Imperfect Desires

Dylan had only pulled away from Cali when he heard the knocking and soon Ying's face came into his view. "Ying Jie, what are you doing here?"

Ying scoffed at him, "I can't believe that you just noticed my presence." Clearly, they had met outside as well but he didn't question anything then. He barely even talked to her. But could she blame him? He was too busy looking at his crush. How could he notice her? 

And since Ying had a very soft and special spot in her heart for lovers, she let him go easily.

"I was just taking Cali for sightseeing but then I thought, I should inquire about Xiu's health along the way as well. So, that's why I came." There it was another lie from her mouth. But it wasn't a complete lie. Since the time she learned that Xiu had a fever, she wanted to check up on her. It just so happened to become a perfect excuse for her.

"Dylan, how are you related to Ying?" asked Cali.

"Ying Jie is my..." Dylan had to think deeply about it. How was Ying related to him again? "Ah, we are family friends."

Cali quirked her brow and looked at Ying for confirmation who blinked her eyes in response. "I tell you I'm feeling like heaven is trying to remind me these days that the world is a small place." Ying's words came from the fact that when looking for Destiny, she found her right beside her with the identity of Xiu. And now Cali was also associated with Dylan and Darren both. This was truly a small world!

Rrrr...

As his phone rang, Dylan excused himself for a moment leaving Cali to slid close to Ying. "I think we came with a purpose."

"And the purpose is fulfilled," answered Ying with a smile. "You already met Destiny."

"What are you even saying?"

Ying patted Cali's shoulder, "Girl, if we're talking about your cousin Destiny who is now known as Bai Xiu then you already met her outside." Cali's eyes went round. "And if we're talking about the mysterious thing called destiny, then I think yours is right over there." She placed her hand on her head and turned it towards Dylan. "I think you hit a jackpot!"

Cali was staring blankly in disbelief. Xiu was her cousin, Destiny? And seeing how Xiu didn't even recognize her, it meant she really had lost her memory. But what a dumbass she was that she didn't recognize her cousin as well.

Ying helped Cali to sit down, offered her a glass of water, and patted her shoulder, "Take it easy. Cherish this happiness, don't let the emotions overwhelm you."

When Dylan hung up the call and turned around, Cali abruptly stood up and held Ying's hand saying, "Let's leave now."

Ying and Dylan both had the same reaction to her words. They were both surprised. Ying thought she'd like to stay and have a chat with Xiu but why was she suddenly in a hurry to leave now?

"Won't you stay...?"

Dylan didn't even get to complete his sentence as she rushed out saying, "No. We have to go somewhere. Let's meet later." Dylan was gonna sulk again but her last sentence really brightened up his mood. 

She said let's meet later which in his mind sounded like, she wants to see me again.

"Bye, Didi!" Ying could only shout over her shoulder because a certain someone was pulling her arm as if she was eager to dislocate her shoulder. 

Dylan stood at his door waving bye. But before he could turn around, he noticed the crowd in Xiu's cabin. 

"What's going on here?" 

As his voice was heard, silence prevailed in Xiu's cabin. Everyone stood straight and didn't dare to say a word.

"Nothing. Our Gu Luli clicked some awesome shots, we were just admiring together," replied Xiu with a smile. Gu Luli looked at Xiu in horror. What are you even saying, Sister Xiu?!

"What?" he looked confused. While Gu Luli looked at her pleadingly, Xiu shook it off and gave her cell phone to Dylan. The knot between his brows eased up as soon as he saw the pictures. His fingers close enough to touch Cali's face, while his face was almost stuck to her. Oh, the shot was taken so perfectly that Dylan couldn't help staring without even blinking.

"Sir, I..." Gu Luli's voice cracked. Oh, how she was gonna explain herself?!

"Ms. Bai!"

"Hm."

"Call the HR department."

Not just Gu Luli but everyone's heart dropped to hear that. Was he really going to fire her for this? But Xiu looked rather calm and collected.

"For what?" asked Xiu.

Dylan looked up at Xiu with a small smile playing on his lips, "Of course, because Ms. Gu is getting a raise." He winked at Xiu and turned around whistling leaving Xiu laughing her heart out.

Meanwhile, everyone else was left gaping at his receding back.

He stopped at his door and turned again to say, "Oh, and don't forget to email me those photos."

"You got it, boss!" said Xiu shaking her head at him. See? This idiot was so obvious. His emotions were written all over his face now. He was lovesick now. Anything involving his Cali was enough to shift his mood.

"Mr. Qiu is in love!"

"Boss is whipped!"

"That's the first time I saw him smiling without an agenda."

While everyone was busy commenting over Dylan's behavior, a certain defective piece only gushed...

"He's so handsome!"

All eyes turned to Gu Luli who felt like she again did something wrong. 

Xiu was really amused by these girls. This was the reason she had come to actually feel like they were close. These girls made her realize that it wasn't too bad to overlook someone's flaws sometimes. They never failed to lighten up her mood. 

However...

"Aren't you gonna get back to work now?"

Her strict senior professional vibes were still there. She wouldn't go easy when it came to working. And the lunch break was over now which meant they had to go back to their desk and work. 

After everyone left, Xiu sighed thinking of Dylan, "You're really a fool!"