"......"
A big question mark slowly appeared on Lu Xuexue's forehead.
How long had it been?
Only realizing it now?
She pursed her lips slightly, momentarily at a loss for how to describe her best friend's ridiculously slow reaction time.
"Ximan, it's just for the show," Lu Xuexue said after a moment of thought, offering a seemingly reasonable explanation. "Think about it—they say affection between friends and family is open and natural, while love is cautious and careful."
"Right now, Brother Gu and Shu Ning aren’t a couple, so holding hands so boldly in public just shows how comfortable they are as siblings."
"That’s not the scary part. What’s scary is if they secretly went on dates behind the scenes."
Of course, this was just Lu Xuexue’s way of comforting Gu Ximan.
In reality, she was already burning with anxiety inside.
Especially after remembering that photo she saw last week at Ruixue Xingcheng.
To overtake the competition, she needed to take drastic action!
"Hiss..." Listening to Lu Xuexue’s well-reasoned analysis, Gu Ximan suddenly felt everything click into place.
Her best friend was a genius!
Given her annoying older brother’s gentle personality, even if he did like Shu Ning, he’d definitely keep it under wraps.
After all, he always cared deeply about his "beloved" little sister’s feelings.
So, holding hands openly in front of the whole school? Totally harmless.
Yes, that made perfect sense!
Flawless logic.
"Hehe, Xuexue, you’re so right!" Gu Ximan immediately relaxed, her expression brightening.
Seeing how easily Gu Ximan believed her, Lu Xuexue didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
At least Gu Ximan had a crush on someone now.
Otherwise, with her extreme brother complex and slow reflexes—first, Brother Gu could easily be snatched away by another girl; second, if that happened, she’d be utterly devastated.
This was better. With Gu Ximan distracted by her own crush, Lu Xuexue could focus on getting closer to Brother Gu.
Once she made enough progress, she’d confess everything to Gu Ximan and beg for her forgiveness and support.
If Brother Gu was going to marry someone eventually, wouldn’t it be best if that someone was her?
Even if Gu Ximan never married, Lu Xuexue would happily take care of her forever.
Just imagining Brother Gu as her future husband, with her best friend as his little sister, Lu Xuexue couldn’t help but smile, her heart swelling with sweetness and anticipation.
Go for it! Go for it! Go for it!
She had to win Brother Gu over!
"Xuexue, why are you smiling like that all of a sudden?" Gu Ximan set down her manga, eyeing her suspiciously.
Then, as if struck by inspiration, her eyes lit up.
"You’re thinking about that senior, aren’t you?!"
She leaned in, lowering her voice conspiratorially.
"Guess what? I’ve got a lead on who he is! I’ll figure it out soon!"
In her mind, a certain boy’s image surfaced—
Decent-looking, tall and lanky like a lamppost, slightly thin.
What was his name again? Situ... Wenyao?
Every time she and Lu Xuexue went to Class 2-8 to find her annoying brother, this Situ Wenyao would sneak glances at them.
Definitely hiding something.
Compared to others, he was the most likely candidate.
"Ximan... you have a lead?" Lu Xuexue blinked, unsure what was happening but certain Gu Ximan had misunderstood.
Still, this was good.
It kept her distracted.
Which meant Lu Xuexue could focus on Brother Gu.
Time to step up her game.
Just bringing him snacks every day wasn’t enough.
She needed to go all out.
Her cheeks flushed at the thought, her toes curling shyly inside her white stockings.
"Um... Ximan..." she murmured hesitantly.
"Yeah? What’s up?"
"Can you... take some photos of me? I want to send them to that senior later."
Gu Ximan’s eyes widened, and she bolted upright. "Whoa! Xuexue, you’re finally making a move! This is huge! What kind of photos are we talking?"
Then she quickly added, "But nothing too risqué, okay?"
Lu Xuexue ducked her head, fiddling with the hem of her skirt. "I... I don’t really know. I just thought a maid outfit or catgirl costume might look cute... so I bought them..."
Meanwhile, she was screaming internally—Sorry, Ximan! So sorry!
Making a brother-obsessed girl take photos of another girl, only for those photos to end up with her brother...
This was...
Absolutely unforgivable!
She’d make it up to her someday!
Gu Ximan thumped her chest proudly. "Come on, let’s do it now! I’ll make sure you look stunning—that senior won’t know what hit him!"
She hopped off the bed and rummaged through Lu Xuexue’s closet, pulling out a black-and-white maid dress and a fresh pair of black stockings.
"Here, put these on! I’ll help you pose!"
Blushing, Lu Xuexue took the clothes and changed with Gu Xuexue’s help.
Minutes later, an adorable little maid stood before them.
The black dress was trimmed with white lace, a big bow tied at the waist, playful and sweet.
The black stockings hugged her legs perfectly, smooth and glossy, accentuating every curve.
Lu Xuexue then pulled out a white maid headband from a drawer, carefully adjusting it so the decoration sat just above her forehead.
Utterly adorable!
