Smile

The smile on Gu Ximan's face froze abruptly.

Yes, froze.

An intense unease and panic began to spread through her heart.

In that instant, countless thoughts flooded her mind, one question after another.

What does this idiot brother of mine mean?

Is he hinting at something?

Has Lu Xuexue already confessed to him?

Even if she hasn’t, she must have at least subtly expressed her feelings, right?

Otherwise, why would he suddenly ask such a startling question out of nowhere?

Does he like Lu Xuexue too?

But they only had a princess carry for half an hour—how did things progress so quickly?

If that’s really the case, then what does that make me? Did I just become the best wingwoman for my best friend, pushing my idiot brother straight into someone else’s arms?

Noticing no movement behind him, Gu Luo stopped walking and turned around, only to see Gu Ximan standing there in a daze.

He blinked in surprise and quickly waved a hand in front of her face.

"Ximan? Ximan, are you okay?"

"Ah... I'm fine..." Gu Ximan snapped out of it, forcing a smile that looked as natural as the one she wore during the day, feigning nonchalance as she said,

"Idiot brother... if you want to date someone, go ahead. But I bet whoever she is, she’s not as pretty as me."

'Idiot brother, you’re not allowed to date anyone! Not allowed! Not allowed! Not allowed!'

Gu Luo stared at Gu Ximan’s bright smile, but his heart immediately filled with worry.

Something’s off.

This is really off.

If her lack of jealousy at Donglai Plaza could still be explained away by some unknown conflict between her and Lu Xuexue,

then why isn’t she jealous now either?

Or is she just pretending?

But would a carefree, silly girl like Ximan even know how to pretend?

Of course, there was another possibility.

Maybe Gu Ximan really wasn’t jealous.

If that was the case, then as a brother-con, why wouldn’t she be jealous? Had her feelings quietly shifted to someone else?

After all, Guangya High had plenty of outstanding boys, and Ximan was right in the middle of her youthful, love-struck phase—it wouldn’t be strange.

But.

The moment this thought crossed his mind, Gu Luo’s heart suddenly felt hollow, as if an invisible hand had carved out a piece of it.

It hurt.

So, so, so much.

To test his suspicions, he cautiously asked again,

"Ximan... do you have a guy you like?"

At this question, Gu Ximan’s heart jolted violently.

She took a deep breath, raised her head, and met Gu Luo’s gaze with burning intensity, her eyes brimming with complicated emotions. Then, she nodded seriously.

"Yes. There’s a guy I like."

'And it’s you, you blockhead!'

Sure enough.

Gu Luo’s heart ached instantly.

It hurt.

So much.

He couldn’t help but recall how Gu Ximan had once sworn she’d stay by his side for the rest of her life—those words still echoing in his ears.

But plans could never keep up with changes.

In the blink of an eye, Ximan had really grown up, and now she had someone she liked.

Still, maybe this was for the best.

He couldn’t possibly expect Ximan to stay with him forever, never marrying or having children, could he?

That would be too selfish.

With that thought, Gu Luo forced a smile and asked lightly,

"Who is it?"

'It’s you, you blockhead!'

"I won’t tell you—unless you tell me who the girl you like is." Gu Ximan fought back the urge to burst into tears, her small fists clenched tightly, her heart trembling with fear.

She was terrified that the next words out of his mouth would be her best friend’s name.

Hearing this, Gu Luo opened his mouth, but no words came out.

First, the gentle, sweet image of the angelic Shu Ning flashed through his mind—but then, it was replaced by the fiery red lips of the devilish Shu Ning.

The two identical faces, yet with completely opposite personalities, flickered in his thoughts, leaving him speechless.

In the end, he couldn’t answer.

"Hmph! If you won’t tell me, then I won’t tell you either!" Gu Ximan stuck out her tongue playfully, then quickly sidestepped him and strode alone into the apartment building.

At the same time, her nails dug sharply into her palm, her heart aching unbearably.

Gu Luo’s silence was an answer in itself.

He really did like someone.

And when combined with what had happened earlier that day,

the identity of that girl was obvious—Lu Xuexue.

Right now, Gu Ximan didn’t want to think about anything.

All she wanted was to sprint to her room as fast as possible, bury herself under the covers,

and then—

break down in tears.

......

......