Chapter 1710: As Far as the Eyes Can See, Forever and Ever: Love at First Sight (3000+) (2)

In order not to hurt Joy Spencer’s self-esteem, Joseph Lancaster had no choice but to criticize himself.

“You…” Joy Spencer’s expression was indescribable, caught between surprise and disbelief.

“I’m sorry.” Joseph Lancaster apologized sincerely, “I shouldn’t have used you. I invited you today because I have a favor to ask. If you’re willing, I’d be extremely grateful. If not, I won’t force you.”

Instinctively, Joy Spencer asked, “What is it?”

“It’s like this.” Joseph Lancaster leaned forward, clasping his hands on the dining table, looking at Joy Spencer with sincerity, “I don’t want my family to worry about me, nor do I want to be pushed into blind dates. If possible, I’d like you to pretend to date me, but only in front of my eldest brother. If you’re unwilling, then forget it.”

Joy Spencer bit her lip, remaining silent, and continued to look at Joseph Lancaster.

Joseph Lancaster wasn’t in a hurry either, watching her while waiting for her decision.

Although this was somewhat selfish, there was no other way. If he revealed his intention not to marry now, there was no telling how his parents would react, but his eldest brother would certainly make things difficult for Violet.

For Violet to live peacefully, he could only resort to this method, finding a willing woman to “date” for a period, and then later find someone new…

As he got older, his parents and brother would naturally stop pressuring him.

A few minutes later, Joy Spencer made her decision, “Alright.” She didn’t want to agree, but she couldn’t bear to refuse such a gentle man, “So, about the meeting with the parents tonight…”

Joseph Lancaster smiled, his lips curving warmly, “If you’re also being pushed by your family to date, we might as well team up for an act. If not… we can just treat it as an ordinary gathering. If it’s too troublesome, you can decline, don’t worry, I’ll explain to my elder brother.”

“It’s no trouble, let’s just do the act together.” Before Joseph Lancaster finished speaking, Joy Spencer immediately responded. Having never dated, her family was constantly urging her, so following Joseph Lancaster’s suggestion, they would put on a show for their families.

“Thank you, then.” Joseph Lancaster politely cupped his hands towards Joy Spencer, “Though I’m asking you to help with the act, it shouldn’t affect you, or I’d be deeply sinful.”

Joy Spencer took a deep breath inwardly, feeling disappointed, but outwardly she smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I won’t be. I’m an adult; I can distinguish between acting and reality.”

Hearing Joy Spencer’s words, Joseph Lancaster’s heart relaxed. If something like what happened with Vesper Carter occurred again, he’d truly feel sinful.

In the evening, the two families met, with Violet Zimmerman staying home to look after their two sons.

Not wanting to be mocked by her stepmother, she ate dinner at her own place.

After dinner, she fed Evander Lancaster, then placed the little one on the bed with his brother to play, while she sat on the sofa knitting a sweater.

Robert Lancaster was playing with toys and talking to his little brother who didn’t understand, “Evander, this is a rocking horse. When you grow up, I’ll let you play with it.”

Robert Lancaster held a small wooden horse hand-carved by Joseph Lancaster. Initially, he was told to throw it away, but he hid it. When Robert got older, he brought it out again; unexpectedly, the little fellow couldn’t part with it.

“Oh… oh oh…” Evander Lancaster seemed to understand his brother, lifting his small face to “oh” at him.

“Mom, will Uncle still like Robert if he gets married?” Robert Lancaster asked while making the rocking horse walk in front of his brother.

“Ah…” Violet Zimmerman accidentally poked the tip of the knitting needle into her fingertip.

She stopped knitting, brought her finger up, and looked at the tiny round mark, unable to describe her feelings.

She wanted to comfort her son by saying even if your uncle doesn’t care for you, your dad will, but somehow, when the words reached her mouth, she said, “I don’t know, you can ask your uncle yourself later.”

“Alright, I’ll ask Uncle myself tomorrow.” Robert Lancaster said seriously.

…

Joy Spencer’s family conditions were good, with a mother who is a primary school teacher and a father who is a neighborhood director.

After meeting, both parents were satisfied with the marriage and advised the two to get along well…

Joseph Lancaster and Joy Spencer agreed readily, and the meal was enjoyable.

Robert Lancaster saw his uncle the next morning. In the heart of a child of that age, everything is a pressing “matter of importance.”

As soon as he sat at the dining table, Robert Lancaster twisted his small body and asked Joseph Lancaster in a babyish voice, “Uncle, if you have a baby someday, won’t you care for Robert like you do now?”

Robert Lancaster’s sudden question caught Violet Zimmerman off guard; she hadn’t thought her throwaway comment yesterday would be taken so seriously by her son.

Her face turned slightly awkward, and Eva Hayes joined the conversation.

“Silly child, do you even need to ask? Whose child isn’t their own first? Once your uncle has his own child, naturally he’ll care for them, where would he find the time to play with you?!”

After Eva Hayes spoke, Robert Lancaster’s disappointment was palpable. Twisting his small body, he looked at Joseph Lancaster and asked again, “Is that true, Uncle?”

“This child, really!” Lorelei Howard commented with a mix of amusement and annoyance.

Arthur Saunders also looked at his grandson with a smile, the old man’s health had been declining in recent years, and he had already started eating with his chopsticks.

Aurora Lancaster was away at university in another city, and Daxton Lancaster’s family showed little interest in children’s trivial conversations.

Seeing Robert Lancaster’s disappointed and aggrieved expression, Joseph Lancaster felt a surge of affection and heartache, unexpectedly realizing the little one’s sensitivity was like his mother’s.

Daxton Lancaster also turned to look at Joseph Lancaster, as if waiting for his response.

Joseph Lancaster stood up, picked up Robert Lancaster by the armpits, held him close, and sat him on his lap, grabbing chopsticks to feed him as he said with a smile, “No need to worry, big nephew. Even if Uncle has a child in the future, Robert will still be my priority!”

Violet Zimmerman lowered her head, pressed her lips together, and concealed the hint of a smile on her lips.

“Ha, it sounds so good when you say it!” Eva Hayes scoffed rudely.

Beside her, Atlas Lancaster shot her a stare, “What do you want Joseph to say? That he wouldn’t? Then none of us would be able to stomach breakfast!”

Eva Hayes pursed her lips in displeasure but stayed silent.