How I Accidentally Bent My Best Friend - Chapter 48

Lu Wei’s breath hitched, and goosebumps immediately prickled across her back. She couldn’t help but say, “You go ahead. I’ll make it for you.”

“I’ll watch and learn. I might need to do it myself someday.”

The warmth of the words brushed against the nape of her neck, a clear indication of how close they were. Lu Wei’s entire body tensed up, and she didn’t dare move an inch.

“Why’d you stop?” Chen Yushu leaned in from beside Lu Wei’s neck, giving her a puzzled look. “Is there a problem?”

Lu Wei flinched as if startled, instinctively leaning forward until her back pressed against the pool wall. “N-no, nothing. I’ll do it right away.”

But the presence behind her was too overwhelming. Lu Wei’s attention was completely captured, her mind blank for a long moment. “Wait, let me think. Don’t rush.”

“I’m not rushing.” Chen Yushu pulled out her phone and held it in front of Lu Wei. “It’s time for this part.”

“Oh, okay.” Lu Wei strained to focus, leaning in to take a closer look. However, the text on the phone screen was a bit small, and she had to squint to read it.

Just then, Chen Yushu placed a hand on her shoulder, half her body pressing against Lu Wei’s back. Without the barrier of clothing, the contact of their skin was unmistakable. The closer Chen Yushu leaned in, the more vivid the soft sensation became. The more Lu Wei tried to ignore it, the more it backfired.

It felt as though she was being half-embraced by Chen Yushu.

Lu Wei quickly took a breath, pressing herself even tighter against the pool wall. Her voice came out slightly hoarse. “Just put the phone down. Holding it up must be tiring.”

“It’s fine. I’ll read it to you. Just listen.” With no support behind her, Chen Yushu soon grew tired and rested her chin on Lu Wei’s shoulder. “Part two, the purpose of the research.”

Chen Yushu’s voice continued to murmur in her ear, but Lu Wei couldn’t make out a single word. Yet, she could keenly sense the breath behind each syllable, each one sending waves of shivers down her spine.

Lu Wei had no time to analyze her own strange reactions. All she wanted was to put some distance between herself and Chen Yushu the farther, the better.

“What’s wrong?” Chen Yushu asked. “Did you not hear me clearly?”

Lu Wei shook her head, swallowed hard, and managed a strained “Mm.” “I’ll just read it myself.”

“Alright.” Chen Yushu placed the phone next to the computer and silently watched her from behind.

Even so, feeling the rise and fall of Chen Yushu’s breath with every exhale, Lu Wei still found it unbearable. The only thought in her mind was to finish the PowerPoint as quickly as possible and escape.

So, she worked at the fastest pace she had ever mustered in her life, her fingers flying across the keyboard as if striking sparks.

From Chen Yushu’s perspective, Lu Wei’s fingers moved so swiftly they seemed to blur, accompanied by a rapid clatter of keystrokes. She couldn’t help but ask, “Do you have something urgent to do?”

Lu Wei paused for a second. “No, I just want to finish early and rest.” With that, she let out a soft sigh and sped up even more.

The intense focus temporarily allowed her to ignore the person behind her.

But then, Chen Yushu leaned in again, pointing at the computer screen. “How did you do that last step?”

With nowhere to retreat, Lu Wei curled into herself as much as possible, yet she couldn’t avoid the occasional, fleeting touches. The faint, elusive sensations felt like dancing on embers, each one searing the tips of her heart.

After a long moment, she finally asked, “Which step?”

“Right here.” Chen Yushu leaned forward, stretching her arm out and pressing her entire body against Lu Wei’s back. Lu Wei’s mind went blank for a moment, and sweat instantly beaded on her forehead.

Lu Wei suddenly felt parched. She licked her lips and demonstrated the action again. “Like this, and it’s done.”

“Okay, I got it. Let’s continue.”

Chen Yushu retreated to her original position, giving Lu Wei a little breathing room.

