"Brother Gu, Senior Shen Yue, here are the strawberry cakes I made for you today. I followed an online tutorial—hope you like them."
Lu Xuexue, standing behind Gu Ximan, placed the box of strawberry cakes on Gu Luo's desk.
"Ah, thank you," Gu Luo smiled, feeling quite fond of this younger sister who practically showered him with treats every day.
Of course, the main reason was that Lu Xuexue was Gu Ximan's best friend.
And without fail, she always greeted him with a sweet "Brother Gu."
Her well-behaved demeanor naturally made Gu Luo treat her like a little sister.
"Thanks, junior," Shen Yue said, snapping out of her earlier thoughts and nodding with a warm smile at Lu Xuexue.
She genuinely adored Gu Luo's two younger sisters.
Not only were they cute and pretty, but their personalities were utterly endearing.
Plus, they treated her with such respect that it gave her a satisfying sense of seniority.
The moment the two first-year beauties stepped into the sophomore Class 8, the previously noisy classroom noticeably quieted down.
The usually carefree, chuunibyou boys suddenly transformed, straining to appear deep and composed.
No choice—in front of the two most radiant first-year flowers, they had to maintain their dignity and put their best foot forward.
Even the students who had been rushing to the basketball court stopped in their tracks.
Well, except for the die-hard badminton fanatics.
Gu Ximan turned to Gu Luo and asked, "Stupid big bro, what event did you sign up for?"
"Haven’t decided yet, I’ll figure it out later," Gu Luo replied before countering, "What about you, Ximan?"
"Xuexue and I have zero athletic talent—we’re just gonna be spectators," Gu Ximan teased, sticking out her tongue before grumbling, "Honestly, doesn’t the school host events way too often?"
"Last Wednesday was the anniversary celebration, and next Tuesday is the sports festival."
Hearing this, Shen Yue patiently explained with a smile, "That’s just how it is. The school holds two sports festivals every semester—one right after term starts and another before vacation."
"And that’s not all—there are competitions, galas, spring outings, autumn trips, out-of-province dorm retreats… so many things."
"On average, there’s some event every two or three weeks."
"This school must be loaded…" Gu Ximan couldn’t help but marvel, but then her eyes suddenly sparkled as she realized something. Excitedly, she asked,
"We can go on out-of-province retreats?!"
"Yep," Shen Yue nodded, then added mysteriously, "But those are only for sophomores."
"Whaaat?!"
The cruel reality hit Gu Ximan like a deflated balloon, shattering her hopes.
Shattering them completely.
She wasn’t upset about missing out this year—she was devastated she couldn’t go with her stupid big bro.
"But there are exceptions," Shen Yue lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Technically, freshmen and juniors aren’t allowed to join."
"But I can ask my mom to negotiate with the school’s ‘principles.’"
Though it was considered a prestigious academy, there weren’t many families at Guangya that could sway the administration.
Gu Ximan’s heart leaped with hope, her eyes reigniting with excitement.
But she hesitated, unsure how to respond.
Even with her own connections, she couldn’t bring herself to ask Aunt Luo to intervene on something like this.
Besides, while she and Shen Yue were acquainted now, they weren’t that close—let alone asking for a favor that relied on her parents’ influence.
"We’ll see how things go. Might really need your help asking Aunt Xu later," Gu Luo chimed in, speaking up for Gu Ximan.
He, too, wanted to travel with her and create lasting memories.
He just wasn’t sure how their blended family would handle it.
After all, Aunt Luo might not approve of Luo Shuning being with him.
If it came down to it, he’d ask Shen Yue for help.
Yue's Mom wasn’t an outsider.
"Mm, of course!" Shen Yue was overjoyed that Gu Luo didn’t treat her like a stranger at all.
Anyone watching might’ve thought he was fulfilling some long-held wish of hers.
"Yesss!"
Gu Ximan immediately threw herself at Shen Yue in a hug.
Not long after the two girls’ playful tussling, the class’s sports committee member approached with a sign-up sheet.
After politely smiling at Gu Ximan and Lu Xuexue, he turned to Gu Luo and asked,
"Gu, what’s the plan?"
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