GL My Goddess Best Friend’s Seduction (H) - Chapter 5

The rest of the wedding went smoothly. I took several photos of Si Jingnian playing the violin and noticed many others doing the same. Fewer people were photographing Jiang Yiyi.

She’d probably be furious if she knew.

I took a quick shot of Jiang Yiyi walking up the stage with her father. It felt a bit cliché, but when she hugged her parents reluctantly, my eyes welled up. I quickly grabbed a tissue to dab at my tears, careful not to smudge my makeup.

I saved the seat to my right for Si Jingnian and warmed her bowl and chopsticks with hot water. When she returned, I remembered Aunt Luo Lan’s request and began taking all sorts of photos with her.

Sometimes we took selfies, and other times I asked a girl at our table to help. In one, I stood behind Si Jingnian with both hands above her head, grinning widely. In another, I pressed close, linked arms with her, and made cute faces at the camera. Then I used both hands to poke dimples into her cheeks.

Si Jingnian went along with everything and was super cooperative, which only encouraged me to get bolder with the poses.

She glanced at me and said, “That’s enough. Someone else is taking the photos.”

I caught her hint and stuck out my tongue at the girl, embarrassed. “Sorry for the trouble. I’ll take some for you later.”

The girl waved it off. “No problem,” she said, then added, “You two are so close.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Of course we are.”

The girl hesitated, then turned to Si Jingnian with a sweet smile and pulled out her phone. “Can I take a picture with you?”

She started gushing. “You’re so pretty, and you played the violin so coolly! Can we take a photo together?”

Si Jingnian nodded. The girl handed me her phone and bounced over to Si Jingnian, striking poses.

I thought, ” No way am I letting Si Jingnian look bad in someone else’s photo!” I was determined to make them both look great.

Turns out, I needn’t have worried. Si Jingnian looked good in every shot.

The girl thanked me, paused as if she wanted to say more, but didn’t, and returned to her seat.

When Jiang Yiyi and her group came to toast, I drank a little red wine. I don’t really drink. I didn’t learn in college, and my job at the tutoring center doesn’t require it.

I remember only drinking two bottles of beer at our high school graduation party. I got drunk and passed out, unsure if I made a fool of myself. Thinking about it still embarrasses me. Si Jingnian was the one who took me home by taxi.

At later class reunions, everyone stopped me from drinking. Even Jiang Yiyi refused to spill what happened, always giving me a hard-to-read expression that made me regret it even more.

But this time, it was just a small glass of red wine. I figured it was fine.

Near the end of the meal, the server girl returned and asked Si Jingnian for her number. She hesitated but didn’t give it, so the server left, disappointed.

A few guys at the next table tried to chat her up, but she brushed them off. I noticed the girl who had taken our photos sigh at our table. She probably wanted Si Jingnian’s number, too.

After the festivities, it was late, so Si Jingnian and I went straight back to our rooms. It had been a long day with the train ride and wedding tasks. My mind was still buzzing, but my body was exhausted. I’m 27, not a college student who can pull all-nighters and still function the next day.

While showering, with the water just right, I nearly fell asleep.

I slipped into pajamas and collapsed onto the bed.

In a haze, I felt the bed sink slightly.

That’s odd. Didn’t we book a room with separate beds? Why is Si Jingnian on mine?

I wanted to open my eyes to ask, but I was too tired to move.

Soon, the weight lifted, and I drifted into deep sleep.

The next day, I woke up naturally past 10:00 AM. While washing up, I noticed Si Jingnian wasn’t in the room. I sent her a WeChat message while brushing my teeth.

Peaceful New Year: Where are you?

Si Jingnian replied instantly: You’re awake. I’m getting breakfast. Croissant and hot milk okay?

Peaceful New Year: Sure, I’m not picky.

By the time I finished and changed, Si Jingnian returned.

I took the croissant and milk from her, sat on the bed’s edge, and started eating. She opened her laptop to work while I opened an app to check train tickets.

“Is 4:30 PM okay for the train?” I asked.

“Hm?” she responded.

“It’ll get us back by 6:00 PM. Zhengyu invited me to dinner and a movie tonight,” I said. “You might have to head home alone.”

“Or you could invite Yu’an. How about a double date?”

“You’re that eager to meet him?” Si Jingnian’s hands paused. She looked up, her gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that made it hard to breathe.

“Huh? Not really,” I stammered. “I just want to know what kind of person you like.”

I immediately regretted it. Si Jingnian would introduce me when she was ready. Being pushy was irritating.

“I’ll introduce you when the time’s right,” she said, looking down at her laptop. After typing a few keystrokes, she stopped, pursed her lips, and glanced at me, her eyes holding something unspoken.

“Just say it!” I snapped. I hate being kept in suspense.

“We could go back to Jingshi with Qi Zhengyu. He’s in Haishi on a business trip,” she said.

“Wait, no, he said he was in Yuncheng,” I replied, then caught her meaning. “You saw him?”

She nodded.

“When?” I asked, fingers tapping my milk carton.

“Yesterday afternoon,” she said. “He wasn’t alone.”

My heart stayed calm. I knew what she meant. She wouldn’t mention it if she’d seen him professionally or casually.

“Where and what were they doing?” My voice came out flat.

“They were kissing and embracing, entering the Viking Hotel,” she said.

I looked up. Her gaze held worry and something I couldn’t read.

“Did they see you?”

“No. We were far apart,” she said, closing her laptop and walking toward me. “I’m sure it was him.”

She sat close. “Xiaoyu, are you still meeting him tonight?”

“Hell no!” I cursed, then changed my mind. “Yes, I’ll meet him. I’ll give him a piece of my mind.”

Si Jingnian gently pulled me into her arms. “If you want to cry, cry.”

I buried my face in her chest, breathing deeply. Her faint perfume was intoxicating.

“I’m not crying. There’s nothing to cry about,” I said.

I didn’t feel like crying. Just hurt. I wasn’t sure how I felt about Qi Zhengyu, but I thought he was suitable. His family was slightly better off, his job paid more, and he seemed compatible. My parents pushed hard, and he had no glaring flaws.

No sparks, though. My parents said feelings would grow. I tried. He was kind, gentlemanly, and accommodating. After over two years, I still felt nothing beyond acceptance.

This changed everything. I wanted to break up immediately.

Si Jingnian’s hand moved from my shoulder to my back, patting gently. Like my mom used to do.

I calmed down, but stayed in her arms, craving comfort. My hands clasped her waist, cheek pressed to her chest.

So fragrant, so soft.

“I need proof he cheated, then I’ll end it,” I said, rubbing my face against her.

Her heartbeat seemed to quicken.

“Without solid evidence, my parents might not accept the breakup,” I explained. They thought he was perfect.

Si Jingnian agreed to help me find proof. I trusted her.

I stayed like that for a while. But after nearly half an hour, she was probably tired.

I had to pull away.

I gave her chest one last reluctant nuzzle. “Si Jingnian, your chest is so soft.”

I looked up. Her ears were red. She stood quickly, returned to the sofa, and opened her book.

I flopped onto the bed.

“Hey!” I teased. “What’s that? I’ve got the same. Why so shy?”

I squeezed my own breast. “Mine’s even softer. Wanna feel it back?”

Si Jingnian smacked her book to her face, cheeks flushed. “An Xiaoyu!”

“Just kidding!” I laughed. Teasing the cool Si Jingnian was too fun. “Don’t be mad.”