As they stepped out of the station, the sunlight, tinged with a hint of laziness, spilled over the two of them.
After a short walk, they arrived at the shopping street that held vivid memories for Gu Luo.
Every brick on the ground, every shop along the way, carried the remnants of that near-"explosive" crisis from last time.
Even now, recalling that scene sent a shiver down Gu Luo’s spine.
The little demon—if nothing else—was a master at setting traps, one after another, nearly driving him into a corner.
Fortunately, he had managed to escape unscathed in the end.
Not only had disaster been averted, but his relationship with the angelic Shu Ning had also grown closer.
That moment in the lingerie store’s rest area—"Brother, I understand."—was something Gu Luo would never forget.
Perhaps it was at that very moment he had truly fallen for Luo Shuning.
Yet, this flutter of the heart came with a deep sense of guilt.
Luo Shuning had reserved all her tenderness toward the opposite sex for him alone.
Meanwhile, he was still entangled in an ambiguous relationship with Luo Shuhe.
And now, here he was, arm intimately linked with the little demon.
To outsiders, they looked every bit like a couple deeply in love.
Lost in these thoughts, Gu Luo paid no attention to their direction, letting Luo Shuhe lead the way. When he finally snapped back to reality and glanced around, he couldn’t help but ask in confusion:
"Shuhe, weren’t we supposed to pick up the suit? Isn’t this the wrong way?"
"We’ll get it last, no rush." Luo Shuhe lifted her head slightly, giving him a cool sidelong glance. "Sweetheart, you seem distracted. Could you be thinking about my sister?"
Hearing this, Gu Luo fell silent for a couple of seconds before nodding honestly:
"Yeah, I was thinking about Shu Ning."
The moment the words left his mouth, a sharp pain shot through his waist.
"Ow ow ow... that hurts..."
Instead of letting go, Luo Shuhe tightened her grip, narrowing her eyes as she coldly demanded, "Sweetheart, have you just given up? Not only are you thinking about my sister while you’re with me, but you even admit it outright?"
"Let go first... just let go..."
Gu Luo grimaced in pain, utterly baffled as to why girls were so fond of pinching the flesh around his waist.
"Then I’ll ask again. Sweetheart, you seem distracted. Could you be thinking about my sister?" Luo Shuhe stared straight into his eyes.
"...If you threaten to tell Shu Ning, then no, I wasn’t thinking about her. If you don’t threaten me, then yes, I was." Gu Luo met her gaze just as firmly.
Their eyes locked.
In each other’s pupils, they could see their own stubborn expressions reflected back.
Hearing this, Luo Shuhe’s eyelids gradually lowered, and she slowly released her grip.
The scoundrel’s meaning was clear—even if forced, he’d only say what she wanted to hear, while his heart remained fixated on her sister.
Watching the little demon’s spirits sink, Gu Luo felt a pang of heartache, even as he reminded himself not to intervene.
Some things, some feelings—it was time to lay them bare.
Today.
Once he resolved this tangled mess with the little demon, he could wholeheartedly stand by Shu Ning’s side, facing their challenges together—convincing his cheap dad, her mother, and Xiao Man.
Though it pained him deeply, there was no more room for delay.
This wasn’t fair to Shu Ning. Nor was it fair to Shuhe.
More than once, Gu Luo had fantasized about having both, but no matter how he played it out in his mind, it always led to a dead end.
If he had to choose one, it would be Shu Ning.
Partly because his heart belonged to her, and partly because he owed her responsibility.
After all, that night on the living room couch, they had tried everything short of the final step—and it had been his initiative. Though shy, the little angel had obediently followed his lead.
This was also why, no matter how much the little demon teased him, he had never taken things further with her.
To put it bluntly, there was a difference between taking the lead and being led—responsibility was at stake.
The outcome might be the same, but the mindset in handling it was entirely different.
Besides, he had warned the little demon from the start that she might end up hurt.
So...
Sigh...
All things considered, he had no choice but to let the little demon down.
Just then, Luo Shuhe suddenly spoke up:
"Sweetheart, let’s go get bubble tea."
"Thirsty? I could use a drink too." Gu Luo felt a flicker of relief at her change of topic—until her next words twisted his heart again.
"I want something sweet."
"Mm... okay."
