"YAN YAN, no more sweets," Luo Ren said sternly when Luo Yan tried to pick another bowl of almond float.

Luo Yan quickly pouted.  And here he thought he could get away with it because his brother was too focus on Yu Jiao. 

Luo Jin closed his mouth.  He was actually about to stop his second brother from eating another dessert, he didn't expect for his elder brother to do it before he could.  Just like Luo Yan, he thought the other had already forgotten their existence because he's too busy focusing on Yu Jiao.

Seriously, seeing his elder brother acting all smiley and slimy with Yu Jiao was almost vomit inducing.  But could you blame him?  His elder brother had never shown that kind of expression outside of their family before.  Seeing him like this now was kind of unnerving.  It's even giving Luo Jin goosebumps.

Even though he's not really good with those kinds of emotional stuff, he could at least see that Luo Ren was really treating Yu Jiao in a special manner.  If the other told him right now that he actually liked the girl, he probably wouldn't be surprised. 

So, could that really be the case?  If that was so, then wouldn't that make both his brothers in love?  Could it be that his elder brother was affected by Luo Yan's confession that's why he had been acting like this?  Did he feel pressured that his younger brother already had a sweetheart so he thought he should also have one to establish his glory as the eldest?

Luo Jin shook his head.  He felt kind of stupid thinking that way.  Especially when it was so obvious that Luo Ren was truly smitten with Yu Jiao.  He wouldn't question his brother's taste.  If he liked tall, shy girls, then he had no problem with that.  Even he could see the attraction in that.  He just wished his brother could do his, well, whatever this was, when he and Luo Yan were not around.

After all, he didn't want to be fed this kind of dog food.

"Ahm, please excuse me, I'll just go, well, you know," Yu Jiao said, her face blushing and unable to say that she wanted to go to the restroom.  It's kind of embarrassing to say that in front of three males.

Luo Yan quickly understood what Yu Jiao wanted to say and said, "Go, Jiao Jiao, we'll wait for you here."

Yu Jiao shyly nodded and walked out of the private box.

Luo Ren chuckled remembering how Yu Jiao couldn't even say 'rest room'.  "Cute, isn't she?"

Luo Jin stood up. "I think I also need to go to the rest room."

Then he walked out of the private box.

"I think that's Ah Jin's way of protesting to you for feeding us unwanted dog food," Luo Yan said, putting his hand on his chin.

"What dog food?  I barely did anything that warrant such a thing," Luo Ren said, shrugging.  "So, what's the real reason you were late?" he asked, changing the subject.

When Luo Yan said earlier that it's because of some 'unforeseen situation', he knew that it must be because of something serious. 

When Luo Yan heard that question, he didn't think of lying.  After all, it did cross his mind to tell him about Yu Jiao's situation in the hopes that he might be able to help her better. 

"Well, a witch was trying to hurt a princess.  So, as a handsome knight, I did my best to rescue her," he said in an analogy. 

Luo Ren's gaze turned sharp hearing that.  He only understood one thing from what his brother said, someone tried to hurt Yu Jiao.  "Who was it?"

Luo Yan was slightly surprised hearing his older brother talk in such a cold voice.  Even when the other was annoyed with Shen Ji Yun, Luo Yan had never heard him talk in such a way. 

"It's her stepsister," he answered.  "I'm not really familiar with all the details, but from what I've seen and heard, Jiao Jiao's step-family is not exactly the model of kindness.  Especially if I take the attitude of her stepsister as an example."

Luo Ren was silent for a few seconds.  This was the first time he had heard about Yu Jiao's family situation.  Showing just how much he still didn't know about her.  But now that he knew that she actually had a step-family, it probably fueled the girl's timid nature even more.  Especially, if as Luo Yan said, they were not kind and loving towards her. 

"Do you know anything else about her step-family?" he asked.

"Not much.  I only know that Jiao Jiao's mother married into the Mo family almost two years ago.  Then she was transferred to Guizu Academy."  Yu Jiao's family situation was like an open secret in the class.  "She's from a single-mother household before that.  From what I had heard, they're not exactly that well-off.  It's kind of the reason why our classmates isolate her in a way."

Because in their classmates' opinion, Yu Jiao was not one of them.  The isolation was not that harsh to the point that she was being bullied.  It's just that kind where people chose not to recognize her existence.  As if she wasn't there at all. 

In Luo Yan's opinion, that was pretty immature.  But he also knew that it's hard to change the opinion of these kids who grew up thinking that they were better than the common citizens.  Especially if they belonged to the poorest social class.

Luo Ren felt a sting in his chest when he heard about Yu Jiao's situation.  No wonder she seemed like she always lacked confidence.  As if she was always afraid if what she was doing was right or not.  He could now see where her insecurity was coming from.  Her step-family and her classmates were probably just making it worse.  If it continued on like that, she probably would just turn into a big mess sooner or later.

But she met Luo Yan at just the right time.  With his brother's character, he slowly helped her get out of her shell.  To be much stronger and much more confident.   

For that, Luo Ren would be forever thankful.  Because if not, then he probably would have never met her.  And what a tragedy it would have been.  To him, at least.

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