Chapter Seven: Nighttime Conversations at the Dinner Table

The television was on, playing quietly in the background, but Luo Si seemed uneasy, her gaze drifting between me and the kitchen every so often.

“What kind of shows do you like to watch?” I asked, more to fill the silence than out of genuine curiosity.

“Ah? Oh, I usually enjoy historical dramas,” Luo Si replied, settling herself a bit after hearing me speak.

“Hmm, how about this one?” I randomly switched to a palace drama.

“It’s not bad,” she nodded.

I really had no idea what sort of dramas she liked, but since she thought this one was decent, I didn’t bother changing it again.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Open the door, open the door!”

Even without hearing her voice, just from the knock, I could tell it was my sister.

I got up and opened the door.

“Yan Yan, back from school?”

“Obviously. It’s six thirty already,” Yan Yan huffed, tossing her backpack at me.

“Wow, that’s pretty heavy. Lots of homework, huh?” I hefted the bag; it really was quite weighty.

Hearing me mention homework, Yan Yan grumbled, “Exactly, and I’ve already finished half at school. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to carry it.”

“Have you considered staying for evening study sessions at school?” I suggested.

“No way,” Yan Yan’s face immediately twisted into anger, then shifted to a pout, tears threatening to spill.

“Are you trying to get rid of me?” she whimpered.

I was instantly startled. When we were young, if I made my sister cry for any reason, Dad would give me a good thrashing. Even if I didn’t give her pocket money and she cried, she’d complain and I’d get punished again. Maybe that’s why I can’t stand to see girls cry.

“No, never. How could I ever dislike you? You’re so adorable, Yan Yan. Your brother just feels bad seeing you lug such a heavy bag every day.”

She snorted with pride and strode into the living room.

“Hey, who’s this?” Yan Yan asked, discovering Luo Si as if she were a new continent.

“Yan Yan, this is my classmate. Her name is Luo Si. Luo Si, this is my sister Yan Yan,” I introduced them tactfully.

“Hello, Yan Yan. Nice to meet you,” Luo Si greeted her.

“Hello, Luo Si.” Luckily, Yan Yan, though harsh and quick-tempered with me, was polite with outsiders and never embarrassed anyone.

“You two chat. I’ll check if dinner’s ready. After a day of studying, I’m starving.” With that, Yan Yan headed into the kitchen.

“I think I should probably head home now,” Luo Si said, looking at me questioningly.

“Why leave? Stay for dinner. If you sneak off now, I’ll be scolded. After all, I helped you before—you can’t let me down.” I played the sympathy card, successfully persuading Luo Si to give up her plan to escape halfway.

“Dinner’s ready. Wash your hands and come eat,” my sister called from the kitchen before shutting the door again.

I waved to Luo Si. “Come, let’s wash up.”

She followed me to the bathroom, washed her hands, and used my mother’s towel to dry them. It wouldn’t be appropriate for her to use mine, and my sister was a bit of a neat freak, so my mother’s towel was best.

“Luo Si, Auntie’s going to call you Si Si, okay?” My mother started chatting as soon as we’d helped set the table.

“Sure, that’s what my family calls me,” Luo Si nodded obediently.

“Then I’ll call you Sister Si Si from now on,” Yan Yan chimed in.

“Alright, Yan Yan,” Luo Si replied, her eyes sparkling with delight. Clearly, she was quite pleased with my sister.

There’s nothing to be done about it; my sister is undeniably cute. It’s natural that people like her.

“So, Si Si, where’s your family from?” My mother’s eyes gleamed with gossip as she asked.

I quietly wiped nonexistent sweat from my forehead and focused on eating.

“My family is local—X City. We live in Shaolai Residence.”

Luo Si was straightforward, telling us exactly where she lived.

“Oh, Shaolai Residence isn’t far from Mingyue Community. You should visit us more often.”

“Of course, I’d love to.”

…

“So, Si Si, what do your parents do?” My mother asked while serving Luo Si some food.

“I…” Luo Si paused mid-bite, seeming conflicted.

“Mom, isn’t there a saying about not talking at the table or in bed? You keep asking, and I bet she hasn’t eaten well,” I interjected to steer the conversation away from awkwardness.

“If it’s not easy to talk about, then don’t. Here, this dish is nutritious—eat more,” my mother said, not pressing further.

“Actually, it’s nothing much. My parents are divorced. I live with my dad. He runs a small company and is always busy,” Luo Si admitted, sharing something quite personal for reasons unknown.

“Oh, I see. What do you eat for dinner every day?” My mother frowned with concern.

“If I have time, I cook for myself; otherwise, I order takeout sometimes,” Luo Si answered, embarrassed, scooping a few bites of rice. My mother and I could tell—it wasn’t just sometimes. Most of the time, she probably ordered in.

“Si Si, please take care of Yu in class,” my mother said, shifting the topic.

“Auntie, we’re not in the same class,” Luo Si quickly clarified, seeing my mother’s misunderstanding.

“Huh? Not the same class? How did you two meet?”

“Well, last night, I ran into a creep, and it was Yan Ruyu who saved me. Today at school, I realized we were both students there,” Luo Si explained, a bit shy.

“Hey, son, not bad! Saving damsels in distress now,” my mother said approvingly.

“It was just a coincidence, Mom. I happened to be out for a walk and saw it,” I replied.

My mother turned her gaze from me back to Luo Si.

“Si Si, why don’t you come eat at our house every day? It’s not safe for you to go home alone, and Yu can walk you back afterward,” she said, her kindness overflowing.

Luo Si smiled gratefully at my mother. “Thank you, Auntie, but I don’t want to trouble you. I’ll just be more careful from now on.”

“That won’t do! You don’t know if the creep chose you at random or has been stalking you. If you’re alone, it’s so dangerous,” my mother said, making Luo Si jump.

Clearly, she hadn’t thought much about it before, otherwise she wouldn’t have been so startled.

My mother had achieved her aim, though Luo Si was quite shaken. After all, as a girl with busy parents, if a stalker really had targeted her, the consequences would be unthinkable.

“Well, I’ll think about it,” Luo Si said, a bit uncertain now.

“Do you have your phone with you?” my mother asked.

Luo Si nodded.

“Bring it over,” my mother said naturally, holding out her hand.

Without hesitation, Luo Si handed over her phone.

“My ringtone is ‘Steady Happiness—measured by a lifetime…’” my mother’s phone rang just then.

“This is Auntie’s number. Call me if you ever need anything,” she said.

Luo Si nodded in understanding.

Dinner soon ended, and Luo Si insisted on helping my mother wash the dishes before saying it was getting late and she needed to head home.

“Yu, make sure you walk Si Si home safely, alright?” my mother said seriously.

“Don’t worry,” I replied, waving my hand as I led Luo Si out.

Once we entered the elevator, Luo Si let out a long sigh.

“Yan Ruyu, your mother is really warm-hearted.”

“Haha, I’m used to it,” I replied with a grin.

“Do you think that creep really might have targeted me?” Luo Si asked nervously.

“I don’t know, but as long as you lock your doors and don’t open them for strangers, you’ll be fine.”

“Okay,” she whispered, then walked quietly ahead.