Luo Shuhe still held his arm, though her grip had loosened. Softly, she added, "Let’s go to Luckin Snow. I’ve grown fond of their grape taro balls lately."
"Mm... okay."
Gu Luo couldn’t help but recall their last visit—taking a photo together at Luckin Snow, sharing a cup of grape taro balls in the little park.
His heart churned with conflicting emotions.
And so, Gu Luo and Luo Shuhe stepped once more into the nearby Luckin Snow.
Having already placed their order via phone, they found an empty table and sat down.
From the walk over till now, Luo Shuhe had remained silent the entire time.
Gu Luo mirrored her quiet, his thoughts growing ever more tangled and conflicted.
Unable to resist, he glanced at the photo wall behind them.
At its center was their picture together.
In it, Luo Shuhe clung happily to his arm, her smile radiant and carefree.
His heart ached sharply again.
Gu Luo quickly looked away—only to catch Luo Shuhe staring at the same photo, her gaze distant.
In that moment, he desperately wanted to flee.
Because there was nothing he could do.
And no right to offer comfort.
Just then, the cheerful voice of the counter girl rang out:
"Order 269 is ready."
"Let’s go. To the little park." Luo Shuhe stood, casting one last glance at the photo before heading to the counter.
Watching her, Gu Luo opened his mouth as if to speak—but no words came.
Silently, he followed behind her.
His heart was a storm of complexity, emptiness, and unspeakable guilt.
If only he had firmly rejected her from the start, things wouldn’t have come to this.
A phrase the little demon had once said echoed in his mind—"Half-hearted rejection is no rejection at all."
In the end, it was his fault.
Soon, they reached the little park and settled onto the same bench as before.
Memories flooded in—
"Put my shoes on for me."
"...Do it yourself."
"I forgot how."
"Is this drink good?"
"Not bad."
"...Indirect kiss."
Contrary to Gu Luo’s expectations, Luo Shuhe simply sipped quietly at her grape taro balls, the straw between her lips.
No excuses to massage her feet, no talk of indirect kisses—just her lowered lashes and silent sips.
Compared to her usual cool dominance, she now seemed fragile, almost vulnerable.
Neither spoke as they drank their now-lukewarm grape taro balls.
After an immeasurable stretch of time, Luo Shuhe suddenly stood.
She set her half-finished drink on the bench, then bent to slip off her high-heeled sandals.
A pair of fair and delicate feet stepped onto the ground.
Seeing this, Gu Luo also set down the grape taro balls and asked in confusion:
"Shuhe, what are you doing?"
Instead of answering, Luo Shuhe pointed at a medium-sized tree across from them and countered, "Baby, what do you think of that tree?"
"What do you mean?" Gu Luo was puzzled.
Then, to his surprise, Luo Shuhe walked barefoot toward the tree and, without hesitation, began climbing it with surprising agility.
"Hey, be careful!"
Startled, Gu Luo quickly jogged over.
At that moment, Luo Shuhe was lifting her slender legs, searching for footholds.
Once she found the right spot, she took a deep breath, pushed up with her arms, arched her waist, and effortlessly pulled herself onto a lower branch.
Sitting on the branch, Luo Shuhe gently swung her legs. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting golden speckles across her skin.
A soft breeze brushed past, sending her silky hair fluttering wildly in the air.
She looked like a flower fairy born from nature itself—utterly enchanting.
Gu Luo stood beneath the tree, momentarily spellbound.
While marveling at her beauty, he couldn’t help but feel surprised that the usually unathletic little troublemaker knew how to climb trees.
After what felt like a long while, Luo Shuhe suddenly stood up slowly, causing the branch to sway slightly under her movement.
Balancing gracefully, the sunlight outlined her elegant figure.
Then, she turned her back to Gu Luo and, without warning, leaned backward, her hair tracing a perfect arc through the air.
Gu Luo’s heart leaped into his throat. Reacting instantly, he spread his arms wide.
He caught her securely in his embrace.
After a few seconds of recovery, he scolded with lingering fear:
"Shuhe, don’t play like that next time... It’s too dangerous."
Even if he was certain he’d catch her, recklessness was still recklessness.
But Luo Shuhe only smiled softly and replied, "You’d always catch me, wouldn’t you, baby?"
Hearing this, Gu Luo was both exasperated and amused. "You trust me that much?"
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