Muddled and Confused

Better a bitter ending than an endless sorrow.

Though Gu Luo knew Gu Ximan and Lu Xuexue shared an unusual relationship, he couldn’t help worrying about his younger sister’s state of mind—after all, she had grown up by his side.

But the arrow was already on the bowstring; there was no turning back.

Before Sunday, he had to secure Gu Ximan’s approval.

Might as well do it now.

"V-very... very important?" Gu Ximan instinctively straightened her posture, her feet arching slightly as her fingers twisted her hair faster, betraying her nervousness. "Wh-what is it...?"

Her mind was flooded with images—her chest flushed red from his touch, and Lu Xuexue’s words about how Gu Luo had always harbored feelings for her.

Could it be...?

Was he finally going to lay his cards on the table...?

So... so embarrassing...

"Mmm..." Gu Luo held her delicate, smooth foot in his hand, taking a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking carefully, "Back at Xuexue’s place... Ximan, didn’t you say you wanted to stay with me and Xuexue together? I... I understand what you both meant..."

He paused, took a deep breath, and cut straight to the point:

"Actually... there’s a girl I like... and... I plan to confess to her on Sunday. I just... didn’t know how to tell you, Ximan..."

Gu Ximan’s mind went blank.

C-confess... this Sunday?!

What the hell was this idiot saying?

First, he hinted at their complicated trio dynamic, then mentioned liking some girl.

That girl was obviously her, right?

Then why not just say it outright? Why beat around the bush now?

But given their unique circumstances, being too direct would be... pretty awkward...

Some things were better left unsaid.

At that thought, her cheeks visibly flushed, the redness spreading to her neck and ears. She turned her face slightly away, mumbling,

"D-does... Dad know?"

No matter what, they were siblings who had grown up together. Even without blood ties, if Dad found out... his reaction would be complicated, to say the least.

He might actually break Gu Luo’s legs.

Huh?

Gu Luo was taken aback by her response.

Why was her first concern about Dad?

Did Ximan already know about him and Shu Ning?

Since when was she this perceptive?

Most surprising of all—she wasn’t throwing a tantrum.

Guess Ximan and Xuexue really were the real deal.

Then again, dreaming about Xuexue in ways unfit for the season was proof enough.

Steadying himself, Gu Luo nodded.

"Yeah, he knows... and he agreed."

Gu Ximan let out a quiet sigh of relief. Who knew this blockhead could be so reliable?

But since he was still too shy to say it outright, she played along vaguely, "Stupid... stupid Gu Luo, is the girl you like... pretty?"

A deadly question.

Gu Luo panicked—if he said "pretty," Ximan might press him to compare Shu Ning to herself. Thinking fast, he replied, "Just like Ximan, she’s the prettiest girl in the world."

To Gu Ximan’s ears, that translated to: "My Ximan is the prettiest girl in the world."

Ugh, why was he still being so roundabout?

At this point, who cared if they’d grown up as siblings? What was there to be shy about?

Stupid Gu Luo was just... stupid.

"Alright, alright, this pretty girl gets it. You’re so dumb." Gu Ximan fanned her burning cheeks with her hands before suddenly pulling her feet out of the water, splashing droplets all over Gu Luo’s face.

A few even landed in his mouth.

Before he could react—not even a "bleh"—Gu Ximan shooed him away.

"Out, out! This pretty girl needs to... process things alone."

Gu Luo slowly stood, hesitating. "So... you’re okay with it?"

"I didn’t say that! Ugh, you’re so annoying—get out!"

Gu Ximan was at her wit’s end. How could he ask something like that before she’d even heard his Sunday confession? Where was the fun in that?

Seeing her tsundere act, Gu Luo finally relaxed. Who knew it’d be this easy?

"Then... get some rest, Ximan. If you can’t sleep tonight, you know where to find me."

After all, their days of sharing a room were numbered.

With that, he carried the foot basin out of her room.

Gu Ximan was stunned.

Now that everything was out in the open, he was inviting her to his bed if she couldn’t sleep?

Was this... a not-so-subtle hint at something more?

She hadn’t even agreed to be his girlfriend yet!

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