My Brother Had a Tough Childhood

Kawaii!

What brother-complex fan could resist such a soft, sweet call of "gege" (big brother)?

Gu Luo looked down at Lin Mengyun nestled in his arms, feeling an inexplicable sense of closeness welling up in his heart.

This was a feeling he had only ever experienced with Gu Ximan before.

"Xiao Luo, you take care of Yunyun for now. I’ll head back to the kitchen," Li Juan said, watching the scene with a warm smile before turning to Wen Qianrou.

"Qianrou, pour some tea for your Qi—"

She paused, unsure whether to say "Qi-jie" (Sister Qi) or "Qi-ayi" (Auntie Qi).

Wen Qianrou usually called Tang Qi "Qi-jie," but just moments ago, Gu Luo had referred to her as "Auntie."

This instantly tangled up the proper address.

"Hmm... Luo-ge, maybe you can call her Qi-jie like I do," Wen Qianrou suggested softly, noticing her grandmother’s dilemma.

Just as Gu Luo was about to agree, Tang Qi interjected,

"It’s fine, let’s each use our own terms. Xiao Luo can keep calling me Auntie."

The word "okay" had barely formed in Gu Luo’s throat before he swallowed it back.

He nodded.

Since Tang Qi had put it that way, they’d just stick to their own ways.

Sure, it meant he’d be a generation lower than Wen Qianrou in terms of address, but it wasn’t a big deal. They were barely acquaintances anyway, unlikely to cross paths often.

Relieved by Gu Luo’s nod, Tang Qi turned back to Li Juan.

"Juan-ayi, let me help in the kitchen."

"No need, no need," Li Juan waved her off cheerfully. "You’re always so busy filming—when you’re here, just relax."

Then she resumed her earlier instruction.

"Qianrou, pour tea for your Qi-jie."

"Alright."

Wen Qianrou responded gently.

With that, Li Juan happily retreated into the kitchen.

Clearly, she loved having so many people gathered together.

Elderly folks always enjoyed lively company and being surrounded by the younger generation.

"What’s your name?"

Gu Luo had now fully embraced his role as the affectionate big brother, speaking tenderly to Lin Mengyun in his arms.

"Lin Mengyun."

Her voice was crisp and bright, her large, dark eyes fixed unblinkingly on Gu Luo.

Her gaze held curiosity, but even more so, a desire to get closer.

Gu Luo took it in stride, unsurprised.

Given his current level of charm and looks, he could effortlessly win over anyone from eighty-year-old grandmothers to three-year-old toddlers.

The two little girls he’d met during the school festival and at the café were proof enough.

Well, humans were visual creatures at heart.

Being good-looking made many things easier—like how some viewers would side with whoever was prettiest in a drama, logic be damned.

Such things were all too common in life.

Once Gu Luo settled onto the sofa with Lin Mengyun, Luo Shuling promptly peeled a banana and held it to the little girl’s lips.

"Ahh~~" she coaxed softly.

But Lin Mengyun only glanced at Luo Shuling before burying her face against Gu Luo’s neck.

"Yunyun, jiejie will feed you a banana, okay? It’s super yummy~~"

Luo Shuling didn’t give up, deploying her best persuasive tactics.

Lin Mengyun stayed silent, clinging to Gu Luo and nuzzling his neck like a kitten.

"No fair, gege! Why does Yunyun only like you?" Luo Shuling pouted in exaggerated disappointment.

"Maybe Mengyun just doesn't like bananas," Gu Luo couldn't help but smile.

The sheer lethality of this scene to any older brother with a sister complex was off the charts.

"Oh really? Then you feed her," Luo Shuling said, handing him the banana.

Gu Luo took it with an amused yet helpless expression, then leaned close to Lin Mengyun's ear and whispered softly:

"Mengyun, should big brother feed you this banana?"

"Okay~"

Lin Mengyun immediately lifted her head, responding in an adorably childish voice.

Luo Shuling: ???

For the first time, she began questioning her own charm.

Watching this unfold, Gu Luo's smile grew even wider.

This indescribably wonderful feeling was beyond words.

Lin Mengyun wanted to be close to him, and he, too, genuinely wanted to dote on this little one.

"Ah~~~"

"Ah~"

Lin Mengyun obediently took a bite of the banana, then said in her sweet, babyish tone:

"Big brother eat too."

"Alright."

Gu Luo was practically grinning from ear to ear.

How could this child be so utterly endearing?

As this heartwarming scene played out, Wen Qianrou—who had just finished pouring tea—adjusted her black-framed glasses and was about to strike up a conversation with Tang Qi when she suddenly froze.

Tang Qi was staring blankly at Gu Luo and Lin Mengyun, her expression layered with complex emotions.

Wen Qianrou's heart instantly skipped a beat.

That look was definitely not just a fan admiring her idol.

What was going on?

Qi-jie... couldn’t possibly be thinking of robbing the cradle, could she?

Wen Qianrou’s mind immediately spiraled into overdrive. As a seasoned veteran of romantic tropes, her brain instinctively conjured up images of Gu Luo and Tang Qi together.

Yikes...

Honestly, it was kind of thrilling.

But... Qi-jie, you’re a married woman!

Is this really okay?

Though her thoughts were a chaotic mess, Wen Qianrou maintained her usual innocent expression and cautiously whispered to Tang Qi:

"Qi-jie?"

