Looking Forward to Our Future (Part 3 of 2, Continued Updates)

Gu Luo placed Gu Ximan's clothes into the basin before lying back down on the bed.

He couldn’t take them to the bathroom to wash just yet.

If Shu Ning and her sisters saw it, the scene would be unimaginably awkward.

He had no desire to relive that kind of toe-curling, socially mortifying experience every day.

Especially not in front of that little devil Shu He—who knew what mischievous ideas she might come up with otherwise?

He’d have to wait until the dead of night when everyone was fast asleep before sneaking off to deal with it.

That said, his relationship with clothes lately seemed a little too… intimate.

First, the little devil Shu He dragged him to a fashion show.

Then, the angelic Shu Ning sent him photos.

And now, the tsundere Ximan suddenly demanded he hand-wash her clothes.

Hiss…

The more Gu Luo thought about it, the more something felt off.

It was as if an invisible thread had subtly woven these three incidents together.

Shu He and Shu Ning’s situations were easier to understand—most likely, the little devil Shu He was scheming behind the scenes, deliberately orchestrating these scenarios.

But what about Ximan?

Why would she suddenly ask him to wash her clothes today?

Was it because Shu Ning bought outfits for Shu He and Shuling but skipped her, making her upset?

Gu Luo always paid close attention to Ximan’s emotional shifts, meticulously analyzing the reasons behind her unhappiness before doing everything in his power to fix it and coax her back into a good mood.

He never denied being a siscon.

And not just any siscon—a hopelessly soft-hearted one.

Taking care of his sister, solving her problems, and seeing her happy smile were his greatest joys.

Just as Gu Luo was lost in thought about his sister’s feelings, his phone buzzed with a notification.

Picking it up, he saw it was from none other than the angelic Shu Ning.

[Luo Shuning: Big bro, did you and your sister have a fight? I just saw her face was all red—did something happen? Do you need any help? (????_??)?]

Reading the message, Gu Luo couldn’t help but smile.

Maybe it was because of her thoughtful concern, or maybe just because the message came from the angel he adored.

Either way, he couldn’t suppress his happiness.

Also, the emoticon was unbearably cute.

He rolled over comfortably, fingers tapping swiftly on the screen to reply:

[Gu Luo: Don’t worry, it’s just Ximan’s tsundere syndrome acting up. She’ll be fine after cooling off.]

[Luo Shuning: That’s a relief. σ(′?｀)]

[Luo Shuning: Oh, big bro, are you free right now? (‘v`)]

[Gu Luo: Yeah, what’s up?]

[Luo Shuning: Well… I loved the outfit you gave me today, so I wanted to play a piano piece for you. (?＞ω＜)?]

[Luo Shuning: Can you come to my room now? (?????)]

Seeing these messages, Gu Luo felt as if an invisible hand had gently clenched his heart, sending it racing uncontrollably.

This was a deep, instinctual flutter.

Even when he’d carried Shu He princess-style or been in close proximity to her before, his heartbeat had never been this intense.

Gu Luo knew—this was genuine affection.

The real deal.

Shu Ning, his little angel, could effortlessly grip his heart with just a few simple messages.

And now, the thought of being alone with her in her room made happiness surge through him like a sudden downpour.

Suppressing his excitement, he quickly replied:

[Gu Luo: Sure thing.]

Luo Shuning: Hurry, hurry! There's a surprise! (ˇωˇ person)

A surprise?

There’s more?

Gu Luo bolted upright, ready to sprint over immediately.

Ximan was probably holed up in her room by now, so the hallway was safe.

As long as Ximan didn’t get jealous, everything would be fine.

As for Shu He—he’d already warned her she might get hurt, so worrying was pointless.

Shuling? Eh, whatever.

He could boldly stride over to Shu Ning’s room for their little rendezvous.

Gu Luo cheerfully got up and walked out, his steps so light he might as well have been floating on clouds.

Soon, he stood before Luo Shuning’s bedroom door.

After three light knocks, the door opened almost instantly.

Luo Shuning hid most of herself behind the door, her face flushed with shyness—uncharacteristic for someone who usually didn’t get flustered just by him entering her room.

As the door closed, Gu Luo’s gaze landed on her red, off-shoulder nightgown, which perfectly framed her delicate collarbones and snow-white shoulders.

Instinctively, he averted his eyes—but still managed to blurt out, "That nightgown really suits you, Shuning."

Complimenting a girl was never the wrong move.

Luo Shuning, equally bashful, looked away as well, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "Mm… I wanted you to see it…"

"I see…"

Gu Luo only grew more flustered.

This was the difference between an angel and a devil.

The little devil had outright dragged him into a fitting room.

The angel, however, was far more subtle.

Then, silence.

Gu Luo scrambled for something to say, pretending to study the room’s decor to ease the awkwardness.

The bedroom was cozy, dominated by pristine whites that exuded tranquility.

Beside the bed stood a sleek black piano, its surface gleaming elegantly under the soft light.

Luo Shuning walked over and murmured, "Big bro, you can sit on my bed."

"Is that okay?"

"It’s fine."

"Alright…" Gu Luo didn’t argue, perching stiffly on the very edge of the mattress, his body tense as if the slightest movement might shatter the delicate atmosphere.

This was the first time he’d ever sat on a girl’s bed—other than Ximan’s.

His heart pounded with nervous anticipation.

Noticing this, Luo Shuning giggled softly, finding his shyness utterly endearing.

Then, she gracefully settled onto the piano bench.

Bowing her head slightly, she murmured, "Big bro, this is a piece I composed today. You’re the first to hear it."

With that, she rested her slender fingers on the keys, her gaze turning focused.

In her mind, memories of her time with Gu Luo flickered like stars—bright, warm, and illuminating her heart.

The light and melodious notes of a piano soon drifted through the air, like a clear mountain spring, flowing gently. Each note seemed to carry a lively spirit, dancing and fluttering in the atmosphere.

Gu Luo simply listened quietly, as if the entire world had fallen silent, leaving only the enchanting piano melody lingering in his ears.

He felt as though his soul had been purified in a way he’d never experienced before—all his worries and exhaustion dissipated in that very moment.

Soon, the tempo of the piano gradually quickened, and the once soothing melody grew more impassioned, brimming with youthful energy and sweetness.

Through the music, he seemed to witness the delicate emotional shifts of a young girl—from initial shyness and anticipation to later determination and fervor.

The entire piece spoke of two words: affection.

Gu Luo’s emotions were completely stirred by the beautiful melody, his heart rising and falling with each note.

If not for the complicated nature of their current relationship, he would have blurted out the words buried deep in his heart, confessing his feelings to Luo Shuning right then and there.

But it was still too soon.

Love needed time to settle and deepen. There was no rush—he was willing to wait patiently.

The piece wasn’t very long, and Luo Shuning soon finished playing.

Turning her head, she smiled shyly, her cheeks flushed. “Brother, did you like it?”

“It was wonderful,” Gu Luo answered without hesitation.

“I’m glad you liked it. But this piece isn’t finished yet. When it’s complete, I’ll invite you to listen again,” Luo Shuning said, her slender, shapely legs curling slightly as her face grew even redder.

“Alright…”

Seeing the little angel’s adorable, bashful expression, Gu Luo felt his heart nearly leap out of his throat—the fluttering in his chest growing stronger by the second.

He instinctively averted his gaze and changed the subject. “By the way, Shuning, what’s the name of this piece?”

At this, Luo Shuning fell silent for a moment before slowly standing up.

Battling her shyness, she looked at Gu Luo, her long eyelashes fluttering as she softly said:

“The piece is called…”

“Looking Forward to a Future with You.”