Imperfect Desires

"Thank goodness I called Ying and she arranged the wedding planner so fast and efficiently. Or else, I'd been really worried."

Qiu Meihui was coming down the stairs with Asteria when she heard her mother talking. Everyone was gathered for the breakfast and she silently came to sit beside her dad while her daughter, Asteria went to sit beside her grandmother.

Francesca smiled at Meihui as she replied to Zhao Wei, "I honestly never thought Yan Ying would know a wedding planner. I was really surprised seeing the top wedding planner, Suzy standing before me yesterday."

"As Zizi always say, Ying, knows all sorts of people." Qiu Jiayi also joined the conversation before adding, "But did anyone ask Xiao Mei?" Qiu Meihui looked up at her father who went on, "You met the wedding planner yesterday, are you okay with it? Or should we keep looking?"

Qiu Meihui smiled bitterly, "It's fine. How can Ying's choice ever be wrong?"

"But it's not Yan Ying's wedding. It's yours. So, your own opinion matters the most," said Francesca.

"Grandma, is mom going to be a bride?" Asteria asked as she looked up at her grandmother and blinked her curious eyes.

Zhao Wei rubbed her granddaughter's head lovingly and nodded, "Yes, your mom is gonna be a bride."

"She's gonna wear the princess dress?"

Everyone chuckled at her innocence and Zhao Wei replied, "Yes, she is gonna wear the princess dress." 

Asteria clapped her hands excitedly, "Mom will be the prettiest bride."

Qiu Meihui smiled at her daughter while Zhao Wei agreed, "Yes. She is gonna be the prettiest bride." Qiu Meihui's smiled stiffened when she met her mother's eyes. Seeing the love and sincerity in her mother's eyes, she felt strange inside. 

Asteria jumped down her chair and came to Qiu Meihui. "Mom, who is the groom?"

Qiu Meihui pinched her small nose saying, "Didn't I tell you? It's your favorite Xiaoli."

Asteria jumped up in joy as she exclaimed, "So, now I can call him dad? He is gonna be my dad, right? I'm finally getting a dad, right?" Qiu Meihui's heart clenched when she saw her daughter's expressions. She knew how much Asteria was attached to Xiaoli. And she also knew how much her daughter longed for a father. 

She hugged her daughter tightly and answered, "Yes. Now, you can call him dad."

"Yay! Asteria now has a dad. No one can bully me now!" She skipped over to her grandfather and tugged at his shirt, "Grandpa, hurry up! I'm getting late for school. I need to tell everyone that now Asteria has a father as well. Get up!"

"Calm down, my little star..." Qiu Jiayi didn't know whether to laugh at her excitement or cry over the fact that she wasn't even letting him finish his breakfast? But then again, he couldn't turn down his one and only granddaughter. So, he left his breakfast halfway and got up saying, "Let's go. I'll drop you off to school."

"Dad, you don't have to..." Qiu Meihui spoke when she saw how her father was leaving breakfast.

"It's okay. I'm done. You take your time and concentrate on your wedding stuff. Leave the rest to me." Qiu Jiayi patted his daughter's head before picking his granddaughter up in his arms.

Seeing them leave, Francesca remarked, "It's a blessing that Asteria loves Xiaoli."

"She sure loves him," agreed Zhao Wei.

"Oh, Meihui..." Qiu Meihui looked up at Francesca who continued, "What about your wedding dress?"

"I called Nuannuan, she arranged an appointment for today. I'll be leaving in a while," informed Qiu Meihui.

Francesca nodded her head. "Hmm... She is in the city so she can obviously help."

"Liu Nuan is in An City?" questioned Zhao Wei in surprise. "I didn't know that."

Francesca nodded her head, "I met her at a boutique when I went out with Xiu. But I didn't know she was staying here or not."

"Since the time she got married, I rarely see her. Before that, she'd often come to meet Xiao Mei. But I think I haven't met her in years now." Zhao Wei was speaking her mind while Meihui was lost in her own thoughts. Her brother's words from two nights were haunting her. 

Suddenly she felt a cold hand touching her forehead and was startled. She lifted her eyes to see her mother and was frozen still. "Xiao Mei, you don't have a fever."

"I know that mom."

"Then why is your complexion so dull? And you look tired as well?" Seeing her concern Qiu Meihui was left in a dilemma. She had already seen how close her own mother was to her daughter. But then how come she wasn't close to her? Was it really like Dylan had said that she never understood mom? "Xiao Mei? Are you really okay? Should I call a doctor?"

Qiu Meihui placed her hand over hers and shook her head, "No, mom. I'm really fine. You're just overthinking."

"Sister Wei, I also think you're overthinking. It must be just some pre-wedding jitters. Don't overreact." Francesca took a pause before adding, "You come back here and finish your breakfast." Then she shifted her eyes to Qiu Meihui and went on, "Xiao Mei, what about your bachelorette party?"

"I haven't thought about it yet," replied Qiu Meihui. "Besides, Nuannuan is the only friend I have contact with after all these years. So, I don't think the bachelorette party would be a good idea."

"Why not? That's a must!" Zhao Wei and Francesca exclaimed simultaneously.

"Liu Nuan is your bridesmaid, she can call her own friends." 

"We have mutual friends," replied Qiu Meihui.

"Then just call my daughter-in-law. I assure you, she'll bring the party with herself."

Zhao Wei laughed at the way Francesca talked about Xiu but couldn't help nodding. "I totally agree with her. She can even pour life into the dullest moments."

 Qiu Meihui frowned a bit seeing these two ladies gushing over Xiu as she replied, "She isn't that close to me."

"How is that possible?!" Both the ladies again were shocked. 

"You must haven't tried otherwise, I don't think there is anyone who can escape the charms of my silly but adorable daughter-in-law."

Qiu Meihui laughed at Francesca's words, "Aunt, I feel like you are already in love with your daughter-in-law."

"I sure am," agreed Francesca without hesitation.