Sunday

The day had arrived—Sunday.

Morning light spilled through the window like honey, golden patches creeping over half of the boy’s face, dancing on his lashes like a gentle sea.

Gu Luo suddenly opened his eyes in the haze between sleep and wakefulness, then bolted upright with a start.

His mind was unusually clear.

Today, he would officially confess his feelings to his little angel.

This would be his first love—and his forever.

After thoroughly convincing himself to embrace being a scoundrel, Gu Luo felt a pang of guilt, yet also an odd sense of relief.

This complicated emotion spread through him, hardening his resolve to face any consequence—even if it meant breaking a leg.

Shu Ning and Shu He—he wouldn’t give up on either of the sisters.

Right now, Gu Luo desperately wanted to see Luo Shuning. The thought propelled him out of bed, slipping on his slippers before striding straight to her door.

After smoothing his sleep-mussed hair and adjusting his pajamas, he knocked lightly, heart brimming with anticipation.

The door opened moments later.

But what greeted him was Luo Shuning’s face, shadowed by faint dark circles, her complexion weary.

Startled, Gu Luo immediately reached out to steady her, afraid she might collapse. "Sweetheart, are you feeling unwell?" he asked, pressing a hand to her forehead to check for fever.

"I…"

Seeing the worry in Gu Luo’s eyes, Luo Shuning’s chest ached. She shook her head softly. "It’s nothing… I just couldn’t sleep last night."

Truthfully, she hadn’t slept well for days.

But last night was the worst.

She’d tossed and turned through the first half of the night, and even when she dozed off later, she’d jolted awake repeatedly.

Each time, she dreamed of Luo Shuhe crying alone in her room.

"Insomnia? Then you should rest more," Gu Luo said, guiding her back to bed. He knew her sleeplessness was tied to the confession planned for that afternoon, but now wasn’t the time to press.

"Xiao Bao…"

Once settled under the covers, Luo Shuning hesitated, her heart tangled in knots. She closed her eyes, forcing a soft smile. "Can you stay with me? I really need to sleep a little longer…"

"Of course."

Without hesitation, Gu Luo climbed into bed beside her, pulling her tightly into his arms. "Is the pressure too much? Maybe we should postpone this aftern—"

Before he could finish, Luo Shuning buried her face against his chest, cutting him off. "It’s fine… I just need to rest…"

"Really?"

"Really. Just sleepy," she murmured, voice muffled and thick with exhaustion. Then she pressed a light kiss to his cheek.

"Sleep, then. I’m here."

Gu Luo gently stroked her back.

Luo Shuning kept her eyes closed, inhaling the boy’s scent as if committing it to memory. A small smile curled her lips, as though she’d finally settled something in her heart. "Xiao Bao, Xiao Bao, Xiao Bao," she whispered, repeating it like a chant.

"I’m here, I’m here, I’m here," he answered each time. "I’ll always be here."

"Mmm. I just wanted to say your name a few more times."

"We’ve got our whole lives ahead of us. You can say it as much as you want."

"…Okay."

Her lashes fluttered slightly before she let out a quiet sigh.

Held close in each other’s arms, Luo Shuning’s breathing soon evened out into the steady rhythm of deep sleep.

Gu Luo watched her for a moment, then kissed her forehead and closed his own eyes, drifting off as well.

In his dream, he held both Shu Ning and Shu He in his arms, the three of them lost in tender affection.

Just as the mood deepened, his cheap excuse for a father barged in, gripping a wooden rod.

Aunt Luo stood behind him, her calm gaze sharper than any blade—like a judge delivering a death sentence.

Gu Luo startled, instinctively shielding the sisters behind him.

But before he could speak, his father swung the rod with a furious crack—straight at his legs.

———

While Gu Luo dozed (and suffered nightmares) with Shuning in his arms…

At the same time, in a certain little girl’s bedroom…

"Manman, this shade is too light. Try another one."

At the vanity, Lu Xuexue carefully applied makeup to an energetic Gu Ximan.

Dressed in the pleated skirt Gu Luo had gifted her, Gu Ximan’s legs were sheathed in white stockings—smooth and delicate as moonlit milk pudding, with soft creases pooling at her knees.

The sight was breathtaking, impossible to look away from.

If ever there was a definition of "legs worth obsessing over," this was it.

"Hum hum hum~"

Gu Ximan stood on tiptoe, happily humming a tune. The lace at her ankles stretched into graceful arcs, revealing glimpses of fair skin.

She couldn’t possibly be happier.

After today, her relationship with Gu Luo would change—completely.

According to Lu Xuexue's analysis, the reason Gu Luo didn’t choose to share an umbrella with her back then was because the two of them were about to become a couple, which naturally made their relationship more intimate than that with his younger sister from the Luo family.

