GL My Goddess Best Friend’s Seduction (H) - Chapter 29

I am a very efficient person. To a certain extent, you could even call me swift and decisive.

The day after I got the idea to move, I began browsing rental websites in Jingshi, Douban groups, and various rental apps.

Jingshi is quite large, and there are many people looking to rent. However, at this time, there weren’t many suitable options.

Either the places were too far from where I worked, or they were too expensive.

After searching for a week without finding a suitable place, I started to feel anxious.

Because I had been focusing on house hunting lately, I had put off some of my work. As a result, I was spending more time at home than usual.

I inevitably ended up seeing more of Si Jingnian. I tried my best to act naturally around her.

Whenever I saw her, I tried to suppress my feelings and treat her the way I used to.

But I knew I was doing a poor job. At the very least, I couldn’t bring myself to do the affectionate things I used to.

I was torn between my rationality and my sense of morality.

Every time she got close, I felt panicked and uneasy.

She tried to pat my head, and I scratched my head and moved away.

She tried to wipe a grain of rice from the corner of my mouth, and I frantically pulled out a tissue and wiped it myself.

She tried to talk to me, and I gripped my phone tightly and said I had something to do and left.

She kept trying…

I avoided her like she was poisonous, such a drastic change from before.

I knew I looked strange, but I couldn’t think of a better way.

I needed to escape this strange loop quickly.

I needed to avoid sinking deeper and deeper.

I needed to avoid doing something I could never come back from.

I had to move out.

I thought about whether I knew any real estate agents. It seemed I didn’t.

Flipping through my contacts, I saw “Jack of All Trades · Li Xian.” He probably had some connections.

I messaged him privately. Our last conversation was still about treating him to a meal.

Peaceful New Year: Are you there? Handsome, are you there?

Jack of All Trades · Li Xian: Here, here, here.

He replied instantly. His customer service attitude was really good.

Peaceful New Year: By the way, that companion you recommended last time was great. Thanks again.

Jack of All Trades · Li Xian: No need, no need. Besides, didn’t you say you’d treat me to a meal?

Jack of All Trades · Li Xian: I’ve been waiting every day for you to call and take me out!

Peaceful New Year: Hahaha, really now wipes sweat

Peaceful New Year: How about one of these evenings? Shall we have dinner together?

Jack of All Trades · Li Xian: Of course! How about tonight?

I checked my schedule. I had nothing planned.

Peaceful New Year: Sure. What do you want to eat?

Jack of All Trades · Li Xian: You pick. I’m not picky.

Peaceful New Year: Alright, I’ll send you the restaurant location later.

Jack of All Trades · Li Xian: Great! bouncing Jerry emoji

Peaceful New Year: By the way, do you know any reliable real estate agents in Jingshi?

Jack of All Trades · Li Xian: Of course. Are you looking for a place? Aren’t you living with Jingnian? Why are you looking for a place?

Peaceful New Year: A friend is renting. I’m just helping them ask.

I didn’t know why I lied. After all, Si Jingnian would eventually find out I was moving. And she didn’t know I had added Li Xian, so he likely wouldn’t tell her.

But I lied instinctively.

Jack of All Trades · Li Xian: Which area is your friend looking in? I’ll find a nearby agent.

Peaceful New Year: Around Tianjie International.

Jack of All Trades · Li Xian: Got it. Wait for good news.

At 3 p.m., while I was sitting at the office, Li Xian sent me a contact card.

I added the person. They accepted immediately and asked about my rental needs.

For some reason, I told them I was busy and would talk tonight.

They agreed.

I didn’t open Si Jingnian’s WeChat because she was on a business trip in Yunshi. So I didn’t have to worry about her finding out I was having dinner with Li Xian.

I picked an indoor barbecue restaurant for dinner. It had a great location, slightly pricey but still acceptable. It was by the Jing River, with a nice view after dinner.

When I arrived, the place was already quite full. Good thing I made a reservation.

I booked a small private room.

Since I was treating one of Si Jingnian’s friends, I felt I should show some respect. After all, her friends usually went to more upscale places.

As the server poured tea, Li Xian arrived.

He was wearing a black T-shirt and casual pants, someone you wouldn’t notice in a crowd.

He smiled brightly at me and sat across from me.

“Xiaoyu, you really know your food. My friends recommended this place before, but I never came.”

“Of course. My childhood dream was to be a food critic. This place tastes really good.”

“Go ahead and order.”

Li Xian’s taste was similar to mine. Most of the dishes he picked were ones I liked.

While waiting for the barbecue, we started chatting.

“How did your talk with the agent go?” He leaned back lazily in his chair.

