Imperfect Desires

Han Bohai didn't know how it happened but while he was reeling from the impact of memories, the party had shifted locations. As much as he wanted to spend time with Ying alone, he couldn't just drag her away. So, he was stuck with Dylan, Ah-Si, Nora, and Cali who had suddenly decided to have a midnight rendezvous to the nearest food stall. 

He really wanted to ask these people what the hell were they thinking? Because they were just at a party, with plenty of food and yet they were now sitting around a plastic table with the sky as their only roof. Also, who would tell him why this food stall was still open after midnight? This was ridiculous but did he care? No, because he got another chance to stick close to his Ah-Ying. How could he complain?

"I don't recall seeing your sister? She is the one who called me and she is the only one I didn't meet. Where is she?" Han Bohai finally decided to ask the question that was bothering him. When he met with Dylan and Ah-Si along with their counterparts, he had expected to see Xiu but he didn't get to see her. 

That made Ying's brow quirk up as well, "Oi! Where did Xiu go? And where is her sticky husband? Did they leave? And that too without telling me?"

Seeing Ying's temper, Ah-Si started, "Relax! Xiu went to see dad."

"Zizi? What for?"

"I believe that she went to pull his ears but I'd be okay even if she just managed to put some sense into his brain."

Ying's eyes narrowed at his words and Ah-Si put a fist before his mouth to cough.

"I mean that she heard about dad's fever and rushed out."

Ying finally calmed down saying, "She seems very close to Zizi, so I can understand her concern."

"Ying Jie, you aren't feeling threatened?" This stupid question obviously came from Dylan.

Ying frowned at him, "Why would I be feeling threatened?"

"Ying Jie, everyone knows that for Uncle Zi, you're his most favorite daughter. But now someone has eyes on your position in Uncle Zi's heart. Shouldn't you do something about this?"

"The only thing I want to do is zip your lips." Dylan pressed his lips together immediately. "I have no reason to feel threatened. I can tell Xiu is becoming very dear to Zizi and I don't blame him for that either. In fact, my Xiu is awesome so it's only right that everyone loves her. Those who don't like her have a hole in their head."

Dylan's lips twitched, "I don't have a hole in my brain."

"I didn't say your name," replied Ying calmly.

Dylan was frustrated but he couldn't show his frustration. So, he chose to order a lot of food just to vent. 

"Doesn't it feel weird?" Everyone's eyes moved to Cali who continued, "We all are wearing branded clothes and yet, we are sitting on a roadside stall just for a barbeque?"

Ying, "I've eaten at the worst of places and in the worst of situations. This is very peaceful for me." Of course, she won't mention that she had often eaten in the company of dead bodies or blood. 

Nora, "Xiu loves to eat at such places. So, I'm used to it."

Ah-Si, "Back in school, dad had a rule in the family. The three of us often ate such places to learn family bonding and lose our superiority complex."

Han Bohai, "It's been a while since I had such a relaxing atmosphere to eat. So, I'm very comfortable."

Dylan, "I only care about the food."

As always Dylan's reply was very Dylan like but it made Cali understand every person at this table. For instance, she could tell that Ying was an adaptable kind of person who could adapt to any situation. Xiu's influence on Nora was very big just like how Ah-Si's family teaching's had a big hold on him. As for Han Bohai, he seemed like someone who wasn't very sociable and lacked real friends. And Dylan... Well, he was just Dylan. As long as he found his source of happiness, it was enough.

"Dylan, I heard you planned a grand proposal for Cali?"

Dylan looked up at Nora and nodded his head proudly, "It was very grand and very beautiful. The beach was the perfect location."

Nora snorted, "No wonder Xiu cursed you for an hour."

"She cursed me behind my back? Again?"

Ying interjected, "You should be glad, she only cursed you. If I was there, I'd even throw you into the sea."

Dylan felt wrong, "What did I do so wrong?"

"She almost got sick because of you," replied Ying. "My subordinate told me that her nails were purple by the time she came to sit in the car. She was so cold that she kept shivering. And instead of saying thank you, you even shouted at her!"

Dylan lowered his head guiltily, "My observation skills are very lacking."

That one sentence was enough to quieten everyone. Because no one could find faults with that statement. Indeed, everyone knew how much Dylan lacked perception skills. So, they couldn't find faults with him. Besides, if Xiu herself didn't pursue it, they won't either.

"Hold on, how is Xiu involved with your proposal last night?"

Hearing Cali's question, Nora gasped, "Don't tell me you didn't even realize that the one playing the piano was Xiu?"

"What? I didn't see her!"

Ying had expected that reaction as she said, "That's natural. Xiu didn't want you to see her."

"But I really wanted to be there. I love listening to Xiu playing the piano."

"Then you're in luck," said Ying as she pulled out her phone and passed it to Nora. "Xiu had passed her phone to my subordinate and even asked to record the whole scene. I received the full video in the morning."

Nora hurriedly played it and everyone craned their necks to see the screen. From the video angle, one could see the beautiful recording skills but soon, it could also be seen that the person who was recording was biased because when Xiu played the piano, Gigi's shots couldn't help moving in her direction to capture her trance-like state where she played the piano as if she had lost herself.

They could see Xiu's lips moving as the tune changed and again her expressions changing when the fireworks lit up the sky. The curiosity in Nora got the best of her as she quipped, "I think she is cursing you again."

"That's so on point," Ying chimed in as she laughed heartily. "When the fireworks lit up her exact words were, 'I so want to beat him. Idiot! Think about the environment. What a waste of money!'"

Nora also laughed along, "That sounds exactly like her. She is as stingy as always."

"Xiu is really stingy?"

Nora shook her head, "No really. She is only stingy with herself. But I like something or Jackie wants anything, she can splurge more money than me. Also, when it comes to her self-respect. Actually, I won't even call her stingy. She is just someone who thinks if you don't need something, you shouldn't buy it."

Han Bohai had silently been listening to them with a complicated expression. When he saw Xiu's figure playing the piano, he couldn't peel his eyes away from her. The way her fingers skimmed over the keys, made his heart feel itchy. It was a very familiar feeling. Then he heard about her dislike for fireworks and his heart shook again. But it got worse when Nora said that Xiu didn't like using money on herself.

He knew he was overthinking. He knew his heart was just trying to find an excuse but why was he so inclined to indulge this bizarre thought? In fact, it gave him an urge to see Xiu again.

"Ying Jie, you're bringing your date to the wedding, right?"

Ah-Si's voice broke his train of thoughts as he stared at Ying who nodded, "Of course, I'll be bringing my date."

He held her hand under the table as he looked surprised, "Who are you taking as your date?"

Ying pointed at his face, "You."

"I'm your date and I'm only learning about it now?" Ying shrugged her shoulders and Han Bohai knew he shouldn't ask anymore. She wasn't the kind to actually ask him out, so she directly decided he'd be her date without even consulting him. 

"Mr. Superstar, the impression I had of you is changing drastically," Nora commented when she the look of helplessness and indulgence in Han Bohai's eyes. He looked at Nora with raised brows as she went on, "Since my best friend has been a huge fan of yours, I learned that you're a very cold person. But my best friend insisted that you're a very warm person. I never believed her but now, I have to re-evaluate."

"Please, do enlighten me with your re-evaluation when you're done with it."

Nora smiled at him as she questioned, "It's making me really curious. How did you exactly fall in love with the woman beside you?"

Han Bohai turned his head to look at Ying who also quirked her brows inquisitively, he smirked, "That's a secret."