Composure

"Really, really, big bro was so cool back then!"

"His way of thinking was totally on another level compared to us!"

"He said something like... oh right, 'Those who receive official salaries should not compete for profit with the common people' from Records of the Grand Historian."

"I didn’t even think that deeply at the time. Even Grandma Li only realized it later..."

"Huang Anlu from our club ended up apologizing to big bro, haha..."

"And then on Wednesday..."

The dining table was laden with sumptuous dishes, the steaming food exuding an enticing aroma.

Yet, for once, Luo Shuling paid no attention to the food, completely immersed in the joy of storytelling.

She vividly recounted every detail, even the amusing fact that stray cats would only approach Gu Luo.

Her expression was brimming with pride, as if every shining moment of Gu Luo’s was her own glory.

Gu Luo sat quietly beside her, silently shoveling rice into his mouth the entire time.

He felt nothing but awkwardness, as if secondhand embarrassment was about to kill him.

He had merely shared some personal opinions and didn’t think such things were worth bragging about.

They were just thoughts—neither right nor wrong, neither superior nor inferior.

Whether others agreed or not was their business, yet Luo Shuling made it sound like some grand revelation.

However, Luo Shuning and Gu Ximan didn’t see it that way.

They listened with great relish, as if the food on the table had become even more delicious because of it.

"Not bad, stinky big bro. You actually thought that far ahead," Gu Ximan said smugly, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

As she spoke, she lightly pressed her foot, clad in white thigh-high socks, onto Gu Luo’s foot, proudly lifting her chin.

"Just as expected from the big bro I trained!"

Xuexue had said boys liked this sort of thing.

Well, consider this a special reward for him.

"Can’t you talk without using your feet?" Gu Luo pretended to glare at her. "Move it, move it. We’re eating. It’s gross."

Though he said that, he secretly found his sister’s antics adorable.

"Huh?!"

Hearing this, Gu Ximan instantly bristled, puffing up her pink cheeks in anger.

You’re actually disgusted by me?!

"This is a beautiful girl’s fragrant foot!"

"I’ll keep stepping on you, I’ll keep stepping!"

With that, she placed her other foot on top of his and began stomping wildly, venting her frustration.

Gu Luo didn’t react, continuing to eat as if undisturbed by his sister’s mischief.

This was basically a free foot massage.

Honestly, teasing his little sister was the most fun.

She was the easiest to fool in this household.

Another successful prank on the little dummy.

"Press harder. My feet have been a bit sore from walking these past few days," Gu Luo couldn’t help but chuckle. "Gotta say, this feels pretty good."

"......"

Hearing this, Gu Ximan froze as if struck by a paralysis spell, her face alternating between red and pale.

Then, with an indignant huff, she put down her chopsticks and began pummeling Gu Luo’s shoulders with her tiny fists.

"Ahhhh! Stinky big bro, you’re the worst!"

Her punches were so soft they felt more like acting cute than actual hitting.

"Harder, harder. My arms are a bit sore too," Gu Luo burst out laughing again, thoroughly enjoying his sister’s flustered reaction.

Another successful prank on the little dummy.

Manipulating Ximan was child’s play.

"Stinky big bro, you...!" Gu Ximan gritted her teeth, too furious to even form words.

"The little sister is too cute."

Watching this heartwarming scene unfold, Luo Shuning wore a doting smile the entire time.

"Big brother was amazing today too."

As she spoke, she picked up a piece of broccoli with her chopsticks, about to place it in Gu Luo’s bowl.

But just then, another pair of chopsticks moved faster.

A piece of meat landed in Gu Luo’s bowl.

The owner of those chopsticks was Luo Shuhe, who had remained silent the entire time.

Seeing this, Luo Shuning’s hand paused mid-air, and even her doting smile stiffened slightly.

In the past, she wouldn’t have cared about such a small thing.

But now, things were different.

A strange, prickling discomfort settled in her chest, though she quickly smoothed her expression back into a gentle smile.