“I haven’t yet. I told them I’d talk tonight.” As I said this, I realized something was off. Li Xian was trying to fish for information.

I stared at him indignantly. “You’re tricking me.”

“Hahaha, no, no. Just casually testing. I didn’t think it was true.” He awkwardly sat upright, an embarrassed look on his face.

Then his expression turned a bit curious. He asked, “Why are you moving, Xiaoyu? Did something unhappy happen between you and Jingnian?”

Nothing happened. I was just the only one unhappy. I wanted something I couldn’t have.

Of course I wouldn’t say that. I quickly wiped away my disappointment. “No… I just want to live alone.”

“Really?” Li Xian looked doubtful.

I started to panic.

If even someone like Li Xian could see through my poor lie, how could I possibly fool someone as familiar with me as Si Jingnian?

I tried to patch the lie.

“It’s true. I just want to experience living on my own.”

“And this way, it won’t interfere with Jingnian’s love life.”

“See, with me around, she’s probably too embarrassed to invite her boyfriend over.”

“Also…”

Li Xian’s voice rose to a high-pitched shriek, interrupting me. “What! Jingnian has a boyfriend?!”

I looked at him. He had been sitting there calmly, but now he looked like Edvard Munch’s painting The Scream, holding his face with both hands.

“What’s wrong? Can’t she have a boyfriend?”

“How could that be? Jingnian clearly likes…” He looked like someone who had just lost their faith.

“Uh? She clearly likes what?”

“Uh… nothing.” He snapped out of it but was clearly still in shock. “Who’s her boyfriend????”

He looked like he couldn’t accept it.

I thought about it. Jingnian probably wouldn’t mind if her friend knew about Yu’an.

“His name is Yu’an.”

“Have you met him? What does he look like? What’s his height, background, measurements?”

“…That’s an interrogation.” I sighed. “I haven’t met him. He seems tall, over 180cm? Works in finance? Probably?”

“Huh? You don’t know anything. Then how do you know he’s her boyfriend?” Li Xian looked serious now, his hands crossed on the table, frowning as he thought.

“Jingnian told me. They chat on WeChat all the time.” I remembered her happy face while chatting. “When she talks to Yu’an, she’s so cheerful. I almost don’t recognize her.”

“They talk every day. She becomes so chatty with him. Totally different from usual.” As I said this, I felt a little bitter. She never talked much when she was with me, but seemed to have endless things to say to Yu’an.

They say if a quiet person becomes talkative with someone, it’s because they really like them.

I could never compare to Yu’an in her heart.

I lowered my head, feeling down.

“Yu’an is pinned at the top of her contacts too.”

I clenched my fingers. Each piece of evidence pulled me deeper into despair.

I nearly cried. I tilted my head back a bit and blew air toward my eyes to stop the tears.

“Is that so?” Li Xian’s voice floated over. I didn’t dare look at his expression. I didn’t dare see if he noticed.

I was afraid he would look relieved, thinking Si Jingnian had found the right person.

I was afraid he’d see through me, see my unspoken feelings for her.

I quickly wiped away my hot tears with my hand and shut my eyes tightly.

Then I gave him a big, bright smile. “Anyway, they’re doing really well. They really like each other.”

“So I thought this was a good opportunity to move out.”

Li Xian didn’t say much. He lowered his head and played with his phone.

I thought he was asking Jingnian about Yu’an, so I didn’t say anything.

I felt a little uneasy. Even though I thought Jingnian wouldn’t mind her friends knowing, I still hadn’t asked her. It didn’t feel right.

I also wondered if Li Xian would tell her about me moving out. Even if he did, it wouldn’t matter. She’d find out eventually.

With that in mind, I opened a beer and started drinking.

Beer and barbecue really do go well together. But honestly, I might prefer soda with grilled meat.

Li Xian chatted a bit about their grad school days. I casually asked about Lan Yun.

He asked how I knew about her. Was it from Si Jingnian?

“Last time at the hotel, you said Lan Yun complained about Jingnian not attending your gatherings.” I opened another can and drank the last sip.

“Oh, I said that?” Li Xian popped a slice of pork belly in his mouth and gave me a sidelong glance. “Why? Are you jealous?”

My heart skipped. I almost thought he had figured out my feelings for Si Jingnian.

But then I realized he probably meant the kind of jealousy girls have over friends.

I calmed myself. “Of course. Si Jingnian made a good friend behind my back. How could I not be jealous?”

He flipped over the beef tongue and handed me a fresh slice.

“Then don’t be jealous.” He smacked his lips and looked at me with a sly smile. “They’re not just friends. They’re a couple.”