Lu Wei quickly grabbed the wine glass beside her and took a big gulp. Just as she was about to put it down, Chen Yushu said, “I’m thirsty. Let me have a sip.”

“Where’s your glass?” Lu Wei asked instinctively.

Chen Yushu replied casually, “Over there. Can’t be bothered to get it.”

“Oh.” Lu Wei nodded somewhat woodenly, picked up the glass, turned sideways to hand it to her, and inevitably met her gaze.

“Are you hot?” Chen Yushu took the glass, her eyes lingering on Lu Wei’s flushed cheek. “Your face is all red.”

“Ah?” Lu Wei felt inexplicably guilty. She reached up and touched her cheek it was indeed burning. She quickly turned her head away. “Maybe the water’s a bit too warm.”

“Why do I feel like you’ve been acting strange tonight?” Chen Yushu tilted her head, studying Lu Wei’s expression closely. “What’s wrong with you?”

Lu Wei panicked, feeling utterly flustered. She wanted to know herself, what was wrong with her tonight? No, not just tonight. She couldn’t even remember exactly when it had started, but whenever she faced Chen Yushu now, she felt this strange, unprecedented sensation, and tonight it was especially intense.

The PowerPoint wasn’t finished yet. After asking her question, Chen Yushu didn’t press further and simply said, “We’re almost done. Let’s finish up and head down.”

Hearing this, Lu Wei secretly breathed a sigh of relief and continued typing, hunched over the keyboard.

Suddenly, Chen Yushu stood up and leaned against the side. The pressure on Lu Wei’s back vanished, but her ears perked up uncontrollably.

Sss!

The sound of a match being struck echoed, followed by the faint, gradual diffusion of a citrus fragrance. Lu Wei couldn’t resist glancing over and saw Chen Yushu holding a candle, placing it further inside the pool.

The flickering candlelight cast a small circle of warm orange glow, illuminating half of Chen Yushu’s profile and casting a hazy silhouette on the ground.

Lu Wei was momentarily mesmerized. It wasn’t until Chen Yushu finished setting the candle down that she snapped back to reality and quickly averted her gaze.

The citrus scent grew stronger. Lu Wei couldn’t help but take a deep breath, and only after a while did the turmoil in her heart gradually settle. Soon, the PowerPoint was finished. She stretched with relief, thinking to herself: I absolutely cannot come to this hot spring again! It’s downright deadly!

As the sound of typing ceased, the surroundings suddenly fell into silence. Lu Wei opened her mouth to call out to Chen Yushu but instead heard a long, steady breathing sound.

Asleep?

Lu Wei stepped out of the pool, tiptoed over, and crouched down for a closer look. Chen Yushu’s eyes were closed, her cheeks flushed pink from the steam, and her lips were slightly parted, tinged with a soft hue.

So cute! The thought popped into Lu Wei’s mind unbidden. She reached out a finger and gently poked Chen Yushu’s cheek.

Unexpectedly, Chen Yushu woke up instantly, furrowing her brows and letting out an impatient grunt before rolling over and plunging headfirst into the pool.

Wide-eyed, Lu Wei stepped into the water with one foot, hurriedly wrapped her arms around Chen Yushu, and pulled her out.

“Cough, cough, cough” Chen Yushu was fully awake now, clutching Lu Wei’s shoulders as she coughed violently.

Lu Wei felt both distressed and amused. She gently patted Chen Yushu’s back while brushing aside the damp hair clinging to her face.

Chen Yushu coughed until her face flushed red, taking a long while to finally stop.

“Chen Yushu, you really I don’t even know what to say about you.” Lu Wei smiled helplessly as she fetched a towel and wiped Chen Yushu’s face.

“I was sleeping just fine until you started fidgeting around. So annoying!” Chen Yushu opened her eyes angrily, only to meet Lu Wei’s gaze abruptly, causing her breath to hitch.

At the same time, the smile on Lu Wei’s face froze.

The atmosphere shifted abruptly.

The small hot spring pool fell into utter silence, with only the soft, intertwined sounds of their breathing subtle yet distinct.

