Arrival at the Apartment

9:48 PM.

The night was as dark as ink, thickly spread over every corner of Caizhou.

A slightly worn-out minivan moved slowly along the brightly lit streets, the new song of a pop diva playing inside.

Finally, it came to a steady stop in front of a high-rise building.

With a creak, the door opened, and Gu Luo stepped out from the passenger seat, stretching his long legs before straightening up with a lazy stretch.

His gaze then landed on the slender figure who had been quietly waiting downstairs.

Moonlight cascaded like water over Luo Shuning, outlining her graceful silhouette.

She walked over, smiling brightly. "Brother, you’re finally here."

"Traffic was bad. Otherwise, I’d have arrived earlier," Gu Luo replied with a wry smile, flexing his limbs to shake off the stiffness from sitting too long.

Just then, Gu Ximan hopped out from the back seat of the minivan, yawning and grumbling,

"Why is it still so crowded this late at night?"

"Tell me about it," the driver, a slightly plump middle-aged man with traces of time etched on his face, chimed in as he got out.

He instinctively reached into his pocket for a crumpled pack of cigarettes, but upon noticing the three young people, hesitated before tucking it away again. Sighing, he remarked,

"Can’t be helped. Caizhou’s too crowded—even license plate restrictions don’t make a difference."

With that, he walked to the back of the minivan, opened the trunk, and began unloading their luggage piece by piece.

"Thank you for the trouble, Uncle."

Seeing this, Gu Luo hurried over to help.

"Ah, young folks these days are so polite. My daughter’s around your age—she’s just as well-mannered," the driver said, a hint of pride creeping into his smile at the mention of his daughter.

Soon, the ground was covered with luggage—three oversized suitcases, four backpacks, and one large bag.

The driver glanced at the pile and turned to Gu Luo. "That should be everything, right? My trunk’s a mess, so make sure nothing’s left behind."

"Nothing’s missing. Thanks again, Uncle."

"Alright, I’ll be off then. Got another ride waiting," the driver said, settling back into the driver’s seat and buckling up before retrieving his cigarette pack. He squeezed it, eagerly plucking one out—but didn’t light it.

"Drive safe, Uncle."

With a wave, the driver stepped on the gas, and the minivan slowly disappeared into the night.

Luo Shuning stepped forward, eyeing the large bag curiously. Peering at the vague shapes inside, she blinked her large, dewy eyes and asked, "Brother, what’s in here?"

"They’re my plushies."

Before Gu Luo could answer, Gu Ximan cut in, unzipping the bag to reveal a collection of panda plushies in all sorts of poses—some sprawled adorably, some mischievously clutching bamboo, others curled up peacefully asleep.

"Wow, so many! They’re adorable," Luo Shuning exclaimed, picking up a sleeping panda and grinning at Gu Ximan.

"You really love plushies, don’t you?"

"I... ahem... It’s not like I’m obsessed or anything," Gu Ximan started to say but caught sight of Gu Luo standing nearby and quickly backtracked, feigning nonchalance.

"Blame someone for giving me plushies every birthday."

The "someone" in question immediately rolled his eyes. "That’s cherry-picking. I’ve given you other gifts too, you know?"

"Next time you lie through your teeth, maybe check if the clothes and shoes you’re wearing were also birthday gifts from said someone this year."

Gu Ximan’s face flushed, but she refused to back down. Turning to Luo Shuning, who was watching with an amused smile, she whispered conspiratorially,

"Just between us, my brother’s actually a total siscon."

"Really?" Luo Shuning pretended to be shocked.

"Absolutely, one hundred percent!"

Gu Luo picked up a backpack and shot Gu Ximan another look. "Says the brocon. Next time you badmouth me, could you at least do it behind my back?"

"Pfft!" Gu Ximan stuck out her tongue playfully, her lively expression making even the silly face look charming.

"You two have such a great relationship," Luo Shuning giggled behind her hand before bending down to help with the luggage.

......

Arms laden with bags, the three took the elevator up to the 16th floor.

