Shuning Is Worth It

"Is Little Man doing okay?"

The night was slightly cool.

In the kitchen, Luo Shuning paused her cooking and turned to Gu Luo, who had just entered, with concern in her eyes.

"She's still sulking, but I promised her a bunch of things, so she’s in a slightly better mood now," Gu Luo replied wearily before moving to help.

"Don’t worry, just rest," Luo Shuning stopped him with a gentle touch, then wrapped her arms around him. "Xiao Bao, why did you say that earlier?"

She was referring to Gu Luo publicly choosing to share an umbrella with her.

Though it was a small thing, with all four sisters coming to pick him up, singling one out was bound to stir jealousy in the others.

Shuling and Xuexue might not mind much, but Little Man was a full-blown brother-con, her heart wholly devoted to Gu Luo—she was definitely upset.

The best solution would have been for her to be the one to step back.

"The reason is simple—I just wanted to share an umbrella with you, Shuning," Gu Luo murmured, pulling her slender waist closer. "Shuning, thank you for always being by my side and supporting me."

Over the past two months, Luo Shuning had been nothing short of a perfect partner, always the first to step up whenever he faced any trouble.

She was the first in the world to tell him, "You’ve worked hard," and "Preparing meals for the family every day is something truly great."

The first to squeeze toothpaste for him daily.

The first to offer to take him clothes shopping.

The first to understand his struggles and say, "I get it, big brother."

The first to reassure him by joking, "If things get tough, we can always run away together—I’ve got money."

The first to wake up early every morning to make breakfast and handle chores so he could sleep a little longer.

While everyone else was just waiting to see how he’d navigate the chaos, Luo Shuning was the one who stepped forward without hesitation.

There were too many instances to count.

Luo Shuning deserved this.

Not to mention, Gu Luo’s heart was now filled with guilt toward her.

Humans are biased by nature.

In that moment, Gu Luo had favored Luo Shuning.

He didn’t want to keep hesitating like before.

If he thought something, he would act on it, say it, express it.

If he was wrong, he’d swallow his pride and beg for forgiveness.

At worst, he’d get his legs broken.

People are complicated—sometimes, clarity comes in an instant.

"I’m so happy," Luo Shuning whispered, her heart warm and sweet as she nestled against Gu Luo’s chest, breathing in his scent.

Then, softly, she added, "I know how you feel, Xiao Bao. But no matter what happens in the future, we have to spoil Little Man first, okay?"

"Promise me?"

"Okay."

Gu Luo held her tighter.

A little angel would always be a little angel.

Luo Shuning was no different, wishing she could melt into him.

Both of them carried unspoken thoughts in their hearts.

Both hoped for the other’s forgiveness in the future.

And for that, they were willing to spend the rest of their lives making amends.

They stayed like that for a long, long time.

After dinner was ready, Gu Luo, who had been resting, arranged the fragrant, mouthwatering dishes on the table.

"Wow, that smells amazing!"

Luo Shuling, who had been curled up on the couch binge-watching dramas, scurried over eagerly, clearly ready to dig in.

Gu Luo poured water into everyone’s glasses and chuckled. "Eat up, then. Shuning made all this—her skills are on par with mine now."

"No way, yours are still the best," Luo Shuling protested, picking up a piece of stir-fried pork with her chopsticks. After a quick taste, she nodded approvingly. "Okay, it’s really good—definitely not some weird experimental dish anymore. But still not quite as good as yours."

"I could never match big brother in cooking," Luo Shuning said with a smile as she stepped out of the kitchen, heading upstairs in her slippers.

She knocked gently on Gu Ximan’s door. "Little Man, dinner’s ready."

After a moment, the door opened.

Gu Ximan’s mood was still subdued, but she looked much better than when she’d first come home from school.

"Little Man..."

Luo Shuning’s heart ached at the sight, her lips parting as if to say something before hesitating.

"I’m fine. Just being dramatic for a bit," Gu Ximan muttered, running a hand through her cool tea-brown hair. "I’m not unreasonable. You did the right thing earlier, Sister Ning... I was just being childish, not thinking about how hard it was for that idiot Gu Luo. Next time, I’ll learn from you."

After Xuexue’s earlier pep talk, she’d come to understand a lot.

But with that understanding came a growing unease.

"You’re such a good girl, Little Man. I’m so proud of you."

Luo Shuning genuinely saw Gu Ximan as a younger sister, and her heart swelled with joy at seeing her grow.

Gu Ximan flushed slightly at the praise. After exchanging a few more words, she headed downstairs.

Luo Shuning let out a quiet sigh of relief—but the moment she thought about knocking on Shu He’s door, her heart clenched again.

Taking a deep breath, she rapped lightly. "Shu He, dinner’s ready."

No response.

She knocked again. Still nothing.

A bad feeling settled in her chest. "Shu He, I’m coming in," she announced before pushing the door open.

The room was dark, the lights off. Empty.

Luo Shuning’s stomach dropped. Given the circumstances, this was the worst timing. She immediately pulled out her phone and dialed Shu He.

A woman’s husky singing voice played through the speaker.

Then, the call connected.

"Hello?"

"Shu He, where are you?" Luo Shuning asked urgently.

"Don’t worry, I just went out to clear my head."

"Alone? Where did you go?"

"Sister Wang is driving me around. We’ve already left Caizhou. Don’t worry, I’ll be back by Monday for school."

Hearing that Sister Wang—their mother’s bodyguard—was with her, Luo Shuning relaxed slightly. But her voice remained heavy with concern. "Shu He... I’m sorry..."

For Shu He to leave Caizhou at a time like this—it was clearly because of her and Gu Luo.

Guilt.

Overwhelming guilt.

"No need to apologize. Just do your best, sis. I’ll hang up now—still eating."

"...Okay."

The call ended.

Luo Shuning slowly sank onto the bed, her emotions in turmoil.

She was such a failure.

A complete failure.

Shu He had gone this far for her.

And in comparison, what had she, as the older sister, done?

Luo Shuning lowered her head, covering her face as her silky hair cascaded forward.

She sat like that for who knows how long.

Then, suddenly, she remembered what Shuling had said earlier that day.

Shu He had cried. Crouched in front of the wardrobe, clutching a box.

With that in mind, Luo Shuning stood and walked to the wardrobe. Just as she reached for the handle, Gu Luo’s voice came from the doorway.

"Shuning... Huh? Where’s Shu He?"

Luo Shuning froze. After a pause, she replied softly, "Shu He said she went out to clear her mind. She’ll be back by Monday."

......

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