Gu Ximan gaped. "Xuexue, you were born to wear this! You look straight out of an anime!"
Lu Xuexue shyly whispered, "Really? Isn’t that too much?"
Gu Ximan shook her head vigorously, grabbing her phone. "Not at all! Sit on the bed, cross your legs slightly, and rest your hands on your knees."
She gestured enthusiastically.
"Perfect! Now soften your gaze a little—imagine the senior right in front of you."
Face burning, Lu Xuexue followed her directions, heart pounding.
Gu Ximan crouched low, eyes glued to her phone screen as she snapped photos from every angle.
While taking photos, she kept giving directions: "Yes, tilt your head down a little, smile slightly, don’t be too stiff. Perfect!"
After finishing a set of photos in a maid outfit, Gu Ximan wasn’t ready to stop. She immediately suggested, "Xuexue, let’s try the catgirl outfit next! I saw a pair of cat ears and a tail in your wardrobe earlier—paired with white thigh-highs, it’ll look amazing!"
Hearing this, Lu Xuexue nodded shyly, got off the bed, and rummaged through her wardrobe for the cat-ear headband and fluffy tail. She then changed into a pair of pristine white thigh-high stockings.
Once she put on the cat ears and attached the tail to her skirt, her whole demeanor instantly became playful and adorable.
It was as if she had truly transformed into a sweet, kitten-like girl.
Gu Ximan had her lie on the bed, propping her cheeks with her hands in a cute, cat-like pose, and took several shots from both the side and front angles.
With every click of the phone’s shutter, she couldn’t help but gush:
"Xuexue, you’re literally a catgirl straight out of an anime! Hold that pose—it’s too cute!"
Next came a dedicated showcase of various stockings.
Lu Xuexue changed into one pair after another, each with different styles and thicknesses.
The black stockings wrapped snugly around her legs like a mysterious night sky, accentuating their slender curves.
The white thigh-highs, meanwhile, turned her into a pure angel—her fair skin harmonizing with the stockings in a way that was breathtakingly stunning.
After finishing the series of maid, catgirl, black, and white stocking photos, Gu Ximan scrolled through the pictures on her phone and nodded in satisfaction.
"Xuexue, you’re such a natural in front of the camera! Any one of these would be a knockout—that senior of yours is going to be completely smitten!"
"You’re exaggerating!" Lu Xuexue covered her flushed cheeks and glanced at Gu Ximan shyly.
Then, after a pause, she suddenly asked:
"Manman, since you’ve taken so many pretty photos of me, why don’t I take some of you too?"
"You have a guy you like as well, don’t you?"
Gu Ximan froze for a moment, a wave of conflict surging in her heart.
Her mind immediately conjured up the warm, dotting smile of her annoying older brother.
But then she thought about how Lu Xuexue had gone all out for love...
Fine—she’d do it!
After hesitating for a while, Gu Ximan bit her lip and gave a small nod, murmuring, "...Just a few, then."
Consider it a little reward for that annoying brother of hers.
A small treat now and then wouldn’t hurt.
Seeing Gu Ximan agree, Lu Xuexue lit up with excitement.
She immediately had Gu Ximan change into a Lolita-style dress, its skirt adorned with lace and ribbons, paired with white knee-high socks—sweet and elegant.
Gu Ximan stood by the bed, fidgeting slightly with the hem of her dress, a faint blush on her cheeks.
Going from the photographer to the subject made her nervous.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Especially since these embarrassing photos were going to be sent to that annoying brother.
Noticing her shyness, Lu Xuexue reassured her with a smile, "Manman, don’t be nervous! Just relax, like how you taught me earlier. Lower your shoulders, let your hands rest naturally—yes, just like that."
Gu Ximan took a deep breath, forcing herself to relax, and gradually let a sweet smile spread across her face.
Lu Xuexue found the perfect angle and pressed the shutter.
A fresh, charming photo was born.
Next, Lu Xuexue had Gu Ximan change into the same catgirl outfit, complete with cat ears and a tail, posing cutely on the bed.
As she snapped away, she couldn’t help but praise, "Manman, you’re a natural at posing! This is seriously too tempting!"
Hearing this, Gu Ximan grew even more flustered.
Once they finished, Lu Xuexue sighed in admiration, "Manman, your figure is just unreal. I’m so jealous."
Just from the photos, it was obvious how well-nourished Gu Ximan was.
"My brother used to force me to drink milk every day..." Gu Ximan muttered, instinctively glancing down.
Only to realize she couldn’t even see her own stomach or thighs.
"Brother Gu is so nice..." Lu Xuexue said enviously before handing her the phone with a grin. "Manman, see how they turned out!"
Gu Ximan looked through the photos of herself—some cute, some undeniably sexy—and felt her face burn crimson, the flush spreading all the way to her neck.
Her heart pounded wildly as she couldn’t help but imagine what kind of expression that annoying brother would make when he saw these.
Whatever.
He better write a thousand-word review.
Or else she’d beat him up!
............
............