Imperfect Desires

"Cali?"

Dylan was in disbelief. His eyes were constantly staring at the person standing behind Xiu now. He had been thinking of her so much that he really thought he was seeing things now. Good thing, Xiu was there to remind him that he wasn't dreaming.

Xiu also tilted her head a bit and smiled widely, "Oh hi, Cali! What a pleasant and unexcepted surprise!" Dylan was left dumbstruck when Xiu turned around to give Cali a greeting hug as if she was seeing an old friend. 

His heart started racing wildly when it was confirmed that Cali was really standing there. Right in front of the reception desk.

"Hi, Xiu! What's up?" Cali was also surprised to see both Xiu and Dylan. Earlier when Ying had picked her up and brought here, she thought she was gonna meet her cousin, Destiny. She had been waiting here with Ying since it was lunch hour and even the receptionist was not at her place. But who knew she'd come across familiar faces as well.

Xiu gave her a strange smile before saying, "I don't know what's up but... I can tell you what's down." While Cali was raising her brow at Xiu, Dylan had already facepalmed himself knowing where this was going. 

"So, what's down?"

"My fever is, duh!" came Xiu's remarkable reply. "Also, the temperature outside is also dropping. I need to get my winter clothes ready. What a hassle!"

"Xiu! Are you sure this is the right time to discuss all of this?" Dylan gritted his teeth at her while trying to give THE LOOK! As if she was gonna get his message by that look of his.

"Xiu, you're back from lunch?"

Xiu took a step away from Cali and looked behind her. Seeing Yan Ying walking towards them, her originally polite smile turned into a full-blown happy smile as she rushed up to Ying, "Ying Jie!" The impact of Xiu's hug was that Ying staggered back a bit and almost lost her footing. "I'm so happy to see you here!"

Dylan's mood was complicated seeing this. Where did she get this excitement? He really couldn't tell why Xiu suddenly turned into a kid whose parents just came back from vacation or something. But he mentally shrugged since Xiu had always been out of his understanding.

"I can see how happy you are," replied Ying while rubbing Xiu's head like an elder affectionately. She shook her head at the way Xiu clung to her and touched her forehead saying, "You still have a fever."

"Ao! How do you know about my fever?" asked Xiu innocently but Ying's eyes enlightened her. "Weird uncle must have said something."

Ying laughed out, "It's funny how you call Zizi, weird uncle and he lets you get away with it." She looked over at Dylan and went on, "Oi! What kind of boss are you? Your assistant is already sick and you didn't even let her rest?"

Dylan pointed at himself. "Me? I didn't call her. I even told her to take a day off. She didn't listen to me or to Dazi. It's her own fault. Technically, she's loving the attention she's getting so she just doesn't wanna get better."

Xiu gasped at Dylan, "Didi, I think today is your last day." Dylan frowned. "There is no other way to explain why you have been so smart since morning." Ying laughed at her while Dylan was left cursing her in his heart. "But you're right. This is the first time so many people are actually willing to take care of me. And who doesn't like attention? If someone says they don't, then either they are lying or they have lost their mind!"

Xiu indeed was enjoying this all. This was the first time in her both lives where so many people asked how she was and they actually meant it! She felt like they were all spoiling her with this much care and attention but she loved it so much.

"Xiu is absolutely right," said Ying agreeing with Xiu without hesitation. 

Ying's interaction with Xiu reminded Cali of a very pampering elder sister. It was weird but since the time Cali had met Ying, she could bet this was the first time Ying was actually very relaxed. As if she had nothing to worry about. Nothing was weighing down on her heart. 

Xiu couldn't help always smiling at Ying whenever she came around her. Even now, she felt like they had known each other for years. It was weird how they just clicked with each other. "I love it when Ying Jie sides with me."

"Kiddo, I'm willing to side with you whenever you want," said Ying meaning the words seriously.

Dylan pointed at Xiu, "Oi! You hypocrite! When I called you kiddo, you said I am an uncle. What about now? Ying Jie also called you kiddo just now. Say something why are you just grinning like a fool?"

Xiu didn't pay heed to his outburst as she just went on singing to get on his nerve, "♪Say Something I'm giving up on you♪" Dylan glared at her while she went on, "She's like an elder sister. She can call me a kid."

"I hate you," said Dylan straightforwardly. 

"Right back at ya!" Xiu stuck her tongue at him childishly before she looped her arm with Ying and said, "Come, Ying Jie, I'm gonna show you my cabin." While walking towards her cabin, she turned her head and showed Dylan her fist as if she was gonna punch him. Dylan didn't get her meaning at all. She rolled her eyes and pointed at Cali with her eyes.

Stupid, moronic boss! Get the hint already!

Of course, Dylan couldn't hear her internal curses. So, she took her cellphone and sent him a text which read; 'Don't just stand there like a fool now! Cali is right there with you. Take the chance, you slowpoke!'

As Dylan read her message, he finally understood what she was doing. No wonder, she seemed so eager to leave.

"Well, I think I should follow them as well," Cali was also about to follow Xiu and Ying since she came with Ying with a purpose. It seemed like Ying forgot the real reason for coming here but she still remembered it very well.

However, before she could go after them, Dylan held her arm and dragged her towards his office without a warning. 

There was no one at the reception but his secretarial department had people who were left gaping in disbelief as they saw the CEO dragging a woman to his office. Curiosity got the best of these employees as well. Who could hold back from picking up the cellphone and capturing this moment?