chapter 69
Gu Che clicked his tongue. Man, big brother is so biased.
“Little one, let big brother carry that for you. No need to be polite.”
Gu Qingning gave a casual “Oh,” let go of her bag, and Gu Ying took it from her, the corners of his lips curling up into a barely noticeable smile.
The two walked ahead together, while Gu Che folded his arms and bumped Gu Zhao on the shoulder, sounding a little sour.
“Big brother’s never carried our bags before.”
Gu Zhao nodded, glanced silently at the suitcase in his hand, and muttered,
“We even have to carry his luggage for him. Big brother totally favors girls over boys.”
“To be precise,” Gu Che corrected, “he favors sisters over brothers.”
Gu Zhao chuckled helplessly and resigned himself to pulling the suitcase as he followed along.
Night had fallen completely. The white luxury car sped down the highway, stirring up a cloud of dust behind it.
Gu Che glanced at the people in the front seats, secretly scheming.
“Little one, who do you think is better looking — second brother or big brother?”
In the passenger seat, Gu Ying’s face remained expressionless, but his ears subtly perked up.
Gu Qingning casually twirled her earphone cord around her fingers. Her lowered eyes gleamed with mischief.
“Third brother looks the best.”
As soon as she said it, Gu Zhao burst into laughter, while Gu Ying and Gu Che both looked visibly depressed.
Ignoring the hostile glares beside him, Gu Zhao beamed proudly.
“Ning’er’s got good taste.”
Gu Ying’s jaw tightened, his tone frosty.
“Eyes on the road. Stop talking.”
Gu Zhao didn’t mind and grinned even wider.
He’s just jealous.
Gu Che turned to the girl beside him, clutching his chest with a hurt expression.
“Little one, are you serious?”
Gu Qingning only smiled faintly, saying nothing.
When they arrived at the restaurant, it was still crowded as ever.
Thankfully, they had booked a private room in advance — no need to stand in line downstairs with everyone else.
Gu Che was a regular there, so as soon as they arrived, dishes started being served.
Gu Qingning glanced at the glass of juice in front of her, then turned to look at the wine glass in front of Gu Che.
The rose-colored liquid caught her eye — like a perfect cure for insomnia — and a ripple stirred in her usually calm gaze.
Their eyes met.
Gu Che gave a dry laugh and quietly covered his wine glass.
“Little one, how about this — second brother won’t drink either. I’ll drink juice with you.”
With big brother here, he didn’t dare let her drink alcohol.
Gu Qingning’s lips curved slightly.
“One glass.”
Meeting her clear, untainted black eyes, Gu Che found himself completely unable to say no.
Looking conflicted, he quickly passed the problem to Gu Ying.
“If big brother agrees, then I’ve got no objections.”
Gu Ying: “……”
He rolled up his sleeves, lifted his gaze to her, and cleared his throat.
“Ah Ning, drinking’s bad for you. This stuff is strong, and you’ve got school tomorrow. If you get drunk, you’ll never wake up in time.”
Gu Qingning replied calmly, “I won’t.”
Gu Ying froze.
“You’ve had it before?”
Gu Qingning nodded.
Gu Ying frowned. Which bastard took her drinking?
Afraid she might spill something she shouldn’t, Gu Che hurriedly changed the subject.
“Well, since the little one doesn’t have to drive, how about just one glass?”
Before he could finish, a cold glare from Gu Ying shut him up instantly.
Gu Ying softened his tone, trying to coax her.
“Ah Ning, these drinks are too strong for you. In a few days, I’ll take you to a vineyard. They’ve got their own fruit wines — you can try as many as you like.”
A vineyard? Gu Qingning raised an eyebrow. That actually didn’t sound bad.
She picked up her juice instead. Gu Ying quietly sighed in relief, a satisfied smile touching his lips.
Those fruit wines were mild; a little wouldn’t hurt.
Gu Che smirked meaningfully.
“Big brother, I brought you a gift.”
Gu Ying instantly sensed trouble. Under his skeptical gaze, Gu Che pulled a stack of test papers out of his bag, placed them in front of him, and even handed him a pen.
Gu Ying looked down at the papers, catching Gu Zhao’s barely-suppressed laughter out of the corner of his eye — confirming that there was definitely some scheme going on.
He frowned.
“What’s this supposed to mean?”
Gu Che cleared his throat and said delicately,
“So, here’s the thing — the little one had too much homework today. She didn’t have time to finish because she came with us to pick you up. So, you know…”
Gu Ying finally understood. They’re trying to prank me, huh?
No need to guess — this rotten idea clearly came from Gu Che.
Gu Che smiled with mock innocence.
“As her brothers, helping her out is only natural, right, big brother?”
Gu Ying narrowed his eyes, shooting him a deadly glare.
This idiot’s got a death wish.
Gu Che ignored the icy stare, looking all innocent.
“Big brother, why are you staring at me? Hurry up and write!”
Then, picking up his chopsticks, he turned to Gu Qingning.
“Little one, eat while it’s hot. The food’s pretty good here.”
Before he could even take a bite, his chopsticks were snatched away.
Gu Che blinked.
“Big brother, what are you stealing my chopsticks for?”
Gu Ying calmly divided the stack of papers into three parts.
“You two are also her brothers. Six papers total — two each.”
Gu Zhao’s eyes widened.
“Big brother…”
Before he could finish protesting, Gu Ying cut him off coldly.
“Or are you not Ning’s brother?”
Gu Zhao choked, unable to argue.
Gu Che made a last attempt.
“Big brother, these papers—”
“Keep talking,” Gu Ying interrupted icily, “and you can do all of them yourself.”
His sharp gaze was full of menace, and Gu Che immediately wilted.
He picked up his pen, defeated.
“I’ll write.”
Half a minute later, the mood in the private room had turned oddly comical.
Gu Qingning calmly ate her meal, while the three brothers sat beside her doing her homework as they ate.
Halfway through, Gu Che got another bad idea.
“Big brother, you’re so fast — maybe you could help me a little…”
“Scram,” Gu Ying said flatly, without looking up.
Gu Che pouted and turned to Gu Zhao.
“Ah Zhao, I know you’re the nicest one. You—”
“Go away,” Gu Zhao said without pause, busy writing.
“……”
Gu Che sighed.
What a tragic life I lead.
Gu Qingning gnawed on a rib, her dark eyes sweeping over the three of them. Deep within, a faint smile rippled.
During break time, Gu Qingning lay on her desk, dozing off.
Just as she closed her eyes, Chu Xu started whispering excitedly in her ear.
“Ning boss, I’ve got explosive news for you.”
“……”
“You just made it into the top three of the school heartthrob rankings!”
Ever since the video of Gu Qingning’s cafeteria fight went viral on the school forum, her gender-defying handsomeness had captivated both male and female students alike.
For the first time in school history, people were spamming votes for a girl on the School Heartthrob Ranking.
And in just a single day, she’d rocketed straight into the top three.
“……”
Chu Xu looked at the girl who remained completely silent — and immediately deflated.
That was the school heartthrob list, for crying out loud.
She was a girl — and she’d made it into the boys’ ranking — and she wasn’t even surprised!
