After sending the message, Gu Ximan immediately jumped off the bed, stumbling as she wiped her tears and locked the door. Then, she threw herself back onto the bed, burying her face deep into the pillow. Soon, a large patch of the pillow was soaked with her tears. The last flicker of hope in Gu Ximan's heart, like a candle in the wind, was completely extinguished.
Earlier that day, they had shared a romantic princess carry, and by night, they couldn’t wait to video call each other. Then there was Gu Luo’s seemingly casual but pointed question about love downstairs—all of it pointed to one cruel truth: they liked each other and were about to get together.
Gu Ximan had mentally prepared herself to accept this outcome, but when the moment actually arrived, she realized she couldn’t bear it at all.
Lu Xuexue must have confessed during the princess carry earlier.
She had pushed the person she liked right into her best friend’s arms.
The more she thought about it, the more her tears fell uncontrollably.
It wasn’t fair.
It wasn’t fair.
It wasn’t fair.
She was the one who had been there first.
She was the one who had grown up beside Gu Luo.
Wiping her tears roughly, she picked up her phone and saw Gu Luo’s message:
[Gu Luo: Ximan, you’re awake? I was helping Xuexue overcome her shyness around guys. I wanted to tell you earlier, but you were asleep.]
[Gu Luo: Are you hungry? If you are, I’ll make you fried rice right now.]
Overcoming shyness around guys?
Gu Ximan stared at this flimsy, unconvincing excuse, and her heart ached even more.
Now he was still trying to hide it from her?
Why not just admit they were flirting openly?
Sniffling, she wiped the tears off her phone screen with her sleeve and replied:
[Gu Ximan: Then keep chatting. I just wanted some water earlier. Still really tired, so don’t bother calling me for dinner tonight. Going back to sleep. Goodnight!]
[Gu Luo: That tired, huh? Then rest for a bit. If you get hungry later, just call me. I’ll get up and make you something.]
Reading his usual gentle words, Gu Ximan’s nose stung, and she choked out in a whisper:
"Hypocrite. Who needs you to care?"
"Go love your Xuexue instead."
She couldn’t help but recall how, when they were kids, no matter how late it was, if she woke Gu Luo up because she was hungry, he’d always get up and make her a midnight snack.
But from now on, that exclusive doting wouldn’t belong to her alone.
The thought felt like a piece of her heart had been ripped out.
She then opened Lu Xuexue’s chat.
[Lu Xuexue: Manman, I was just talking with Brother Gu about something. What’s up? I’ll be home tomorrow if you want to come over.]
Lu Xuexue couldn’t use the same excuse—helping her overcome shyness around guys—with Gu Ximan, so she vaguely said they were discussing something.
At the same time, she felt incredibly guilty, as if she’d been caught as the other woman.
Gu Ximan pressed her lips together as she read the message.
They couldn’t even coordinate their lies?
Couldn’t they at least try to make it convincing?
A surge of anger rose in her chest.
Gritting her teeth, she took a deep breath and typed:
[Gu Ximan: Gu Luo and I aren’t related by blood. I like him.]
But after hesitating for a long time, she still couldn’t bring herself to hit send.
Sending it now would put her at a disadvantage.
After a moment, she deleted the message and typed again:
[Gu Ximan: Let’s talk tomorrow in person.]
She had made up her mind—she was going to lay everything out.
Before, she had thought that just staying by Gu Luo’s side would be enough. But now she understood—love was selfish. She couldn’t just stand by and watch.
Possessiveness didn’t always mean love.
But love always came with a fierce possessiveness.
So what if they stopped being best friends?
So what if she cried and made a scene?
So what if she had to be selfish?
Tomorrow would be the end of everything—and the beginning of something new.
[Lu Xuexue: Okay, we’ll talk tomorrow.]
Meanwhile, on the other side.
After messaging Gu Ximan, Gu Luo turned back to Lu Xuexue on the video call. "Ximan just called me for a second. I explained things to her."
"Mhm, it’s fine," Lu Xuexue replied sweetly, though she was actually feeling extremely guilty.
There was no helping it—her excuse for getting close to Brother Gu sounded way too much like something a scheming girl would say.
Manman must be really upset right now.
That’s why she said they’d talk tomorrow.
Lu Xuexue didn’t mention that Gu Ximan had also called her earlier.
