The next day.
Tuesday.
The sunlight draped over the earth like golden silk, casting a particularly radiant glow on the exceptionally bright day.
As usual, Gu Luo woke up early, prepared breakfast, and packed a lunchbox. After quickly finishing his meal, he headed to the school garden with an unusual flutter in his heart.
The garden was quiet at this hour, with only a few students around. Chrysanthemums swayed gently in the breeze.
Sitting on a bench, Gu Luo glanced at the two bottles of milk tucked inside his bag, his emotions tangled.
That morning, Luo Shuning had not only warmed a cup of milk for him but had also sneakily slipped two extra bottles into his backpack when he wasn’t looking.
Hard to describe.
Really hard to describe.
Though the awkwardness from last night still lingered, he couldn’t ignore the kindness behind her gesture.
Gu Luo couldn’t help but replay Luo Shuning’s words from earlier:
"Big bro, sorry about last night. I shouldn’t have come to you like that."
"And... you’d rather embarrass yourself than let me feel uncomfortable..."
"Thank you, really. So... this’ll be our little secret from now on, okay~?"
Secrets, after all, were the magical threads that drew people closer.
Gu Luo never imagined things would unfold this way.
All he could say was—gentle girls truly were the most beautiful existence in the world.
"Stupid big bro! Did you miss me?!"
After who-knows-how-long, Gu Luo felt a small hand tap his shoulder, followed by Gu Ximan’s energetic voice.
Turning around, he saw the lively Gu Ximan and Lu Xuexue, who was hiding behind her like a shy little rabbit.
Both wore playful twin ponytails, their hair swaying with every movement, radiating youthful charm.
Gu Luo’s lips curled into a doting smile. "So much that I couldn’t even eat."
"Eww~ So cheesy. But I know you mean it." Gu Ximan waved a hand in mock disgust, though the slight upturn of her lips betrayed her delight.
With a soft chuckle, Gu Luo shifted his gaze to Lu Xuexue behind her and greeted warmly, "Morning, Xuexue."
"G-Good morning, Brother Gu."
Her voice was as light as the garden breeze, her cheeks tinged pink.
Brother Gu greeted her!
She cheered silently in her heart.
Good. Gotta keep this up!
Gu Ximan plopped down beside Gu Luo, lifting her chin like a little princess. "Stupid big bro, Xuexue and I are waking up early this weekend to buy figurines. You’re coming with us."
"...About that. I’ve got plans both days."
"With who?!" Gu Ximan instantly went on high alert, eyes wide like a territorial kitten.
"Classmates on Saturday, and Shuning on Sunday—we’re going clothes shopping. I was gonna ask you, but seems like you’re busy."
Gu Luo kept his tone casual, but internally, he was sweating bullets.
No way could he explain the situation between him and Luo Shuhe.
Sigh.
What a mess. Another lie.
But Gu Ximan’s focus had already zeroed in on one thing: Gu Luo and Luo Shuning going clothes shopping together.
Shopping for clothes? That’s basically a date!
Big bro and Luo Shuning? Alone?!
The thought looped in her mind.
"I’m on cleaning duty today, so I’ll head back first. Don’t stay out too long, okay?" Gu Luo stood, ruffled Gu Ximan’s hair, left the lunchbox behind, and hurried off.
His steps were just a tad too quick.
Guilt was a heavy burden.
He dreaded Gu Ximan pressing for details about his "classmates" on Saturday.
No more lies. Please.
Yet, their concerns were worlds apart.
"Ximan... you okay?"
Lu Xuexue took Gu Luo’s vacated seat, worry lacing her voice.
"I... I’m fine. Totally fine."
Gu Ximan sucked in a breath, forcing a smile. "Who cares who big bro goes out with?"
But as she spoke, her grin faded, replaced by a pout, her eyes clouded with dejection.
Lu Xuexue quickly reassured her, "Ximan... it might not be a date. Brother Gu said he originally planned to invite you..."
"Who knows? Maybe they are dating..."
"Things like this... you never know..."
"And they met through that cliché ‘hero-saves-the-damsel’ trope."
Gu Ximan’s mood sank lower with every word.
Hearing this, Lu Xuexue grew uneasy too.
She knew all too well the magnetism Gu Luo carried—an allure impossible to resist.
And Luo Shuning? A top-tier beauty, elegant and stunning, one of triplets.
If those two got together...
Lu Xuexue didn’t dare finish the thought.
Biting her lip, she tentatively suggested, "Ximan, if you’re this worried... why don’t we secretly follow them this weekend?"
"What do you think?"
Gu Ximan perked up instantly but hesitated. "Xuexue, weren’t you super excited for the ‘Cool Prince’ figurine?"
"Ah, it’s fine!"
"Waaah, Xuexue, you’re the best!" Gu Ximan hugged her like a lifeline.
"I-It’s nothing..."
Lu Xuexue averted her eyes, guilt creeping in.
Meanwhile.
Elsewhere.
The moment Gu Luo stepped into the classroom, he sensed something off.
Too many eyes on him.
It was unsettling.
Puzzled, he made his way to his seat—only to find Shen Yue slumped over her desk, utterly listless.
............
............
with countless casualties. As a top-tier gamer, Liu Xuan volunteered to join the fight, intending to dominate with his skills, but instead he obtained the hidden class: [Pacifist]. Unable to attack. Unable to use active skills. Fortunately, with each level gained, he acquired a new passive skill. And so, armed with a body full of passives, Liu Xuan slaughtered his way through the battlefield of ten thousand races! [You attacked Liu Xuan] [You gained the debuffs: 'Poison', 'Fear', 'Burning', 'Bleeding', 'Freeze', 'Silence', etc.] [Your attack speed has been reduced by 99%] [Your armor and magic resistance have been reduced by 99%] Warriors of the Ten Thousand Races: How the hell am I supposed to fight this?!
orn and Humiliation】【Forced Love】 In his past life, Lin Ran was betrayed and murdered by his girlfriend and family, while the yandere female aristocrat, who had treated him as a mere plaything, avenged him by doing in his enemies. Upon seeing the yandere female aristocrat lying in the same coffin, ready to die with him, Lin Ran realized how profoundly mistaken he had been. Reborn, he abandoned the fickle campus beauty and wholeheartedly embraced the yandere female aristocrat's arms. "Ran! If I dig out your eyes and turn them into a specimen, you'll only be able to look at me!" Lin Ran: "Darling, kiss me!" "Ran! If I break your legs, you won't run away anymore, right?" Lin Ran: "Love, hold me tight!" "Ran! If..." Lin Ran: "Hush now! Love me more!" Luo Yao: ... Seeing his scumbag dad: "Take him out!" Seeing his stepmother: "Get rid of her!" Seeing his brother: "Eliminate him!" Seeing his white moonlight: "Send that to Southeast Asia!"
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
for mindless slaughter, this isn't for you.] My name is Ye Shu, and I'm a transmigrator. It seems I'm supposed to be the protagonist, but that feels pretty unlikely. This world has been invaded by a system. The antagonists on the other side have suddenly become pure, flawless saints. The female leads have been force-fed the so-called "original plot," making them think they've been reborn. Now, everyone thinks I'm scum. Including the old lady in my ring. And here I am, in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, braising pork. To put my situation in perspective— It's as if, the moment Xiao Yan stepped into the Monster Beast Mountain Range, the Soul Emperor already knew he would become the Flame Emperor, and Yao Lao had been turned to the enemy's side. I have nothing right now. Oh wait, that's not true. I do have a white-haired loli child-bride who's the Heavenly Dao, and her only skill is acting cute. So, tell me guys... what are my chances of making it to the end?
