Squeezing Toothpaste

"From now on, you must squeeze toothpaste for me every morning and evening."

Luo Shuhe's voice was crisp yet icy, echoing through the relatively quiet kitchen.

"......"

Gu Luo had initially expected this little devil to make some bizarre, difficult-to-fulfill demand.

But he never imagined the first request would be so simple.

Or perhaps, too simple.

After all, he squeezed toothpaste for Gu Ximan every day anyway—doing it for one more person wouldn’t make much difference.

Plus, he could earn points for it.

"Fine."

After a brief silence, Gu Luo agreed.

"Surprisingly straightforward, Brother."

"Because it’s something I can do." Gu Luo replied before asking, "Which cup is Shuhe’s?"

"The one with the panda pattern." Luo Shuhe answered succinctly.

"I see. So Shuhe likes pandas just as much as Ximan does."

Luo Shuhe neither confirmed nor denied it.

With the topic concluded, the two fell into a brief silence.

Gu Luo turned his attention back to the fridge, eyeing the bread, eggs, ham, and other ingredients inside. He figured making butter sandwiches would be the best option.

Then he began pondering what to prepare for Ximan’s lunch later.

Just then, a faint, sweet fragrance drifted into his senses.

Gu Luo instinctively turned his head and saw Luo Shuhe standing right beside him, her presence unnoticed until now.

Her smooth, cascading hair shimmered under the soft kitchen lights, tempting one to reach out and touch it.

Gu Luo subtly shifted sideways, maintaining a polite distance to avoid any unnecessary physical contact.

Basic courtesy as a guy.

Luo Shuhe reached into the fridge and pulled out a cup of yogurt.

She unwrapped the straw, inserted it neatly into the yogurt, and took a delicate sip.

Her throat moved slightly as she swallowed. Then, without a word, she lifted the yogurt toward Gu Luo and stated flatly, "Brother, drink."

This wasn’t a question—it was a command.

Paired with her cold, expressionless face, it somehow carried an unexpectedly adorable contrast.

"Uh… I’ll pass." Gu Luo’s lips twitched.

This little devil never changed.

Handing him the yogurt right after sipping from it—wasn’t this basically an indirect kiss?

Honestly, why did both sisters have to start at zero hesitation?

Hearing his refusal, Luo Shuhe narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly, a mocking smile curling at the corner of her lips.

Is Brother disgusted by his little sister?

"Or perhaps… Brother is just shy?"

"......"

Gu Luo was momentarily speechless. Did she find his embarrassment that entertaining?

Luo Shuning came yesterday.

Luo Shuhe today.

Would it be Luo Shuling’s turn tomorrow?

He had already lost face as an older brother yesterday—today, he had to reclaim some dignity.

Besides, Gu Luo suspected Luo Shuhe was just putting up a front.

For example, earlier—if she were truly that bold, she wouldn’t have held onto her nightgown.

He couldn’t keep retreating, or he’d be bullied endlessly from now on.

Well… though for a guy, it might be considered a rather enjoyable kind of bullying.

Still, as an older brother, he had to maintain some pride.

With that in mind, Gu Luo smiled back. "Sure, let’s share."

He emphasized the word "share," hoping to pressure her psychologically.

"Go ahead."

Luo Shuhe remained unfazed, lightly shaking the yogurt in her hand.

The straw still bore visible moisture and bite marks—likely a mix of toothpaste and yogurt.

Gu Luo slowly lowered his head, parting his lips.

Closer… closer…

His peripheral vision stayed fixed on Luo Shuhe’s expression, yet her face remained as calm as ever.

Just as his lips were about to touch the straw, he stopped.

Then straightened back up.

Alright, he admitted it—he was the clown here.

He was the one pretending to be unbothered.

She genuinely didn’t care.

Once again, his dignity as an older brother lay shattered at his feet.

"Seems Brother really is just an innocent boy." Luo Shuhe smirked again, though this time, her smile held less coldness and a touch more of the playful charm befitting a girl her age.

