Hitting Cotton (Thanks to tOAst25, the Top Contributor, for the Expert Certification)

The trio strolled through the square, drawing an exceptionally high rate of second glances wherever they went.

Bolder passersby couldn’t help but steal prolonged looks at them, nudging their friends to admire the eye-catching group. The more timid ones would glance once before quickly averting their gaze, hearts racing as they feigned composure, pretending to focus on their phones with blank expressions.

Envy simmered in their hearts.

This was the life of a handsome, socially adept guy—casually strolling around with two stunning beauties by his side. One radiated youthful energy, while the other was a sweet, doll-like girl.

The world really does favor those blessed with good looks.

Gu Luo had long grown immune to these lingering stares. Thanks to the intense desensitization training from his admirers at Guangya, he now carried himself with unshakable calm.

"Xuexue, is something on your mind?"

He slowed his pace slightly, falling into step beside Lu Xuexue. Until now, they had maintained a half-step distance between them. Noticing her distracted expression, Gu Luo couldn’t resist asking.

Could it be that the tension between these two girls hadn’t fully dissipated?

"Ah... N-no, nothing..."

At Gu Luo’s concerned gaze, Lu Xuexue’s fair cheeks flushed instantly. Overcome with shyness, she shook her head vigorously, her adorable twin ponytails swaying in the air, impossible to miss.

She had been lost in thought, wondering how she could grow up faster.

What if Gu Luo didn’t like her later when they were together? After all, boys preferred girls who were more... mature.

Especially when Gu Ximan, who had already reached the pinnacle of perfection, was always by his side.

Caught off guard by his sudden attention, her heart pounded with nervousness and guilt.

Nothing?

"Nothing" and "there’s nothing" were two entirely different things.

It seemed the rift between the two girls still lingered.

With that in mind, Gu Luo first glanced at Gu Ximan, who was walking briskly ahead on her own, then turned back to Lu Xuexue with a soft chuckle.

"Xuexue, I’m practically your brother too. You can talk to me about anything."

He paused, then couldn’t resist teasing her further.

"We’ve known each other for so long—why are you still so shy? You should interact more with the boys in your class. It’ll help you get used to it."

In his mind, Lu Xuexue’s bashfulness stemmed purely from lack of exposure to boys, hence her instinctive nervousness around them.

"I... I d-don’t..."

Lu Xuexue stumbled over her words, frustration bubbling inside.

She felt Gu Luo had completely misunderstood her.

Or rather, they were on entirely different wavelengths.

Why couldn’t he consider the possibility that it was... affection?

Besides, this instinctive shyness only happened around him—the one she adored most.

Other boys? Hard pass.

Noticing her deepening blush, Gu Luo quickly reassured her.

"It’s okay, take your time. If you’re not comfortable talking to other boys, you can always practice with me."

Lu Xuexue’s eyes immediately lit up. With a timid yet hopeful expression, she murmured,

"Gu Luo... I really have always been too nervous to talk to boys..."

"Thank you for being willing to help me..."

She hesitated, fingers clutching the hem of her dress, before mustering the courage to ask,

"...So, can I... practice talking with you often? Or maybe... call you sometimes at night...?"

"Of course. You’re like Ximan—you’re both my little sisters. And you’ve always looked out for her." As he spoke, Gu Luo reached out and ruffled her hair.

Admittedly, their height difference made the gesture effortless—like wielding a perfectly balanced cane.

Though that was just a bad joke.

"Thank you, Gu Luo~"

Lu Xuexue leaned into the head pat like an affectionate kitten, her cheeks rosy, heart overflowing with joy.

Before, she could only get close to Gu Luo through Ximan.

But now, she had a legitimate reason to seek him out.

That’s right—from today onward, Lu Xuexue would embrace the persona of a girl who got flustered around boys.

And also—Gu Luo was just so warm.

Warm enough to melt her heart.

Gu Luo had initially planned to seize this moment to ask about the tension between the two girls. But with the Ruixue Xincheng shop just ahead, he reluctantly shelved the idea.

He’d find a better opportunity later.

For Ximan’s sake, he really was going above and beyond.

Yet this kind of effort filled him with indescribable happiness.

Meanwhile...

Gu Ximan continued walking briskly ahead, her heart a mix of shyness and pride.

