My best friend’s fatal trip to the Tibetan plateau

Chapter 1

My best friend, Ashley, came from a strict family.

But she wanted to go on a trip with her mysterious boyfriend of only a month.

And she begged me to cover for her.

On their way to Tibet, they both got into a car accident.

When I rushed to the hospital, I was met with a slap from Ashley’s mother.

“Weren’t you on a trip with Ashley? Why did she get into an accident, and you’re fine?!”

Before I could explain, Ashley looked at me tearfully.

“I’m paralyzed now, are you happy?”

Ashley’s medical bills were astronomical.

She manipulated me into taking care of her for the rest of her life.

Her family and a bunch of online trolls stood on their moral high ground.

They blamed me, exposed me, until I developed severe depression.

And jumped to my death.

After my death, my boyfriend, Ethan, showed up by Ashley’s side.

He claimed to be atoning for my sins.

He even gained a reputation for being a good guy.

And became Ashley’s model boyfriend.

When I opened my eyes again, it was the day before Ashley’s trip to Tibet.

“Go, the road to Tibet is breathtaking, you’ll love it.”

…

On the rooftop of a high-rise building, a group of self-righteous reporters bombarded me with questions.

“Ms. Summers, did you ever think about what would happen to your best friend, Ashley Parker, after you jumped?”

“Ms. Summers, you should bear the consequences of your mistakes, not escape through death. If everyone acted like you, the world wouldn’t function!”

Ashley’s mom looked heartbroken.

“Summer, if you were the one paralyzed in bed, and Ashley was fine, Ashley’s dad and I would give our lives for you! What are you doing now?!”

The crowd below held up their phones and yelled.

“Jump! It’s been half an hour, why haven’t you jumped yet?!”

My face was numb.

Since Ashley’s paralysis, I had almost gone bankrupt taking care of her family for five years.

Ashley came from a strict family.

But she wanted to go on a trip with her mysterious boyfriend of only a month.

And she begged me to cover for her.

That casual request to lie to her mom had trapped me in this nightmare for five years.

The ridiculous thing was, to convince her mom that Ashley was traveling with me, I, like an idiot, prepared everything: tickets, recordings, even videos.

Everything I prepared became the noose around my neck.

“Summer, Ashley is waiting for her next surgery. What are you doing here at a time like this?!”

I looked back and saw my boyfriend, Ethan, standing impatiently next to the police.

As if everything I did evoked nothing but disgust in him.

Seeing me in a daze, the police whispered something to Ethan.

Disgust flashed across Ethan’s face.

Then he slowly walked towards me.

“Summer, Ashley has a chance of recovery after this surgery. Can’t you even wait this long?”

Recovery after this surgery?

My wrist suddenly tightened.

I snapped back to reality.

And saw Ethan’s cold eyes.

He whispered, “If I’d known you were so fragile, I would have bought you life insurance. It would cover the $10,000 Ashley still needs for her surgery.”

A sharp pain stabbed at my heart.

Ethan’s face morphed into the faces of those keyboard warriors, those self-proclaimed guardians of justice.

I shoved Ethan away.

And jumped.

The rooftop was an abyss.

Taking this step was my liberation.

These agonizing five years, these five years of constant condemnation and torment, should have ended long ago.

“Please, please, bestie! Tomorrow, you absolutely have to cover for me with my mom! My romantic getaway with my boyfriend depends on you!”

A coquettish voice came from the phone.

I was in a trance.

Wasn’t that Ashley’s voice?!

Chapter 2

I glanced at the time on my phone.

It was the day before Ashley’s trip to Tibet!

I was reborn!

The voice on the phone grew impatient, urging me to answer.

In an instant, a plan formed in my mind.

I quickly turned on the phone’s recording function.

Then, with a trembling voice, I pretended to be hesitant.

“Ashley, I have a business trip tomorrow.”

Ashley whined, “Bestie, your business trip won’t stop you from covering for me with my mom! Just say a little white lie, it won’t affect you at all.”

I continued to hesitate.

“Ashley, you’ve only known that guy for a month, and you’re going to such a faraway place. What if something dangerous happens?”

Ashley seemed to know I was making excuses.

She became impatient.

