I Like the Original Flavor

"What kind of date... I was just mediating between those two girls."

Gu Luo had already grown accustomed to Luo Shuhe's sudden attacks and explained:

"Little Man and Xuexue have been at odds recently, so I need to smooth things over. After all, I’ve spoiled Little Man a bit too much—she can be quite willful. Someone has to rein her in."

"Can’t be helped. The closer the relationship, the harder it is to swallow pride and make the first move."

Hearing this, Luo Shuhe’s expression immediately turned somewhat peculiar.

She massaged her temples and stayed silent for a long moment before asking:

"So, brother, do you know why they’re upset with each other?"

"No idea... Little Man won’t say, so I figured I’d bring them both out and find a chance to mediate."

"......"

This time, Luo Shuhe fell silent for even longer, her expression growing increasingly odd.

"What... is there a problem with my plan?" Gu Luo was baffled by her reaction.

"None. I just think it’s sweet how much you dote on Little Man, even caring so much about her friendships." Luo Shuhe’s lips curled into a faint, inexplicable smile as she shook her head and sighed:

"Never thought that little dummy could actually catch a ghost."

Her teasing tone left Gu Luo completely lost.

"What do you mean?"

He felt like they were on entirely different wavelengths.

"Hmm..."

Luo Shuhe tilted her head, pretending to think, then leaned in close to his ear and blew softly:

"Not telling."

"You—"

Gu Luo instinctively leaned back, his ears tingling and burning. His heartbeat quickened without his realizing.

Had this little demon already locked onto a new weak spot to exploit?

Looks like life’s about to get difficult.

And as usual, she’s being cryptic—

always speaking in half-truths.

Luo Shuhe abruptly changed the subject: "By the way, brother, you should take it easy at the government compound tomorrow. Don’t blow those old-timers away."

"I know, don’t worry."

Gu Luo nodded. He already had a rough plan for tomorrow.

But then something struck him as off, and he couldn’t help asking:

"You’re not coming?"

"No. I don’t like crowded places." Luo Shuhe shook her head, her tone indifferent.

Gu Luo gave a small nod. "I see... Well, you can pair up with Little Man then—she doesn’t want to go either."

"You’ll have to handle dinner on your own tomorrow."

"With me gone, someone can finally be all lovey-dovey with big sister."

"Ahem..."

Gu Luo coughed lightly but didn’t deny it. Ever since that night, he’d been craving intimacy with his angel nonstop.

But reason told him they hadn’t officially defined their relationship yet—he couldn’t act impulsively.

That night had been a storm of emotions, fueled by the little demon’s teasing. A special case.

Once things settled down, after the sports festival, he’d talk to his dad and Aunt Luo about it.

Whether they agreed or not, he at least needed to broach the subject.

This wasn’t just about two people—it involved the whole family.

He couldn’t selfishly ignore everyone else’s feelings.

The toughest nuts to crack would be Aunt Luo and Little Man.

But no matter what, he had to try, step by step.

Today, he’d test Little Man’s reaction.

Truthfully, Gu Luo wasn’t confident at all. Putting himself in her shoes—as a self-proclaimed siscon—if Gu Ximan said she wanted a boyfriend, he’d feel uneasy too.

Likewise, as a die-hard brocon, Little Man would feel the same.

But there was no way around it.

Some things had to be faced.

So today, while helping the girls resolve their conflict, he’d casually bring up his own romantic situation.

"Alright, Shuhe, you can—"

Gu Luo was about to say "you can leave now," but his words were cut off as his lips were sealed.

"Mmph..."

"W-Wait... mmph..."

Summoning just enough strength to push the little demon away, he sighed:

"I haven’t brushed my teeth yet..."

Luo Shuhe suddenly grinned. "So that’s what you’re worried about?"

Gu Luo froze.

Right—why was that his first thought?

Had he really gotten used to being kissed...?

Luo Shuhe didn’t give him time to ponder. Seizing his moment of distraction, she launched another attack.

"W-Wait... I haven’t brushed..." Gu Luo protested weakly.

"I like the natural taste." With that, Luo Shuhe captured his lips again.

"You... mmph..."

The faint minty freshness of toothpaste lingered in his mouth, stirring complex emotions.

Yet amid the turmoil, there was something else—something strange.

