Imperfect Desires

Ying facepalmed herself as she said, "Your profession really suits you, Mr. Dramatic!"

Han Bohai smiled until his eyes turned into crescents.

"I'm not being dramatic though, my heart is really breaking." Inching close to her, he added, "It's just a meal. Do you have to be so brutal? Think of it as a charity, eh? For a good cause, have lunch with me. Please?"

Ying rubbed her chin as she asked, "What's the good cause?"

He held her hand which she tried to pull away but he still led it to his chest saying, "To heal this broken heart. Isn't this cause good enough?"

"Pfft!"

Ying was startled by that laughter as she pulled her hand away from his grasp and looked behind Han Bohai. Xiu was laughing without any restraint. At first, she was only curious to know who was here to see Ying but when she heard his way of flirting, she couldn't stop herself from laughing.

Seeing that she was found out by Ying, she raised her hands in defense saying, "Don't mind me. Please, continue!"

 "Xiu, why are you laughing? It isn't what it looks like?"

Han Bohai's expressions changed when he heard the name Ying called out. He wanted to turn around and see this person who shared the same name as his Sister Xiu and yet, he didn't want to because it wasn't his Sister Xiu. He was stuck in his own dilemma not knowing what to do. So, he just stood there without moving.

"Ying Jie, it doesn't really matter," said Xiu. "You shouldn't worry about what I think. Go for that meal. It's necessary to heal a broken heart. I ensure you, this is really a good cause."

Ying squinted her eyes at Xiu who was teasing her. She knew this would happen. Xiu had been teasing her even when she hadn't met Han Bohai, and now he was standing right here, how could she not tease her Ying Jie at this moment? 

"Xiu!" Ying really didn't know what to say. She knew she was stuck now. Xiu would never let her out of this unless she agreed for that lunch. "We can't go to a restaurant for lunch. His profession doesn't allow it."

"We can call for takeout," suggested Han Bohai. "I don't mind it at all. Besides, it's the company that matters. If you'd eat with me, I think even a plain bread will turn into a delicacy."

Xiu whistled at his words saying, "He can talk! Me, likey!"

Ying rolled her eyes at these two, saying, "Of course, you likey. He is just another shameless version of you!"

Xiu took that as a compliment as she rubbed the side of her neck sheepishly, "You're flattering me now, Ying Jie. But no need for that." Taking a pause she added, "Actually, there is no need for takeout as well. I'll cook for you guys. I have nothing else to do anyway. When Xiu, The SuperChef is here, what's to fear?"

Han Bohai's pupils dilated as he whipped his head around to look at Xiu's face. Her last sentence had struck a mark and stirred up a distant memory.

He still remembered how Chen Xiu used to brag about being a kitchen expert.

'When it comes to food, your Sister Xiu is unrivaled. Just like a superhero has a way to save the sinking ship, I have my own way to add flavor to bland food. Don't ever doubt my skills. I'm also a superhero, just in the kitchen though.'

And he was the one who retorted with, 'Okay Ms. Superhero. I'd just call you SuperChef from now on.'

'Oh, I like it. Xiu, The SuperChef to the rescue!'

He used to laugh so heartily whenever she called herself, 'Xiu The SuperChef'. But today, he didn't feel like laughing at that. Because this time it wasn't his Sister Xiu who said it. The face before him held no resemblance to the girl in his memory. And yet, his heart was left unsettled.

As for Xiu, her mischievous look immediately faded when Han Bohai turned around. Her eyes couldn't help widening when she looked at his familiar face. No wonder the voice sounded so familiar to her. It was none other than her Xiao Bobo. It was really him standing right before her eyes.

"I don't think you should do anything of that sort. If it's a meal, I can cook myself."

It was only after Ying spoke up that Xiu's eyes turned away from Han Bohai's face. In fact, she was very close to shedding some tears but Ying's voice helped her in distracting herself from those emotions that surged up within her.

If it had been before, Xiu would have agreed to let Ying cook by herself. But now the other person was her Xiao Bobo, how was she supposed to let this chance go? How could she just back out? It had been such a long time she had looked at him in such close proximity. She wanted to hear his voice, wanted to talk to him, wanted to know how he had been all these years.

Xiu held Ying's hand as she insisted, "No! I insist! I would love to cook for you both."

Ying was reluctant as she said, "Xiu, I don't want to impose on you."

"Yes. Ah-Ying is right. We shouldn't be disturbing you," Han Bohai also agreed with Ying instantly.

Xiu glanced at Han Bohai and said, "I can see that whatever Ying Jie says is right to you but right now, I'm not in the mood to hear a no." She turned to Ying as she tugged her sleeve. "Ying Jie, come on! It's just a meal. I have to cook for myself as well. Adding two more people's portions won't hurt me."

Looking at Xiu's pleading look, Ying couldn't say no at all. No matter how strong-willed she was, she wasn't immune to Xiu at all. Call it her bad luck that she really liked to see this girl's smile. So, if this would let her smile, how can she deny her of that?