Gu Ximan's Little Pride

"Come to think of it, little sister really didn’t eat much at the restaurant last night."

"No wonder she was hungry by nighttime."

Luo Shuning suddenly understood.

"Mhm, so during school days, I always prepare lunch for Ximan to take with her."

Hearing this, Luo Shuning couldn’t help but feel a wave of emotion, her eyes filled with admiration and envy. "Big Brother really dotes on his sister, huh?"

Gu Luo simply smiled in response.

Once the butter in the pan had completely melted, shimmering a golden hue, he placed two slices of bread inside.

Then, picking up chopsticks, he deftly coated the bread evenly with butter.

Soon, both sides of the bread turned a light golden brown, crisp and fragrant.

Gu Luo set the toasted bread aside for later.

"Put all these ingredients in and fry them with the leftover butter. No need to cook them through—just warm them up," Gu Luo said to Luo Shuning.

"Got it!"

While Luo Shuning fried the vegetables and ham, Gu Luo spread sauce on the bread.

Finally, Luo Shuning assembled everything into the finished product—butter sandwiches.

"Not bad. Later, you can tell Shuling you made this," Gu Luo said, satisfied with their teamwork.

"Big Brother still remembers yesterday’s conversation." Hearing this, Luo Shuning’s eyes curved into crescents as she covered her mouth with a light laugh, clearly delighted.

"I could always use an extra pair of hands in the kitchen."

"Hehe."

Chatting and laughing, the two repeated the breakfast-making process.

Their coordination was seamless.

All the while, Luo Shuhe stood behind them like an outsider.

Her yogurt box was empty, but she still held it to her lips, leaning against the kitchen cabinet as she silently watched her brother and her identical twin sister.

Eventually, her gaze settled on Gu Luo’s profile.

Just watching.

Watching.

This brand of yogurt really was sour.

Meanwhile, Luo Shuning assembled another butter sandwich and asked Gu Luo, "Big Brother, after school today, why don’t I take you to check out the clubs? It’s the perfect time since first-years can still join."

"At Guangya Academy, club participation counts toward credits. If you don’t earn enough, you might even get held back."

"Guangya really doesn’t hold back..." Gu Luo mused.

No wonder their clubs were so well-developed, performing on stages and competing in tournaments.

"What club were you in at Caizhou Academy, Big Brother?"

"Ahem... the 'Go-Home Club'..." Gu Luo coughed awkwardly.

Technically, he had been a member of the music club, but he’d hardly ever participated in any activities.

Most of his after-school time had been spent tutoring Gu Ximan.

So in reality, he was practically club-less.

"Pfft."

"A 'Go-Home Club'? Let me guess—were all the members also the club president?"

Luo Shuning burst into laughter.

Gu Luo could only smile sheepishly.

"Then, Big Brother, do you have any hobbies? Guangya has tons of clubs—I’m sure there’s something you’d like."

Hobbies, huh...

Gu Luo thought about it but realized he didn’t have any particular interests these days.

Back then, he’d loved basketball, so he’d bought the [Basketball Mastery] skill in the system store.

And sure enough, he’d crushed every student in school—even the gym teachers were no match for him.

Every time Gu Luo played, girls would crowd around, cheering and screaming.

The boys? They just became background props.

Eventually, they all started avoiding him.

After that, Gu Luo rarely participated in such activities.

Snapping out of his thoughts, he shook his head. "I’m not really sure..."

"By the way, Big Brother is really strong. Have you considered joining the volleyball club?" Luo Shuning suggested.

Gu Luo pondered for a moment. "Volleyball, huh... Maybe."

"No rush. I’ll take you around after school."

"...Actually, never mind." Gu Luo declined, then explained with a smile, "No need to guess—I already know you three sisters must be super popular at school."

"If people found out I live under the same roof as you, I might get jumped in a dark alley."

"I’ll check things out on my own."

He also didn’t plan to go with Gu Ximan—she had Lu Xuexue with her.

Two beautiful girls together—he shouldn’t intrude.