“Oh, come on, nothing will happen! Even if something does, it has nothing to do with you. I’m the one who wants to go, okay?”

After getting the answer I wanted, I “reluctantly” agreed.

For some reason, Ashley added, “My boyfriend said he has to take his beloved to Lhasa. Did Ethan ever tell you that?”

Ethan, the man who shamelessly appeared by Ashley’s side after my death, my so-called aloof boyfriend.

A chill crept into my eyes.

Lhasa? You’ll never make it to Lhasa in one piece this time.

“Ethan is cold and boring, he would never say such cheesy things.”

Ashley laughed on the other end of the phone.

I could tell she was in a good mood.

Her voice was cheerful.

“Then you have to wish us well!”

I smiled faintly, my tone sincere.

“Go, the road to Tibet is breathtaking. You’ll love it.”

After hanging up, I calmed myself down.

And listened to the recording again.

Then I chuckled.

After backing up and saving the recording, I called Ms. Williams from work.

“Ms. Williams, I’ll take that contract in Tibet tomorrow.”

Ms. Williams: “You want to go? Don’t you have altitude sickness?”

“I can overcome a little difficulty to contribute to the company.”

Ms. Williams paused.

“Perfect, you can be Mr. Grant’s secretary tomorrow.”

I was stunned.

“Mr. Grant is going too? What about his secretary?”

Ms. Williams: “…Altitude sickness.”

After ending the call, I looked at the information Ms. Williams sent me.

And fell into deep thought.

Mr. Grant personally going to Tibet was not part of my plan.

But it was fine.

The company’s CEO would be more useful than other colleagues.

Then, I texted Ethan about my business trip tomorrow.

After waiting for a long time, Ethan finally replied with an “Okay.”

Looking at that single word, I couldn’t help but think of the time after my death, when I wandered the earth and saw Ethan taking care of Ashley under the guise of compensating for me.

I always thought Ethan, though cold, was a loyal person.

After all, in the five years after Ashley’s accident, Ethan never mentioned breaking up with me.

But after those negative emotions subsided, my mind gradually cleared.

Ethan couldn’t possibly have fallen for a paralyzed Ashley, who needed help even to use the bathroom.

And Ashley had deliberately mentioned Ethan during our phone call…

So, when did these two get together?

Ashley and I were classmates from elementary school to high school.

We only separated in college.

Ashley came from a strict family.

But she was inherently rebellious.

However, this rebelliousness only showed in front of me.

Her family forbade dating, but secretly, she started having boyfriends frequently in high school.

She didn’t dare to openly defy her parents.

So she would act cute and beg me to help her, always using the excuse of going to the library with me to cover her dates.

After I helped her a couple of times, she seemed to assume I would always help her.

Later, her mom would call out of the blue.

And ask, “Is Ashley at the library with you?”

Chapter 3

Now it seemed, one wrong step led to another.

Otherwise, Ashley wouldn’t have been so reluctant to let her mysterious boyfriend pay for her care after the accident.

Instead, she insisted that I tricked her into going to Tibet.

Wait, was it reluctance, or was it impossible?!

If Ethan was Ashley’s mysterious boyfriend, everything would make sense.

The phone rang.

Ashley’s name appeared on the screen.

I turned on the recording first, then answered.

“Hello?”

Ashley immediately said, “Bestie, just your words might not be enough. Why don’t you book a ticket to Tibet? We can discuss the itinerary on WeChat, and then I’ll screenshot the ticket and chat logs for my mom. That way, she definitely won’t suspect anything!”

Here it comes.

“Ashley, what’s so great about this guy that you’re going to such lengths?”

Ashley’s voice was filled with sweetness.

“He graduated from a prestigious university, he’s handsome, and he makes over $5,000 a month now. Most importantly, he’s so good to me.”

I slowly nodded.

Prestigious university graduate, handsome, $5,000 salary. It was definitely Ethan.

“He’s so great, Aunt Parker would be overjoyed, why would she stop you from traveling with him?”

Ashley hesitated for a moment.

Then changed the subject.

“Forget about that, hurry up and book the ticket. I’ll tell you the itinerary, and you can send it to me later.”

I casually agreed and sent her the message she dictated.

Ashley was very satisfied after receiving the message.