As long as her dense older brother wasn’t completely clueless, she might just win him over with her... assets.

No way this shameless, beauty-video-binging H-perv of a brother could resist that kind of temptation.

As the saying went, humans rose to the top of the food chain by mastering tools and weapons.

The more Gu Ximan thought about it, the giddier—and more embarrassed—she became.

What she didn’t notice, however, was that not far behind her, Gu Luo was giving someone else’s best friend a head pat.

Soon after, the trio entered the Ruixue shop.

The air inside was thick with sweetness, the catchy jingle looping relentlessly:

"You love me~ I love you~ Ruixue Xincheng, so sweet~"

"Stupid brother, I already ordered on my phone," Gu Ximan announced, skipping over to an empty seat.

"Our little Ximan’s all grown up," Gu Luo teased, sitting beside her. "Praise praise—Ximan’s the most generous."

"Hmph."

Gu Ximan lifted her chin slightly, a smug grin playing on her lips. The compliment had clearly hit its mark.

Watching this, Lu Xuexue couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.

She knew exactly how spoiled Gu Ximan was by Gu Luo.

For example—Ximan could earn praise just for eating properly.

Yes, even something as trivial as finishing a meal could earn her emotional validation.

Ximan had grown up bathed in this kind of unconditional love.

A love that came entirely from Gu Luo.

So pure. So deep.

What girl wouldn’t envy that?

Meanwhile, the male customers in the shop couldn’t resist stealing glances at Gu Ximan and Lu Xuexue, captivated by their beauty.

The women, however, eyed all three of them.

Unlike men, women could appreciate beauty in their own gender too.

But if a guy openly admired another guy’s looks? Instant assumptions.

"Order 167!"

The counter staff’s voice rang out.

Gu Ximan sprang up, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she returned with two grape taro bubble teas and three straws.

"I’ll grab the other one," Gu Luo offered, starting to rise—only to be promptly pushed back down.

"Nope, just two."

Gu Ximan giggled like a sly little fox, handing one cup to Lu Xuexue before sticking two straws into the same drink.

"......"

Seeing this, Gu Luo finally realized what was happening and asked with a mix of amusement and exasperation,

"You ran out of pocket money? I’ll transfer you some later."

Gu Ximan immediately waved her hand. "No, no, I have some."

"Then why did you only buy two cups?"

"Saving money, duh. You’re so clueless, big bro." Gu Ximan said with mock seriousness before adding, "And it’s not like I mind sharing with you."

After a pause, she turned to Lu Xuexue, who was sitting across from them, and asked with a smile,

"Xuexue, don’t you agree?"

"Yeah! Totally!" Lu Xuexue quickly nodded, her eyes sparkling as she stared at the two, clearly ready to dive into full-on fangirl mode.

This ship was too sweet!

Like the rich, sugary milk tea in the shop—utterly intoxicating.

As for her best friend’s reaction, Gu Ximan felt like she’d just punched a fluffy cloud.

Not only was Lu Xuexue unbothered, she was even grinning like a proud matchmaker.

Zero aggression, but somehow, it was still deeply offensive.

"Is this really about whether you mind or not?" Gu Luo’s expression was both tender and helpless.

"Fine, just leave me some when you’re done."

With an outsider present, he couldn’t exactly embarrass Ximan.

"Nope, we’re drinking it together," Gu Ximan declared, playfully nudging the straw.

"...Alright."

In the end, Gu Luo gave in. Sharing a cup with his little sister wasn’t a big deal anyway.

And so, the two of them each took a sip from their respective straws.

So sweet!

Aaaaaah!

Watching the scene unfold, Lu Xuexue couldn’t help but scream internally like an excited fangirl.

This was peak romance!

Straight out of a drama!

She couldn’t resist snapping a few photos of them with her phone, determined to immortalize this sugary moment.

Meanwhile, Gu Ximan could only sigh at her best friend’s antics.

She may have won the battle, but she’d definitely lost the war.

At the same time...

Behind the trio, an innocent single soul stared at their own milk tea and ice cream, thinking—

How pathetic, reduced to sharing a single cup.

Not like me—I get to enjoy two all by myself.

Hah.

Hahaha!

But as they laughed inwardly, tears welled up.

You guys are the worst!

Do single people have no rights? I’d like to know!

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

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