Besides, Gu Luo didn’t want others knowing Gu Ximan was his sister.

Otherwise, he’d have a bunch of guys chasing after him, calling him "Brother-in-Law."

Yep, that had been his old nickname.

"That’s exaggerating! But I get what you mean." Luo Shuning’s smile didn’t fade. "Still, if you ever run into trouble at school, remember you can always come to us."

"Got it." Gu Luo nodded, then asked,

"Oh, right—does everyone at school know Shuning used to be an idol?"

If they did, keeping their relationship under wraps was even more important.

"Only a few people know." Luo Shuning thought for a moment, then added sheepishly, "Yesterday was an exception. That kind of situation rarely happens. Thanks again for helping me, Big Brother."

Gu Luo breathed an internal sigh of relief.

This was the best-case scenario.

The two chatted and laughed as if they’d known each other for years.

Some people just clicked instantly.

Not long after breakfast was ready, Gu Ximan and Luo Shuling came downstairs, yawning.

The moment the aroma hit them, their eyes lit up.

"Wow, that smells amazing!"

"I’m suddenly starving!"

Luo Shuling wore a short-sleeved top and shorts, her fair, slender legs toned and full of vitality.

The triplets had excellent proportions—their long legs made them stand out.

Gu Ximan’s pajamas, on the other hand, were more girly—soft pink with cute panda prints.

Gu Luo waved them over. "Shuning made breakfast today. Come try it."

"Suddenly not hungry anymore..."

"Shuling, you’re the worst!" Luo Shuning glared at her.

"Kidding, kidding!"

Luo Shuling and Gu Ximan immediately grabbed sandwiches and took big bites.

"So good!"

Luo Shuling’s face lit up with bliss.

Seeing this, Gu Ximan puffed out her chest proudly.

Amateurs.

She’d been enjoying this level of cooking for over a decade.

Luo Shuling didn’t even wait for the food to cool, finishing a sandwich in no time.

Then, her gaze landed on the remaining ingredients on the stove.

"What’s this? Prepping for dinner already?"

Before Gu Luo could explain, Luo Shuning answered, "Big Brother is making lunch for us."

"Seriously?!"

Overjoyed, Luo Shuling lunged at Gu Luo for a hug—only to be intercepted by Gu Ximan.

"Ling-jie, don’t let this pervy old man take advantage of you. He’s a total creep."

?

Gu Luo’s expression turned into a literal question mark.

"Aw, I don’t mind~"

Luo Shuling grinned broadly, then narrowed her bright, sparkling eyes. "But... when Brother isn't home one day, I can sneak into his room and rummage under the bed."

Seeing that she had no intention of hugging them again, everyone let out a simultaneous sigh of relief.

As for how many "everyone" entailed, that remained unclear.

As for Luo Shuling's mention of rummaging under the bed, Gu Luo silently thought to himself—incognito mode, ever heard of it?

Whether online or offline, he left absolutely no traces behind.

"Ah, I'm so happy! The cafeteria food isn’t bad, but there’s no way it can compare to Brother’s cooking," Luo Shuling chirped, spinning around before turning to Luo Shuning and Luo Shuhe with a suggestion:

"Shuning, Shuhe, since we’ve got lunch now, let’s eat in the little garden at noon!"

"Sounds good," Luo Shuning agreed with a smile.

Luo Shuhe gave only a slight nod in response.

"What about you, Brother and Ximan? Want to join us?" Luo Shuling asked again.

"...No need. I’m eating with my best friend."

"I’ll pass too."

"Alright then..." Luo Shuling then gave Gu Luo a thumbs-up. "Brother, this hero officially approves of you!"

"The organization will remember your selfless contributions!"

Gu Luo waved his hand dismissively. "It’s no big deal. Since I was already making a portion for Ximan, a few more didn’t make much difference."

As he spoke, he glanced at Gu Ximan, whose expression had darkened slightly.

Hearing this, Gu Ximan’s face immediately brightened, and she puffed out her chest with pride.

See? This was her brother’s cooking, made especially for her.

The rest of you were just... extras.

Just extras.

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