Shu He

"It's... it's nothing..."

Luo Shuning absentmindedly rubbed the petals between her fingers, her mind drifting back to last night's gaming session when she'd been instantly headshot. A flush crept up her cheeks, tinting them pink, while the tips of her ears turned a deep crimson.

Her heart raced uncontrollably.

She couldn't even bear to replay that scene in her head.

"Ahem..."

Gu Luo also felt a little awkward. Seeing Luo Shuning fall into silence, he quickly changed the subject: "Oh, right—during the long break today, Little Man had a long chat with our class's English representative. They shared childhood stories and even swapped old photos. Little Man said she’s planning to dig through her photo albums when she gets home tonight."

"Shuning, you must’ve been adorable as a kid. Do you have any photos? I’d love to see."

At this, Luo Shuning's lashes fluttered, snapping her out of her bashful daze. A fleeting complexity crossed her expression before she replied softly, "...I do, but all the old ones are back at home. If you really want to see, we could stop by after school tomorrow."

Gu Luo knew the "home" she meant was the place where the Luo sisters had grown up—now the house where Aunt Luo and his stepfather lived.

Since moving into the apartment with Little Man, he hadn’t visited that house yet, so the idea intrigued him. He nodded. "Sure, let’s go tomorrow. I’m curious to see how cute little Shuning was."

"...Not that cute."

Luo Shuning hesitated, carefully choosing her words before suddenly stopping in her tracks. She looked up at Gu Luo and asked in a quiet voice,

"Gu Luo... what if... what if I was really hard to get along with as a kid? Like... completely different from how I am now... Would you still..."

She glanced around—they were on a secluded path, with only a group of gossiping students ahead and no one else nearby—before finishing her question: "Would you still like me?"

"Of course."

Gu Luo answered without hesitation, then grinned. "Even if you were a little terror back then, you’re gentle now, aren’t you? People change. I used to be super edgy as a kid, daydreaming about running off to be a wandering swordsman."

Pausing, he naturally laced his fingers through hers, their palms pressing together as warmth and affection flowed between them. "As long as it’s you—as long as it’s Shuning—I’ll always like you."

Hearing these heartfelt words, Luo Shuning’s heart felt wrapped in soft cotton, warm and fuzzy.

The corners of her lips curled into a sweet, intoxicating smile as she glanced down at their intertwined hands. Shyly, she murmured,

"Everyone at school thinks we’re step-siblings right now... Is it really okay for us to hold hands like this in public?"

"Don’t worry. Once we talk to Little Man in the next couple of days, we can make it official on Sunday." Gu Luo tightened his grip, adding, "This morning, that same English rep asked me if I liked anyone."

"And what did you say?"

"I told her she’d find out next week."

"Mhm." Luo Shuning beamed, though she gently pulled her hand free when she noticed students approaching from behind. With a soft smile, she said, "After Sunday, we can hold hands as much as we want."

Her mind was already painting scenes of their romantic Sunday at East Lake Park, imagining the moment they’d confess their feelings for each other.

She’d probably even shed a few happy tears.

She couldn’t help but wonder what gift Gu Luo would prepare or what sweet, embarrassing words he’d say during his confession. Just thinking about it made her giddy.

But until then, she’d have to keep a close eye on Shu He—no surprises could be allowed. Everything had to go perfectly for their relationship to officially begin on Sunday.

"Yeah, once we get Little Man’s blessing, everything will fall into place." Gu Luo was in high spirits too.

He’d once thought Little Man would be the hardest hurdle, but who knew she’d end up having feelings for Xuexue?

Naturally, he’d support her all the way.

Most importantly, after Sunday, he’d need to clarify things once and for all with that little demon.

Between them, it could only ever be sibling affection—nothing more.

He just hoped nothing would go wrong.

Chatting and laughing, the two lost themselves in their sweet little world as they arrived at the fifth floor of the club building—home to the Pure Music Society.

The club still used the old music room, and most members were familiar faces.

Only the plaque had been replaced, with the words "Pure Music Society" now accompanied by a smaller line beneath: For the Love of Music—a declaration of the club’s philosophy.

The moment Gu Luo and Luo Shuning stepped inside, the members immediately stopped playing their instruments and greeted them enthusiastically:

"President! Gu Luo!"

"President, why were you two absent yesterday?"

"Gu Luo, you look even cooler than last time!"

"Am I the only one who thinks the president and Gu Luo look perfect together?"

