I Believe in You

"We won!"

Luo Shuling's eyes sparkled as she clapped her hands joyfully, her soft short hair swaying gently with her cheers.

Her voice was as sweet as a handful of strawberry candy.

"Nice job, Luo Luo!"

As Situ Wenyao's girlfriend, Feng Youqing immediately joined in, clapping enthusiastically.

Luo Shuning stayed silent but wore a faint smile.

Meanwhile, Gu Ximan proudly lifted her chin, swelling with pride.

She just loved seeing that smug Gu Luo steal the spotlight.

And she had known from the start that he would win.

The reason she had offered to wash Gu Luo's feet as a bet was simple...

Someone here had a foot fetish...

Ahem...

Who said a pretty girl couldn't be a foot enthusiast?

Lu Xuexue's face remained flushed the entire time, her heart cheering wildly inside.

Even though it was just a simple arm-wrestling match between boys,

as long as Gu Luo emerged victorious, she and the other girls—his "little sisters"—would be overjoyed.

The girls in the classroom erupted in cheers, with one near the front even waving her textbook like a fan sign, the rustling pages mixing with chants of "Gu-senpai is so cool!"

Meanwhile,

the boys, led by the class sports rep, were practically green with envy.

This "Haji Yao" had acted all tough earlier, only to get crushed like a noob in a side lane.

And now, Gu Ximan—one of Guangya High's most admired goddesses—was going to wash Gu Luo's feet tonight.

Unable to contain their bitterness, they started mocking Situ Wenyao:

"Seriously, Haji Yao, you’re so weak!"

"I actually believed you had a chance. What a joke."

"That’s it? That’s all you’ve got?"

"Say something, Haji Yao. Quit pretending to be dead."

"......"

Just then, Feng Youqing shot them a fierce glare. "What’s all the noise about? If you’re not happy, why don’t you challenge Luo Luo yourselves?"

"Too scared to even try, yet you still have the nerve to talk?"

"Keep it up, and I’ll crack your skulls open."

Situ Wenyao was her man, and aside from herself and Gu Luo, she wouldn’t let anyone bully him.

Hearing this, the sports rep cracked his knuckles and stepped forward.

"Fine, I’ll take him on."

His emotions were the most tangled.

At first, he’d had feelings for Gu Ximan, but she was a hopeless brother-con, devoted solely to Gu Luo—rumor had it she’d even vowed never to marry if it meant staying by his side.

Later, he found himself drawn to Feng Youqing’s bold, straightforward personality, but she was already taken—by his own bro, no less.

Now, not only was he still single, but he’d somehow become half of a "CP" with Situ Wenyao, constantly subjected to gossip wherever he went.

Who the hell could he even complain to about this?

With a sigh, he nudged Situ Wenyao, who was face-down on the desk, his shoulders trembling slightly.

"Quit faking it. Get up."

But to the fujoshis in the back row, his words took on a whole different meaning.

A girl by the window adjusted her glasses sharply, her pen flying across her notebook—

"Sports rep avenging his CP! Haji Yao playing dead is so hot, and that shoulder pat? Peak boyfriend energy!"

"Ship them so hard!"

"First Gu-senpai and his harem of sisters."

"Now Haji Yao and the sports rep."

"My sugar levels are off the charts!"

Meanwhile,

Situ Wenyao was having the time of his life.

No, seriously—he was loving this.

In this battle between men, no matter the outcome, he won either way.

If he won? Awesome.

If Gu Luo won? Imagining himself in Gu Luo’s shoes? Even better.

Little sisters bringing umbrellas, defeating a clown (himself), sisters cheering, a sister washing his feet...

All garnished with the salty envy of other guys.

Pure. Bliss.

So overwhelmed with joy, he buried his face in his arms and let out a muffled groan.

Gu Luo, however, was preoccupied with Luo Shuhe’s whereabouts. Eyeing the eager sports rep, he cleared his throat.

"I’ll go to the restroom first. We’ll settle this when I’m back."

After exchanging quick glances with the girls, he grabbed his phone and hurried out of the classroom.

The men’s restroom tiles gleamed coldly under the lights as Gu Luo stood by the window, dialing Luo Shuhe’s number.

The ringtone that answered was a melancholic love song—

"Raindrops cling to my fingers, like the words you left unspoken..."

The lyrics made Gu Luo’s heart sink. He grew even more anxious.

One second.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

His pulse raced as worry gnawed at him.

This was the first time Luo Shuhe hadn’t picked up immediately.

She’d always answered his calls without fail, no matter the time.

Just as he was about to dash through the rain to the calligraphy club, the call connected.

Relief flooded him, and he blurted out,

"Where are you?"

His voice was laced with urgency and fear.

But there was no immediate reply.

After a long silence, Luo Shuhe’s calm voice finally came through:

"What are you afraid of, brother?"

Now it was Gu Luo’s turn to go quiet.

Right—what was he so afraid of?

Luo Shuhe was a grown woman, a wealthy heiress. What could possibly happen to her in broad daylight?

Besides, given the awkwardness between them now, why would she come bring him an umbrella like the other girls?

Taking a steadying breath, he forced his tone to even out.

"I... just finished an arm-wrestling match. That’s why I sound a bit off."

He quickly changed the subject.

"Where are you right now?"

"Outside."

"Outside where?"

"Just clearing my head. Since you’ve already made your choice, why bother asking? Trying to play the considerate big brother now?"

"...Well, as your brother, I—"

"Stop." Her voice cut in, cool and sharp.

"A playboy is still a playboy."

"......"

Silence stretched between them again.

Gu Luo stared at the drizzling rain outside, his emotions a tangled mess.

Finally, after what felt like forever, Luo Shuhe spoke softly:

"Relax. I just asked the family driver to take me for a ride."

"Family driver? You mean Dad?"

Gu Luo’s first thought was their ever-doting father.

"Dad would be upset if he heard you say that. It’s another driver—one of Mom’s bodyguards."

"Oh..."

Just as Gu Luo started to relax, Luo Shuhe added:

"So, why were you so scared? And how did you know I left campus?"

"......"

Gu Luo faltered.

How was he supposed to answer that?

After a pause, he replied like some cryptic fortune-teller, his tone airy:

"What if I said... it was a man’s sixth sense? Would you believe me?"

He expected her to dismiss it as nonsense.

But to his surprise,

"I believe you."

Her voice remained calm, yet carried an unspoken tenderness.

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

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