Two Fools

That dinner put me under a lot of pressure.

But aside from me, everyone around the table was utterly carefree.

Take Qian Qian, who was happy under any circumstances; the Pandora sisters, whose movements were identically swift and efficient even while shoveling down rice; Lilina, desperately dragging meat dishes toward herself; Little Pao Pao, who was so excited that her daddy had finally come home that she babbled "yi yi ya ya" from beginning to end; and Older Sister, who was always composed...

Not to mention Sandora, whose prowess at the dinner table was enough to take on ten thousand men.

When I thought about it, everyone in this house was a happy sort who could become completely carefree whenever food was involved. I was the only one under tremendous pressure, waiting for Lin Xue to call me to account.

After dinner, I spent a great deal of effort coaxing Little Pao Pao, who had come over demanding hugs, back inside. After sending Suigintou off to play by herself, I very consciously followed Lin Xue onto the balcony. The others were so loyal—when they saw that Miss Lin's expression was off, could they just stand by and watch Chen get scolded? Of course not, so they all pretended to have things to do and turned around to leave...

You bastards had no loyalty at all!

The two of us stood on the balcony, and the atmosphere was somewhat stifling for a moment. It was winter, and the sky had already gone completely dark. Miss Lin silently watched the distant lights without saying anything. It seemed I could only be the first to break the silence.

"Ahem, um... are you angry?"

After holding it in for so long, that was all I managed to say. Not exactly creative.

"Even Tawell would