She withdrew her arm and continued sipping the yogurt leisurely.

Her expression remained blank, yet somehow, it carried an oddly endearing charm now.

"......"

Gu Luo sighed. His weakness as an older brother had been exposed.

He dreaded to imagine what tricks this little devil would pull in the future.

Well… family was family.

He swiftly changed the subject. "Shuhe, what do you want for lunch?"

"Brother is making lunch for me?" Luo Shuhe raised a delicate brow.

"...Sort of."

"Anything’s fine."

"Got it."

Gu Luo nodded and turned back to the fridge, carefully selecting ingredients that Gu Ximan liked.

After gathering what he needed and starting the rice cooker, he began preparing breakfast.

"Brother, Shuhe, you’re already up?"

Just then, Luo Shuning’s gentle voice sounded from behind them.

Gu Luo turned and saw the sweetly smiling ‘Luo Shuhe.’

Both sisters wore identical black spaghetti-strap nightgowns—without close inspection, it was hard to tell them apart.

"Good morning, Shuning." Gu Luo greeted her warmly.

"Good morning, Brother. Good morning, Shuhe."

"Mn. Morning, Sister."

Luo Shuning clasped her hands behind her back and skipped lightly into the kitchen, stopping beside Gu Luo.

Her bright eyes twinkled as she smiled.

"You’ve worked hard, Brother. Let me help."

"Sure." Gu Luo smiled back.

Compared to the little devil, he much preferred spending time with the little angel.

Though even this angel had her mischievous moments.

Luo Shuhe stood silently to the side, still sipping her yogurt, her gaze coolly observing Gu Luo and Luo Shuning.

Gu Luo arranged the sliced bread, cucumbers, ham, butter, eggs, tomatoes, halved garlic cloves, and assorted condiments on a plate.

Then he said to Luo Shuning, "Shuning, could you slice the cucumbers and tomatoes for me? Be careful not to cut your fingers."

"Mm, don’t worry!" Luo Shuning nodded obediently.

Gu Luo turned on the stove, rubbed a garlic clove around the pan, then drizzled olive oil over it.

Once the oil was hot enough, he cracked an egg into the pan with one hand.

The egg quickly formed a perfect circle.

Watching this, Luo Shuning blinked curiously.

Gu Luo grinned. "Garlic contains a chemical called ‘allicin.’ At high temperatures, it reacts with oil to form a protective film that prevents the egg edges from losing moisture and hardening, keeping the egg soft and round."

"Wow, Brother knows so much!" If she weren’t holding a knife, Luo Shuning might have clapped.

Gu Luo almost brushed it off as common knowledge, but then reconsidered—it might make her feel awkward. So instead, he smoothly changed the subject.

"......Um, sorry about that, Shuning."

"Hmm? What's wrong?" Luo Shuning instinctively paused what she was doing and turned to look at Gu Luo with a puzzled expression.

"I already steamed rice for everyone's lunch, but I should have asked you all first. I forgot about it last night," Gu Luo admitted awkwardly.

"And this morning, I didn’t want to wake you all up, so I just went ahead and did it myself..."

Hearing this, Luo Shuning froze for a moment before setting down the knife in her hand and quickly waving her hands. "No, no, we’re the ones causing trouble for you, Brother. There’s no way you should be apologizing..."

"Thank you so much, Brother! I’ll make sure to finish every bite!"

After a brief pause, she added with concern, "But... won’t this be too exhausting for you?"

Waking up early to prepare breakfast and lunch for four people—just thinking about it sounded exhausting.

For someone like her, it would be absolutely impossible.

"Don’t worry, I’m used to it," Gu Luo replied as he placed butter into the frying pan. Soon, the rich aroma of melted butter filled the air. He smiled and explained,

"Ximan can’t stand outside food—she has to eat my cooking for all three meals."

"Now it’s just a matter of making a little more. It’s no trouble at all."

............

............