Only Gu Ximan was the clearest backdrop of his childhood.

"Luo Luo was the ringleader when he was little?" Feng Youqing perked up with interest.

"Yeah, Sister Youqing, you wouldn’t believe it—that rascal Gu Luo had quite a few little girlfriends back then, leaving a trail of admirers everywhere."

"Wow~~~" Feng Youqing sat up straighter, eyes sparkling. "So Luo Luo’s been a heartthrob since childhood?"

Gu Ximan tilted her head slightly, pondered for a moment, then nodded emphatically. "Pretty much! He was like a charmer straight out of a novel. The girls in his class fought to sit next to him, and even the older girls would find excuses to come downstairs just to sneak him snacks."

"He really was popular with the little girls."

After a pause, she added with a grin, "Though, in the end, all those snacks ended up in my stomach."

"Haha, I can totally picture it."

Beside them, Lu Xuexue’s cheeks flushed pink as she chimed in softly, "Big Brother Gu’s childhood photos—his lashes were long and curled, his eyes bright and sparkling. He was even more handsome than a child star. No wonder so many girls liked him."

Inwardly, she sighed wistfully. How wonderful it would’ve been if she’d known Big Brother Gu since they were little.

Gu Ximan, though tsundere by nature, absolutely loved hearing others praise Gu Luo.

She tucked a strand of her cool tea-brown hair behind her ear and smirked proudly. "Of course! If that rascal Gu Luo had been even a little bit of a player, he’d have had at least a thousand girlfriends back then. But no—his attention was all on me."

"Right, you rascal?"

At this, she lightly kicked Gu Luo, who had been quietly snacking beside her, with her little leather shoe.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, my little princess," Gu Luo replied, shooting her a resigned glance but humoring her nonetheless.

Ah, well. She was his little sister, after all. Spoiling her was just part of the deal.

And it wasn’t like she was wrong.

Back then, his world had revolved entirely around the delicate, clingy Gu Ximan. Too young to understand much, he’d been terrified she might vanish one day, like a kitten or puppy.

No matter where he went, he made sure to keep her close.

"Good answer. As a reward, the great Lady Ximan permits you to feed me," she declared, tilting her chin up and parting her rosy, cherry-like lips.

Gu Luo shook his head but obediently popped a potato chip into her mouth.

Holy moly!

The sweetness of the scene had Feng Youqing and Lu Xuexue practically swooning.

The sugar levels were off the charts—enough to send someone into a diabetic coma without an insulin shot.

Meanwhile, two desks ahead, two older brothers without little sisters of their own glared at Gu Luo with envy so thick it could curdle milk. The urge to strangle him for flaunting such sibling affection in public was overwhelming.

At his own desk, Situ Wenyao shuddered faintly, clearly riding a high from the sheer schadenfreude. The more others seethed with jealousy over Gu Luo, the more euphoric he felt.

Noticing Gu Luo had gone back to eating on his own, Gu Ximan immediately scolded, "Xuexue’s hugging me and can’t eat. Feed her too, you oblivious blockhead."

"Oh, right."

Without thinking, Gu Luo picked up another chip and held it to Lu Xuexue’s lips.

Lu Xuexue was flustered beyond belief. Blushing furiously, she murmured, "Th-thank you, Big Brother Gu," before hastily opening her mouth.

Her heart raced wildly—she could’ve kissed Ximan right then and there out of sheer gratitude.

The result? Feng Youqing fangirled harder, the class rep and monitor seethed with envy, and Situ Wenyao ascended to cloud nine.

Pleased with her masterful orchestration, Gu Ximan launched into more tales of Gu Luo’s youthful escapades—though she kept things vague.

Feng Youqing listened raptly, occasionally pressing Gu Luo for details.

But all she got was—"Uh, it was so long ago, I don’t really remember."

And he wasn’t lying. Those childhood playmates, the girls who’d slipped him love letters—they’d all blurred into faceless shadows.

Aside from a handful of classmates he could vaguely recall, most had faded into oblivion, not even leaving hazy impressions.

Gu Ximan alone remained the vivid backdrop of his childhood.

Everyone else?

Just passing scenery.

Not worth remembering.

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