Single Dog No.1 shot a look at Single Dog No.2—'Dude, stop showing off. Why’d you have to step on me?'
Single Dog No.2 caught the signal and blinked leisurely, his eyes glinting with mischief—'Survival of the fittest, my man. A wild loli is a rare find. Play it cool, don’t rush it.'
Single Dog No.1 wasn’t about to back down—'Nah, I’m making my move.'
Single Dog No.2 quickly responded with a look—'Bro, patience is key. You can’t rush a hot loli.'
Single Dog No.1—'Come on, bro, I’m calling you bro here. I really like this one. Let your little brother have her, okay?'
Single Dog No.2—'Dad, trust me, this one’s better off with your son.'
Single Dog No.1—'Your mom’s—'
The two brothers kept exchanging glances, communicating entirely through their eyes.
Lu Xuexue paid no attention to the two beside her, her mind preoccupied with worry—would Gu Luo keep holding Gu Ximan like this?
It must be so tiring. What if he strains his muscles...
Liking someone was like this—caring too much made you overthink everything.
On stage.
"Stupid big bro, look at those two next to Xuexue. They’re so sweet, exchanging glances the whole time, all lovey-dovey," Gu Ximan whispered excitedly to Gu Luo.
'Ximan... stop seeing everything through a fujoshi lens...'
Gu Luo sighed inwardly. Yep, Ximan definitely had fujoshi tendencies.
Fujoshis were terrifying creatures.
You never knew which same-sex pairing they’d randomly ship you with in their heads.
Protect male dignity!
Time ticked by.
Ten minutes passed in a flash.
By then, three pairs had already been eliminated.
"Stupid big bro, how are you holding up?"
Gu Ximan watched as the eliminated guys rubbed their sore arms, her concern growing.
"This? I haven’t even used 10% of my power yet."
"Eww~ Stupid big bro, you’re such a braggart."
Gu Ximan rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling as she massaged his shoulders.
Her heart swelled with admiration.
Then she glanced at a muscular guy sitting a row behind them and whispered uncertainly,
"Stupid big bro, that guy looks like his muscles have taken over his brain. Let’s just quit after forty minutes, okay? No need to go for the championship."
Gu Luo just grinned, flashing his pearly whites.
"Relax, those three foot massages are as good as yours."
Gu Ximan pinched him in annoyance. "Ugh, I’m serious! Don’t push yourself."
"Promise me?"
"Fine, fine, I’ll stop if I get tired. No heroics," Gu Luo conceded, then added with a chuckle,
"My little Ximan’s really grown up, huh."
His gaze unconsciously flickered downward for a split second before he quickly looked away.
Pure instinct. Totally unavoidable.
"Hmph, obviously," Gu Ximan huffed, tilting her chin up proudly as she kept massaging his shoulders.
Another ten minutes passed.
More pairs dropped out.
Most were just here for fun—no point exhausting themselves over a prize.
But soon, Gu Luo noticed something off about Gu Ximan in his arms.
Her lips were pressed together, her fair cheeks tinged pink, and she hadn’t spoken for minutes.
"Need the bathroom?"
"N-no..." Her voice was muffled.
She avoided his gaze, looking anywhere but at him.
"Can’t hold it? I’ll give you a special prize later. This event’s just for fun," Gu Luo said, about to set her down.
"N-no way."
Gu Ximan clung tighter, her expression stubborn.
"We’ve lasted twenty minutes. I’m not giving up now."
No way would she let her brother’s effort go to waste.
"Be good, Ximan. I’ll prepare a surprise for you when you’re done, okay?"
Even as Gu Luo coaxed her gently, Gu Ximan’s resolve only hardened.
Her face conflicted, she squeezed out the words, barely audible:
"No... we can... we can manage."
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