Imperfect Desires

Meanwhile...

When Xin Xiaoli dropped Xiu off at her place, he turned the car towards Dylan's house but being the baby that he was, Dylan started whining, "Bro, please no. If I went home like this, sis is so gonna murder me."

"Who told you to get in trouble then?" retorted Xin Xiaoli in a calm manner. However, how was he supposed to tell that stupid idiot, that if he didn't take him home then he would have no other excuse to see his sister! But obviously, Dylan was slow to process such an intention of his.

"I told you several times, this was definitely not my fault this time," explained Dylan trying to prove his stance. However, it wasn't very believable since he wasn't even willing to look at either of the brothers as he lied through his teeth. Yes, it was his moment of distraction that led them to the police station but Xiu was equally responsible for that. At least, that's what he believed.

"You neither want to go to your parent's place nor your own, where am I supposed to take you?" asked Xin Xiaoli as he decided to not argue with Dylan about who was responsible and who was not. He had other things to worry about. After all, it was the first time he used his father's name to get something done. He was awaiting a call that he dreaded the most.

"Let's just take him home with us, I'm tired already," came Ah-Si's voice who had been leaning against the windowpane with his eyes closed. Dylan's eyes brightened as he nodded his head in agreement. 

Xin Xiaoli sighed out and swerved the car around towards his own place. Within 20 minutes, he parked the car right in front of his villa and alighted. "Welcome back, young master Li," came an eager voice. Xin Xiaoli turned his head to look at that familiar old face of their most trusted butler and frowned. The butler, Xin Kuan was in Capital then why was he suddenly here?

"Oh, Uncle Kuan? When did you come? Did dad come with you?" came Ah-Si's voice from behind Xin Xiaoli who was struck frozen at his place. Xin Xiaoli felt a cold shiver run up his spine as he heard that his father was probably inside the house.

The old man around his sixties smiled gently and replied, "Young master Si, Master is not here with me. But there is indeed a surprise for you both inside the house."

Xin Xiaoli released the breath that he didn't know he was holding before he smiled back at Uncle Kuan and strode towards the door of the villa. Dylan greeted Uncle Kuan with such enthusiasm that it was remarkable, to say the least.

But instead of following Xin Xiaoli inside, he held Ah-Si's shoulder and held him back. Ah-Si quirked his brow at Dylan inquisitively. "I think you and I have a long-pending discussion."

Ah-Si knew what he was referring to as he smacked Dylan's hand away from his shoulder and said, "I don't think so."

Dylan didn't give up as he stood in his way and said, "There is no way that you'd stop talking to me without a reason. Ah-Si, at least, I deserve to know why did you ignore me for so long." When Ah-Si continued being stubborn, Dylan's eyes flashed with an indescribable emotion, "You only have to nod or shake your head. Does your behavior with me have anything to do with... Nora Cartwright?"

Ah-Si's muscles tensed visibly. Dylan noticed that change and had an inkling as he saw Ah-Si avoiding his gaze, "Should I take this as a yes?"

"Whatever you think," replied Ah-Si before leaving Dylan to ponder all alone.

Dylan tilted his head as he said, "Huh? Even if Nora did something, how am I involved in that?" he still was oblivious to what he had done wrong. When in reality, he was right. He actually had done nothing from the start to the end. He was as innocent as one could possibly be and yet he was being dragged in muddy waters without rhyme or reason.

Dylan shrugged his shoulder and shook his head in exasperation as he also followed suit and entered through the door of the villa. He saw Ah-Si standing under the grand chandelier and frowned. Just as he was about to ask why he was standing like a statue, his unasked question was answered by a beautiful voice.

Dylan whipped his head in front and was stunned to see the scene unfolding before his eyes. Xin Xiaoli stood visibly twitching not so far from them but what made his face look so pale was actually a gorgeous young lady clad in a mint green chiffon dress as she circled around Xin Xiaoli as if he was the flower and she was the bee.

"What is she doing here?" asked Dylan as he leaned close to Ah-Si. Of course, he knew who this uninvited guest was, how can he not? She was the young miss of Yan family, Yan Ying who once had been Xin Xiaoli's playmate. But that was only when they were in kindergarten.

"I'm neither a gossipmonger nor a news announcer, how would I know what she is doing here?" retorted Ah-Si.

"Xiao Si, it's been such a long time I've seen you," Ah-Si was dragged away as well but before Dylan could rejoice at Ah-Si's misery, he was also dragged in this as well.

"Oh, my! If it isn't the infamous Dylan Qiu in flesh," said Yan Ying with a sweet smile spread on her lips. "Last time we met, you had just become a CEO. And now, you're the talk of the town." She leaned over as if to share a secret. "And I'm not just referring to business. Ladies are a huge fan of yours."

Dylan acted like how Xiu usually did with him and said, "I guess, the God of love had blessed me personally." Yan Ying was a bit taken aback at his level of narcissism. Didn't they say Dylan Qiu was a humble young master? But it was also true that she heard enough about his poisonous tongue.

She laughed genuinely at his remark before moving her attention back to Xin Xiaoli as she showered him with compliments and just how much she missed him.

"Why is she sticking so close to Li bro? I don't like it," said Dylan as he was being possessive of Xiaoli instead of his own sister who never even spared Xiaoli a second glance.

Ah-Si thought of something before he snickered, "If what I'm thinking is true, I guess we'll have to get used to her overly sweet and cute personality for life."

"Huh?" Dylan was dumbstruck.

"If she followed bro here that means..." Ah-Si glanced at Dylan as he continued, "Someone has to a tie a knot now."

"What?"