"So the minister is a brother-con."
Huang Anlu watched Luo Shuling's eager, affectionate demeanor and immediately drew her conclusion.
To her, Luo Shuling's feelings for Gu Luo were purely sibling affection.
As the saying goes—hesitation is love, boldness is friendship.
Pair that with her straightforward personality.
Conclusion—Luo Shuling was a terminal case of brother-con.
"I am a brother-con, and my brother happens to be a sister-con—perfect," Luo Shuling declared without hesitation, as if it were a badge of honor.
"Cough..."
Gu Luo wasn’t as shameless as his sister. Hearing this, he felt a wave of embarrassment.
Seriously, why say such things in broad daylight?
"Makes sense, very logical." Huang Anlu’s gaze swept over the two before she added,
"Well then, Brother-con Comrade and Sister-con Comrade, shall we begin today’s club activity?"
"Mission accepted!" Luo Shuling instantly straightened up like a disciplined soldier, saluting with exaggerated seriousness—adorable yet ridiculous.
"Let’s go. Situ Wenyao first."
Huang Anlu turned on her heel and strode off without another word. The other two followed.
Not far ahead, they spotted Situ Wenyao holding a box of snow-skin mooncakes, enthusiastically handing them out to a group of kids.
"Big brother is the coolest!" a little girl with a bun hairstyle chirped.
"Password correct. Here’s yours."
Situ Wenyao nodded approvingly and handed her one.
"Big brother is the coolest!"
The child behind her immediately mimicked, shouting even louder.
"Password correct. Here you go."
He chuckled, reaching into the box again.
"Big brother is the coolest!"
"Password correct."
"..."
Watching the kids’ genuine delight, Situ Wenyao reveled in silent triumph—proof that the highest form of satisfaction came from the simplest flex.
Money really could buy children’s smiles.
Soon, the box was down to three mooncakes after multiple rounds of re-queueing.
Finally, he called a halt. Clearing his throat, he announced grandly, "Same time next week—spicy strips for everyone."
"Yay!"
"Big brother is the coolest!"
"Big brother is super cool!"
"..."
The kids erupted into cheers, jumping with joy.
What could possibly top free spicy strips?
Celebrities? Influencers? Pfft—nothing beats spicy strips.
"Situ Wenyao, club activity. Now."
Huang Anlu waited patiently for the noise to die down before calling out.
"Coming!" He grabbed a nearby cat carrier, still grinning, and jogged over.
"Here, have a mooncake."
"Bestie, saved you a matcha one."
———
Meanwhile.
Lu Xuexue’s bedroom.
Anime posters plastered the walls, plushies dangled above the bed.
Gu Ximan lay sprawled on the soft mattress, kicking her slender, pale legs lazily as she devoured a manga.
Occasionally, she’d giggle at the plot.
Then—as if struck by lightning—she bolted upright. Her smile vanished, replaced by a deep frown.
"Wrong," she muttered.
"Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!"
Across the room, Lu Xuexue was sorting newly bought cosplay outfits and an assortment of white/black stockings.
Pausing, she turned. "Huh? What’s wrong, Manman?"
"Did my brother hold Shu Ning’s hand on stage earlier?!"
"Is that allowed?!"
———
———