Luo Shuning unlocked the apartment with her fingerprint, and they stepped inside.

The living room was spacious and bright, dominated by a luxurious leather sofa that gleamed softly under the lights. An ornate chandelier hung overhead, making the entire place look like a palace.

The apartment spanned two floors, with a massive floor-to-ceiling window visible right from the entrance.

In short—it was lavish.

"Brother, let me get you some slippers," Luo Shuning said, bending down to retrieve two pairs—one large, one small—from the entryway cabinet.

"Thanks."

"Thanks."

They responded in unison, slipping into the slippers.

"Don’t thank me. Shuling went out to buy these for you earlier," Luo Shuning explained with a smile before adding,

"But on her way back, she suddenly smacked her forehead and said, ‘How could I forget snacks for Ximan?’ Then she rushed right back out."

"She’ll be back soon."

"Ah... That’s too much trouble for Ling-jie," Gu Ximan said, flustered by the thoughtfulness, her admiration for the two sisters growing even more.

"Ling-jie, huh..."

Luo Shuning repeated the term softly before bursting into laughter. "If Shuling heard someone call her that, she’d probably jump for joy."

With the three of them working together, the room was soon tidied up.

Every essential was already in place, as if the apartment had been waiting for their arrival all along.

Once everything was settled, they collapsed onto the sofa for a breather.

The plush cushions felt like gentle hands cradling them.

"Brother, Ximan, why don’t you two take a bath first? There’s a tub in the bathroom—you can soak and relax," Luo Shuning suggested warmly.

Gu Ximan, sprawled comfortably on the sofa, nudged Gu Luo with her foot. "You go first, old man."

She adapted effortlessly, as if she’d lived here forever.

Then again, this was their new home now.

"Act like a girl for once," Gu Luo sighed, shaking his head.

He fetched his change of clothes and a towel before heading to the bathroom.

The bathroom was surprisingly spacious, and the bathtub was enormous—big enough to fit three people comfortably.

...What a weird thought.

Gu Luo shook his head, filling the tub with warm water. After a quick rinse, he sank into the soothing embrace of the bath.

The warmth enveloped him, bringing an indescribable comfort.

For some reason, he thought he caught a faint, sweet fragrance in the air.

His mind conjured up images unbidden.

"Ahem." He shook his head again, trying to clear his thoughts.

He cupped water in his hands and splashed it forcefully onto his face, then emptied his mind and closed his eyes.

At that moment, all his exhaustion gradually melted away with the warm water, leaving only tranquility and comfort behind.

So refreshing.

After finishing his bath, Gu Luo dried his hair and stepped out of the bathroom in his pajamas.

"Oh, big bro’s done with his soak?"

In the living room, Luo Shuling was lounging on the sofa, a bag of chips in her hand.

After giving Gu Luo a thorough once-over, she couldn’t help but compliment him:

"You look even more handsome after a shower."

"...Thanks." Gu Luo didn’t know how to respond—being praised so directly for his looks felt oddly embarrassing.

"Hey, is big bro blushing?" Luo Shuling grinned cheekily. "No need to be shy! Handsome is handsome. You’re totally gonna be the new heartthrob of Guangya Private High."

"Cough..."

Even with thick skin, Gu Luo’s face flushed red at such praise.

Seriously, if you’ve got sweet words, keep 'em coming.

Love hearing it!

Watching her older brother’s dopey expression, Gu Ximan couldn’t resist rolling her eyes, crunching down hard on a chip.

"Little sis, you should go take a bath too and relax," Luo Shuning said to her with a gentle smile.

Only then did Gu Ximan set the chips aside.

As she passed Gu Luo, she deliberately stomped on his foot.

"Ow... That hurt..."

"Serves you right." Gu Ximan hmphed and continued toward her room.

But halfway there, she paused, turning her head to issue a command: "I’m hungry again. Make me a midnight snack."

"Aren’t there snacks?"

"I just want proper food. Are you gonna do it or not?"

"Fine..."

"Hmph."

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

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