Before hanging up, she didn’t forget to add, “Bestie, my boyfriend knows about everything you’ve done for me, and he thanks you from the bottom of his heart!”

Me: chuckles

According to the plan from my previous life, after Ashley and Ethan arrived in Tibet, they rented a car and took the Sichuan-Tibet Highway.

They had an accident while driving.

One with minor injuries, the other paralyzed.

In my past life, I paid for Ashley’s expensive surgery with the inheritance my parents left me.

This time, let’s see if Ethan, with his $5,000 monthly salary, will bankrupt himself for you.

After booking the ticket, the most crucial part of this play was about to begin.

The reason Ashley could cling to me was that I helped her hide the Tibet trip. Ultimately, I couldn’t escape responsibility.

This time, how could I make the same mistake?

Covering for her? No way.

That night, I timed my call to Ashley’s mom perfectly.

“Aunt Parker, did Ashley tell you about her trip to Tibet?”

Aunt Parker’s voice was displeased.

“Summer, I always trusted you the most, but what you did this time really disappointed me. A trip to Tibet, such a big thing, and you tell me at the last minute? Do you even have any respect for me as an elder?!”

I chuckled.

“Aunt Parker, don’t get angry yet. If you’re still unhappy after I explain, then I’ll say I tried to stop Ashley from going.”

Aunt Parker sensed something.

So it wasn’t Summer taking Ashley to Tibet, but Ashley taking Summer?

When did Ashley get so bold!

She must have learned it from Summer!

In her heart, Aunt Parker had already decided to add Summer to the list of people her daughter should no longer associate with.

“Go ahead, I’d like to see what you have to say.”

Me: “Didn’t you and Uncle Parker want to set Ashley up on blind dates before? Actually, Ashley already has a boyfriend…”

Before I could finish, Aunt Parker’s shrill voice interrupted me.

“What! How dare Ashley find a boyfriend herself!!”

I continued, “Aunt Parker, Ashley’s boyfriend comes from a very wealthy family. He’s a top finance graduate, and just starting his career, he’s already earning over $5,000 a month. I heard he has connections in the company, and with a couple more years of experience, he’ll be promoted…”

I used my business negotiation skills.

And rattled off a bunch of good things about Ashley’s boyfriend.

Successfully confusing Aunt Parker.

“So, Aunt Parker, this time Ashley is traveling with him. After they come back, maybe you can just wait to become the CEO’s mother-in-law.”

Aunt Parker’s tone became a little airy.

“Is everything you’re saying true?”

“Aunt Parker, when have I ever lied to you? Her boyfriend is very good to her, so good that even I’m envious. Otherwise, even if he were a rich kid, I wouldn’t let Ashley travel with him.”

Aunt Parker was about seventy to eighty percent convinced.

Hearing that her daughter’s boyfriend made even Summer envious, she unconsciously straightened her back.

Her voice carried a hint of pride.

“Of course, Ashley is so outstanding, only a man of this status deserves her.”

I curled my lips.

And added the final touch.

“Young people nowadays are more open-minded and dislike being controlled by their parents. Aunt Parker, if you stop Ashley now, you might scare away this golden goose.”

At this point, how could she let her mom interfere?

Aunt Parker hesitated.

“If you’re worried about the guy, Aunt Parker, I’m going to Tibet tomorrow too. I can check him out for you.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Aunt Parker readily agreed.

“Summer, please see if Ashley’s boyfriend is lying.”

She emphasized the words “Ashley’s boyfriend”.

What lies could he tell? It was probably just checking if he was really a rich kid, and if so, to make sure I didn’t have any other ideas.

Ashley’s parents seemed all high and mighty.

But they were actually incredibly materialistic.

Chapter 4

That evening, Ethan came home with a rare smile on his face.

As he approached, the smell of cigarettes hit me, and upon closer inspection, there was also a very faint scent of perfume.

I put down the contract in my hand.

And looked up at Ethan.

“You seem happy today.”

The smile on Ethan’s face froze.

Then he returned to his usual expression.

“The company closed a big deal.”

He said, putting down his briefcase and walking towards the bathroom.

I twitched the corners of my mouth.

And got up and walked to the bathroom, leaning against the doorframe.

