Auntie Lyn placed a variety of food on the table. Ruby stood by the side, watching her go back and forth from the kitchen to the dining room. Ruby felt full just by looking.
"Auntie Lyn, I don't think we can finish all of these," Ruby said as she pulled a chair to sit.
Noah and Oliver followed suit. They sat with a perplexed gaze wandering around.
Ruby stroked her chin while her eyes stopped at the amount of rice in her bowl. "Is there a party going on without me knowing?"
"Ohoho! Young Miss is funny. You told me to give my all, so I did. I noticed that Young Miss and Little Young Masters also look tired. Then, Isn't it good to eat a lot? Back in the day, my grandmother would always encourage us, the young generation, to fill our stomachs while we could."
"My grandmother left me an important message which until now I still keep dearly."
Ruby was intrigued, "What is it, Auntie?"
Auntie Lyn's wrinkly eyes were stretched and her eyes bend meaningfully.
"Young Miss, you can do anything your heart desires when you are full."
".. Oh." Ruby was a bit shocked.
"Auntie's grandmother is wise."
After that, Ruby got her attention back to her bowl. Ruby told Auntie Lyn to put more effort into today's dinner and Auntie Lyn happily agreed. Nevertheless, they wouldn't be able to sack everything into their stomach even if they wanted to.
Ruby gave it a thought and remembered some people in the corner of her mind. "Well, Auntie Lyn. Can you pack some for the people next door?"
"Okay, Young Miss."
"Thank you."
Auntie Lyn smiled. "Small thing. Young Miss doesn't need to thank me."
Ruby grinned seeing Auntie Lyn's kind face. She liked Auntie Lyn's warm-hearted personality.
"Auntie's cooking is out of this world!" Ruby winked at Auntie Lyn who countered it with a hearty laugh.
Oliver's cutely voiced his opinion, keeping up with Ruby's boot-licking. "It's really delicious! I love everything you make, Auntie!"
Out of everyone's sight, Oliver nudged Noah under the table. Noah had no choice but to raise his head and spoke the truth.
"Tasty."
Auntie Lyn's hands trembled. Oh! She really adored these children. They are making her old heart bleed from cuteness. She wished to pinch their cheeks one by one even though she knew she can only do it in her dream.
In order not to cross the line, Auntie Lyn excused herself to deliver the meal next door.
Ruby leisurely picked some vegetables and put them into the twins' little bowl.
"Eat."
Oliver's round eyes rolled. He took the vegetables and put them into Noah's. Oliver whispered in secret, "I'll give it to you, brother. Good for your brain."
Oliver gave a thumbs up. His little face looked proud.
Noah and Ruby were speechless.
Dumb kid. You need it the most.
"What? Why are you both staring at me?"
Ruby sighed. She was truly helpless when it comes to Oliver. He was perceptive, can read the mood, and was quick to catch on to something. But, how was he able to accomplish those glorious deeds in the story if he didn't use his brain?
Is it your innate skill?
Or does his talent hadn't bloomed yet?
Either way, it's useless to constantly think about it. Ruby thought she should let fate take the reins on Oliver's behalf.
The next morning, a phone call came from Guy. Ruby was half-asleep when she pick up the call. However, the timing was perfect to liberate her from boredom babysitting at home the past couple of days.
"Yes."
"Uh-huh."
Ruby hang up and went down to find the twins. They were having fun doing their own things but were rudely interrupted by Ruby.
"Want to come along with me?"
Oliver blinked, "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to your school. Your homeroom teacher apparently has some questions she wanted to ask me."
Oliver was disappointed. He turned away from Ruby to watch cartoons again. Oliver's lofty attitude made Ruby itch to teach him a lesson. She inhaled deeply before erasing the little guy's arrogant image out of her mind.
"What about you Noah?"
Noah hesitated, part of him wanted to say yes but the other part wouldn't allow him to. He was reluctant to leave Oliver alone. His pitch-black eyes slightly shook from the inner struggle.
Some time ago, Ruby had chanced upon discovery after spending time with the twins that although Noah may seem like a hen protecting its chick, occasionally it would be Noah who couldn't bear to part with Oliver. While Oliver obviously didn't have a problem being apart from Noah.
Oliver was close to becoming a free bird if Noah wasn't around.
That's why Ruby chose to wait patiently for Noah's decision.
The book was put aside on the table by Noah as he fixed his gaze on Oliver. "If I'm not here, will you be okay? I won't be going for long."
Oliver tilted his head, his expression was peculiar. In return, Oliver asked Noah sounding perplexed, "Why wouldn't I be?"
Ruby, "...."
She can confidently say that even though Oliver's skill was still deep underground, he has a knack for annoying the hell out of people.
Noah's fidgety gesture vanished as fast as a storm went by. He felt as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water on top of his head.
He should have known. His brother is such a heartless thing.
Noah was provoked. He coldly spat, "Then enjoy your time."
Scratching his head, Oliver wondered out loud, "Why are you angry? Did I say something wrong?"
"No." Then Noah swaggered to Ruby's side, showing his frigid, stiff back at Oliver. Ruby shook her head in amusement. She didn't try to come in between them.
Noah sulked all along the way to the door, nonetheless, he sneakily snuck a glance behind him. Every time he did, he would find Oliver's toothy grin, snickering at him.
"Have a great time, Noah. Be careful on the road and try not separate from her."
Oliver yelled and waved at the same time which was replied with a disdainful scoff from Noah.
"Pft. Hahaha." Ruby laughed. Her guess was proven wrong by Oliver.
"You heard him."
Ruby lifted her eyebrows, joining Oliver in teasing Noah, "Shall we hold hands?"
Noah's cheeks flushed red. However, despite that lovely appearance, Noah growled dangerously, "Don't you dare."
The more Noah is embarrassed, the more he wanted to push his image of a murderous young beast. His intimidating eyes glowed radiantly. The shadow of Noah living in the black alley overlapped with the current him.
Instead of feeling threatened, Ruby felt immense satisfaction.
That was a fine gaze Noah had. With that kind of eyes, he can survive anywhere.