The Pact Between Best Friends

Just as someone was immersed in the utmost tenderness brought by a little angel, two young souls on a park bench had already crumbled, their emotions spilling over like dewdrops.

"I really didn’t crumble!" Gu Ximan took a big gulp of grape taro ball drink, chewing the taro balls fiercely as she huffed, "Seriously, I didn’t crumble!"

"Who would crumble just because their stupid big brother went clothes shopping with another girl?"

"Hah? As if! It’s just buying clothes, nothing more..."

"Nothing!"

As she spoke, her soft, pink cheeks puffed up, and she stomped her foot angrily. "Tch, it’s just clothes! That stupid brother of mine used to do my laundry every single day!"

She lifted her chin, her expression full of pride, trying to prove her indifference with past "glorious achievements."

"So yeah, this is nothing!"

"I didn’t crumble at all!"

"Ahhhhhhh!"

The more Gu Ximan talked, the angrier she got, wishing she could bite Gu Luo to death right now.

Bite! Bite! Bite him to death!

Hearing all this, Lu Xuexue, who was also sipping her grape taro ball drink, crumbled too.

She really couldn’t gauge how far Gu Luo and Shu Ning had progressed in their relationship.

Lu Xuexue believed her looks and charm were no worse than Shu Ning’s, but unfortunately, the latter had seized the advantage—proximity had given her the upper hand.

She had to take the initiative. No delays!

And the only way she could get close to Gu Luo was through Ximan.

In her heart, she silently murmured:

"I’m sorry, Ximan... Rather than letting some other girl have him, I’d rather... I swear I’ll treat you twice as well from now on!"

"And in the future, I’ll definitely help you win over the guy you like!"

"I promise!"

Lu Xuexue made this vow in her heart, then softly comforted Gu Ximan:

"Ximan... you don’t need to worry too much. It’s just clothes shopping, no big deal..."

However, instead of calming down, Gu Ximan grew even angrier, immediately flailing her arms. "He hasn’t bought me clothes in ages!"

"That stupid brother is a heartless jerk!!!"

"A total heartless jerk!!!"

"Ximan... I remember you once said you told him not to buy you clothes because you thought his taste was tacky—always picking stuff with panda prints..." Lu Xuexue cautiously added.

Though her own heart was a tangled mess, her instinctive urge to defend Gu Luo made her speak up for him.

"Uh... well..."

Gu Ximan faltered, her face flushing red and pale in turns.

But she immediately retorted, "Just because I told him not to buy them, doesn’t mean he couldn’t have secretly gotten me something anyway!"

"If he’d forced them on me, it’s not like I would’ve thrown them away..."

"Honestly, he’s just too dense..."

The memory made her furious. Back then, when she’d received the clothes, she’d just wanted to act tsundere and throw a little tantrum, so she’d said things like "These are so tacky, don’t ever buy me clothes again, stupid brother!"

But in the end, her act backfired—Gu Luo actually took her words at face value.

And then? She couldn’t bring herself to ask him directly.

The regret of "tsundere ruins lives" was something she’d learned the hard way, and thinking about it now still filled her with remorse.

"Then, Ximan, how about this..." Lu Xuexue carefully chose her words, speaking softly. "Tomorrow, I’ll make some snacks in advance, and we can bring them to Gu Luo’s class..."

"You said he doesn’t want to reveal his relationship with Shu Ning at school, right? That means the school is completely your territory..."

"What do you think, Ximan?"

Hearing this, Gu Ximan only needed a moment’s thought before her face lit up with gratitude.

Setting down her grape taro ball drink, she immediately hugged Lu Xuexue tightly.

"You’re absolutely right! That way, the school will be our domain!"

"Xuexue, you’re the best bestie ever! You’re even willing to wake up early to make snacks for me!"

"I love you so much!"

She planted a loud kiss on Lu Xuexue’s cheek, giggling. "Don’t worry, Xuexue, I’ll totally help you chase after that senior in the future!"

"Cross my heart!"

Then, another loud "mwah!"

"Ahhh, your cheeks are so soft and bouncy, like jelly! I’ve gotta kiss them as much as I can before you start dating!"

"Otherwise, I won’t get to later!"

Hearing this, Lu Xuexue blinked her big eyes, her long lashes fluttering as she instinctively replied, "Even after I start dating, you can kiss me whenever you want, Ximan."

Gu Ximan immediately waved her hands, shaking her head like a rattle-drum. "No way! I don’t want to indirectly kiss the senior you like."

"..."

Lu Xuexue pressed her lips together, hesitating.

If Ximan were a stepsister like Shu Ning, it’d be game over.

She wouldn’t have the heart to compete.

But honestly, if that were the case, sharing with Ximan wouldn’t be so bad.

Lu Xuexue truly was willing to share everything with Gu Ximan.

As for Shu Ning, though—she’d fight tooth and nail. No way she’d give up easily.

"Hey, Xuexue, when are you planning to start pursuing that senior?" Gu Ximan, now in a slightly better mood, couldn’t help but gossip.

She was genuinely invested in Lu Xuexue’s love life.

After all, she was her best friend.

At the question, a faint blush spread across Lu Xuexue’s fair, delicate face.

"Very soon... I’ll definitely tell you when the time comes, Ximan."

Her voice was as soft as a breeze, tinged with unmistakable shyness.

"Okey-dokey!" Gu Ximan flashed a double 'OK' sign. "I swear on our bestie bond—I’ll be Xuexue’s ultimate wingwoman!"

Lu Xuexue’s face reddened further, though whether from bashfulness or guilt was unclear.

Then, she slowly extended her slender pinky finger, speaking earnestly:

"Ximan is the most important person to me. I swear on our bestie bond too—I’ll do everything to make sure Ximan finds happiness!"

"Yeah! Pinky promise!"

Gu Ximan hooked her pinky around Lu Xuexue’s.

Two delicate little fingers intertwined, swaying gently.

Then, the two unbearably adorable girls chimed in unison:

"Pinky promise, sealed forever!"

"Liars turn into puppies!"

Their bright, cheerful voices echoed through the park, as if bearing witness to their friendship and vows.

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