You Like Me, I Like You

Lu Xuexue's implied meaning was naturally—"I want to make desserts for Brother Gu Luo for a lifetime."

Going a step further, it meant—"I want to be with you forever."

But for now, this burning affection had to be carefully wrapped in subtle words.

Everything still revolved around Ximan.

As long as she closely followed Gu Ximan's lead, she would eventually achieve the blissful trio life she dreamed of—the warm, everyday happiness she longed for.

"...Huh?"

Gu Luo was momentarily stunned, clearly not expecting Lu Xuexue to make such a request.

Wasn’t this just letting him have his cake and eat it too?

Then again, this was exactly the kind of thing the delicate, soft-spoken little girl would say.

After a moment’s thought, he smiled helplessly and said, "This still feels like I’m taking advantage... How about this, Xuexue—if you ever need help with anything, just come to me. Consider it me owing you a favor..."

This was the only way to handle it.

Sigh. He really couldn’t afford to get blackout drunk again and risk another awkward situation like this.

"Mhm, thank you, Brother Gu." Lu Xuexue’s eyes brightened as she nodded eagerly, her adorable demeanor making it impossible not to feel fondness for her.

"...N-No problem."

Though Gu Luo found the conversation a little strange, he couldn’t help but be charmed by Xuexue’s sweet, gentle nature.

He silently compared the two in his mind: the tenderness of an angel, dignified, graceful, and wise, like the bright warmth of morning sunlight; and the tenderness of a little girl, shy and bashful, like the soft serenity of moonlight.

Both were utterly endearing.

"...Brother Gu, could you wake Ximan up? The porridge is almost ready."

Lu Xuexue was still too shy to be alone with Gu Luo for long. After murmuring the words, her gaze flitting about, she quickly turned and hurried into the kitchen.

Her face and ears remained flushed the entire time.

Seeing this, Gu Luo could only assume she was still awkward around boys and didn’t dare read too much into it.

Just like how he had once deceived himself about his feelings for Shu He.

After all, last night, he’d touched places he shouldn’t have, yet the girl hadn’t held it against him. Instead, she’d immediately checked on his well-being and even apologized first.

Even the densest guy couldn’t miss the affection hidden in those actions.

Shaking his head with mixed emotions, Gu Luo sighed and headed upstairs to wake the little sleepyhead who was supposed to be taking care of him but was still dead to the world.

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

"Xuexue... don’t... not there..."

"Nn... here..."

"...push..."

Gu Ximan was currently hugging her blanket tightly, her face flushed.

Clearly, she was dreaming of something... not suited for this season.

—A vision of her future blissful life with Gu Luo and Lu Xuexue.

Gu Luo stood frozen beside the bed, his expression deeply conflicted, his brain buzzing as if his CPU was overheating.

Wait... what?

It was understandable for a teenage girl like Ximan to have romantic dreams.

But why was the subject her best friend, Lu Xuexue?

Hiss...

Had all his previous assumptions been wrong?

Gu Luo pressed a hand to his forehead, lost in thought.

First, the reason Xuexue had been able to sleep with her head on his arm last night must have been because Ximan allowed it.

But Ximan, as a severe brother-con and self-proclaimed "Caizhou’s Little Jealousy Jar," would never let another girl get close to him—not even her closest friend.

Yet this created a clear logical contradiction.

Therefore.

By eliminating the impossible, whatever remained, no matter how improbable, had to be the truth.

And that truth was—Gu Ximan and Lu Xuexue weren’t just ordinary best friends.

Suddenly, everything made sense.

Gu Ximan really did have someone she liked—and that person was Lu Xuexue.

But bound by societal norms, she could only claim to like boys.

Their past conflicts might have stemmed from this unspoken affection.

And the fact that Xuexue was still here now suggested they had already...

This also explained why she hadn’t been angry about last night—because she liked girls.

...And they were practically family.

The more Gu Luo thought about it, the more it made sense. No wonder Ximan had repeatedly declared she’d stay with him forever without marrying—part of it was because she couldn’t marry Xuexue.

Of course, these were just bold conjectures.

He couldn’t definitively conclude their relationship based solely on sleep-talking.

He’d have to observe further.

But if it were true...

Gu Luo sat on the edge of the bed, his emotions tangled, half-worried and half-relieved.

Worried about Ximan’s perspective on love and the societal disapproval they’d face.

Relieved that if Ximan and Xuexue were really together, they could both stay with him in the future, and Ximan wouldn’t be lonely in private.

But no matter what, he would support Ximan’s choices.

Loving someone was never wrong.

