Is It Really a Disguise (Three-in-Two, Bonus Gift Chapter)

【Gu Luo: Are you there, Shen Yue?】

【Shen Yue: Yep! (Nodding kitten.jpg)】

Seeing the almost instant reply, Gu Luo suddenly felt like he was being a bit...

But there was no other way—he had to keep going.

【Gu Luo: It’s nothing serious, just wanted to chat with you haha.】

【Shen Yue: Sure, sure! (Happy kitten.jpg)】

Meanwhile, in the bathroom.

Shen Yue, washing her hair, shifted her posture slightly. She rose onto her tiptoes, leaning to one side to avoid splashing water on her clothes.

With one hand, she expertly massaged shampoo into her hair, foam sliding down her arm, while the other hand steadily tapped on her phone’s keyboard.

Every now and then, she blinked away stray droplets.

【Shen Yue: I bought so many snacks today—I’ll bring some for you later! (Kitten buying snacks.jpg)】

【Gu Luo: Thanks! I’ll bring you milk too!】

As he typed, Gu Luo steered the conversation toward the topic of ‘A’Zi.’

After chatting for a while:

【Gu Luo: By the way, do you usually talk to other people?】

Sending this, Gu Luo’s heart pounded nervously. He desperately wanted to know Shen Yue’s social interactions today—it would confirm whether Luo Shuning had already uncovered the truth.

【Shen Yue: Other than my best friend who transferred schools, you’re the only one messaging me right now hehe (Kitten running.jpg)】

Reading this, Gu Luo finally let out the breath he’d been holding.

Yet, a pang of guilt twisted in his chest.

His fingers hovered over the screen before typing again.

【Gu Luo: I see. Well, I’ll message you often when I get home from now on.】

【Shen Yue: Yes, yes! I’ll bring you tons of snacks! (Kitten laughing heartily.jpg)】

【Gu Luo: Okay, gotta go for now—I need to wash up. See you at school!】

【Shen Yue: Mmhmm! See you at school! (Kitten waving.jpg)】

In the bathroom.

Shen Yue tucked her phone away, beaming with joy.

Just as she set it on the sink, water dripped down her arm and splashed onto the screen.

She grabbed a tissue, dabbing carefully at her stinging eyes—shampoo had accidentally gotten in them earlier.

“Sweetie, why’s your shower taking so long?”

Before long, the bathroom door swung open.

A stunningly beautiful woman stepped inside—so flawless she could topple cities.

Her skin was porcelain-smooth, taut and youthful as a teenager’s.

Her figure was a perfect hourglass, every movement exuding an effortless, regal grace.

“Mom, I’ll be done soon,” Shen Yue replied cheerfully.

“What’s got you so happy all of a sudden?” The woman walked over, gently combing her fingers through Shen Yue’s wet hair, eyes brimming with affection.

“Oh, it’s nothing you need to worry about.” Shen Yue ducked her head shyly, though her smile lingered.

At that, the woman leaned against the doorframe, her gaze flicking to the slightly damp phone on the sink. She tilted her head, grinning.

“My dear, were you chatting with a boy?”

“No way! Mom, get out already!”

......

Gu Luo pocketed his phone, exhaling hard.

He pressed the toilet’s flush handle, the rushing water masking his tension as his expression smoothed into calm. Only then did he stride casually out of the bathroom.

He’d overthought things.

Luo Shuning’s earlier words weren’t some probe—just small talk.

He was being paranoid.

But what else could he do?

This was the life of a pitiful human under a little demon’s thumb.

After watching TV with his younger sisters in the living room, Gu Luo retreated to his bedroom.

He stretched his wrists and ankles, then dropped to the floor for push-ups.

Two hundred perfect reps every morning and night—a years-old habit, unbreakable as iron.

As he pumped through the set, his mind raced.

Just what was Luo Shuhe’s deal?

Cryptic people were the worst.

But at least he’d get answers tonight.

Time slipped by unnoticed.

Midnight arrived, the world hushed in slumber.

Gu Luo eased his door open, scanning the hallway before tiptoeing to Luo Shuhe’s bedroom.

The door yielded at the slightest push.

For some reason, he felt like a thief sneaking into a maiden’s chamber.

Inside, he quietly shut the door behind him.

The room was dim, lit only by a bedside lamp’s soft glow—like a pale moon.

Luo Shuhe sat propped against the headboard, staring straight at him.

