two of them, Chen Yushu felt a little better and muttered, “I’m tired. I want to go back.”

“Alright,” Lu Wei said, ruffling her hair before turning to pick up the take-off board and measuring tape. “Let’s go. Get some good rest.”

Chen Yushu forced a smile and nodded.

Seeing the two leave, the boy seemed somewhat reluctant and followed them at a distance.

Chen Yushu glanced back over her shoulder, her expression darkening. She instinctively moved a little closer to Lu Wei.

Coming to her senses, she couldn’t help but feel a bit ridiculous. No matter how intimate her actions with Lu Wei appeared now, in others’ eyes, they were just a pair of good friends, close girlfriends.

A wave of helplessness suddenly washed over her. Chen Yushu felt as if her limbs were filled with lead, each step heavy and laborious.

She claimed she could let go, yet just glimpsing a few scenes and imagining four or five things that might happen in the future had already affected her like this. If it really came to that day.

Chen Yushu let out a self-mocking laugh, feeling a dull ache in her chest.

They were almost at the dormitory building when suddenly, a male voice called out from behind, stopping Lu Wei.

Chen Yushu’s heart trembled, but she didn’t turn around. She only heard Lu Wei say, “Wait for me a moment.”

After a short while, she couldn’t resist and turned around to see what the two were talking about.

The distance was too far to hear clearly, but she could make out the expression on the boy’s face and the shape of his lips. Frowning, she tried to decipher their conversation.

When she caught words like “like” and “know,” her breath hitched, and her chest began to rise and fall rapidly. Unable to bear it any longer, she turned and strode toward the dormitory building.

In the quiet night, Chen Yushu could hear nothing but the frantic beating of her own heart. Holding her breath, she fought back the urge to cry, her steps growing faster and faster.

Soon, she reached the dormitory building. Abruptly halting, unwilling to leave just like that, she paused for a moment before turning around to watch the two figures from afar.

Seeing that they showed no signs of wrapping up their conversation, she grew restless, her limbs fidgeting uncontrollably. She unconsciously kicked at the gravel on the ground, then lowered her head, muttering under her breath in frustration.

“First Wen Yan, and now the sports committee member? It’s never-ending! So annoying, so annoying!”

“And she’s still not back! That awful Lu Wei!”

“Awful Lu Wei, you fickle radish! Attracting both guys and girls!”

“Fickle radish!”

“Who’s a fickle radish?!”

“Huh?” Lu Wei’s voice suddenly rang out, startling Chen Yushu and making her jump. At the same time, her heart leaped into her throat. “When did you…”

Lu Wei, hands on her hips and slightly out of breath, retorted, “Didn’t I tell you to wait for me? And what do you do? Turn around and run off!”

Chen Yushu snorted irritably, “He chased you all the way here. What was I supposed to do? Stand there and be a third wheel?”

The words came out dripping with jealousy, and even someone as oblivious as Lu Wei noticed something was off. Her eyes lit up with curiosity as she asked, “Chen Yushu, are you jealous?”

“No!” Chen Yushu denied immediately. “I was just tired of waiting for you.”

“Really?” Lu Wei hesitated for a second before catching on. “You’re lying! If not, why were you just calling me a fickle radish?”

Chen Yushu had no retort. Her heart raced wildly as she suddenly snapped back to reality, breaking out in a cold sweat that chilled her to the bone in the breeze.

“Am I right? Hmm?” Lu Wei leaned in, tilting her chin down. “Why so quiet? Did I hit the mark?”