Imperfect Desires

At first, Ying's eyes widened then she narrowed her eyes at Cali who was smiling innocently in response. Ying really wanted to throw something at her head.

"Cali, what is this?"

Cali took a sip of the cocktail and replied, "Don't look so angry, Ying. Last time I met my cousin, she was only eight. Obviously, I'd have a photo from back then. If I had her current picture, I wouldn't be having this headache."

The girl in the photo that Ying held looked to be about eight or nine. Even her features hadn't been matured yet. But what caught Ying's attention after observing clearly was the little girl's eyes. Those honey brown eyes were exactly like Xin Zimen. She really didn't know about Cali's headache but she certainly was getting a headache now. 

She rubbed her temples to ease the pain but it didn't seem to work at all. "She came here with her mother?" 

"Yes, Destiny indeed left with her mother. As for the rest, I'm not certain," answered Cali honestly.

"This doesn't make sense. She was mentioned nowhere. In fact, even the family block on Carina Novell's hospital paperwork was left empty."

Cali traced the little infinity tattoo that was on the space between her index finger and her thumb. She was contemplating something before she began, "I don't know about you. But I can tell you what doesn't make sense to me..." Ying lifted her brows slightly while Cali continued, "Why were you so desperately looking for my aunt? And now, you seem very interested in my cousin as well." She intertwined her fingers to support her chin as she went on, "Isn't it time for you to come clean?"

Ying sighed out, "You already know why I am so interested."

Cali's eyes narrowed slightly as she spoke, "That means, my intuition is right. You do know who Destiny's father is."

"If I'm on the right track then yes," answered Ying. Before Cali could open her mouth to say anything she added, "But I can assure you that your aunt never met him. Moreover, I don't think he even knows about the existence of Destiny. It might seem odd but it's true."

Cali listened to her silently and calmly before inquiring, "Who is he?"

"That..." Ying looked around before saying, "I won't tell you. At least, not until I'm certain about this." She took a brief pause and added, "So, can you please give me some time? I'll answer all of your queries. I give you my word."

Cali really didn't know why but just like last time, she was willing to trust her words. It was surprising how this gangster-like scholar actually had such a reassuring aura that even Cali believed nobody would be able to say no to her. 

"I can trust you but you have to help me," she put forth her condition.

Ying smiled at her words saying, "Even if you don't say, I'm gonna do everything in my power to find Destiny. Something tells me, it's gonna be a fun ride."

Unbeknownst to this discussion, Xiu had entered the venue with Dylan by her side.

Just one step inside and Xiu had already announced, "I'm bored already. Let's leave."

Dylan put an arm around her neck and held her back saying, "No running around. We just got here." He patted her shoulders and said, "Besides, how do you know it's boring? You haven't even looked around yet."

"What's there to look?" asked Xiu in a bored tone.

"Well, you never know. You might actually find your boyfriend around," replied Dylan.

Xiu's eyes sparkled instantly as she looked at him, "Really? My Regan is here? Where? Where is he?" With that, she was off to find her boyfriend in the crowd of people mingling around.

Dylan looked at her back and smiled mischievously, "You're not as smart as you think. At least, not when it comes to your boyfriend." Of course, he knew Darren was not here. He had talked to his best friend early in the morning, he even heard Darren saying that he was going to sleep for the day because he was tired. Although Dylan didn't know why Darren was tired, he could still tell from his voice that Darren was exhausted.

He went around greeting the people while Xiu was left wandering around the entire rooftop looking for Darren who was not even there in the first place. A one-round trip later, she finally realized that it was just Dylan's way of keeping her here. She was really unhappy about that but since she had nothing to eat after waking up, she had no energy to even fight as well.

Instead of looking for Dylan to fight, she went to the food section to fill her tummy. She looked around at various kinds of delicacies but didn't pick anything to eat. "Is that persimmon and apple salad?" She inquired to the attendant.

"Yes, ma'am. It's made from the fresh persimmons and apples."

Xiu frowned, she vaguely heard a 'thud' sound but didn't pay any attention as she wondered out loud, "What season is it? Fall?" She was actually really surprised to realize that it was already the fall season. And what made her realize it was seeing fresh persimmon that grew in the fall season.

She was still lost in her own thoughts when someone tapped on her shoulder. Xiu looked over her shoulder to look at the girl who seemed to be in her late teens. 

"Did you just insult me?" the girl's insinuation didn't get to Xiu.

"Pardon me?" 

"I just fell and you mocked me," said the girl.

"I mocked you? Without knowing it myself?" Xiu was really trying to figure out when did she get such an ability to mock people without even opening her mouth. Because if she really got that ability... *Cue the evil laugh* Hehehe.

"You just said what season is it? Fall? Didn't you say it to mock me?" 

Xiu's eyes widened at her words and she burst out laughing. What was it a kindergarten fight? What kind of logic was that? Okay, it might sound funny if you really look at it the way that teenager was doing but the point was, Xiu never even said a word!