Imperfect Desires

Darren felt a little lost at Xiu's comment. Not only that he felt like a lot was hidden behind that remark which Xiu was not letting out. He could also perceive her emotions. And the tragic part was he couldn't even understand any of it. 

Xin Suyin? As in Uncle Zi's cousin-sister? As in the person who is widely known for her manners and politeness? In fact, Xin Suyin was actually used as a perfect example for the younger generation since that's how perfect a woman she was. That's how perfect of a sister she was and even that's how perfect of a wife and mother she was.

He didn't think there was even a single person in this circle who have not heard about Xin Suyin's perfection. She was a philanthropist who always worked for the betterment of society and the less fortunate people. That's why she was a darling of common folks. 

So don't mind his disbelief. Because he had never heard anyone call her a devil before.

"Sweets, are you really talking about Xin Suyin?" Seeing Xiu nod in reply, his frown deepened, "Isn't calling her a devil a little much?" Xiu's brow quirked up at him in surprise, "She is the dearest cousin sister of Xin Zimen and Xin Zemin. She is the only person between those two brothers whom they love equally. In fact, Xin Suyin is quite respected around here."

"Are you trying to say that I'm wrong about her?"

Darren shook his head without hesitation, "I have never doubted you. Not even when you made no sense. I still have no doubts about this. I just..." He sighed out, "I just always thought that the person you hated the most is Jinhai's mother. Wasn't she the mastermind behind everything that happened back then?"

Xiu laughed out in a strange way. "So, even my dear husband has been fooled by that woman?" She shook her head, "But how can I blame you. If I had not met the real her, even I'd be like you. No, I was indeed like you. I've heard so many good things about her that I actually took her as my inspiration in life once. I wanted to be as generous and kind as she was. Peh!" Her expressions twisted as she went on, "It's my fault for not telling you what really happened back then. There is no doubt that I hate Zhou Jinhai's mother, Niu Peizhi! But it was my naiveness to think she had done everything on her own because the real game planner never even showed up."

Darren held Xiu's trembling hands in his own as he looked into her eyes and questioned, "Then are you willing to tell me what really happened?" Xiu opened her mouth but nothing came out. "If I knew coming here would affect you this much, I'd have never brought you here. The last thing I want to see is seeing you suffering on your own. But you made me believe that you could face Zhou Jinhai and Liu Nuan. Even Zhou Liqiu."

Xiu snorted, "Even though Zhou Jinhai, Liu Nuan, and Zhou Liqiu have inflicted me with several wounds but none of them was able to break me. Those three could give me pain, not tear me down." She tried to retract her hands from his grip but he refused. "That woman... Xin Suyin is my nightmare." Seeing how her breathing got labored, Darren lifted his hand to rub her back while Xiu's hand went instinctively around her neck. As if she could feel something strangling her. Her voice was broken as she said her next words, "I'm... Scared of her."

"Scared?" repeated Darren with shock.

Xiu held his arms saying, "You don't know her. You don't know anything about her. She is crazy. No, she is a psychopath!"

"What are you trying to say?" asked Darren as he felt both helpless and conflicted. Holding her shoulders tightly, Darren added, "Sweets, I'm right here with you. Just tell me what she did to you?"

"She has done so much, which one should I tell you about?" retorted Xiu. "Even I don't know how far she had gone. But I can tell you what I experienced first hand. You won't like it though."

"I still want to know," he said with determination.

Xiu nodded her head, "Okay. It happened after Zhou Jinhai's wedding with Liu Nuan..." As she repeated the incident of how Xin Suyin insulted her and her mother, she was silent for a moment before adding, "I never knew she'd keep her words of going further than that..."

*Flashback*

"Sister Xiu, is everything okay? You did a lot of NG today which is so not like you."

Xiu who had been looking around the set didn't hear Han Bohai's question. Physically she was there, but perhaps her mind was elsewhere.

"Earth to Sister Xiu!" Han Bohai waved his hand before her face.

"Huh?" Xiu flinched a little as her eyes focused on Han Bohai, she relaxed and asked, "What's up?"

"Is everything okay with you?" He repeated his question.

Xiu wanted to tell him that she felt like something wasn't right but before she could say anything, she was reminded of how earlier in the day Han Bohai told her that he wanted to leave early since it was his little cousin's birthday. She didn't think it was right to worry him over just because she had a stupid feeling.

"I'm alright. But why are you still here? Don't you have to catch a flight or something?"

Han Bohai looked at his wristwatch and cursed, "I didn't even realize it was this late. But I still have to drop off at your place."

Xiu waved her hand saying, "That's alright. I'm not a kid, I can manage."

"But you're a kid who doesn't even know how to drive a car," reminded Han Bohai.

"But there is a thing called a taxi and it's for people like me. So, I can really manage," said Xiu and gave him a light shove adding, "Now, off to go! Don't ruin your little cousin's special day."

"You'll be fine, right?" asked Han Bohai once again before leaving.

"Yes!" exclaimed Xiu in exasperation.

It took a while but Han Bohai eventually left. It was only noon, so he didn't think there'd be a problem for Xiu to get home on her own. At least, he didn't think something like this would happen in broad daylight.

*Flashback, to be Continued*