Showdown

Their gazes met in the air, as if sparking an invisible flame—a silent clash in the name of love.

"He’s been gentle with us, that’s true. But to put it bluntly, doesn’t that just make him a jerk? Even if I was the one who initiated things, are you really going to ignore his part in this, sis?" Luo Shuhe’s voice remained icy.

"In this relationship, neither he nor I are innocent."

"Even if you’re love-struck, sis, you can’t just cherry-pick the issues, can you?"

Hearing this, Luo Shuning fell silent for a moment before sighing helplessly. "I know. But what I mean is, I’m willing to compete with you fairly—just don’t make things difficult for him. Some of your actions have gone too far."

At this, Luo Shuhe’s temper flared, her voice rising involuntarily.

"Easy for you to say, sis. Fair competition? Were you ever fair?"

"Can you honestly claim you didn’t have ulterior motives from the start?"

"That night I wore the black nightdress—was it really just a coincidence you wore the same?"

"I..." Luo Shuning was momentarily speechless, scrambling for an explanation but finding none.

Back then, she’d simply thought Shuhe looked stunning and wanted to tease Gu Luo a little.

Now, reflecting on it, she realized how hurt Shuhe must have been—no wonder she’d retreated to her room right after dinner.

"I’m sorry."

"Don’t bother. It’s every woman for herself." Luo Shuhe turned her gaze away, steadying her breath before adding coolly,

"Since he hasn’t made his choice yet, let’s each play our hand."

Another prolonged silence settled between them, the breeze tousling their hair like a temporary ceasefire in their heated exchange.

Finally, Luo Shuning nodded. "Fine. Until he decides, we’ll leave it at that."

After a pause, she suddenly added, "But he was the one who pursued me. That night..."

She recounted the events of three nights prior in meticulous detail—a deliberate reminder of Gu Luo’s emotional leanings.

Silence stretched again.

Luo Shuhe could easily picture the scene.

When Gu Luo had left her room that night, he’d been visibly distraught.

Add guilt and self-reproach to the mix...

Unwittingly, she’d given her sister an advantage.

"So what’s your plan now, sis?"

To her surprise, Luo Shuning laughed lightly. "I trust him. So go ahead, Shuhe—do your worst these next few days."

"But you know as well as I do, there’s a world of difference between being pursued and being the pursuer."

"Besides, if it’s you, I won’t take it too hard. We’ve always shared everything, even meals."

"How very confident and generous of you, sis." Luo Shuhe stretched lazily before her expression sharpened.

"We’ll see, then."

"Just don’t cry when it’s over."

......

Back to the present.

Luo Shuhe lay against Gu Luo’s pillow, idly waiting for Luo Shuning’s reply.

Still asleep?

How lazy of her.

Gu Luo usually didn’t start weekend breakfast until after eight. With time to spare, she closed her eyes for a quick nap.

Five minutes later, her phone chimed.

Luo Shuhe blinked awake and checked the screen.

[Luo Shuning: Morning, Shuhe. You’re up early just to pester him—how dedicated.]

The breezy tone made her smirk.

No emojis? Sis must really be upset.

All that big talk, yet her true feelings were plain to see.

She typed back:

[Luo Shuhe: So tenderhearted, sis—playing clueless and avoiding us just to spare that jerk any awkwardness.]

[Luo Shuning: It’s only temporary. Have your fun while you can.]

[Luo Shuning: I just need to stay the course. The more you act up, the guiltier and more remorseful he’ll feel toward me.]

[Luo Shuning: Sure, it stings a little, but no matter. I’ll be the one laughing in the end.]

[Luo Shuning: Enjoy this short-lived freedom. But mark my words—if you keep this up past the deadline, don’t expect me to stay civil.]

Reading this, Luo Shuhe went quiet.

She had to admit Luo Shuning wasn’t wrong.

Unless Gu Luo took the initiative with her, the odds were overwhelmingly in her sister’s favor.

But... unorthodox tactics required unorthodox strategies.

......

......