This little demon truly lived up to her name. Who else would say something like "I like the natural taste" without hesitation?

Not a trace of disgust.

After a few seconds, Gu Luo pushed her away again.

"Stop. What if Shu Ning walks in?"

"I won’t say anything at night, but daytime’s off-limits."

Luo Shuhe wiped her lips and shot him a look. "Such a playboy."

"You’re at least half-responsible for that, aren’t you...?"

Shaking his head, Gu Luo grabbed his phone and got out of bed, heading for the door.

A glance at the time: just 7:11 AM.

On weekends, his sisters usually slept until at least eight.

But to avoid unnecessary trouble, he couldn’t take chances.

The moment he stepped out, Gu Luo exhaled into his palm and sniffed.

Hmm... No odd smells, just a faint hint of mint.

Still unsure, he licked the back of his hand.

Once the saliva dried, he sniffed again.

Same result.

Thank goodness.

Nothing worse than bad breath during a kiss.

Meanwhile, inside the room—

Luo Shuhe picked up her phone, slender fingers tapping as she opened Luo Shuning’s chat.

[Luo Shuhe: Big sis, do you like the natural taste?]

[Luo Shuhe: Your little sister here loves it.]

[Luo Shuhe: I’m lying on the playboy’s bed right now. He’s drenched in my scent.]

[Luo Shuhe: Just kissed for twenty minutes. From now on, I’ll mark him with my scent daily—Day 1, checking in with big sis.]

......

Rewind to the day before.

Friday.

4:00 PM.

As the school bell rang, Guangya High’s students streamed toward the club building, eager to bask in their vibrant youth.

After neatly packing her bag, Luo Shuhe rested her chin elegantly on one hand and gazed out the window.

Searching the crowd for the one figure she couldn’t stop thinking about.

She watched quietly, until the faintest smile touched her lips.

In her line of sight—Gu Luo walked toward the club building, chatting and laughing with Shen Yue.

Both of them stood out in their own ways, making them impossible to miss at a glance.

Well, that was satisfying enough.

This was a little game Luo Shuhe had invented for herself.

Ever since Gu Luo transferred to the school, she had been playing it nonstop.

Just as she was about to get up and head to the calligraphy club, Luo Shuning slowly approached her.

"Big sister, is something wrong?"

Luo Shuhe tilted her head slightly, the faint smile on her lips vanishing instantly, replaced by an expression of calm indifference.

Luo Shuning, however, looked serious as she nodded.

"There is. I’d like to talk to you, Shuhe."

"Sure."

With that, the two walked side by side until they reached the rooftop.

A few other students were already there, enjoying the breeze—some chatting, others lost in thought.

Fortunately, the space was spacious enough, and Luo Shuning led Luo Shuhe to a quieter corner.

They stood side by side, gazing at the distant scenery.

A cool southwestern wind brushed past, gently tousling their smooth hair.

For a while, neither spoke, letting the silence linger.

After what felt like a long time, Luo Shuning was the first to break it.

Without any preamble, she got straight to the point.

"Shuhe, how far have things gone between you two?"

Despite the loaded question, Luo Shuhe’s expression remained unchanged. She merely tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and smiled faintly.

"Big sister, you’re not as slow as I thought."

Luo Shuning pressed on.

"You’ve hugged, right?"

"Yes."

"Have you kissed?"

"We have."

"Are you officially together?"

"No."

"Who made the first move?"

"I did."

"The day after our brother came to the apartment—were you in his room?"

"Yes."

"Did he ever initiate a hug or a kiss?"

"No."

The exchange was rapid-fire, question and answer in quick succession.

When she heard the last response, Luo Shuning’s stern expression softened slightly, and she let out a small sigh of relief.

Luo Shuhe turned to look at her.

"Big sister’s reaction is much milder than I expected."

"Don’t misunderstand. I’m actually quite upset." Luo Shuning shook her head, her voice low and firm.

"Shuhe, what you’re doing is wrong. You’re taking advantage of our brother’s kindness. We both know he would never refuse us, even if it hurts him."

"Don’t you think it’s too much, exploiting that without restraint?"

At this, Luo Shuhe’s expression instantly turned cold. She stared straight at her sister, enunciating each word deliberately.

"Big sister, are you seriously a love-struck fool?"

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

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