Imperfect Desires

Originally Ying just wanted to make things difficult for Han Bohai. In her opinion, a star like him won't be able to have any culinary skills. However, when she watched his practised and calm knife skills from the sitting area, she had her suspicions about her own assumptions.

But her suspicion was confirmed when he placed three dishes and soup on the table while calling her over. Ying blinked at the food then at him. Why was he surprising her more and more?

Taking a seat, she voiced out her doubts, "I didn't think you'd be good at this."

Han Bohai instantly crouched down beside her chair and cupped his own face trying to act cute as he said, "Am I awesome? Don't I feel like a perfect husband material? Now, you have no reason to kick me out of your life."

Seeing his expressions, Ying was even more amused but held back her smile. Why was it that this big man could act cute without looking cringe at all? She was truly baffled!

"Well, I don't judge things from looks. I need to taste it first," Ying tried to avoid answering his stupid question. Because she knew unless she said 'Yes' according to his wishes, he won't be satisfied at all. And she wasn't in the mood to be pestered by him.

Han Bohai didn't push it as well. Instead, he picked the serving chopsticks to help Ying with food while constantly seeing her face. He needed to see her reaction.

Ying was actually pleasantly surprised when she tasted the food. It tasted better than her expectation and she couldn't help giving him another glance while taking another bite. How was she supposed to say it... Well, it didn't taste like a five-star hotel's meal. But it gave a really homey feeling which Ying actually lacked in life.

In fact, since her parents were always travelling, she never really had a meal that reminded her of home. So, it was really surprising how his simple homemade dishes were so easily able to capture her attention. Maybe it was just as Xiu had said to her last time when she brought the food over, 'Food is delicious even at a roadside stall and even at a five-star hotel. It's the feelings it can evoke that matters.' 

"How is it? Delicious, right? Do I get the perfect husband material badge?"

Ying rolled her eyes at his eagerness before shoving a piece of carrot into his mouth to shut him up. 

"At most, it only proves that you're the perfect domestic wife material. I don't think I'll mind raising such a wife."

Han Bohai chewed on and swallowed before shamelessly saying, "Then, is husband willing to raise this adorable wife?"

Ying was beyond herself now. She wasn't angry, she looked helpless as she said, "Your brazenness really know no limits, eh?"

"Talking to my dear husband, what use is this so-called shame? We can't eat it after all. At the end of the day, this pitiful but dutiful wife of yours is the one who will sweat in the kitchen to put food on this table so that my husband can work hard to earn money to raise me well."

"Cough! Cough!"

Ying choked on her food so badly that tears brimmed up in her eyes. Han Bohai hurriedly stroked her back and passed her some water. After she was done coughing for a minute, she pointed a trembling finger at his face and raged, "You!"

Han Bohai took her hand in his hand and with a face full of worry said, "Husband, seize this temper. It's not good for your health. How will this wife survive if something happens to you?"

"HAN. BO. HAI!"

Han Bohai instantly sealed his lips and stepped back cautiously. "Sorry! I was just trying to lighten up your mood. Don't take it that seriously!"

Seeing his guilty look, Ying felt her anger deflating very easily. And she focused on eating since she couldn't even finish her breakfast when her grandmother had called her. So, right now she was feeling really hungry. 

"However, I really don't mind being your little wife. At least, I'll be able to stick to you."

Ying looked at his face making him fidget for some reason. She was really amused seeing him acting so cautiously and burst out laughing. Hearing her laughter, he smiled again instantly and felt his heart easing up. He really didn't mean to upset her. That could never be his intention. He honestly just wanted to make her laugh and he accomplished his goal.

"You're really amusing," remarked Ying.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" inquired Han Bohai worriedly.

"I don't know," answered Ying honestly. "But I do know that you certainly have a way to capture my attention."

Han Bohai eased up again, "Then it's okay. As long as it works on you."

"Were you always like this?" Ying couldn't stop herself from asking this question she had been meaning to ask from a while now.

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully before shaking his head. "I actually had a very bad temper. I think this friskiness is because of Sister Xiu's influence."

Ying raised her brows as she inquired, "Was she also this exuberant?"

"She seemed like a cautious person but in fact, she was a very reckless person. Where no one could see, she was really just a carefree little girl bouncing around."

"So, she passed it on to you?"

Han Bohai rubbed his nape as he answered sheepishly, "It seems like it." He took a pause before adding, "My uncle says her death brought a lot of change in me."

"Death really leaves a bitter mark in one's life. I understand that very well."

"Did you also lost someone?"

Ying didn't know what to say. She had lost quite a few people. Whether it was losing someone to death or seeing friends turning to strangers. She had gone through all of that. So, it was hard to say in the end what or who did she really lose? Because in her heart, she knew that the only person she lost was herself.

Han Bohai took her silence as a silent agreement but didn't probe. He placed his hand over hers on the table and smiled, "You don't have to recall that. Now, you can just focus on me. Because I won't be going anywhere. How will I survive without my Ah Ying?"

Ying was suddenly startled as she looked at him incredulously. "What did you just call me?"

"Ah Ying..." His voice was low, deep and it struck something within her heart.

While Ying was trying to settle her thoughts, her phone's ringtone saved her from her inner turmoil of emotions. However, when she looked at the called id, her eyes flashed with a deeply buried sadness mixed with sourness.