GL My Goddess Best Friend’s Seduction (H) - Chapter 7

As the car pulled up to my building, I was about to get out. While unbuckling my seatbelt, Qi Zhengyu’s arm suddenly stopped me, pinning me to the seat.

“You seemed really unhappy today,” he said, looking straight at me. His arm slid down, taking my right hand and holding it tightly.

“No, I’m fine,” I said, staying calm, not pulling away, and flashing a sincere fake smile.

“You were.”

“I wasn’t.”

“You were.”

“This conversation,” I said, exasperated, pulling my hand free, “Are we in elementary school?”

“Yeah, two silly kids,” he replied, laughing at my quip. “Seriously, what’s wrong? You know I’m a straight guy. I can’t guess why girls get upset. Just tell me.”

That pleading, flirty tone.

I sighed. “Nothing. I’m just on my period and feeling off.”

He froze, probably thinking my excuse was weak. I seized the moment to throw him off, flipping the script.

“I’ve been feeling bad since dinner, and you didn’t even notice. You don’t love me anymore!”

The doubt in his eyes faded, replaced by concern. He started comforting me.

I snorted inwardly, satisfied. “No next time,” I said out loud.

He offered to walk me upstairs and make me brown sugar water. I turned him down, saying Si Jingnian would handle it, and waved goodbye.

When I got home, it was past 11:00 PM. Si Jingnian hadn’t gone to her bedroom yet. She was still in her daytime clothes, clearly hadn’t showered, and was sitting on the living room sofa.

I dropped the guard I’d kept up with Qi Zhengyu. With her, I could relax.

When she saw me, she picked up the kettle and poured hot water into a cup.

“Waiting for me?” I asked, walking over and taking the hot water she handed me. I sipped it, holding the gray mug with both hands to warm them.

Si Jingnian didn’t ask anything, but her eyes followed my movements. I naturally started talking.

“He almost noticed something was off, but I cleverly shut him down,” I said.

Si Jingnian listened closely, crossing her right leg over her left. “You could just confront him directly.”

“I’ve thought about it, but I’m keeping my options open,” I said, taking another sip. “I’ll confront him when I have enough evidence or when I can’t stand it anymore.”

“I didn’t find any clues today. I’m not even sure if he changed his cologne,” I added, sighing helplessly. “I wish I’d paid more attention to him before.”

“Then you’d be more hurt,” she said.

I agreed. Since I wasn’t that invested in the relationship, I was more angry than sad.

“Ugh, I don’t know where to start. Am I supposed to stalk him?” I said, scratching my head into a mess.

“I’ve already hired a private investigator for you,” Si Jingnian said, grabbing my hand to stop me from messing up my hair. She gently ran her fingers through it like a comb.

I don’t know about others, but when someone combs my hair, especially with light tugs on the scalp, it tingles.

Later, I would realize this was my sensitive spot.

At that moment, a tingling itch spread from my scalp down my back, almost making me moan.

My voice came out shaky. “Where’d you find a private investigator?”

Si Jingnian’s cool fingers paused at the ends of my hair, then pulled back. For a moment, I thought she didn’t want to answer.

I quickly changed the subject. “Is it expensive? How much?”

She balled her hand into a fist, resting it on her thigh. I was glad I didn’t shed much. Seeing strands in her hand would’ve been creepy.

“I know someone who does this,” she said. “It’s not expensive.”

“Wow, Jingnian, you’re amazing. Your contacts are amazing too,” I said, genuinely impressed.

After graduating from university in Germany, she got a master’s at Caltech. During grad school, she interned at the U.S. headquarters, then returned to China as an engineer. Now she leads new hires and has two assistants.

Her network is full of high-flying professionals. She has three therapists, countless investment bankers, plus fashion colorists and perfumers. Now, a private investigator too.

“How much exactly? I’ll transfer it to you,” I said, setting down my cup and opening Alipay.