Chinese people often tend to be more considerate toward relatives who are less close to them on the surface.

For example, if their own child and a relative’s child are together, they’d instinctively offer food to the relative’s child first.

Though Gu Ximan always found this explanation rather far-fetched, she could still accept it.

After all, Gu Luo had already agreed to the three of them living together in the future, so suddenly pulling such a move made no sense otherwise.

Feeling giddy, Gu Ximan wore a silly grin and asked:

"Xuexue, what kind of surprise do you think that idiot Gu Luo has prepared for us?"

"Let me think..." Lu Xuexue didn’t react at first, then suddenly paused what she was doing and asked in confusion:

"Us?"

"Yeah, us."

Hearing this, Lu Xuexue’s heartbeat quickened. She thought Gu Luo might have revealed some plan to Gu Ximan in advance, her voice tense yet hopeful:

"But... but Brother Gu only confessed to you, Manman..."

"Xuexue, you should know Gu Luo well too." Gu Ximan glanced at Lu Xuexue’s reflection in the mirror, her cheeks already tinged with a faint blush, and declared confidently:

"That idiot is really kind-hearted. Since he’s already said the three of us can live together in the future, it means he’s accepted you, Xuexue. And if he’s accepted you, he’d never neglect you."

"Besides, I’m not going to enjoy this confession alone. I’m definitely bringing you along—why else would I have you help me fold lucky stars?"

"Because this is a gift from both of us sisters to that idiot Gu Luo."

Listening intently, Lu Xuexue’s eyes gradually reddened.

Her heart swelled with overwhelming gratitude.

Manman had sacrificed so, so much for her.

Even among the closest of friends, how many would willingly share the person they loved most?

As someone with an extreme brother complex, Gu Ximan must have wrestled with this decision for a long, long time, enduring so much pain.

The weight of this gesture was immeasurable.

"Hey, why are you crying?"

Gu Ximan affectionately looped her arm around Lu Xuexue’s, then suddenly narrowed her eyes and said slyly:

"But... Xuexue, if you’re really that touched, then tonight... you’ll come with me to book a hotel room, hehe..."

"As long as we’re willing, that big pervert Gu Luo will definitely take the bait."

"Let me tell you, these past few nights, I’ve been dreaming about some really... exciting stuff..."

""

"......"

Lu Xuexue, who had been blushing with shyness and emotion, gradually widened her eyes in shock.

Her face turned visibly red at an alarming speed, spreading to her neck and earlobes—as if she might start dripping blood any second.

Just as Gu Ximan was enthusiastically explaining the uses of chocolate sauce and whipped cream, Lu Xuexue finally couldn’t take it anymore and stammered out an interruption:

"M-Manman... where... where do you even get these ideas...?"

"Ahem..."

Gu Ximan cleared her throat, her own face now slightly flushed, but she feigned composure, lifting her chin proudly:

"I... I just couldn’t help thinking about those things before bed lately... so I... kinda indulged in a little fantasy..."

"Heh, I guess I do have a talent for this sort of thing."

And indeed, she did possess certain... exceptional talents.

For instance, sometimes she’d wake up to find the window left open all night.

That kind of "talent" was probably rarer than one in a million.

"......"

Lu Xuexue, who had never been in a relationship before, fell silent.

Were these... shameless things really worth being so proud of...?

Also.

Manman, your "little fantasy" wasn’t just a bit—it was a whole lot.

But still.

Just imagining those scenes was enough to make her heart race and her face burn.

Lu Xuexue felt her legs going weak and quickly changed the subject:

"Manman, after we finish your makeup, should we go find Brother Gu, or...?"

"Of course we’ll wait for him to come to us."

Gu Ximan yawned and smirked. "That big pervert Gu Luo has a strong sense of ceremony. He’s definitely still preparing right now—probably won’t be ready until evening."

"Hmph, we just need to wait patiently."

She yawned again. "Should’ve slept in... I was wide awake earlier, but now I’m getting drowsy..."

Hearing this, Lu Xuexue sped up her makeup application. "Then I’ll hurry. You can take a nap afterward, Manman."

"I won't sleep yet—I still have to help you with your makeup later, Xuexue. Tonight, we’ll make that jerk Gu Luo lose his mind." Gu Ximan flashed a knowing smile, flicking the white stockings on her legs before giving her plump, rounded chest a playful pat.

Of course, she was also drawing attention to the black lace lingerie she’d deliberately worn underneath.

"......"

Lu Xuexue opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words.

It was clear that Ximan had gone too far down a certain path—with no intention of turning back.

Unconsciously, Xuexue thought of the purple lingerie she was wearing at that very moment.

Her delicate face grew even redder.

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

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