Everything was too messy right now.
The situation was complicated.
Brother Gu even knew about Manman liking someone else?
What exactly had they talked about?
Lu Xuexue had a million questions.
She’d just have to wait until tomorrow to talk to Gu Ximan face-to-face.
She had a feeling this conversation would lay everything bare.
While Gu Luo, Gu Ximan, and Lu Xuexue were each lost in their own thoughts…
In Luo Shuning’s room.
"Sister, are you feeling really bad right now?"
Luo Shuhe sat on the bed, arms crossed, her left leg casually draped over her right thigh as she swung it lazily. A smug smile played on her lips.
Luo Shuning had already ordered all the materials she needed to knit a scarf—yarn, needles, scissors, measuring tape, sewing needles—and was now sitting at the piano, playing the unfinished melody of "Looking Forward to a Future With You."
Only after finishing the piece did she turn around, her expression as gentle as ever. She smiled faintly.
"Shuhe, saying I’m not upset at all would be a lie."
"But have you ever heard the saying, ‘retreat to advance’?"
Hearing this, Luo Shuhe’s smile slowly faded.
Luo Shuning continued, "Shuhe, I fully support you pestering Brother right now. Because the more you pester him, the more he’ll rely on me."
"During this time, feel free to do whatever you want—you’ll just be strengthening our bond."
Luo Shuhe stopped swinging her leg, her tone flat. "A blatant scheme. Reverse psychology. As expected of my sister."
"You’re really using that scumbag’s guilt to your advantage. To win, you’ll go this far."
"The more I throw myself at him, the more his guilt will drive him to you."
"If I don’t, you still have the upper hand."
"Quite the strategist, using it all on your little sister."
"Likewise," Luo Shuning sighed softly.
"I won’t deny that I’m using Brother’s guilt. But the fault isn’t mine, and it’s not Brother’s—it’s yours, Shuhe."
"You’re the one who’s been exploiting his kindness all along."
"Like I’ve said before, we both know Brother can’t refuse us."
Luo Shuhe shot back, "So I should just watch you two be all lovey-dovey every day?"
"Sister, don’t forget—you were the one who copied my pajamas first."
After a pause, she added coldly,
"In this mess, no one’s innocent."
"Don’t try to pin all the blame on me."
"Maybe," Luo Shuning rubbed her temples, speaking seriously.
"But no matter what, this time, I’ll still win."
Given the current situation, as long as she played it steady, victory was guaranteed.
"Big sister, popping the champagne at halftime is a rookie mistake," Luo Shuhe said as she slowly rose to her feet and walked toward the door.
Just before pushing it open, she spoke again:
"I admit your reverse psychology worked. For now, I won’t let that scumbag wallow in guilt anymore."
"But."
"You didn’t honestly think my only move was throwing myself at him, did you?"
"The real show hasn’t even started."
Pausing, she gave a faint smile:
"Well then, congratulations in advance—hope you and that scumbag have fun tomorrow."
With that, Luo Shuhe left, the door clicking shut behind her with a muted thud.
"I’ll be waiting for your grand performance, Shuhe."
Stretching lazily, Luo Shuning straightened her posture and let her slender fingers dance across the piano keys once more, resuming her composition of ["Anticipating a Future with You"].
The melody swelled again,
a sonorous declaration of her unwavering devotion.
Meanwhile,
Luo Shuling lounged comfortably on the living room sofa, crunching potato chips and sipping soda with glee as a variety show played on screen.
Her phone buzzed abruptly.
[Wen Qianrou: Ling-jie! Hot news—our schools are co-hosting a sports festival next month or early the following month, probably at Guangya’s stadium!]
[Wen Qianrou: So excited! Our fan clubs can finally unite to cheer for God Gu together!]
Luo Shuling licked her fingers clean before typing back:
[Luo Shuling: Heard about it. Our school’s Tuesday games got canceled for this.]
[Wen Qianrou: Eee, perfect! Btw Ling-jie, have you tried that yet? Feels amazing, right?]
[Luo Shuling: Still experimenting… (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)]
[Wen Qianrou: Haha, hit me up if you need tips!]
After more chatter, Luo Shuling set her phone down.
Her gaze then burned toward the direction of Gu Luo’s room.
Soon—she’d find the perfect moment to make her move.
............
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