Imperfect Desires

"This has to be one of the most delicious meals I have had in years. Thank you so much! Thank you for having me here and for all your effort as well." Han Bohai felt like he had to express his gratitude from the bottom of his hearts. But he didn't think words would do justice at all. Because this was more than just a meal for him. It was a trip down a memory lane that brought out so many feelings. However, for now, he only had words to offer. "I honestly don't think words can do justice to how much I enjoyed it."

Xiu was really happy to hear that. She had always been happy when someone complimented her food. But him saying it, mattered all the more to her at this moment. One could literally see her imaginary tail sticking up to the sky in a proudful manner and it even swayed from one side to another. Yes, that's how pleased she was!

"Since you've enjoyed it so much, how about washing the dishes then?" Han Bohai's words got stuck in his throat and Xiu laughed at his reaction saying, "I'm just messing with you. How can I let my guest do that? I might be very shameless but I won't let you do it at your first visit. Next time, you better come prepared."

Han Bohai also ended up laughing along with her. "No wonder Ah-Ying said I remind her of you." It was strange how after just one meal, he felt a lot more comfortable with her. The previous fidgety feeling was all gone now. He didn't even feel awkward with her. Instead, he felt quite close to Xiu now for some strange reason.

Xiu giggled, "Ying Jie is a bit reserved. But she is very easy going. The only thing I don't like about her is that she had always tried to accommodate people at the cost of her own wishes and feelings. That's really disturbing to me. However, I'll definitely change that about her."

Shaking her head, she went on, "Let's leave Ying Jie aside. I know her well and if you love her, you must also know her well by now."

"I think I already got what kind of person she is," stated Han Bohai.

"I thought so," agreed Xiu. "But we don't know anything about you yet. So, let's talk about you."

"Me?" Han Bohai was startled. "What is there to talk about me? I thought my life was already an open book to people."

Xiu however didn't agree or disagree with his words. Instead, she asked, "Do you love Ying Jie? Do you really love Ying Jie?"

As she mentioned Ying, Han Bohai smiled widely, "I do. I really do love her."

"Why?" asked Xiu. "I mean she said it's love at first sight. Sorry, but I don't believe in that thing. So, what really made you fall for her at first sight?"

"It wasn't really a love at first sight though," answered Han Bohai honestly. "When we first met, it was her stubbornness that caught my attention. The second time, it was her rudeness. Then the third time, it was the way she went out of her way to avoid going to the karaoke. She even didn't hesitate before using my body as a shield to hide away and even though she knew who I was, she talked to me like I was just another person she met on the street." He had a look of fondness in his eyes as he continued, "To be honest, it was very small things that made me want to get close to her. But then again, my sister used to say, one spark might not ignite the fire but several sparks can definitely do the job together. That's exactly what happened to me. Those small things didn't take long before I found myself wanting to get close to her."

Xiu listened to his words attentively without interrupting at all. She still remembered how he used to only think about work and found love to be very troublesome. So, it's true. When your heart is not in it even the most perfect person can't catch your attention. But when your heart is in it, even the most flawed person can become the center of your attention.

"I can see how you really managed to move Ying Jie's heart," stated Xiu in a soft voice with affection. "Although she is an easygoing person, she can be really stubborn about her feelings."

"She says she is only accepting me as her Trial Boyfriend."

"Trial Boyfriend is still a boyfriend," answered Xiu that took Han Bohai off guard since that was exactly what he said to Ying. "Besides, you can just assume that on the road to being the official boyfriend, Trial boyfriend is just another checkpoint. It really doesn't matter much."

Han Bohai laughed at her reply and nodded, "I agree completely."

"Of course you agree. Xiu is never wrong anyway."

Han Bohai looked at her expressions with amusement but didn't say anything about her 'I'm always right' comment. He didn't know why but he couldn't bring himself to refute her words. Ah! No wonder Ying said he'd never win an argument with her. And even might just give in early. He finally realized that she wasn't wrong about it. 

"I just suddenly realized that we haven't been properly introduced yet," said Xiu as she extended her hand toward him. "Hi! I'm Bai Xiu. Although I have no blood relation with Ying Jie, I still love and respect her as my own elder sister. Currently, I'm unemployed so I'm just wandering around like a poor ghost. So, don't feel bad that I wasted my time cooking a meal for you because I actually had nothing better to do. So might as well just make someone happy."

"Hello!" He took her hand in his own as he continued, "Han Bohai. Although I haven't known Ah-Ying for long, I believe love isn't something to be measured on the basis of time. So, I can assure you my feelings aren't that fickle." He took a pause and added, "And I'm an actor."

"That I know," said Xiu with a huge smile.

"You do?" he questioned amusingly.

"Of course, I do!"