Unlock Achievements, Embrace Success

"Xuexue, what are you doing here? Waiting for someone?"

Lu Xuexue sat on the pearwood bench in the first-floor corridor, her slender legs clad in white thigh-high socks pressed together. Hearing a passing female classmate greet her, she smiled and nodded. "Yes, waiting for someone."

"Alright, I’ll head to the art studio first."

"Mm, bye."

After bidding farewell to her classmate, Lu Xuexue let out a soft sigh and leaned back against the bench, tilting her head to gaze at the ceiling. The elastic bands of her white thigh-high socks left gentle indentations on her calves.

Her eyes were filled with worry.

How was Manman doing up on the rooftop with Brother Gu Luo?

Would she cry?

She never expected Brother Gu Luo’s confession would be directed at Shu Ning.

Not only that, but he’d been rejected.

This should have been good news for her, yet Lu Xuexue couldn’t bring herself to feel happy.

Brother Gu Luo must be really upset.

And Manman was heartbroken over it too.

Lost in her thoughts, Lu Xuexue’s phone suddenly vibrated.

She glanced at it and immediately stood up, hurrying toward the stairs.

A few minutes later.

Lu Xuexue pushed against the rooftop door, finding it blocked by something.

But with a little effort, she managed to open it.

Peeking her head in cautiously, she saw Gu Ximan waving excitedly at her:

"Xuexue, you’re here! Remember to block the door again."

Lu Xuexue blinked in confusion. Her best friend’s cheeks were flushed like a little fox that had secretly sipped wine, and she couldn’t understand why Manman seemed so cheerful.

Despite her bewilderment, she obediently used an empty bucket to block the door again, then walked over to the two with a blush, her steps slow and hesitant.

"Brother Gu, good afternoon."

Her voice was soft and shy.

"Have a seat, Xuexue."

Gu Luo smiled and patted the empty space beside him.

Only now did he finally understand why Lu Xuexue was always blushing around him.

The reason was simple—it was the bashfulness of a young girl in front of the person she liked.

"Mm."

Lu Xuexue sat down obediently, only for Gu Luo to continue, "Xuexue, do you like me?"

Huh?!

At those words, Lu Xuexue stiffened. A flush spread from her earlobes down to her neck, and even her legs, wrapped in white thigh-high socks, tensed up.

She turned into a blushing mess on the spot, too flustered to speak.

"Calm down, calm down."

Just as he had done earlier with Gu Ximan, Gu Luo gently patted her back before explaining everything simply.

Finally, he sighed. "Xuexue, thank you for always taking care of Manman."

Laying it all out.

No more hiding.

Everything was laid bare on the table.

Willing or unwilling—there was no in-between.

Otherwise, it would only lead to endless misunderstandings and pain.

Gu Luo’s mindset had undergone a complete transformation.

He had never been a so-called "pure love warrior." His past inability to reject Shu He outright was proof enough.

He had been too indecisive, deceiving himself while sinking deeper into a lucid downfall, retreating until there was nowhere left to retreat—until he hurt both himself and others.

Of course, this didn’t mean Gu Luo would accept just anyone now.

The prerequisite was that he had to genuinely like the girl.

And Xuexue fit that condition perfectly.

Who wouldn’t adore a wealthy little lolita in white thigh-high socks who blushed every time she saw you and shyly called you "Brother Gu"?

Not to mention they had known each other for years, she was Manman’s best friend, and she made delicious desserts.

Lu Xuexue kept her head lowered, her face still burning. Though she was a little surprised that Brother Gu liked both Shu Ning and Shu He, she didn’t feel much resistance to the idea.

For her, Manman was also a leap from 0 to 1.

Seeing that neither girl objected, Gu Luo grew bolder. He wrapped an arm around each of their shoulders and said softly,

"Once I’ve sorted things out, I’ll respond to your feelings properly. Consider tomorrow a small compensation."

Achievement unlocked—one arm around each beauty.

Gu Luo, now holding two soft, fragrant girls close, felt a little dazed. He never expected Manman to be so agreeable from start to finish, not even protesting his scumbag behavior.

At first, he hadn’t dared to tell her about Shu Ning, let alone imagine holding them both like this.

Something felt off, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

Time passed second by second.

The three chatted, their words flowing effortlessly.

The setting sun wove golden threads through their overlapping shadows.

Gu Luo gazed at the distant school building, now bathed in honeyed light, and suddenly realized—

Some shackles, once broken, don’t lead to an abyss.

Sometimes, they reveal an unexpected warmth, sunlit and tender.

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