As an Older Brother, Where Is the Dignity

"Ah! This smells absolutely amazing!"

At the dining table, Luo Shuling shamelessly shoveled food into her mouth, even making a face as if she were about to cry.

"What kind of life have I been living until now?"

"Finally, no more dreaded peanuts in the stir-fried cabbage!"

"No way, we can’t let Shu Ning into the kitchen ever again!"

"I hereby unilaterally declare that from now on, big brother is the official chef of this household, and the kitchen is his domain. Oh, and we should add a sign—'Luo Shuning, No Entry Allowed!'"

Luo Shuling chattered animatedly while happily stuffing another bite of stir-fried pork into her mouth.

The texture was tender, the flavor lingering on her tongue.

By her standards as a self-proclaimed food connoisseur, Gu Luo’s cooking skills were nothing short of master chef level.

Though it was just three simple dishes, each one was a perfect harmony of color, aroma, and taste.

Ahem… Just as Luo Shuling was getting carried away, Gu Ximan, sitting across from her, discreetly kicked her under the table.

"Huh? What’s up, little sis?" Luo Shuling mumbled through a mouthful of food. "Why’d you kick me?"

Hearing this, Gu Ximan sighed and facepalmed, exasperated by her sister’s obliviousness.

"Little sis was trying to remind you that I’m standing right behind you."

Luo Shuning’s slightly aggrieved voice drifted over from behind her.

"Oh, Shu Ning, you’re done showering already? As quick as ever, huh." Luo Shuling turned around nonchalantly, her eyes suddenly lighting up. "Hey, you’re wearing that nightgown too! It looks great, but I still prefer shorts and a T-shirt."

"Don’t change the subject." Luo Shuning lightly tapped her head, pretending to be upset. "I helped with this meal too, you know. Isn’t banning me from the kitchen a bit too much?"

"It’s just a unilateral declaration—doesn’t count!" Luo Shuling blinked playfully, trying to charm her way out of trouble.

"You…"

Luo Shuning could only sigh at her sister’s antics before asking, "So, is there enough food? Big brother made quite a lot."

"Plenty! Ximan and I will finish every last bite!"

What a pair of little gluttons… Luo Shuning couldn’t help but smile fondly.

At the same time, she noticed Luo Shuhe quietly observing her from the side.

Just as she was about to say something, Luo Shuling cut in first.

She waved toward the living room sofa and called out loudly, "Big brother, as the only guy in the house right now, come give us your honest opinion—does Shu Ning look good or what?"

Over on the sofa, Gu Luo—who had been sneaking glances at Luo Shuning—jumped at the sudden address, his heart skipping a beat as if he’d been caught red-handed.

Ahem… He cleared his throat, forcing composure as he looked up from his phone and turned toward Luo Shuning.

Seeing this, Luo Shuning smiled sweetly, tilting her head slightly with an expectant gleam in her eyes, waiting for his verdict.

Now that he had a legitimate reason to look, Gu Luo let his gaze sweep over her from head to toe.

One hundred points!

A full one hundred!

Luo Shuning’s beauty was flawless.

Absolutely breathtaking.

Heart-stopping.

And wow, that spaghetti-strap nightgown was really white.

He’d been wanting to get a better look at Luo Shuhe earlier but hadn’t found the chance.

Now, the opportunity had arrived.

Luo Shuning and Luo Shuhe were identical in every way—except for their personalities.

As a perfectly normal guy, Gu Luo gave his brutally honest assessment internally, though externally, he maintained a calm facade, merely nodding and offering a succinct:

"Beautiful."

Just two simple words.

Yet, Luo Shuning’s face lit up like a blooming flower.

Because she’d caught the faint blush creeping up her brother’s cheeks.

Recalling how he’d flinched when their hands accidentally brushed while cooking earlier, she already knew the answer.

Big brother was putting on his usual act of forced composure.

How could he be this adorable?

Meanwhile, Gu Ximan was gnawing aggressively on a piece of cabbage from her chopsticks.

The sweet and sour cabbage now tasted purely sour to her.

Watching Gu Luo stare so openly at Luo Shuning…

She clenched.

Her fists clenched.

Then she slammed her chopsticks down in a huff.

Don’t ask—it was just the cabbage being too sour.

"I’m full."

This came from Luo Shuhe.

Her tone was flat as she stood up, brushing past Luo Shuning on her way to the bathroom.

"Shuhe, go to bed after brushing your teeth. Don’t stay up late—we have to wake up early tomorrow," Luo Shuning reminded her.

"Mm. You too, sis."

Meanwhile, the ever-ravenous Luo Shuling immediately zeroed in on the half-eaten bowl of rice Luo Shuhe had left behind, gleefully pulling it toward herself.

"Don’t mind if I do!"

"Don’t eat too much before bed," Luo Shuning chided, tapping her head again.

"Got it, next time for sure, next time for sure."

Shaking her head, Luo Shuning then walked over to the sofa and sat down beside Gu Luo.

Close.

Too close.

The scent of her shower gel wafted over, fresh and floral, lingering at the tip of his nose.

It sent his heart into a frantic little dance.

Gu Luo subtly shifted away, trying to put some distance between them.

But this tiny movement didn’t escape Luo Shuning’s notice.

Pfft.

Hearing her laugh, Gu Luo instinctively turned—only to be met with Luo Shuning’s stunning profile.

Her lashes were long and curled, each blink like a feather lightly grazing his heart.

"…What’s wrong?" Gu Luo’s voice came out slightly strained. This was his first time sitting so close to a girl in pajamas who wasn’t Gu Ximan.

"Nothing~ What are you doing, big brother?" Her voice was soft, laced with affection.

"I… was just watching videos."

"Oh? I left my phone in my room. Let’s watch together." Without waiting for a response, Luo Shuning leaned in.

The space between them narrowed to the bare minimum, and Gu Luo found himself utterly defenseless.

Zero-frame startup.

How was he supposed to block this?

Now, aside from the shower gel, another scent reached him—something faintly unique.

A mix of lavender and milk, fresh yet rich.

Gu Luo’s entire body stiffened. Aside from the finger scrolling his phone screen, he didn’t dare move a muscle.

He was terrified of accidental contact.

Because they were way too close.

Was this reasonable?

No.

They’d known each other for less than a day—wasn’t this too intimate?

Even if they were siblings now, it wasn’t the same as the bond he shared with Gu Ximan, forged over years.

Pfft.

Watching Gu Luo’s face and ears turn visibly red, Luo Shuning finally couldn’t hold back another laugh.

Big brother really was too cute.

Still giggling, she finally put some distance between them.

Then she stood up, batting her mesmerizingly alluring eyes at him. "Big brother, you rest here. I'll take care of the dishes."

Watching Luo Shuning's slender figure walk away, Gu Luo opened his mouth slightly.

Had he just been teased?

Teased, right?

Definitely teased, wasn't it?

Damn it.

How embarrassing.

Where’s the dignity of an older brother?

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