Imperfect Desires

Originally, Xin Zimen really thought that his parents would attend the wedding. But when his elder brother came alone, he could only assume that his parents won't be attending the wedding. Either way, he didn't feel good about it.

However, now seeing his parents right before his eyes, he was a little taken aback. He neither was upset with their presence nor was he excited. It was a strange feeling. he couldn't describe.

He was standing stiff as he saw his parents walking up to him and yet greet everyone around him except... Him. And this didn't even surprise him anymore when they walked right past him. 

"They haven't changed," remarked Shania as she looked at Xin Zimen's expressions.

He shook his head saying, "I'm not even surprised."

It seemed she wanted to say something else but stopped herself. So, to distract him, she asked, "Is my granddaughter here?" Xin Zimen shook his head and her brow quirked up, "When is she coming?"

Xin Zimen's response was a smirk as he said, "She won't be coming."

"That's impossible!" No matter what she would never believe that her granddaughter would actually not attend her best friend's wedding. There was no way! She looked suspiciously at Xin Zimen, "What did you do?"

"Nothing... I'm just saving her from something," replied Xin Zimen. But seeing her reaction, he added, "Relax, she'd be here."

"I suddenly don't want to trust your words," said Shania before she walked away.

Meanwhile...

Inside the banquet hall, the first person Xiu found was... 

"Jackie!"

Seeing her opened arms, little Jackie didn't even hesitate before running into her arms. If it wasn't for seeing his Xiu, why would he even bother to come to this wedding where he barely knew anyone? 

As soon as he hugged her, he wrapped his arms around her neck. "Xiu, you didn't come to see me."

Xiu rubbed his head, "I met you at the start of the week. Did you forget, little brother?"

"It's been too long," grumbled Jackie making Xiu chuckle. 

"Oh, then how about going with me after this wedding ends?" asked Xiu and he didn't even think before nodding his head.

"Little brother, aren't you abandoning me way too soon?"

Jackie made a face at Nora saying, "You're the one who said you'd send me to live with Xiu while mom and dad are not here."

Nora choked on her words and cleared her throat awkwardly before clarifying, "That's because I have to go to work and I can't take care of you all the time. But Xiu has all the time in the world for you."

Xiu looked at her best friend before pinching her little brother's nose, "Of course, Xiu has all the time in the world for Jackie."

"Then should I also leave Ava with you when I'm busy," Ah-Si also chimed in the fun.

Xiu's eyes squinted at this pair before she said, "I'm unemployed but I guess you guys think I've become a babysitter now, eh?"

"Not a bad idea. You'll get some practice for future," said Ah-Si thoughtfully as if he was purely thinking about her.

Xiu snorted at him and fixed Jackie's hair as she said, "Bro, I have enough practice with this little brother of mine."

Ah-Si shook his head, "Jackie doesn't count."

"Why not?"

Nora also joined back, "Because Jackie has always been a sensible child. You didn't have to do much in his case. He only needed you to silently accompany him and he'd behave. Not all kids are like that." She took a pause and added, "We never know what the future might bring. Who knows your future kids might be difficult... They can definitely inherit your naughty nature instead of Darren's calmness. It's a possibility, you shouldn't overlook."

Xiu's brows knotted up as she thought whether these people already knew about her pregnancy. Why were they suddenly insisting on this? But she removed this thought from her mind immediately because it wasn't possible.

"What naughty nature? I was always a very quiet kid!" In Xiu's memories, she was indeed a very quiet kid. She always stuck to her mother's side as she followed her to film sets. She'd silently stick to her like glue. No one ever even complained about her. Not even once!

"How do you know that?" Nora shot back as well and Xiu was lost for words. Because the childhood she remembered was of Chen Xiu. But right now, she was...

"Why are you bothering my daughter?"

Xiu gave a toothy grin as soon as she saw Francesca and hugged her saying, "Mama, you're looking gorgeous."

"Not more than my daughter," replied Francesca lovingly before turning to Ah-Si and Nora as she went on, "Whether the kids would be naughty or sensible, why is it our Xiu's concern? It's my concern since I'll be the one to raise my grandchildren."

Darren placed his elbow on her shoulder as he asked, "Mama, aren't you tired of raising only one child?"

"Who?" retorted Francesca with a straight face. Darren pointed at himself and she snickered, "You? Didn't I say it enough that between you and me, who raised who is still very unclear. Let's not start this argument today."

"Francesca, you shouldn't indulge Xiu this much. If you took the responsibility of Xiu's future kid, she might really forget that she has a child."

Xiu glared at Nora before saying, "I'm not that forgetful."

Nora bobbed her head up and down saying, "Yes, you are. Ask Darren!" 

Xiu looked at her husband who smiled strangely before nodding his head slowly, "Sorry Sweets. But you're really forgetful."

Xiu made a face at them since she couldn't bring herself to retort again. Her memory was indeed the worst. Even if one overlooked Destiny's memories, even as Chen Xiu she forgot a lot of things. For instance, she'd always forget the good moments. But the bad ones would get stuck with her. That was the mental disorder that didn't leave her side even in this life.

While she was lamenting to herself, she felt a tug at her gown and looked down. Her eyes widened at the scene before her.