Come to my room at midnight tonight

Hearing Gu Luo's words, Luo Shuhe fell silent.

Her gaze drifted past his shoulder, settling on the crowded sea of people around them.

Inside the train carriage, the hum of conversations blended with the rumbling of the moving train, creating a chaotic backdrop of noise.

But in Luo Shuhe’s world, it felt as though only she and Gu Luo existed at that moment—the surrounding clamor muted as if automatically filtered out.

After a long pause, she finally spoke softly, "Come to my room at midnight tonight, and I’ll tell you."

"......"

Gu Luo was silent again.

He really didn’t want to visit Luo Shuhe’s room in the dead of night. If the other three sisters found out—especially if Luo Shuning misunderstood—there’d be no way to clear his name, no matter how hard he tried.

And yet, he was desperate to know the truth behind everything.

After weighing his options, curiosity ultimately tipped the scales, and Gu Luo reluctantly nodded in agreement.

From then on, neither of them spoke another word.

Gu Luo had nothing more to say anyway. Arguing with this little devil was a battle he’d never win, and he had already warned her—this could very well end in heartache.

But since things had come to this, he might as well let her have her way.

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

The city train sped through the urban landscape, the scenery outside the window flashing by like a slideshow.

Skyscrapers, bustling streets, green trees, and blooming flowers—all were left behind in an instant.

Soon, they arrived at their destination.

Getting off the train was even harder than boarding it. The crowd inside the carriage was like an impenetrable wall, making it nearly impossible to move.

Gu Luo shielded Luo Shuhe the entire time, his arm wrapped tightly around her, protecting her from the jostling and shoving.

It took considerable effort just to squeeze their way out.

"Let’s take a taxi on the way back," Gu Luo muttered, thoroughly exhausted from the ordeal. Not to mention, he’d had to maintain close physical contact with Luo Shuhe the whole time.

"The roads are too congested. We’ll take the train," Luo Shuhe replied matter-of-factly, then smoothly linked her arm with his.

The gesture was so natural and intimate, as if it were already a familiar habit between them.

"......"

Gu Luo really didn’t know how to respond to her.

Her answers were always so decisive, leaving no room for argument.

Sunlight spilled over the glass facades of the buildings, reflecting dazzling beams of light.

The streets were packed with cars and pedestrians, shops blared cheerful music, street performers entertained passersby, and the air was thick with the aroma of various foods.

It was no wonder—this was the commercial heart of Caizhou, brimming with urban energy and prosperity at every turn.

"So, what exactly are we here for?" Gu Luo asked again.

At this, Luo Shuhe smiled faintly. "To buy clothes for you, brother."

"Huh?" Gu Luo was stunned, unable to form a coherent response for a long moment.

After a pause, his expression twisted with confusion. "Then why did you refuse when Luo Shuning asked if you wanted to come earlier?"

"Because I wanted to go on a date with you alone," Luo Shuhe stated bluntly.

"......"

Gu Luo truly didn’t know how to react to such a direct confession.

He could only deny it weakly. "Just to be clear, this isn’t a date..."

He expected to meet Luo Shuhe’s usual icy glare, but instead, her expression remained unchanged—just as she had said on the train, she really was becoming gentler.

"Alright," Luo Shuhe simply nodded, her voice soft and devoid of any resistance.

For a moment, Gu Luo felt disoriented. He could’ve sworn he saw Luo Shuning’s shadow in Luo Shuhe.

In that instant, the images of the two girls overlapped in his mind.

An inexplicable ache tightened in his chest.

As if reaching a realization, he suddenly grasped Luo Shuhe’s wrist and said in a low voice, "Shuhe... I do prefer gentle girls, but that doesn’t mean I dislike your personality. That’s the truth."

"So, just be yourself. You can keep giving me those cold stares if you want."

He felt this was unfair to her.

And he couldn’t bear the weight of such heavy emotions.

Instead of answering, Luo Shuhe countered, "Brother, you don’t want me to become more and more like Shuning, do you? That way, you can keep using 'I like gentle girls' as an excuse to reject me. Is that it?"

Gu Luo opened his mouth, but no words came out. He didn’t know how to respond.

Luo Shuhe continued, her gaze unwavering. "I know you like Shuning. And Shuning feels the same way about you."

She paused, then locked eyes with him. "But you two aren’t together yet. And I have the right to pursue my own happiness, don’t I?"

"......"

Gu Luo was left speechless.

In the end, he could only change the subject. "Let’s talk about everything tonight. For now... let’s just go buy clothes."

Luo Shuhe didn’t press further. Instead, she nodded gently and replied in the softest tone she could muster,

"As you wish, brother."

With that, she kept her arm linked with his as they crossed the street toward the clothing mall.

Inside, the mall was packed with people, its halls lined with brand-name stores, each playing different styles of music.

They entered the first men’s clothing shop.

The saleswoman’s eyes lit up the moment she saw them.

Her gaze lingered on Gu Luo, her face breaking into an enthusiastic smile as she greeted them,

"Welcome! Your boyfriend is quite handsome, miss."

"These are our newest arrivals..."

She led them to the section displaying dress shirts.

Luo Shuhe carefully examined each piece, occasionally holding one up against Gu Luo for comparison.

"Try this one, brother," she said, picking out a light blue shirt with a fresh, understated elegance.

"Alright."

Gu Luo stepped into the fitting room and emerged shortly after, now wearing the shirt.

He adjusted the collar in front of the mirror and gave a nod.

"Not bad."

"Now try this one." Luo Shuhe handed him a beige shirt—soft, comfortable, and effortlessly casual.

After changing again, Gu Luo turned in front of the mirror before concluding, "This one’s fine too."

Luo Shuhe nodded but made no move to purchase either. Instead, she headed to the next store.

Gu Luo followed, watching her meticulous selection process with a sudden sense of endearment.

"Shuhe, are you playing a dress-up game with me?"

At this, she glanced back at him. "I’m just trying to understand your preferences, brother."

"My preferences?"

"Mm." She nodded. "I want to know what colors you like, what styles, what fabrics..."

Gu Luo was taken aback.

He hadn’t expected her to be this thorough.

"Won’t this be tiring? I’m not picky about clothes. Anything will do."

However, Luo Shuhe did not respond and instead continued walking forward.

Her retreating figure seemed somewhat lonely, stirring a sudden wave of guilt in Gu Luo's heart.

"Actually..." he said, quickening his pace to catch up, "Shuhe, you don’t have to be like this..."

Luo Shuhe stopped and turned to face him. "Then how does Brother Gu Luo wish me to be?"

Gu Luo opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words.

Just as Luo Shuhe had said, he had always used "I prefer gentle girls" as a way to reject her.

Now she had become gentle.

And yet he...

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

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