“No need. He’s a close friend and owes me a favor. It’s basically free,” she said, reaching out with her index finger to hit my phone’s exit button.

She moved fast. I only caught a glimpse of her slender wrist before she pulled back.

She leaned back on the sofa and looked relaxed. “Besides, I’m a rich lady. I’ve got money.”

I almost spat out my water. Luckily, I wasn’t drinking. “Right, right, Rich Lady Si, you’ve got cash.”

“How about this? When it’s done, I’ll treat you to Japan. The cherry blossoms are about to bloom,” I said, remembering my last winter trip to Japan. It was peaceful and snowy, but I wanted to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

“I hope we can wrap this up before the flowers bloom.”

Si Jingnian smiled indulgently, probably thinking I was silly. “Silly, taking me to Japan will cost more than the investigation.”

“I just want to go to Japan with you. What’s a little money?” I said, squeezing onto her single IKEA sofa, which wasn’t exactly spacious.

Squeezing on was more like climbing into her lap.

I tried to nuzzle her chest, but she pushed my shoulders away, her face turning red. “No chest-nuzzling.”

I tried again, but she held firm.

So I tickled her waist, which was firm yet soft. That was her weak spot.

As expected, her arms weakened, and I fell into her lap. “Hehe.”

She sighed, letting me mess around.

I love her exasperated yet indulgent expression, like I’m her treasured pet.

I didn’t push too far. Yesterday I was upset and shamelessly nuzzled her chest. Today, feeling normal, I was too shy to do it again.

So I teased her a bit, then sat up. “I’m gonna shower,” I said, hopping off like a bunny, in a great mood.

While showering, the joy faded slightly. Qi Zhengyu’s face popped into my mind. Two years of dating had left some attachment. He was a good friend and helped me. After this, we’d probably become strangers.

But betrayal is something I absolutely can’t tolerate.

The next day was Monday, a rest day for the tutoring center. I got up in holiday mode, but Si Jingnian was already gone. She’d left porridge in the pot and an egg pancake in the microwave.

That’s our routine. She runs in the morning, then makes or picks up breakfast. I wake up just in time to eat with her.

Monday and Thursday dinners are usually my responsibility. If one of us is out, we skip cooking. Sometimes we eat out or try a friend’s recommendation.

I have plenty of time to cook dinner. I finish work at 5:30 PM, and my company is only 15 minutes away by shared bike. That’s why I rented this place. Si Jingnian’s company is farther, about 30 minutes by car, so I was surprised when she wanted to share the apartment.

She often works late, so I cook at my own pace and check her estimated arrival time before starting the meal prep.

Waking up at 10:30 AM, I was already planning dinner.

I couldn’t decide on lunch, so I browsed Weibo food bloggers and settled on Beijing-style shredded pork with pancakes and duck soup. I had time, so I’d make the pancakes myself.

I changed, tied my hair into a ponytail, skipped makeup, and went to the nearby supermarket for ingredients.

My cooking is just okay. It’s very homey. But at dinner, I insisted Si Jingnian praise it like it was gourmet.

She humored me with a helpless compliment, and I waved dramatically, telling her she’d better treat me well for my culinary masterpiece.

The next few days were calm. I taught or prepped lessons during the day and cooked at night.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yiyi bragged about her Phuket honeymoon, sending daily videos. I was tempted to block her.

I debated telling her about Qi Zhengyu but decided not to ruin her honeymoon with that nonsense.

On Wednesday, Cao Youyou texted to say she’d received the baby stuff. Her due date was March 25, and she told me to prepare a red envelope.

She also invited me to bet on the baby’s gender, then added me to a group chat with about 20 people, including junior high friends and others.

Everyone was guessing whether it would be a boy or a girl.l??

I was stunned she’d started a betting pool for her own baby.

I bet 100 yuan on a girl.

My contact with Qi Zhengyu seemed normal those days, with no obvious red flags. I told myself to be patient—his true colors would show.

Sure enough, on Saturday, we made a big discovery.