Imperfect Desires

"Ah-Xin!"

"Yes, boss!"

"Why are you making it difficult for me to stay angry?" Xiu stomped her foot to show her frustration.

How was this fair? She really wanted to be upset with him. But she couldn't do so when he so straightforwardly said that he'd do the same if it meant he could protect her happiness. How was one supposed to argue with that? She definitely didn't know how to argue with that. But did that mean she'd lose this battle?

Ha!

In your dreams!

"If you had told me about your illness, I would have come to make you some delicious congee."

"Oh, I missed out big time, huh?"

Xiu proudly pointed her chin up as she answered, "Of course, you missed out. And it's all your own fault!"

"Tsk. Tsk. How unfortunate of me!" Xin Zimen went along with her with an amused expression. His hands had been on his lap since he offered her water but when Xiu finally noticed it...

"Your punishment is not up yet. Keep holding your ears!"

"What kind of punishment is this?" 

"Why? Would you like to do sit-ups instead?"

Xin Zimen cleared his throat and shook his head, "My old bones won't be able to take that. I'm fine with this as long as you're happy."

In the meantime, a certain someone who had completely been ignored had his gaze stuck on this eccentric pair. When Xiu first entered, he was startled by her intimidating aura but then it shifted to shock at the way she continued to talk and his brother continued to appear obedient before her. Then it turned into amusement since it had been years since he last saw his brother bowing down his head before someone. 

The last person who made him do that was... His eyes flashed at the reminder of his brother's only daughter and he felt complicated. Not knowing how to take this scene before him.

He wanted to know the identity of this little girl but he didn't want to intervene as well. After all, he could finally see his brother's relaxed expressions. How could he dare to intervene and ruin this moment? He wanted to know what identity this girl had to actually be courageous enough to reprimand his brother. 

In all these years, he knew what power and authority his brother had and how people didn't even dare look into his eyes out of fear. But seeing how fearlessly Xiu was standing before Xin Zimen, he was astonished. 

Over on Xin Zimen's side, he could see Xiu talking animatedly but he had no clue what she was saying. After all, he was too busy staring at her expressions. Her voice was floating into his mind but he couldn't understand anything with his distracting thoughts.

"Why are you smiling?" 

"I don't know either," replied Xin Zimen honestly. 

"Ah-Xin, I'm very serious right now."

"Just take a seat already," Xin Zimen pulled her to sit beside him and patted her head. "This much anger is not good for health."

"This is not my anger. I'm just upset!" Xiu shot back unhappily.

Xin Zimen stroked her head gently, "Yes, yes. You're just upset. After all, if you're angry, you'd bring your baseball bat. You have no idea how glad I am that you didn't bring your baseball bat."

Xiu pouted, "Ah-Xin, I'd never dare to hit you."

"Why not? You didn't hesitate before beating my son."

Xiu touched the tip of her nose sheepishly, "That's different. Ah-Si is Ah-Si. Ah-Xin is Ah-Xin. Xiu likes Ah-Xin and Xiu would never want to hurt Ah-Xin. Besides, you are someone I respect." While Xin Zimen was smiling softly at her reply, Xiu's eyes finally caught sight of Xin Zemin. Her eyes widened a little as she pointed at Xin Zemin before pointing back at Xin Zimen who was sitting beside her.

After several rounds of looking back and forth, she rapped her own head, "I swear I didn't touch alcohol today but I'm still seeing double!"

While Xin Zemin's lips curved up at her words, his younger brother shook his head, "Maybe you're drunk on love."

"That I always am," Xiu didn't even hesitate before agreeing on that. "But..." she looked back at Xin Zemin and frowned, "Wait! Your double's features are slightly different than yours." Her eyes went round as she clapped her hands together, "Ah-Xin, you have a doppelganger!"

Both brother's whole person stiffened at her words. Both shifted their eyes to look at each other's expressions and found the same look of shock. 

***

A little girl's face flashed before Xin Zemin's eyes as he was reminded of that adorable voice calling out, 'Ah-Xin! Your dop... dobby... ginger is here!'

'Huh? What are you trying to say, baby?' Both Xin Zimen and Xin Zemin were curious to know what that little one was trying to say. She couldn't form the world right but whatever she said sounded too adorable.

The little pouted as she replied, 'Mommy said he is your dobbyginger and that's why he looks so much like Ah-Xin.'

Both brothers shared a look before Xin Zimen voiced out, 'Baby, are you trying to say doppelganger?'

'Ah! Yes! Yes!' The little girl jumped around before clutching her father's leg, 'That's the word mommy taught me.'

'Little niece, you can just call me uncle. I'm your father's elder brother.' Xin Zemin intervened seeing her excitement.

The little girl shook her head, 'No. I like that fancy word better!'

Xin Zimen rubbed her head, 'Lin'er, you can't even say that fancy word, right.' Seeing how his daughter's face wilted, he immediately pacified her, 'But if you like it so much, instead of saying doppelganger, you can say ginger! You can say that, right?' The little girl nodded her head. 'Good girl.'

The little girl smiled widely before adding, 'Ah-Xin, your ginger looks upset.'

Xin Zimen looked at his brother and looked provocatively, 'Let him be. His face is like that.'

***

"Ah-Xin, is that your brother?" 

It was Xiu's voice that stopped Xin Zemin's daydreaming. His gaze on Xiu turned even more complicated.