Declaration of War and Response

"The moon is so beautiful tonight, Shu Ning."

"Yes, the moon is beautiful indeed."

It was past ten in the evening. Gu Luo and Luo Shuning sat side by side by the East Lake, tilting their heads slightly to gaze at the bright, high-hanging moon. The lake shimmered under its glow, and a gentle breeze brushed past, tousling their hair and carrying a faint chill.

"Brother, hold still—I’ll take a photo of you."

Luo Shuning suddenly stood up, pulling her phone from her pocket. With light steps, she moved a few paces away, searching for the perfect angle.

"Alright."

Gu Luo smiled, revealing a row of white teeth, and flashed a peace sign at her.

Luo Shuning opened the camera app, her eyes fixed on the screen as she adjusted the angle and focus. She crouched, then stood, shifting positions until she was satisfied.

After snapping the shots, she couldn’t help but admire, "Brother, you look good from every angle."

Without delay, she sent all seven photos to Luo Shuhe.

[Luo Shuning: [Photos] 7 Shuhe, look how handsome brother is! ????]

Meanwhile, in the bedroom.

Luo Shuhe sat at her desk, engrossed in practicing calligraphy. Ink flowed across the rice paper, forming bold, powerful strokes.

The sudden vibration of her phone disrupted the quiet. She picked it up, and her eyes narrowed slightly as she opened the messages.

In the photos, Gu Luo looked strikingly handsome under the moonlight, his charm on full display.

Staring at the screen, Luo Shuhe shook her head and murmured expressionlessly,

"Big sister really hasn’t changed—still so competitive."

"But if it’s about fighting over brother, I can understand."

She then walked slowly to her wardrobe.

Opening it, she reached deep inside and retrieved a small, worn black box. Its surface bore the marks of time, as if holding countless untold stories.

Carefully, Luo Shuhe lifted the lid and took out the topmost photograph.

The picture was taken at Ruixue Xingcheng Shop, capturing a young girl grinning as she wrapped her arm around a boy’s shoulders.

Sister, you should be grateful this isn’t my usual style...

Suppressing the urge to send the photo to Luo Shuning, she gently placed it back and returned the box to the depths of the wardrobe.

Then, she typed a reply:

[Luo Shuhe: Brother really is handsome. Thanks for sharing the photos, sis. Seven of them—I’ll change my wallpaper every day.]

A few seconds later.

[Luo Shuning: [Photo] 1]

The photo showed Luo Shuning and Gu Luo together. It was clearly taken on impulse—Gu Luo’s expression wasn’t ready, frozen in an unprepared moment.

[Luo Shuning: Shuhe, don’t forget about me. Use this as your wallpaper. ???]

Luo Shuhe once again resisted the urge to retaliate with her own photo. She took a quiet breath and continued typing.

[Luo Shuhe: Does brother know how scheming and competitive you are?]

After a brief pause.

[Luo Shuning: [Audio File] ?＞?＜?]

Luo Shuhe raised an eyebrow and tapped play.

Instantly, Luo Shuning and Gu Luo’s voices filled the room.

["Brother, if I were a scheming, competitive girl, would you still treat me this well?"

"Huh? Why ask that all of a sudden?"

"Just answer me~"

"Don’t worry, Shuning. No matter what, you’ll always be you."

"Hehe, brother is the best."]

[Luo Shuning: Brother said he’ll always like me, no matter what. ?＞?＜??]

Reading the message, Luo Shuhe suddenly laughed.

For no reason at all, she just laughed.

[Luo Shuhe: Big sister really hasn’t changed. Should I take this as a declaration of war?]

[Luo Shuning: Shuhe, didn’t your so-called war already start during dinner tonight? I’m just responding. ????]

[Luo Shuhe: Big sister is as confident as ever.]

[Luo Shuning: Shuhe, I can compromise on anything else—but not when it comes to brother. Rather than hiding it, let’s lay it all out openly.]

[Luo Shuhe: Let’s hope big sister doesn’t cry later.]

[Luo Shuning: Shuhe, you’ve never beaten me before. But if you really manage to take brother from me, I’ll sincerely wish you both happiness. PS: Not that it’ll ever happen.]

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