Chapter 6: Everyone’s Blind, Blind Spots Are Good

The morning passed quickly, and it was already time for lunch.

Since their introduction, the two had hardly spoken. The only sound in the air was the scratch of a ballpoint pen on paper, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

Luo Shisi didn’t quite understand why she was sitting here watching a child do homework.

Yet she had magically settled into the chair.

The boy had been somewhat restrained at first, but once he became absorbed in his work, he completely ignored his surroundings. His small frame sat upright, his eyes unusually focused.

Occasionally, Luo Shisi would pour him a glass of water before returning to reading comics on her phone.

For a while, the only sounds in the room were the ticking of the clock and the rustling of Lin Chao’s pages as he wrote.

It wasn’t until First Aunt called out for lunch that Lin Chao emerged from his books.

A flush of self-reproach colored his cheeks.

His mother had asked him to look after Luo Shisi, yet he had been doing homework the whole time.

He glanced at the water glass beside his hand, then quickly looked at the Alpha beside him, frowning slightly.

If anything, she had been taking care of him more.

Luo Shisi was sitting with her legs crossed, reading an action comic called Forty-Nine Dragon Balls on her phone.

It was well-written, but just too long…

The protagonist needed to collect forty-nine dragon balls to summon the divine dragon, making her frown with impatience.

However, Luo Shisi’s peripheral attention remained on the boy’s movements. Sensing his gaze, she naturally poured another glass of water for him: “Want some water? Here.”

The house was warmer than outside, so Luo Shisi had rolled up her sleeves, unavoidably revealing a section of her forearm.

White, that was the only word Lin Chao could think of.

His gaze secretly drifted downward…

Her fingers curled slightly, holding the enamel cup as if it were a work of art, gleaming faintly in the light. From his angle, he could even see the fine hair on her skin.

Lin Chao had inherited his father’s fair complexion, making him the palest in the family. Yet she was only slightly darker than him.

Noticing he hadn’t taken the cup for a while, Luo Shisi turned her head, her eyes questioning.

Lin Chao pursued his lips and raised his hand to take the cup when the sound of the door opening interrupted them.

It was First Aunt.

Her belly protruding, she held the door handle with a smile seemingly welded to her face.

First Aunt looked directly at Luo Shisi as she entered: “Shisi, why don’t you have lunch with us today? Second Uncle-in-law and Third Uncle-in-law specially prepared a feast to welcome you.”

For some reason, Lin Chao noticed Luo Shisi glancing at him as if asking whether he wanted her to stay.

Lin Chao lowered his head in fluster, his ears turning red, though he didn’t know why he was so flustered.

Probably because he had never had friends before… or brought anyone home, so he didn’t know how to handle such situations.

This is normal, he comforted himself.

The central area of the main room was spacious, with a large round table set up surrounded by round stools.

The surroundings were noisy and bustling, no different despite having an extra person.

Lin Chao irritably pinched the fabric of his pants at the knees, closed his eyes, and desperately wished he could turn back time to a moment ago.

He must have been bewitched to have said “stay together” those three words.

Now thinking back, was he being too presumptuous? Too casual?

The dishes weren’t served yet. Luo Shisi was seated beside him, chatting with Lin Guizhi nearby.

Only women and children were seated at the table now, with Second Aunt’s Husband and Lin Ba busy cooking in the kitchen.

Grandma sat on the heated brick bed, not as energetic as before. After having all her teeth extracted, she could only consume liquids and small bread rolls while watching everyone chat from her perch.

Luo Shisi appeared accustomed to such family gatherings, conversing with effortless ease like a fish returned to water.

In contrast, Lin Chao seemed rather uncomfortable in this setting.

He kept his head lowered, cradling a cup as he took small sips, as if they contained some divine nectar.

Luo Shisi’s gaze occasionally drifted to his flushed earlobes, finding it rather amusing.

After stammering “let’s go together,” the foolish rabbit had bolted out the door as if chased by wolves. By the time she arrived, he had already squeezed himself between Lin Guizhi and a young child.

Clearly avoiding her.