Gu Luo had been stuck between an angel and a devil, trembling in fear. If the tsundere and the little girl really got together, it might actually ease some of the pressure.

At least it wouldn’t be one against four.

Having sorted through his thoughts, he let out a quiet sigh of relief before transforming into a chanting monk.

"Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up..."

"Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up..."

"......"

By the fortieth "wake up," Gu Ximan finally stirred from her dream, blinking dazedly at the blanket she was clutching.

Then she noticed something off about herself and, still half-asleep, mumbled:

"Stupid Gu Luo... is it raining outside? Did you leave the window open?"

Huh?!

"Huh? No..." Gu Luo was momentarily confused before realization struck.

Oh boy.

Ohhh boy.

This was undeniable proof.

"Ahem..."

He coughed awkwardly before quickly making his way to the door, calling over his shoulder, "Get up already. Xuexue’s made porridge..."

"Okay..."

Gu Ximan nodded sleepily, about to laze in bed a little longer—until something clicked in her mind, and she jolted fully awake.

Her face instantly burned crimson.

Clutching the hem of her nightgown, she bolted back to her room at top speed.

Ten minutes later.

Now dressed and freshly washed, Gu Ximan walked into the dining area with flushed cheeks, too embarrassed to sit beside Gu Luo as usual. Instead, she took the seat across from him.

Then, fixing him with an intense stare, she bit her lower lip and asked, "Stupid Gu Luo... how long were you in my room earlier? Did you... see anything?"

"Hmm?"

Gu Luo, who had been pretending to fiddle with his phone, looked up in confusion and replied, "I just got here. What would I have seen? There's nothing in my room, right?"

"Hmph, it better be that way."

Gu Ximan puffed up her delicate cheeks, secretly relieved.

It was good if he hadn’t seen anything. But even if he had, it didn’t matter.

"The congee is ready."

Lu Xuexue walked over with a bowl of congee, placing the first serving in front of Gu Luo.

"Thanks," Gu Luo smiled faintly.

"Xuexue, you don’t love me anymore. You didn’t give me the first bowl," Gu Ximan pouted even harder, looking like an adorable little hamster.

"Manman... We stayed behind to take care of Brother Gu, remember?"

"Oh... right."

Only then did Gu Ximan remember her mission. She was about to get up and help when Lu Xuexue gently pressed her back down.

"It’s fine. Manman and Brother Gu can just wait and enjoy the meal."

"Xuexue is the best~~~"

On the surface, Gu Luo smiled as he admired the fragrant lean meat congee before him, but secretly, he was observing the two of them.

Honestly, their interactions were undeniably sweet.

Kinda makes me want to ship them.

"Stupid Gu Luo, since today’s a special occasion, this gorgeous girl will reluctantly let you have this one," Gu Ximan declared, stretching out her flawless legs and plopping them right onto his lap.

Her tiny toes wiggled mischievously.

"Gee, thanks."

If he weren’t busy eating, Gu Luo would’ve definitely tickled the soles of her feet.

Meanwhile, Lu Xuexue, who had been about to fetch more congee from the kitchen, froze in place at the sight, instantly becoming a shipper.

So sweet!

Just imagining all the moments she could witness between these two in the future filled her heart with joy.

Soon, three bowls of congee were set on the table.

Gu Ximan scooped up a spoonful, blew on it, and took a bite. Her eyes sparkled as she gave Lu Xuexue a thumbs-up.

"So good!"

"Mm, Xuexue’s cooking really is amazing," Gu Luo, a seasoned cook himself, gave high praise.

"Not at all, it’s just simple congee," Lu Xuexue’s cheeks flushed pink at their compliments, her heart as sweet as honey.

Gu Ximan wasn’t one to freeload without contributing. She immediately played wingman, putting on an exaggerated act. "Whoever gets to marry Xuexue in the future is gonna be the luckiest person ever. Right, stupid Gu Luo?"

"Absolutely."

Gu Luo nodded in agreement, guessing that Xiaoman was giving him a heads-up.

Even if the two of them couldn’t legally marry, being together would still make them family.

Touched by her best friend’s support, Lu Xuexue gently blew on a spoonful of congee and held it to Gu Ximan’s lips.

"Ah~"

"Ah~~~"

Gu Ximan ate it without hesitation, understanding it as Xuexue’s way of thanking her.

Don’t worry, Xuexue.

Since we’re in this love alliance together, I’ll make sure to sing your praises in front of stupid Gu Luo.

Meanwhile, Gu Luo sipped his congee quietly, nearly overwhelmed by the sweetness of the scene before him.

Watching these two soft, fragrant beauties interact so affectionately, even he had to admit—

Yeah, this is totally shippable.

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

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