Looking at the man before me, who had already taken off his shirt, revealing his toned waist, I raised an eyebrow.

It turned out that as long as I paid a little more attention to Ethan, I would have discovered his infidelity long ago.

Ethan only noticed me standing at the door when he put down his shirt.

His brow furrowed in displeasure.

“When did you become so uncultured?”

“Since when did watching your boyfriend undress become uncultured?” I said indifferently, quickly changing the subject.

“Did you bump your waist? Why is it red?”

Ethan, who was about to retort, changed his expression drastically upon hearing my latter words.

He immediately covered himself with his clothes.

And said angrily, “I’m going to take a shower, get out!”

I shrugged and turned to leave.

Hearing the sound of the lock clicking behind me, I felt bored.

While disgusting Ethan, I was also disgusted with myself.

It was unexpected that this seemingly cold and abstinent man played so dirty with his girlfriend’s best friend in private.

Ding-dong.

A message popped up on my phone screen.

Mr. Grant: 【The driver will pick you up at 9 am tomorrow.】

I looked at the time on my plane ticket.

Mr. Grant and I weren’t on the same flight.

So I replied: 【I’m not on that flight, don’t bother, Mr. Grant.】

The next moment, Mr. Grant’s message came back: 【I asked Ms. Williams to change your ticket.】

The Ms. Williams Mr. Grant mentioned was my Ms. Williams.

Me: 【Thank you, Mr. Grant.】

This time, there was no reply. I put down my phone and packed a simple bag for the business trip.

Actually, there wasn’t much to pack.

After all, I wouldn’t even make it to nightfall tomorrow before the car accident happened.

By then, what business trip would I be on?

Naturally, I would be waiting at the hospital, performing my “best friend” act.

This time, I wouldn’t be slapped by Ashley’s mom for arriving late.

But the show must go on.

I continued to stuff clothes into my suitcase.

After packing, Ethan, who had been showering for over an hour, finally came out of the bathroom.

Ethan frowned slightly when he saw the suitcase on the bed.

“The bedroom is so messy, I’ll sleep in the guest room tonight.”

Normally, I would tidy up and try to persuade him to stay.

But today, I couldn’t wait for him to leave.

To avoid Ethan getting suspicious, I casually said what I always said before business trips.

“I have a business trip at 9 am tomorrow, what are you going to eat these next few days?”

Ethan, who was about to leave, stopped in his tracks.

Then, as if just remembering, he said, “I forgot to tell you, I also have a business trip with the company tomorrow. This contract is very important, don’t call me starting tomorrow, so I won’t get distracted.”

He even had an excuse ready for not answering my calls and video chats.

I had no objections.

I was just afraid Ethan wouldn’t be able to help himself and call me first.

The next morning, I glanced at the messages on my phone.

My mood was cheerful.

I even put on makeup, which was very rare for me.

When I went out, I saw Ethan, also packed and ready to leave.

I smiled at him.

This smile was genuine.

Ethan’s eyes flashed with surprise.

Then he hid his emotions.

And asked what I had said last night, “You’re in a good mood today?”

I nodded vigorously.

“Yeah!”

If nothing unexpected happened, from today onwards, my mood would be great every day!

Ethan’s eyes flickered.

He didn’t say anything.

I walked into the elevator first and pressed the button for the basement level.

Ethan looked at the lit-up button for the basement.

He tried to hold back, but couldn’t help himself.

“I don’t have time to drive you. Are you a baby? Do you need me to drive you every day?!”

His words stunned me.

Ding!

The elevator arrived at the basement.

Ethan walked out of the elevator with an angry look.

I silently followed behind him, still a bit dazed.

Was Ethan always so impatient when he drove me to work every day in my past life?

Seeing that I was still following him, Ethan visibly quickened his pace.

When he opened the car door and was about to get in, he saw me walk past his car and stop behind the Maybach parked next to it.

Ethan’s face was full of mockery.

He didn’t rush to get into his car.

He crossed his arms and watched my performance with amusement.

“Summer, what are you trying to pull here?”

I treated him like air.

And walked straight past him.

I stepped into the back seat of the Maybach.

The car door closed with a “click.”

I looked at Ethan gently.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Grant.”