Unexpectedly, when Lin Guizhi noticed Luo Shisi’s arrival, she immediately stood up and guided her to sit beside Lin Chao, cheerfully remarking, “Your young people have more in common to talk about. This way won’t be awkward for either of you.”

Ever since she took the seat, the boy seemed to have developed a fixation with his cup, as if wishing he could hide inside it.

Though his fluffy crown of hair was quite endearing, Luo Shisi hoped he wouldn’t maintain that hunched posture for too long, knowing it would become uncomfortable.

So, Luo Shisi employed a little Master’s tactic.

Feigning hurt, she tapped the rim of her ceramic bowl while leaning slightly toward him, sighing softly, “Do you dislike me? You haven’t spoken a word since I sat down. Maybe I should…”

The effect was immediate, even exceeding expectations.

Before she could finish, the previously curled-up boy jolted upright, though his grip on the cup tightened further.

Biting his lower lip, he met her gaze with flustered eyes: “No… it’s… my own issue.”

Luo Shisi’s attention inadvertently fell upon his forehead.

The boy had cut his hair short, with his bangs casually parting in a way that made him look obedient. Through the parting, she noticed his fine baby hairs were damp and matted together, suddenly realizing a possibility.

“Are you… perhaps somewhat socially anxious?”

The boy nodded slightly, then shook his head, his fingers gently tracing the cup’s surface as he murmured, “Just a little… it gets better… when I’m familiar with people.”

Regret washed over her… How awful of her… Why pressure a socially anxious kid?

Was it worth it, just to soothe her own slight discomfort?

A quiet stillness settled in the air, the atmosphere growing somewhat awkward.

“The dishes are ready~ Let’s eat~” Second Aunt’s Husband announced, removing his apron and taking a seat near the stove. He called out to Lin Ba who was still cooking: “A’Feng, stop cooking and join us!”

Lin Ba continued working without pause, laughing as he replied, “You all go ahead. Xingxing doesn’t eat meat; I’m making something separate for him.”

With the New Year approaching, the household had prepared abundant meats – pork, chicken, fish, and mutton – creating a lavish spread across the large table.

Hearing this, Second Aunt immediately reached for her chopsticks, only to have her hand swatted away by her husband. He shot her a stern look and scolded her under his breath, “No one has started eating yet, must you always be so hasty?”

After watching Second Aunt silently put down her chopsticks, Lin Chao glanced at Luo Shisi who was observing them before lecturing Lin Ba behind him in a reproachful tone: “Xingxing became like this because you spoiled him. A few days of hunger would make him eat anything. He’s just being fussy. Everyone’s been waiting for you to eat how rude.”
His tone was exceedingly arrogant, and as he spoke, he shot Lin Chao with a disdainful glare.

It was as if criticizing them proved his superiority, setting him apart from their level.

Upon hearing this, Lin Chao kept his head lowered, minimizing his presence as much as possible, his eyes quietly reddening at the rims.

How could he… Normally it would be one thing, but today of all days… with an outsider present.

Lin Ba paused briefly, but his hands never stopped moving. Only his back seemed to stiffen slightly.

Seeing that neither father nor son spoke up, and the three Lin sisters sat in silent agreement, Second Aunt’s Husband curled his lips into a smug smile.

Luo Shisi was highly skilled at reading people. With just this one scene, she had already grasped the relationships and personalities of the Lin family members almost entirely.

She quietly swept a glance at Lin Chao but said nothing.

The awkwardness didn’t last long before Lin Ba finished stir-frying a small bowl of tomato and egg noodles and placed it in front of Lin Chao. Forcing a dry laugh, he said, “Everyone, please eat… Sorry for the wait. Actually, there was no need to wait you’re all too polite.”

Before Lin Ba’s words fully faded, just as Luo Shisi picked up her chopsticks, a child’s domineering voice cut through sharply.

“Lin Chao! I want fried noodles!”

“Give them to me now!”

By the time Luo Shisi looked over, the child had already grabbed Lin Chao’s bowl.

Before she could react, she saw Lin Chao being shoved to the ground by the child. She could only hurriedly reach out to catch him, unable to save the bowl of noodles.

The ceramic bowl shattered on the floor, splintering into pieces, the stir-fried noodles scattering everywhere.