Gu Luo’s skin prickled under her gaze, but he forced himself forward.

“Shuhe,” he whispered, “you can tell me now, right?”

“No need to whisper, Brother. The walls are soundproof—we could scream and no one would hear.” Luo Shuhe smiled faintly, patting the mattress. “Come, sit.”

“......”

Gu Luo’s eyes darted to the desk where two chairs usually stood—now mysteriously absent.

Left with no choice, he remained standing.

Unfazed, Luo Shuhe straightened slightly and cut to the chase. “You’re curious about our past, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” Gu Luo nodded.

“Then I’ll be direct.”

Gu Luo’s breath hitched, his focus razor-sharp.

“In truth, we weren’t just married—we had two daughters. One chubby, one slim, both utterly adorable.”

Luo Shuhe’s words landed like a boulder in still water.

The silence of the room magnified their impact.

Gu Luo’s mind blanked.

Daughters?

Two of them?

This was too much to process.

Luo Shuhe continued, “Later, you forgot everything.”

Gu Luo swallowed hard, his throat desert-dry. “And then?”

“There is no ‘then.’ Just a heartless man who erased me from his memory.”

“......”

Gu Luo fell silent, sucking in a steadying breath.

It took him a long moment to recover. At last, he managed a strained smile.

“So... when exactly did we get married? When were these daughters born?”

“Not in this lifetime. If you mean a past life, I’d... find that hard to believe too.”

“Unless you’ve got solid proof.”

“I’ve told you the truth. Believe it or not, Brother—that’s up to you.” Luo Shuhe shrugged, her tone breezy.

“You—”

"Grandma, can we please drop the riddles?" Gu Luo said impatiently, running his fingers through his hair. "You know if this were a novel, the author would get roasted for making characters so cryptic! Just spit it out already."

"Can't help but admire your brother's wild imagination..."

This little demon...

Luo Shuhe pondered for a moment before suddenly smiling. "Then get down on one knee and propose to me right now. Do that, and I'll tell you everything."

At this, Gu Luo gritted his teeth internally but ultimately sighed. "No can do. If you won’t talk, I can’t force you."

"Suit yourself."

Silence settled over the room.

After a long pause, Gu Luo finally spoke again. "Let’s move on to the second matter, then."

"Shuhe, I owe you an apology."

"Why?"

Luo Shuhe raised a delicate eyebrow, her eyes flickering with faint confusion.

"I shouldn’t have dismissed you so simplistically by saying, 'I prefer gentle girls.' You were right—everyone has the right to pursue happiness."

"And I want to clarify something. I also like the usual icy Luo Shuhe. Even when you glare at me like you want to kill me, it doesn’t put me off. In fact, it gives me this... strange thrill."

"So my worry wasn’t that you’d become more like Shuning. It was that you’d stop being Shuhe."

"You don’t need to pretend. Just be yourself."

"And I’ll take your feelings seriously."

Hearing his earnest words and seeing the sincerity in Gu Luo’s expression, Luo Shuhe fell silent for a long moment.

Finally, she gave a faint nod, her face instantly cooling back into its usual detached expression. Then, out of habit, she crossed her long, elegant legs.

Seeing the familiar Luo Shuhe, Gu Luo finally relaxed—only to hear her emotionless voice again.

"So, how will you make it up to me, brother?"

"Wh-what?" Gu Luo blinked in surprise.

"On the train... when someone was bent over..."

Luo Shuhe left it at that, not elaborating further.

"......"

Gu Luo’s face immediately burned red.

Was that really his fault?

Ugh...

After some internal struggle, he awkwardly cleared his throat. "Ahem... fine. How about I owe you one more favor?"

"Deal."

Silence filled the room once more.

"I should head back now," Gu Luo said, standing up to leave.

"Brother."

"Yeah?"

Luo Shuhe offered a faint smile and whispered,

"Goodnight."

Those two words were like a spring breeze—soft, tickling the ears.

For a moment, Gu Luo felt dazed.

Maybe it was because he’d spent the entire day in close proximity to her, but he could actually sense the hidden warmth in her words.

So...

Had the sweetness of Luo Shuhe during the day all been an act?

The way she’d called him "baby," the slight tension when she held his arm, the focused look in her eyes as she sipped coffee... and on the train, when she’d asked—

"Did you have fun today, brother?"

—"If you’re happy, I’m happy."

Had all that tenderness and playfulness just been a performance?

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

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