Imperfect Desires

In the meantime...

Since Han Yiheng had dragged Ying towards his nephew, now he stood before the Xiu, Darren, Cali, Nora, Jackie, and of course, Han Bohai.

"She's an interesting girl," said Han Yiheng to his nephew.

"Was there ever a doubt about that?" retorted Han Bohai proudly.

Han Yiheng pulled his nephew's ear saying, "Stop showing off before your uncle, you brat!"

Han Bohai tried to get out of his grasp as he said, "But I always treated you as a friend. Can't I just be honest with you?"

"Regi, Xiu, what are you both doing here?" 

Han Yiheng was frozen in his place when he heard Francesca's voice coming closer.

"Where else are we supposed to go?" inquired Xiu.

"Both of you should also go and congratulate the bride and groom."

Xiu gave her a strained smile and leaned against Darren's body saying, "I feel like my energy drained just hearing that."

Darren chuckled at her and looked at his mother, "We'll be right there, Mama."

"Okay, I'm gonna go ahead." She was about to leave when she looked at Han Yiheng and smiled at him, "Hey, Yiheng! I didn't know you're here."

Han Bohai was startled to see the speed at which his uncle's expressions and posture and even aura shifted. Just like a lovestruck teenager, Han Yiheng grinned and greeted her back, "Yeah, well... I couldn't just say no Mr. Xin Zimen."

"Oh, that's true. I believe not just anyone can say no to Xin Zimen," she agreed without any hesitation.

As she was looking at Han Bohai, he hurriedly introduced him as well, "Oh, this is my nephew, Han Bohai."

Ying pushed herself into the picture with, "And he is my boyfriend as well."

"Oh!" Now, with that statement, Francesca paid even more attention to Han Bohai as she greeted him, "I'm Francesca Salvay, Regan's mother."

Han Bohai had to do a double-take as he looked at Darren and at Francesca. "Aren't you too young to be a mother of him?"

"Oi! She is my mother whether she is young or not has nothing to do with you," Darren finally spoke up.

"He was just saying the obvious, Regan. Don't get so worked up."

"Sweets, are you taking his side?"

"But I didn't even do anything," replied Xiu innocently.

"All of you stop it. Hurry up and come to the stage already." With that Francesca walked away, not without saying, "I'll see you around Yiheng."

"Yeah. Sure!" 

Han Bohai stared at his uncle's smile with a suspicious look before voicing out, "You look very suspicious right now."

Han Yiheng cleared his throat to cover up his feelings before he turned to ask Ying, "Such a bright person you are, why did you choose an idiot like him?"

"I have no idea as well," replied Ying.

"Seriously, I take one step away from you and you always forget me," complained Han Bohai unhappily.

"I told you already, you'll have to deal with that."

"What's going on here?" 

Seeing Dylan, Ying turned Bohai around saying, "Here comes the bride's brother."

Han Bohai's face twitched, "I met him already the other day. You're right there."

"Yes, you did. But you didn't know that he is the bride's brother at that time. That's why I'm doing this introduction again."

"I don't think it's needed, Ying Jie," said Dylan before he looked at Xiu and grinned mischievously, "How is my ghosty sister-in-law? Couldn't find a better color?"

Unlike her usual self, Xiu calmly replied, "Ah-Xin chose this color for me. I don't think there is anything wrong with it."

Dylan was stumped for words while Ying laughed out, "Now, dear Didi! How about repeating yourself now? I bet you won't wanna question Zizi's choices."

Dylan took a deep breath and replied, "So what? Uncle Zi's choice is the best but it also depends on who is wearing it."

"Didi! Are you looking for a beating?!" Both Darren and Ying said simultaneously.

These two protective people wouldn't let him say anything to Xiu. However, usually, these two didn't have to speak up in her defense. Xiu was enough for herself. Today, for some reason, these two people caught the window to defend her which meant that Xiu wasn't trying to defend herself.

Actually, Dylan was waiting for a reaction from Xiu. He wanted to hear her strike back like she always did but for some reason, Xiu was too calm. That was really not like her. At least, that's not how she acted around him. Didn't she always say he was capable of irking her at any moment and at any time? Then how come it wasn't working today?

"Oi, Xiu! You're sick?" That's the only reason he could think of for now. For what other reason would she be this quiet?

"Thanks for worrying, dear brother-in-law but I'm absolutely fine. However, I'm happy to learn that you're concerned about me. It means a lot to me." Xiu's voice was very calm, sweet, and relaxing. 

Dylan shuddered because of how goosebumps rose up on his body because of Xiu's tone. There was no hidden meaning behind her words. He could see her sincerity in her eyes. But he was really not used to this politeness from her. What got into her?

"Regan, shall we go to Li bro?"

Darren nodded his head and left with Xiu. 

Staring at their back, Dylan suddenly muttered, "There is definitely something wrong with her today."

"You think so too?" asked Nora. "I've had the same feeling since I laid my eyes on her today. I don't know what it is but she seems..."

"Peaceful?" Ying suggested a word from her vocabulary and both Dylan and Nora nodded their heads without hesitation. Ying tapped her chin thoughtfully as she said, "She indeed has a different aura around her today. Almost like a whole new person."

Now that she thought about it she realized that since she left Gigi around Xiu, her own encounters with Xiu had reduced. And lately, she had been working to find Chen Hana and had even lesser time to have a proper conversation with Xiu. What was she missing out on? It seemed like she needed to sit down and have a chat with this little sister.