She placed the broccoli in Gu Luo’s bowl as planned.

The atmosphere at the table grew subtly tense.

Gu Luo stared at the meat and broccoli now piled in his bowl, a chill creeping up his spine.

He cautiously glanced between Luo Shuning and Luo Shuhe, forcing a strained smile.

"...Thanks."

Luo Shuhe said nothing, silently adding another piece of meat to his bowl—a silent declaration of war.

Now that things were out in the open, there was no need for pretense.

Unfazed, Luo Shuning maintained her smile and placed a stalk of celery in his bowl.

"Big brother should balance his diet."

Luo Shuhe responded by adding more meat.

Gu Luo watched as his bowl gradually overflowed, his emotions swinging like a rollercoaster.

Meanwhile, Gu Ximan was fuming but couldn’t say anything.

After all, they were both older sisters.

She wanted to stomp on her stinky big bro’s foot and unleash a barrage of Ximan punches, but she feared it’d just be giving him a massage.

So annoying!

The more she watched, the angrier she got.

Why were they all piling food into his bowl?

I’m his closest little sister!

Gu Luo felt the weight of Gu Ximan’s burning glare and didn’t dare move a muscle.

How did things escalate like this?!

Everything was fine just a minute ago!

"Are you guys playing a game where you compete to give big bro the most food?" Luo Shuling suddenly chimed in with a giggle.

She seemed completely oblivious to the tension.

"I get it, I get it. Big bro was really cool today and even taught us a lesson."

"As thanks, we should definitely give him more food."

With that, she too began adding food to Gu Luo’s bowl.

Her interruption eased the atmosphere slightly.

Gu Ximan blinked, her brain struggling to process the situation.

...Something feels off...

But she couldn’t pinpoint what.

Well, she couldn’t let herself be outdone by the three of them!

With that thought, she also started piling food onto Gu Luo’s plate.

"Enough, enough! I won’t be able to finish all this..."

Gu Luo stared at the mountain of food in his bowl and hurriedly began shoveling it into his mouth.

Internally, he wanted to kowtow to Luo Shuling in gratitude.

Her timing was impeccable.

Otherwise, he’d have been doomed.

But now, a new problem arose.

Why is the little devil suddenly not playing by the rules today?

She used to be sneaky, but now she’s laying all her cards on the table.

Did something happen?

Gu Luo’s gaze subtly shifted between the two sisters.

Luo Shuning’s face was as gentle as ever, her smile still sweet; Luo Shuhe remained expressionless, her thoughts impossible to decipher.

There wasn’t the slightest hint of anything unusual.

Soon, the dinner came to an end under this oddly tense atmosphere.

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

Kitchen.

Gu Luo stood by the sink, washing dishes while stealing glances at Luo Shuning’s expression beside him.

After all, Luo Shuhe’s behavior earlier had been far too out of character.

He really had no idea how to explain it.

The thought made a trace of worry and unease rise in his chest, and his hands moved mechanically.

"Brother, what’s wrong?"

Luo Shuning seemed to notice his distraction and suddenly looked up, offering him a soft smile.

"Ahem..." Gu Luo hesitated, words stuck in his throat.

His heart was tangled—he didn’t want Luo Shuning to misunderstand, but he also had no idea how to bring it up.

"Brother, don’t worry." Luo Shuning spoke up then, her voice gentle yet firm. "Shuhe isn’t much of a talker. Earlier, when she served you food, she was just expressing her agreement with your thoughts through actions."

"And... I will always believe in you."

"Unconditionally."

"So you don’t have to worry about me misunderstanding anything."

With that, she playfully blinked her large, glistening eyes.

Hearing this, Gu Luo gradually relaxed, a smile returning to his face.

His fondness for this little angel was practically overflowing.

Having such an understanding girl by his side—he truly was lucky.

"Brother, let’s go to East Lake for some fresh air after our showers," Luo Shuning said, tilting her head with anticipation.

"Sure."

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

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