Imperfect Desires

That powerful brooding air that was exuding from Cali made Ying feel a bit curious. Right after Dylan and Xiu left, these two also didn't stick around to watch the show. At this moment, both of them were standing in Cali's suite. 

Cali had gone to her bedroom while she asked Ying to wait for her in the living room. Finding herself a comfortable spot on the sofa, Ying stared at the picture of young Destiny in her hand. After frowning for a while, she picked up her phone and dialed a number.

"Yes, team leader," came the reply as soon as the call was connected.

"Where are you, Mark?" asked Ying.

"I'm on a date with my-"

Ying didn't even let the poor guy finish before she said, "Drop everything else and get to work. I have an important task for you."

"Team leader, I just said that I'm on a date," replied Mark.

"And I said get back to work," insisted Ying. 

"Do you really want me to die alone?" retorted Mark before adding, "Just because our team leader is a single dog, doesn't mean we should also follow her lead."

Ying's face twitched at his remark. "Well, then... This single dog is pissed off now. You better get to work or I'll break your damn legs! Or might cut off all the hair of your date first!"

Mark was startled at the threat because he knew she would do what she said. Yes, that's how much bizarre she was. He never doubted her bizarreness not even for a second. 

"Agent Mark, on duty! Just give your command, team leader!"

Ying was pleased by this response. Exactly, you should have acted like this from the very beginning! Why bother being stubborn when you know you can't win from me?

"Find me any information related to Destiny Marilyn Novell. Anything is fine. But I need it as soon as possible," ordered Ying in a serious tone completely shedding off her happy persona.

"That's all? What about other information? Any photo? Or another lead? How am I supposed to find someone with just a name?" Mark was already feeling like he was gonna have a rough time doing this task.

"Well, I only know her birthday. It's 25th of December," answered Ying calmly.

"What year?"

"Every year."

"Team leader!"

"Fine. 1995. Is that good enough?" 

Mark thought about it before shaking his head, "No. It's not good enough. You really need to give me something else. At least leave some bread crumbs for me to follow."

Ying contemplated on her own for a while before saying, "Narrow down your search to just our country. Actually, even better is to start your search from An City. She should be here. If her mother died here there is a 90% chance that she'd still be here. Besides..." She stopped herself from adding that she had a suspicion. Her suspicion was simple, the day she visited the cemetery, she saw two girls. At first, she really didn't think that both of them were visiting Carina Novell after all, no flower was placed at the gravestone. But now, her heart really was raising some questions.

"There is another possibility..."

"What is it, team leader?" inquired Mark.

"She might have changed her name. If we never even came across her name during our investigation before, then I'm certain that she must have changed her name."

Mark listened to her attentively before saying, "That narrows down our search a lot. Let me get back to the headquarters. I'll inform you as soon as I find something."

Ying hung up the call without replying to him. She was staring at the blank screen of her phone when she heard a voice from behind, "You're really in a hurry."

Ying turned towards Cali who came to sit beside her with a beer can. She offered one to her while Ying's face scrunched up slightly, "I don't like drinking."

Cali's eyes widened in surprise. "Wow! I couldn't have guessed that."

"Why not?"

"Because of your profession," answered Cali.

"Well, I couldn't have guessed your like for beer as well considering your profession," retorted Ying calmly.

Cali shrugged her shoulders as she replied, "I guess we both like going against the norms." Ying silently agreed to that. "Let's be honest for a minute, Ying. Are you sure that you can find my cousin?"

"I'm sure," answered Ying without hesitation. "Don't worry, I think it wouldn't be tough to find her now." Cali nodded her head in reply.

Rrrr...

Ying picked up her phone and didn't even bother moving away from Cali as she started the conversation, "Hey, Zizi! What's up?"

"Where are you?" Ying frowned at that question and opened her mouth to reply when he added, "Don't say hospital because I know you got discharged this morning."

Ying smiled at this Mr. know it all and replied, "Yes, boss. I have been discharged this morning. Right now, I'm here to meet a friend." Cali raised her brow at Ying and so the person at the other end of the phone.

"Friend?" Xin Zimen sounded like he didn't even believe her for a split second.

Ying could only sigh at herself as she said, "Okay, it's an acquaintance." She took a brief pause and added, "Why are you calling though? Do you miss me?"

"Zi is not missing you but I am," she heard another familiar voice and her smile broadened.

"Yi!" she called out excitedly. 

She heard the laughter of the other man as he said, "Little lass, when are you coming home?"

"If Yi is inviting, I'll be right there in a minute," she answered happily.

"What are you waiting for then? Come over to my place, Zi is also here." He lowered his voice to add, "I even convinced my wife to make your favorite dishes."

"Then I can't miss this one," she announced as she stood up. As Cali saw her excitement she was really getting dizzy for some reason. "Can I bring someone with me?"

"Who?"

"Is it a boyfriend?"

"Zi, I'm asking her!"

"Why can't I ask?"

Ying shook her head listening to the pair of best friends who were fighting like kids again. To break off their squabbling, she said, "Rather than a boyfriend, I'd say it's a girlfriend."

"What?"

She heard a gasp from the other end and laughed silently.

"Tsk. Tsk. Look Zi what your son has done. Poor little lass has even changed her preference because of heartbreak."

Ying really wanted to roll on the floor laughing at them but she held herself back as she said, "I'll be there soon. Bye!" 

As she hung up the phone, the smile didn't leave her face at all. 

"Would you like to come with me?" asked Ying to Cali who was surprised to hear that. She really had no idea what possessed Ying to suggest that. "Don't get me wrong. I just think you'd lock yourself in this room and keep thinking about your cousin. That's not a healthy practice."

"I already have plans," she replied.

Ying frowned at her, "What plans do you have for the day?" Because according to her, Cali didn't know anyone here. So what plans could she possibly have?

"I have a headache planned for the day," answered Cali with a straight face.

Ying gave a complacent smile as she shrugged it off, "You lost this chance yourself." She was willing to let her meet with Xin Zimen but the latter refused herself. It wasn't her fault!