Imperfect Desires

"Regi, come with me. I have something to talk to you." Ying dragged Darren away from Xiu to a secluded corner leaving behind Xiu who was rubbing her temples.

Meanwhile, Ah-Si tapped her shoulder asking, "There is something different about you tonight."

Xiu pointed at herself, "Me? How?"

"I can't explain but I feel like something is different," replied Ah-Si thoughtfully.

Xiu rubbed her chin before saying, "Maybe, I've gotten fatter."

"I'm serious."

"So am I, Ah-Si" Xiu deadpanned.

His brows knitted up as he said, "How come you started calling me Ah-Si? Didn't you use to call me Si bro in a nice and sweet voice?"

Xiu laughed to herself, "I did. My brain must have been seriously hurt back then."

"What did you say?" his voice got deeper and dangerous.

"What I mean is that I finally realized that your mental age is of a teenager meanwhile my own mental age is of a thirty-something person. So, technically, I'm older. Why should I call you Si bro then?"

Ah-Si's lips twitched as he stared at her speechlessly. Scratching his head he said, "Always have faith in your twisted words and logic. I'm not even surprised at this point."

Xiu smiled sweetly in reply, "Aren't I awesome?"

"Having the ability to blacken the white and whiten the black is a real talent. You're indeed awesome!" Xiu squinted her eyes at him giving him a pointed look. "I mean to say you're so awesome that I believe I should be calling you Jiejie(elder sister) instead of Meimei(younger sister)."

Xiu was quite pleased with that answer as she nodded agreeably, "I also think you should."

"Oh, weren't you gonna call Ying Jie's boyfriend? Call him. Actually, ask him to come here. I also want to see this boyfriend now."

"Didn't you already see him at the mall last time?" questioned Xiu.

"I couldn't see clearly and after that, Ying Jie is not giving me any window of opportunity to see him."

"Hold on," with that Xiu finally dialed Han Bohai's number. "Hello, Xiao Bobo!"

Han Bohai was momentarily at a loss for words. The way Xiu called out to him held the same mischievous gentleness and care he had been once very familiar with. It left his nerves shaken for a moment and he couldn't come up with any words to say.

Not getting any reply, Xiu looked at her phone and tried again, "Oi! You there? Is it too loud here? I should get out of here." Xiu made her way towards a silent corner before asking again, "Can you hear me now?" Han Bohai only managed to hum in reply to let her know that he was on the call. "Great! Now, hurry up and tell me, are you back?"

Han Bohai's brows furrowed up as he replied, "I'm about to catch my flight. Why?"

"Wow! That's awesome!" Xiu was getting extremely excited as she heard his reply. "So, by midnight you'd be here."

"If nothing goes wrong, then yes." He took a brief pause before asking, "But why are you so curious, Ms. Bai?"

"What Ms. Bai? Don't be distant future brother-in-law. You can just call me Xiu."

Han Bohai's face stiffened as he replied, "Alright. Now, would you let me know why are you so curious to know about my whereabouts? Aren't you my biggest fan? Shouldn't you already know all about my whereabouts?"

Xiu chuckled at his reply, "Well, time changes little superstar. These days, I'm the biggest fan of my husband. Sorry but setting your priorities straight is very necessary for life. And right now, my only priority is my husband."

Han Bohai's frown deepened, "You're married?"

Xiu nodded her head excitedly while jumping around in happiness, "You can't believe it? I can't either! I've always wanted to have a family of my own and now I do! I actually have someone I can rightfully call mine! And don't get me started on how remarkable of a person he is."

Hearing her gushing like that, Han Bohai didn't realize when a smile set on his lips. It was like he was reminded of his Sister Xiu whose biggest dream was to have a place she could call home and people she could call hers. It'd be wrong if he said he didn't feel himself getting closer to Xiu without her realizing it. 

"I wish my girlfriend also talk about me with such enthusiasm as you have right now," he couldn't help sighing.

Xiu stopped jumping around and sobered up as she said seriously, "Don't be so down my little superstar. I told you I'll be the cupid. I certainly am playing cupid here."

"Did you call me to play cupid as well?" he asked in amusement.

"Bingo! This is why I love talking to you, it's very easy to have a smooth conversation." Xiu looked around the party scene. She had been really not into this party but now, she was feeling really happy since she was talking to her Xiao Bobo. "Let's get to business... Since you'll be here by midnight, don't forget to pick up your Cinderella."

Han Bohai's interest was piqued as he asked, "My Cinderella isn't even looking for her Prince Charming. Or maybe she thinks I'm not her Prince Charming."

Xiu rolled her eyes, "If you had been here, I'd have smacked your butt by now." She took a deep breath before continuing, "Now, don't waste time. Just get here before midnight."

"Why does it have to be before midnight though?"

"You don't know?" Xiu gasped in disbelief. "If you didn't manage to hold Cinderella in your arms before midnight, she'd run away!" Turning her voice into a whisper, she added, "And I'm warning you, there are plenty of gorgeous human beings at this party. Don't say I didn't give you a heads up."

"Are you giving me a heads up or are you scaring me?"

"Whichever works," replied Xiu cheekily.

"Brother Han, it's time to board the plane."

Xiu heard a female voice from his end before he said, "I'll call you after landing."

"Got it."