Imperfect Desires

Yan Ying entered the villa through the back door that opened in the kitchen as she came to sit at the dining table with Xin Xiaoli and Xin Xiaosi. The smile on her face had turned completely different as she looked at Xiaoli eating his breakfast.

"Ying Jie, have you seen Dylan?" asked Ah-Si as he noticed that Dylan was nowhere to be seen since the time he woke up. "Is he still sleeping?" he wondered out loud.

"Hmm... Young Master of Qiu family has left already," replied Yan Ying as she poked her fork into the fruit salad in her bowl. Although Ah-Si was a bit surprised to hear that, he didn't inquire further. But Yan Ying didn't stop there as she continued, "Say, Ah-Si why is Dylan so different from his father?"

"What do you mean, Ying Jie?" Ah-Si quirked his brows at her in question.

"What I mean is that... If I have to describe Dylan in three words, it'd be sweet, kind and a bit childish. But I can never use the same words for Qiu Jiayi. I think everyone knows that his father is anything but sweet," elaborated Yan Ying as she tried to picture Qiu Jiayi with his only son, Dylan Qiu. The contrast in their personalities was too big.

"Oh," started Ah-Si. "That's because Dylan's nature is like his mother's. In fact, he's a carbon copy of his mother. As for Uncle Yi, his temperament is matched with his daughter," at the mention of Qiu Meihui, Yan Ying's hand movement became a bit sluggish while Ah-Si who was oblivious to this change continued, "Sister Mei is as much of a black-bellied person as her father. Even their cunning nature is alike. That's also the reason Dylan had been insisting on not inheriting his father's position. He believes Sister Mei is more suited for that responsibility."

Yan Ying observed Xin Xiaoli's expressions, while Ah-Si was busy talking about Qiu Meihui, she could clearly see the gratifying expression of Xin Xiaoli. And she could only inwardly roll her eyes at him. Did he have to be this obvious? She knows how much he loves Qiu Meihui, he really didn't have to show that lovestruck look to make her heart clench even more.

She suddenly lost her appetite completely. Instead of eating her fruit salad, she just kept playing with her food to pass the time. 

"How long are you staying for?" the question came from Xin Xiaoli while the question was for Yan Ying.

Yan Ying glanced at his face as she retorted, "Why? Sick of seeing my face already?" She tutted to herself as she added, "It's not even been 24 hours yet and you're already bored of me. Such a sad reality it is..."

Noticing the way Xin Xiaoli was looking at Yan Ying, Ah-Si chimed in saying, "Ying Jie, that's not what bro meant."

Yan Ying laughed at Ah-Si's remark and waved her hands saying playfully, "I know. I was just teasing him." She turned to Xin Xiaoli and continued, "I've something important going on here, I'll leave as soon as it's done."

"It's not that I want you to leave..." Xin Xiaoli tried to explain himself but Yan Ying cut him off.

"Li, you don't have to explain. I know you don't want Meihui to see me with you again. It'll be another misunderstanding. As I promised, I won't be bothering you. And I promise I'm not here for you."

As she saw him nodding his head seemingly believing her words, Yan Ying felt her spirit dampen again. She never expected that there'd be a day when she'd have to explain herself to Xin Xiaoli. Even if one forgets that she was in love with Xin Xiaoli, there was no denying that they were a pair of best friends. How strange it was that his best friend didn't even trust her anymore.

While Yan Ying was trying to hide her sadness behind her smile, she heard both Xin Xiaoli and Xin Xiaosi's phone ring at the same time. She lifted her eyes to glance at them both who excused themselves to take the call. Her eyes squinted as she was contemplating something. The tip of her lips went up as she said, "Uncle Kuan, look your master has started the game. Tsk. It's a pity that he's playing with his own sons this time."

Xin Kuan who had been standing behind her all this time stared at the back of her head for a moment longer before answering, "Master didn't start this game, his sons did. Master is only tired of playing this game for the last couple of years. So, now he is just planning on ending it."

Yan Ying knew that Uncle Kuan was right. Indeed, this game was started by the Xin brothers but she still thought that Xin Zimen was being a bit too harsh. However, this wasn't supposed to be her concern.

"I know, I just am feeling bad for what they'll have to face," remarked Yan Ying feeling bad for both the brothers whom she saw running out the main door one after the other.

"Young miss, you don't even know what Master is planning. Then why are you so concerned already?" 

Yan Ying gave him a look, "Uncle Kuan when Zizi starts to play... People are only left at his mercy. Besides, he isn't the kind of person who would go easy on his own sons." See, they were already running around. She didn't even have to think much to know what was to come.

"Master had always been lenient with them but they took the game too far," replied Uncle Kuan.

Yan Ying looked at him disapprovingly as she said, "Uncle Kuan, you're being biased. Just because Zizi is your Master, you don't have to always take his side."

"It doesn't matter whose side, I am on. What matters is that young miss should also get back to the task assigned. Don't make Master angry."

Hearing Uncle Kuan's subtle warning, Yan Ying's face twitched. "Give me a break. I'm just waiting for a phone call." As if on cue, her phone buzzed laying on the table's glass surface. She hurriedly picked up the call, "What? Did you find anything?"

She listened to the other person and as her silence prolonged, her frown deepened as much. After carefully listening, she asked, "Are you certain? If there is any mistake, I'll dig your grave myself." She stood up from the chair and hung up the call, looked at Uncle Kuan and said, "Uncle Kuan, let's go."

"Where are we going?" asked Uncle Kuan.

"To confirm something," Yan Ying gave a vague reply before picking up her iPad, her phone, and keys.