Imperfect Desires

Ying's eyes were constantly observing Zhou Jinhai's expression and she could see how he stiffened after hearing her remark. Trying to appear casual, however, he rubbed his earlobe and said, "Is he a fan of her?" But before she could say anything, he denied the possibility of his own statement, "No. If he is a fan, he wouldn't even know about me. That won't be right. Did he know her personally?"

"Yes, it seems he knew her very personally," replied Ying calmly. "And when I say very, I mean very very personally."

"But Chen Xiu didn't have any friends. She was the most anti-social celebrity. How did your boyfriend come to know her personally? Why don't I know about that?"

"You didn't even know that Chen Xiu had any kind of relationship with your own brother. How would you know about my boyfriend?"

Zhou Jinhai opened his mouth but couldn't retort. He indeed didn't know anything about Chen Xiu and Darren. It was only after Chen Xiu's death that he learned about how his own brother knew Chen Xiu. And boy, was that a shocker!

"If we leave my brother out of this, I am certain that I knew everyone from Chen Xiu's personal circle. Because it consisted of a limited number of people. Who are you talking about exactly?" Somehow, Chen Xiu's name had piqued his interest to learn about Ying's boyfriend even more.

Ying smiled slyly as she said, "He says he was the closest person to Chen Xiu. He also claims that no one knew Chen Xiu better than him."

"You're talking about Han Bohai?"

Ying's brows quirked up, "How did you guess that?"

"It's really no rocket science. Especially because there is only one person who can claim to know Chen Xiu and that would be her assistant/brother, Han Bohai. I didn't even have to think hard, it's that obvious." He took a pause before adding, "And let me add that Chen Xiu always announced on her sets that Han Bohai is brother, not her assistant. She did it so that no one goes to find trouble with him thinking that he is just an assistant."

Ying nodded her head as she confirmed one thing that Han Bohai was right; he certainly was the closest one to his Sister Xiu. So, he wasn't bragging. He indeed had a very special brotherly affection for Chen Xiu.

"No wonder he gets so sentimental," remarked Ying.

"I'll be surprised if he didn't get sentimental."

"Jini..."

"Hm?"

"My boyfriend says, just because it's suicide doesn't mean there was no killer." He noticed the way his jaw tensed up at her words. "That made me think a lot... The way you, Regi, or Hedi react to Chen Xiu's death, it really makes me wonder if there is a killer."

"Not every murderer likes to get his hands dirty with blood," was the only reply Zhou Jinhai gave in a bitter way.

Ying's body tensed up at his reply. If there really was a murderer, she really didn't know what storm would unfold again. She chewed on her bottom lip anxiously before saying, "Jini, the clues you gave me are still unclear but if your assumptions are true and Chen Xiu really turns out to be..." She didn't know how to complete her words. "Anyways, I'm just reminding you that if the truth is exactly as how I have it in my mind, then Chen Xiu's death chapter is gonna open all over again."

"I know," answered Zhou Jinhai in a calm voice.

"You know? I think you don't know!" Ying's voice turned sharp but because of the music, no one could hear them in this secluded corner. "Zizi isn't some nice guy. He'll shred the culprits into tiny pieces!"

Zhou Jinhai took a deep breath, "I know that as well."

Ying was baffled by his reaction but she suddenly had an epiphany, "That's exactly what you want. Isn't that it? You want to borrow someone else's hand to use the blade."

"Well, at least I won't be using trickery like those people." He looked right into Ying's eyes as he added, "I just want to use the right person to deliver the justice that she deserved."

"If I'm not wrong, the people involved in her death are related to you in one way or another."

"That's exactly what makes me a culprit as well."

"Jini, do you have a death wish?"

"Why are you asking?"

"Zizi's reverse scale had always been his daughter. Her name is enough to get him to rile up. Do you think once he learns of everything he will let you off the hook? No way! Anyone remotely related to hurting his daughter will have to suffer from his wrath. You won't be able to leave unscathed as well." She gulped down a glass of water as she added, "But that is only if Chen Xiu is proved to be his daughter."

"I know Uncle Zimen as well, Ying. You don't have to keep reminding me of what kind of person he is. I also know that he won't let me off the hook either but the truth is, I don't want him to."

Ying rubbed her temples feeling depressed and annoyed at the same time. "Boy, either you've lost the desire to live or you're really underestimating Xin Zimen!" She shook her head and added, "I'm already very stressed because of Chen Xiu's supposed mother and now, you're annoying me even more."

"You don't have any leads?"

"Not really," she replied honestly. "I actually wanted to ask Regi since he also knew a lot about Chen Xiu. I wondered if he'd be of help."

"Did you ask him then?"

"I couldn't bring myself to do so. Lately, everywhere I turn I end up towards Chen Xiu. Soon, I'm gonna have nightmares!"

"You're getting sensitive," he remarked.

"Every person around me is way too sensitive to the name, 'Xiu'. Including myself who had come to love a little sister who is also named, 'Xiu.' See the irony!"

"Poor you..."

Ying smacked his head for teasing her over this. She was very serious. Somehow she wasn't just sensitive to Xiu's name, she was feeling complicated every time Chen Xiu's name was brought up as well. It was truly a test for her patience.