Countless emotions froze in her mind. Stiffening her neck, Chen Yushu turned her head slightly and whispered, “Let me down.”

Lu Wei belatedly snapped out of her daze, her gaze still fixed on Chen Yushu’s face as she replied sluggishly, “Okay.”

The candle had burned halfway. Chen Yushu walked over and blew it out, while Lu Wei downed the remaining wine in one gulp, her eyes fixed on Chen Yushu’s back, her expression complex in the dim light.

Downstairs, Chen Yushu sat on the bed, reviewing the PowerPoint slides. After confirming everything was in order, she sent them to Jiang Yuran.

The file was quickly received on the other end. Jiang Yuran sent a peeking emoji, followed by: 【Where did you two go for the hot springs? Was it comfortable?】

Chen Yushu sent the name of the hotel. As for the hot springs…

Just then, Lu Wei finished her shower and came out. Spotting Chen Yushu, she still seemed a bit uneasy. “I’m done. You can go shower now.”

“Mm.” Chen Yushu sent a quick reply to Jiang Yuran, then set her phone aside and headed into the bathroom.

Lu Wei lay down on the bed, closing her eyes for a moment of peace. But gradually, her thoughts drifted inexplicably to the night they visited the exhibition the two of them, the hotel, the scent of her hair… and that pale, slender neck.

Ahhh!

Agitated, Lu Wei abruptly opened her eyes and sat up. Staring blankly into space for a moment, she reached for her bag, took out the butterfly, and held it in her palm, gazing at it for a long time.

For some reason, she felt as though there were a swarm of butterflies in her chest, but they seemed trapped, struggling with tattered wings, suspended mid-air.

Just then, the bathroom door opened.

In a flash, Lu Wei clenched the butterfly tightly and turned to lie down. Footsteps drew nearer, finally stopping by her bed. Chen Yushu murmured softly in puzzlement, “Asleep?”

Lu Wei held her breath, desperately trying to keep her eyelids from trembling. Fortunately, Chen Yushu glanced over and then walked away.

After a faint rustling sound, the room lights dimmed. Then, the covers on the other side were lifted, the bed dipped, and a familiar fragrance wafted over.

Lu Wei’s eyes shifted, but she still didn’t dare open them. Only when everything had fallen completely silent did she crack her eyelids open a sliver. The bedside lamp was still on, casting a soft, hazy glow.

The butterfly in her palm dug into her skin, but she didn’t dare loosen her grip even slightly. She lay still, waiting for Chen Yushu to fall asleep.

The quiet night was filled only with the sounds of breathing and heartbeats. After what felt like an eternity, Lu Wei’s arm had nearly gone numb before she finally heard Chen Yushu’s breathing grow steady and deep.

Lu Wei opened her eyes wide, staring at Chen Yushu’s back, momentarily lost in confusion. What was she even doing?

How strange. What exactly had been happening to her lately?

Holding hands, hugging, kisses in dreams, were these all just same-sex attachments? But if it was merely attachment, why was she so tormented by her thoughts right now?

Lu Wei’s head ached, and she irritably ran her fingers through her hair. The rustling sound made her suddenly aware that Chen Yushu was right beside her. Startled, she froze instantly, not daring to move, and a cold sweat broke out.

Fortunately, Chen Yushu didn’t wake up.

Lu Wei’s heart settled back into place, but before long, it grew restless again. In the end, she simply sat up. With just a slight turn of her head, she could see Chen Yushu’s profile.

What have you done to me? Lu Wei bared her teeth, putting on a fierce expression to scare Chen Yushu, but soon her gaze softened. She swept her eyes over Chen Yushu inch by inch, then, as if possessed, picked up the butterfly hairpin and, mimicking the gesture from earlier in the day, held it up against Chen Yushu’s temple.

Thump!

Her heart endured a blow even heavier than the one during the day. Lu Wei stared blankly at that spot. In an instant, the butterfly blurred into an illusion, as if it had suddenly flown out from her chest, and Chen Yushu’s profile sharpened into clarity.