Stinky Big Bro, I'm sticking with you for life

【What exactly did Shu Ning mean when she said she had wronged Shu He and Shuling in the past?】

【Why does Shu Ning refer to Luo Liang as "mother" instead of "mom"?】

【Why did Shu Ning suddenly retire from the industry years ago?】

【Why did Aunt Luo Liang refuse to hire another housekeeper for the family?】

【What did Shu He mean by getting married and having two daughters?】

Gu Luo lay quietly on the bed, the soft glow of the room's light spilling over his face, revealing his slightly absent-minded expression.

His phone's notes app was filled with questions about his sisters, each one like a tiny key.

This was a habit Gu Luo had cultivated over the years—privately jotting down every little thing about his sisters, no matter how trivial, and then doing his best to understand and resolve them.

In the past, these sisterly notes only included Gu Ximan—every small emotion, every little preference, meticulously recorded.

But now, two more sisters had been added.

As for Shuling? She was a carefree foodie, completely immersed in the world of delicious meals, happy as a bird without a worry in sight. For now, it seemed there was nothing troubling her that required his attention.

Once he successfully completed his special task, he would focus on uncovering the answers to these questions.

Whether it was useful or not didn’t matter—as an older brother, he felt it was his responsibility to understand his sisters’ pasts and the thoughts buried deep in their hearts.

Still, there was something to be happy about: Gu Ximan had been behaving exceptionally well lately, as if she had suddenly grown up.

She no longer threw tantrums as often as before.

Her tsundere moments had decreased somewhat.

Truth be told, Gu Luo actually quite liked his sister’s little tsundere acts. Every time he saw Ximan pouting, her face full of adorable defiance, his heart felt gently tickled by an invisible hand, brimming with affection.

"Ximan’s all grown up now."

Gu Luo set his phone aside softly, his gaze drifting toward the ceiling.

But strangely, he didn’t feel as happy as he thought he would. Instead, a faint sense of loss settled in his chest.

It was like autumn leaves gently falling into his heart, impossible to shake off.

Hard to put into words.

Gu Luo wanted Gu Ximan to grow strong and independent, yet selfishly, he also wished she would never grow up—so she could always stay by his side like when she was little, clinging to him, acting spoiled, letting him dote on her.

But how could that be?

Ximan would eventually get married.

One day, she would leave this home to start a family of her own.

Hiss...

Why did he suddenly feel like grabbing a kitchen knife...?

Gu Luo rubbed his temples, trying to dispel this terrifying thought, but the more he dwelled on it, the worse he felt. It was like the sorrow of a father who knows his daughter will one day leave—his heart full of reluctance and worry.

The thought of the precious girl he had cherished since childhood one day being handed over to another man...

Made him want to stab someone.

Please, just not some Yellow-Haired Man...

Can’t think about it, can’t think about it.

Deep breaths, deep breaths.

"Haaah..."

Just as Gu Luo was struggling to steady his emotions with deep breaths, a soft knock sounded at his door.

"Come in."

His voice carried a trace of exhaustion but quickly softened again.

The door opened, and Gu Ximan walked in, clutching a small pink basin.

"What’s up, Ximan?"

Gu Luo sat up straight.

At his question, Gu Ximan’s face instantly flushed slightly, her expression a little embarrassed as she muttered, "Stupid big bro, wash my clothes."

"Then just leave them in the bathroom?" Gu Luo was puzzled.

Most of the household’s laundry was his responsibility now—except for underwear and private garments, of course.

"Stupid big bro... from now on, you have to wash my clothes secretly." By now, Gu Ximan’s face had turned even redder.

"Huh? Why?"

Gu Luo looked at her in confusion, then instinctively glanced at the basin in her arms.

The moment he did, he froze slightly.

The clothes inside had a cute panda print, radiating a playful, girlish charm.

Noticing his gaze, Gu Ximan nearly bolted from the room in embarrassment. But remembering how he had gone clothes shopping with another sister today, her anger flared up again.

Summoning her courage, she deliberately huffed, "What are you staring at, stupid big bro? Isn’t this the same design as the last set you bought me?!"

Gu Luo scratched his head. "But I’ve never seen you hang this set out to dry... Did you just buy it?"

"None of your business!"

Gu Ximan puffed up her cheeks, red as a squirrel’s.

She would never admit that, out of sheer tsundere pride, she had secretly bought a few pieces like this, secretly washed them, and secretly hung them to dry.

No way was she going to embarrass herself in front of her stupid big brother.

"But that’s not right..." Gu Luo sighed faintly, his expression complicated. "You’re grown up now—you should be washing your own clothes."

"Besides, you’ll get married someday. You can’t expect me to keep washing them for you then, can you?"

No matter how reluctant he felt, no matter how much he wanted to grab a knife, some things just had to be said.

He had no right to keep his sister by his side forever.

Yet.

Hearing these words, Gu Ximan exploded.

She dumped the entire basin of clothes onto Gu Luo’s face and shouted angrily, "Gu Luo, listen up!"

"Wherever you go, I’m going with you!"

"I’ll eat your food! Drink your drinks! Spend your money! Live in your house!"

"I’m sticking to you for life! Don’t even think about shaking me off!"

"Hmph!"

With that, Gu Ximan stormed out without looking back.

"......"

Gu Luo slowly peeled the clothes off his face and fell silent.

But the corners of his lips curled up ever so slightly.

It was a smile of happiness. Of fondness.

"Tch, what am I gonna do with you?"

"Guess I’d better start earning more money."

His little sister was just too adorable.

If she was going to cling to him like this, then fine—he’d take care of her for the rest of his life.

Truth be told, he never wanted to hand Gu Ximan over to anyone else.

That’s right—from now on, he’d work hard, make money, and keep Ximan by his side.

Spoil her forever.

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