Imperfect Desires

On Ying's side...

After she hung up the call, she glared at Han Bohai resentfully. "Did you have to open that mouth of yours?"

"What did I do wrong?" Han Bohai pouted innocently trying to emphasize that he didn't do anything wrong. While she talked to her sister, Ying was treating him like thin air, he couldn't help himself and opened his mouth.

Ying instantly fumed as she lifted her hand and flicked his lips making his eyes widen as she said, "Put your mouth to some good use!"

Han Bohai held the hand that flicked his lips and leaned over. He was only inches away from her lips. As their breathing mixed together, Ying tried to push him back. "I do want to put my mouth to good use." His eyes instinctively lowered to her lips as he licked his lips and continued, "Don't push it. I'm barely able to abstain at this point."

"Presumptuous!"

Han Bohai let her hand go as he laughed, "Aren't you tired of saying that? It definitely has no effect on me. The more brazen you'll call me, the more shameless I'll be acting."

"I don't like you!"

"It's okay. I'll make you like me," he answered cheekily.

Ying decided to look away and not pay him any attention. What was she supposed to do? She had been with him for over four hours, and honestly, she didn't feel like time was moving slowly. Nothing would seem boring with him around.

After the cafe, he demanded to go to a park because he felt like sitting in nature's company and Ying just aimlessly agreed to his request. However, she didn't bring him to a park. It was a private garden with a beautiful lake where she took him. Obviously, the property belonged to her family but she didn't need to tell him that.

The flowers looked beautiful surrounding the lake. There were also apple, pear, and jujube trees in the huge garden. It was late autumn, and all the trees looked surreal. With those orange-ish yellow-ish hues of the leaves, everything seemed to have enhanced in beauty.

All in all, Han Bohai felt like this was a perfect place for a picnic date. He couldn't be in public places anyway. And seeing how thoughtful she was, he was again feeling touched.

"It's a weird feeling," he muttered.

"What do you mean?" Ying questioned.

He shifted closer to her as his arms went around her waist to hug her while his chin perched on her shoulder. "I am supposed to be the one pampering you. But it seems like you're pampering me. It feels weird."

Ying's brows furrowed at his words and she even forgot about his arms around her waist as she said, "When did I pamper you?"

"Earlier, you brought ginger tea for me. Even I didn't pay attention that I was catching a cold, and yet you picked it up so easily. Then instead of bringing me to a park and make it difficult for me, you brought me to this garden where no one can follow us. If you kept being this thoughtful, it'll really get difficult for my poor heart."

Ying poked his forehead, "There is definitely something wrong with you. I got the ginger tea because I didn't want you to transfer your germs to me. It has nothing to do with the fact that I was worried about you which I wasn't by the way. Also, I don't like public parks that's why we are here. Again, nothing to do with you. Don't think too highly of yourself."

Han Bohai didn't mind any of her words as he kept smiling. "I believe you." 

Obviously, he didn't sound like he believed her.

Ying tilted her head slightly and found him still clinging to her as she began, "You're not coming slow."

"Huh?" he was dumbfounded.

"It's like you suddenly crashed into my life at full speed," her voice was low but he could clearly hear her feelings. "You're incessantly trying to tear down the walls around my heart without any break. And the worst part is, I can't help it." His smile broadened as she continued, "But your speed is scaring me now. I don't even know if I can match this pace of yours. What if I can't?"

"You don't have to," he replied honestly with a rare seriousness seen on his face. "Since you can't match up to my pace, I'll just slow down to follow your pace."

"That is not what I mean," she groaned in exasperation.

Han Bohai cupped her face in his hands as he said, "Falling in love is as easy as catching a cold. And both are very difficult to hide as well." His lips lightly brushed against her forehead leaving her dumbstruck as he added, "Didn't I say that you don't have to do anything! As long as you don't find a way to push me away, I'll find a way to squirm in your heart one way or another."

"Squirm your way in?" she repeated his words and giggled. "You really know how to use your vocabulary."

Han Bohai rubbed her head as he replied, "As long as this limited vocabulary of mines can make you laugh. It's all worth it."

Ying closed her eyes briefly and then looked heavenwards. The sky had darkened now. Slowly, the stars were getting visible. Since it was a private garden, it was lit up perfectly right now. So, Ying couldn't see the stars that clearly. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful but cold night. It wasn't good for him to sit outside for this long.

She stood up and dusted off her clothes as she held her hand out to him saying, "Come, I'll take you out for dinner and then I'll drop you off to your hotel."

Han Bohai instantly held her hand got up happily. But soon frowned as he said, "But I'm supposed to take you out on dinner. Why are you doing it again? Although it feels good to be pampered like this, I still want to be the one to pamper you instead."

Ying felt weird inside her heart as she listened to him. She had always been the one pampering others. Yes, her elders always doted on her but when had anyone from her generation ever said something like this to her? Never! 

She shook her head to shake off this feeling as she said, "Shut up or else the deal's off."

He circled her arm as he announced, "I'm willing to be pampered. Let's go!"

She smirked knowing this threat always worked. And she suddenly realized, she was picking some bad habits from Xiu. Nevertheless, whether this threatening was a bad habit or not could be up for debate.