"Hey, Gu Luo belongs to all of us!"

"No seats left! No seats!"

"..."

Gu Luo chuckled, responding to each greeting with a smile as they walked further in.

If it weren't necessary, Gu Luo really didn’t feel like coming to the Pure Music Club.

As for why—these fangirls were downright terrifying.

No sooner had he started talking than they began getting handsy, completely ignoring his protests.

They crowded around him without restraint, their enthusiasm overwhelming.

Watching Gu Luo surrounded by a swarm of female club members, Vice President Ren Lei walked up to Luo Shuning with a teasing grin. "Your little treasure is getting manhandled like this, and you’re not even jealous?"

As Luo Shuning’s closest friend, she knew all about the dynamics between the two.

Luo Shuning simply smiled. "He’s still single right now. What can I say?"

"Wow, you’re really generous," Ren Lei said, raising a thumbs-up before shaking her head dramatically. "If it were me, anyone who dared flirt with my man would get their hair pulled. I’d fight them if I had to."

"Because I trust him. Even after we’re together on Sunday, I won’t interfere too much."

"Tsk, as expected of—" Ren Lei suddenly froze mid-sentence. "Wait, what? You and Gu Luo are officially getting together this Sunday?"

"Mm-hmm."

Luo Shuning’s smile was radiant, her happiness practically overflowing.

"Then... are you going public with it?"

"Mm-hmm."

"But... you’re step-siblings..."

"Well..."

Luo Shuning’s eyes curved into crescents as she leaned in and whispered the explanation into Ren Lei’s ear.

Meanwhile, Gu Luo, trapped by his fangirls, couldn’t focus on practicing his instrument. Seizing an opportunity, he slipped away to buy drinks.

Of course, for him, practicing was just for show—he played purely on a whim. When it came time to perform, his system could handle it effortlessly.

After leaving the club, Gu Luo headed straight for the nearby vending machine, only to find a bright "Out of Order" sign taped to it.

He didn’t leave immediately. Instead, he stood there, staring through the glass at the cans of Cosi-Cola inside.

When he first transferred to this school, he’d bought three cans here—one of which Ren Lei had famously poured over Naqu Meimei. That incident had truly brought him into Luo Shuning’s world.

Looking back now, it felt like it had just happened yesterday.

After a moment, Gu Luo turned and took the elevator down to the third floor, planning to use the vending machine there instead.

He’d grab drinks for Shuning and Ren Lei too.

But as he walked down the hallway, Luo Shuhe emerged from the restroom.

Their eyes met.

Gu Luo felt an inexplicable awkwardness but still raised a hand in greeting, gesturing toward the vending machine—Want something, Shu He?

Luo Shuhe wiped her hands with a tissue, then walked over expressionlessly, her entire demeanor radiating cold detachment.

"What would you like?" Gu Luo asked, forcing his tone to sound casual as he scanned the vending machine’s QR code with his phone.

Luo Shuhe crossed her arms. "Does my brother really not know what I like to drink?"

"..."

Thinking back, he often brought drinks for Luo Shuning and Luo Shuling when visiting the club or the public service committee, but he’d never once bought anything for Luo Shuhe. He genuinely had no idea.

Mentally bracing for trouble—she was, after all, the little demon—he was surprised when she simply said, "Yogurt is fine."

"Ah—right."

Gu Luo quickly bought drinks for everyone and handed the yogurt to Luo Shuhe.

"Thanks."

Accepting it, she offered a quiet word of gratitude before turning to leave without another glance.

No teasing, no lingering—not even a hint of her usual mischief.

Clutching the cans, Gu Luo watched Luo Shuhe’s slender figure grow smaller down the hallway, an unexpected pang of discomfort tightening in his chest.

He’d braced for her to lash out in these final days, to play the victim or act pitiful—but never had he imagined she’d be this indifferent. So indifferent it unsettled him.

Before he could think, his mouth moved on its own.

"Shu He!"

She stopped, slowly turning back to look at him with calm, unreadable eyes.

Now that he had her attention, Gu Luo faltered, suddenly unsure what to say.

In the long, silent hallway, the boy and the girl stood facing each other.

A breeze drifted through, lifting strands of their hair and stirring something intangible in the air between them.

Then, without hesitation, the girl turned away again.

Leaving the boy with nothing but her retreating figure.

Until she disappeared entirely at the end of the corridor.

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

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