"Stop clinging so tightly..."
Gu Luo carried three bags on his back, his arms tightly held on either side by Gu Ximan and Luo Shuling.
The distinct layers of sensation were downright overwhelming.
Why were they so clingy?
"Stupid big bro, you should feel honored to be hugged by two beautiful girls like me and Ling-jie!" Gu Ximan pouted her rosy lips, not loosening her grip but instead holding on even tighter.
There was no helping it. Though she adored Ling-jie, she absolutely couldn’t let her monopolize her brother.
That stupid big bro had to be divided equally.
"Ximan’s right. Big bro is a siscon—he should be happy about this," Luo Shuling chimed in with a sweet, curved-eye smile before adding dreamily,
"A brocon and a siscon—this is what you call mutual affection!"
"Alright, alright, as long as you two are happy," Gu Luo replied with a helpless chuckle. Truthfully, he did enjoy the feeling of being doted on by his little sisters.
What could be more heartwarming than being relied on by them?
Especially these two, who were as pure as blank sheets of paper.
The relationship between the three of them was crystal clear, free from any complicated emotional entanglements. They could do anything openly, without hesitation.
If it had been the little angel and little demon instead, they’d probably already be at each other’s throats, sparks flying.
He’d most likely be stuck trembling in the middle—though, admittedly, there was a certain thrill in being fought over.
Each pair of sisters had their own unique charm.
Meanwhile, not far behind Gu Luo and the two girls, Luo Shuning and Luo Shuhe walked side by side, their pace unhurried, as if strolling leisurely—or perhaps deliberately keeping their distance.
Luo Shuhe took a slow sip of yogurt, the straw clinking softly against the cup. Casually, as if the thought had just occurred to her, she asked,
"Big sis, aren’t you jealous, seeing brother sandwiched between them like that?"
"Jealous? Why would I be?" Luo Shuning had been watching the trio ahead with a gentle, doting smile. The question caught her off guard, and she blinked in surprise.
"What’s there to be jealous of with those two little gluttons?"
In her mind, Ximan was Gu Luo’s biological sister—lively and adorable—while Shuling was the carefree, straightforward type. They were just clingy little sisters, nothing worth feeling jealous over.
At that, Luo Shuhe merely smiled faintly, a trace of imperceptible mockery in her expression.
How pitiful. Big sis still hadn’t grasped the situation.
Or maybe she’d directed all her wariness toward her instead.
The funniest part? She still hadn’t managed to guard against anything.
She’d practically kissed Gu Luo’s lips raw.
Someone might seem miles ahead in this game of affection, but in reality, they were already teetering on the edge of a cliff, oblivious to the danger lurking beneath them.
With these thoughts in mind, Luo Shuhe bit down on her straw and asked,
"Big sis is so generous. Does that mean I can hold brother’s arm after school too?"
"No, you can’t." Luo Shuning refused without hesitation.
"You can hold his other arm with me."
"Absolutely not."
Seeing how firmly Luo Shuning guarded against her while Gu Luo basked in the affection of the other two, Luo Shuhe’s lips curled into that same mocking smile. She changed the subject.
"Then, big sis, why do you like brother?"
At this question, Luo Shuning’s expression softened instantly, as if brushed by a spring breeze. Memories of her time with Gu Luo flooded her mind.
"There are so, so many reasons. Like how he stood up for me when we first met, how he selflessly cooks delicious meals for us every day, how he’s helped me countless times, how he’s principled, handsome, adorable, talented, and so, so doting..."
She went on happily, listing dozens of examples without pause, praising Gu Luo inside and out, from every angle imaginable.
Her eyes shone with pride, as if proudly showing off her most treasured, most beloved possession.
Luo Shuhe listened quietly, her lowered gaze hiding whatever thoughts churned beneath the surface—like turbulent undercurrents beneath a calm lake.
"Then, Shuhe, why do you like brother?" Luo Shuning finally asked after her long ramble.
"Was it love at first sight? Or were you also drawn in by his many good qualities? Or... is there some strange, secret reason?"
Yet Luo Shuhe only countered lightly, "Does liking someone need a reason?"
"Doesn’t it?" Luo Shuning found this unfair—she’d poured her heart out, while Shuhe brushed it off so casually.
"Does it?"
"Doesn’t it?"
"Does it?"
"Doesn’t it?"
"..."
And so, the little angel and little demon locked horns, neither willing to yield, repeating the same exchange over and over like a broken record.
This was an extension of their rivalry over Gu Luo’s affection—neither would back down.
Truly, the essence of humanity was being a repeater.
Just as their argument reached a stalemate, Gu Luo suddenly seemed to sense something and glanced back at them.
"What’s up?"
Noticing this, Gu Ximan curiously turned to look as well.
There, she saw He-jie and Ning-jie’s mouths moving nonstop, one speaking, the other responding—as if they had endless things to discuss.
"He-jie and Ning-jie get along so well," she couldn’t help but murmur.
Hearing this, Gu Luo’s expression stiffened slightly.
He knew better. Though he couldn’t hear what the little angel and little demon were saying, it was undoubtedly some form of bickering.
And the reason? He could guess.
Right then, his hand suddenly felt warm.
Looking down, he saw Luo Shuling’s fair, delicate fingers gently wrapping around his, soft and warm to the touch.
"Big bro, as a brocon, this hero’s got your back no matter what," Luo Shuling declared seriously, her big eyes blinking earnestly.
"Why bring that up all of a sudden?" The unexpected remark made Gu Luo smile.
Luo Shuling grinned. "No reason. I just wanna protect you—because you’re my big bro."
"Alright, then I’ll be counting on Hero Shuling from now on."
"Don’t worry, this hero always keeps her word!" She thumped her chest proudly.
As the three chatted and laughed, they reached a crossroads.
Gu Ximan finally let go of Gu Luo’s arm, took her bag from him, and waved.
"I’m going to meet Xuexue! See you at break!"
With that, she skipped off toward the other side of the street.
"Sure, go ahead. Don’t lose track of time."
"O Kun O Kun!" Gu Ximan stuck out her tongue playfully over her shoulder before running off.
Her adorable antics were impossible not to smile at.
Watching her figure disappear into the distance, Gu Luo couldn’t resist another glance behind him.
The two sisters were still going at it, trading barbs relentlessly.
Was this really necessary?
They’d been at it the entire way.
"Bro, besides the high jump, are you also in the relay race for next week's school sports meet?" Noticing Gu Luo's slightly odd expression again, Luo Shuling playfully squeezed his hand and asked with a grin.
"Ah... yeah..."
Gu Luo snapped out of his thoughts and nodded. "I am in the relay. Why?"
"Then let’s go for a run together tonight! Consider it pre-competition training! I’m also running in the race!" Luo Shuling’s eyes sparkled as she eagerly suggested.
Her face was so full of anticipation that it was hard to refuse.
"Sure..."
After just a brief moment of consideration, Gu Luo agreed.
Though he didn’t really need the so-called training, exercising was always a good thing.
And the idea of going for an evening run with his sister sounded pretty nice.
............
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