When Tang Qi didn’t respond, she quickly glanced at Gu Luo and Luo Shuling to confirm their attention was still on Lin Mengyun, then discreetly tugged at Tang Qi’s sleeve.

If those two noticed anything odd, it’d be way too awkward.

Qi-jie, I never knew you had this side to you.

Aside from Tang Qi being interested in Gu Luo, Wen Qianrou couldn’t think of any other explanation.

"Ah..."

Tang Qi snapped out of her daze, instinctively tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear before turning to Wen Qianrou. "What’s up?"

“Qi-jie, you were practically drooling just now, and you’re asking me what’s up?” Wen Qianrou silently complained in her mind, but out loud, she just smiled and said:

"Qi-jie, the tea’s ready. Come sit down—standing must be tiring."

"Mm, thanks, Xiao Qianrou."

Tang Qi took the cup and sat on the opposite side of the sofa, but her gaze never once left Gu Luo and Lin Mengyun.

Wen Qianrou keenly noticed this detail, yet still found it hard to believe.

But that didn’t make sense either. Normally, Qi-jie and her husband were so loving, always flaunting their relationship online.

There’s no way she’d develop inappropriate feelings for a younger guy, right?

To test her theory, Wen Qianrou suddenly proposed to the group:

"How about we take some photos together?"

"Sure!"

Tang Qi was the first to agree, answering almost instantly.

Wen Qianrou blinked, her suspicions growing stronger by the second.

She was way too eager, wasn’t she?

As for Gu Luo, he naturally agreed to the group photo idea with pleasure—after all, it wasn’t every day you got to take pictures with a big star.

"Qianrou, could you take a photo of us first?" Tang Qi seemed impatient as she immediately sat down beside Gu Luo.

Clearly, she wanted a group photo of the three.

"...Alright."

Wen Qianrou responded softly, though her mind was already in turmoil.

This was way too obvious.

Sister Qi, have some restraint!

Don’t forget your status!

Though she thought this, she still opened her phone camera and aimed it at them.

Just like that, they took several rounds of photos.

Normally, Wen Qianrou would have been thrilled to take endless pictures with her idols, Gu Luo and Tang Qi.

But now, she had completely lost interest, her mind preoccupied with the shocking suspicion that Tang Qi might be trying to "rob the cradle."

After the photos, they played with Lin Mengyun for a while before Gu Luo excused himself to help in the kitchen.

Lin Mengyun didn’t even let Tang Qi hold her, instead toddling after Gu Luo into the kitchen.

A classic case of "forgetting mom the moment big brother appears."

Now, only three people remained in the dining room.

Tang Qi suddenly turned to Luo Shuling and said,

"Xiao Ling, does Gu Luo usually—"

But she abruptly stopped mid-sentence, unsure how to continue.

"Auntie, you know me?"

Since Gu Luo had already addressed Tang Qi as "auntie," Luo Shuling followed suit.

"Ah... I know your mother..." Tang Qi vaguely explained.

"I see." Luo Shuling smiled, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly as she asked,

"What were you about to ask just now, Auntie?"

"Nothing, just wanted to ask about your grades and such."

"They're alright, but my brother was always first in Caizhou Academy (high school)..."

The two continued chatting idly.

About an hour later, a spread of delicious homemade dishes was laid out on the table.

As soon as Gu Luo finished, Lin Mengyun clung to him again.

"Yunyun, let your brother eat. Come to Mommy."

Tang Qi held out her arms to Lin Mengyun.

Unlike her earlier refusal of Luo Shuling and the others, Lin Mengyun hesitated slightly, glancing at Tang Qi before murmuring in her tiny voice,

"Brother hold."

"It's fine, I’ll feed Yunyun," Gu Luo said with a smile.

"...Then I’ll trouble you, Xiao Luo."

Li Juan walked over with bowls and chopsticks, beaming. "I told you Gu Luo is such a good boy. See how even Yunyun, who’s usually so shy, adores him?"

Then, once Wen Qianrou had served everyone rice, Li Juan enthusiastically launched into a story:

"The first time I met Xiao Luo was at East Lake Park..."

"And then..."

"At the time, Xiao Luo said, 'Those who hold public office must not compete with the common people for profit'—exactly what Bohai used to say..."

The praise was so effusive that even Gu Luo felt a little embarrassed.

It really wasn’t that big a deal.

Wen Qianrou listened with great interest, thinking to herself, No wonder he’s my ultimate fan.

Tang Qi also listened attentively, her gaze subtly drifting toward Gu Luo several times.

"Eat, eat! I’ve been talking too much," Li Juan said, noticing no one had touched their food yet. She quickly picked up her chopsticks and placed a piece of meat in Tang Qi’s bowl.

"Try this, Xiao Qi. Gu Luo made it."

"Mm, alright."

Tang Qi picked up her chopsticks, took a bite, and chewed gently.

Her eyes instantly lit up, and she immediately praised,

"It's delicious."

Hearing this, Wen Qianrou and Li Juan also picked up their chopsticks to taste the dish.

Both gave it exceptionally high praise.

Once again, Gu Luo was showered with compliments.

Meanwhile, Luo Shuling, who had been silent the whole time, glanced at Tang Qi before suddenly speaking up:

"My brother had a tough childhood. He started cooking for himself and his little sister when he was just five or six years old."

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