Imperfect Desires

Do you know that feeling of euphoria one feels when your baby recognizes you and smiles back at you? It's one of the most precious moments of being a parent. Right now, Ah-Si was feeling those euphoric feelings all over again. Even though Ava's first word wasn't 'Dada', it was still a proud moment for him. How could it not be? His daughter finally said something which meant there was nothing wrong with her.

Even though she called her uncle first, it didn't make this moment any less special to him.

However, Ah-Si was having trouble believing what he heard or saw. His trembling finger pointed in the direction of his daughter as he questioned, "Did... Did she really talk?"

"What do you think?" retorted Xiu who seemed too proud of herself right now. After all, it was she who brought Jackie here. See? She knew her little brother was just simply amazing! And Jackie definitely didn't let her expectations down.

"I thought I'm hearing things..." 

Although Ah-Si's face showed all his feelings of happiness, excitement, and a touch of tears, she was still interested in seeing Xin Zimen's reaction. However, she was disappointed when she didn't find any visible change in his emotions. He still stood as calmly as he did before.

Xiu had to mention this, he must be the person with the best poker face that came across her. How was he so good at it that she didn't even find a flicker of change in his eyes?

Jackie, on the other hand, pinched Ava's cheek saying, "That's like a good niece. Now, don't babble again. If you want to call me, say my name. I'm not your father who can understand your silence."

Xiu couldn't believe this little brother was actually looking for an argument with his own niece now. Now, what was wrong with him?! That's no way to bond with a baby!

As she walked over, so did Ah-Si and Xin Zimen. While Xin Zimen stood at the side with a thoughtful look, Ah-Si went to his daughter. "Baby, you just talked. I still can't believe it. That's your first word. Can you try calling dad?"

Xiu disregarded Ah-Si's eagerness as she pulled her own little brother aside and asked, "What did you do?"

"Nothing," he replied in a low voice just like her.

Xiu squinted her eyes at him. "Did you threaten her to speak?"

"I might have," said Jackie indifferently.

Xiu pressed her lips together before patting his head, "You're definitely my brother." She asked after a pause, "Wanna tell me the details?"

"It's a secret," he shrugged.

"And when did we start keeping secrets from each other?" she wiggled her brows at him and he leaned in to say something in her ear. She nodded after listening to him. "Okay. I'll wait for it."

When she noticed the silence in the room, she looked up and found the disappointed Ah-Si looking in her direction. She didn't understand him until she looked down and found Ava tugging at Jackie's arm. When he looked at her, she opened her arms and said, "Up..."

"You want me to pick you up?" Jackie asked her and seeing her nod, he shook his head. "Not happening. You're heavy." Ava pouted at him adorably and Xiu poked Jackie's head from beside him. When he saw Xiu's eyes telling him to pick her up, he couldn't do anything. 

How exactly were they expecting him to pick her up though? Were they forgetting he was also a kid? However, he could only resign to this situation as he gathered all his strength to pick that three-year-old who was actually smaller for her age.

"How did he do it?" Xin Zimen finally spoke up as he looked at Xiu who knew what he was referring to.

"He said it's a secret he'd be telling me at home," Xiu shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly as she answered honestly. That's exactly what Jackie said in her ear earlier.

"Why did you bring him here?" he asked further. When Xiu gave him an inquisitive look, he went on, "You brought him to have some bonding with his niece?" Xiu nodded her head firmly. "You don't have any other scheme behind it all?"

"Weird uncle! What do you mean? Do I look like a schemer to you?" Xiu sounded like she was being wronged but when she saw Xin Zimen nodding his head without any hesitation, even she was taken aback. Why was he so honest about what he felt? I wasn't necessary you know.

Xiu sighed out.

"Fine. I do have a scheme behind it. But it's nothing harmful. I only use my brain for good deeds. I assure you my scheme is very beneficial especially to your son."

"Me?" Ah-Si pointed at himself.

"Yes, you. Who do you think I'm doing all this for? Obviously, it's for you and Nora. Why else would I take up this much trouble for? Do you know how much I hate using my brain? And yet here I am making plans to clear your path."

Xin Zimen took a seat at the couch and said, "Keep going. I'm intrigued to hear more of it."

Xiu rolled up her sleeves as if she was going on a fight while she sat beside Xin Zimen and patted his shoulder as if she was seeing her old buddy after a long time. "Then hear me out, Xiao Zi. I assure you, you'll love it."

Ah-Si coughed at the way Xiu not only patted his father's shoulder but also called him 'Xiao Zi'? Just how many people were there who called his father that way? He could count on only one hand! Even more shocking was the way Xin Zimen didn't mind it at all. Instead, he still had an intrigued and amusing smile playing on his lips.

Although he was aware of how his father was, he had still grown up seeing people being scared of his father. So, seeing someone as carefree as Ying had been with his father was something that he found difficult to take in.