Imperfect Desires

Meanwhile, when Darren reached the side of Francesca and Zhou Xichen, he found the same scene he was very familiar with. They both were yet embroiled in an argument. It was like they had nothing better to do. Whenever they came across each other, they'd be involved in a baseless argument.

Darren placed his hands on Francesca's shoulders as he came behind her and scowled at his father, "How many times I have to tell you to stop bothering my mama?"

"I'm bothering her?" repeated Zhou Xichen. "She came here to brag about your marriage! It's not me who looks for fights, it's her!"

Francesca glared at him saying, "So? My son did get married, am I not even supposed to brag about it? I found the world's best daughter-in-law. It's my right to boast all I want. Bite me!!"

Darren was feeling helpless between them as he said, "Can you both lower down your voices? This is someone else's wedding!" Then he looked at his father and said, "And why are you even here arguing with my mama? Didn't you come to convince your elder son to take over the family business? Go do your job."

"I've already tried that," said Zhou Xichen. "That one is just as stubborn as you are. He plainly refused to be a part of anything relating to the Zhou family. The crazy bastard is rebelling on another level now! I get it that he is angry with his mother but why is he punishing me?"

Francesca raised her hand to stop him saying, "Mr. Zhou, keep your family matters to yourself. Don't try to involve my son into this."

"Little Miss Salvay, I can't share my worries with my son. I can't go and find my daughter-in-law to congratulate her either. Would you please enlighten me on what I can exactly do?" He took a pause before adding, "Once upon a time, you used to try your very best to cultivate feelings between me and my son. But nowadays, you seem to be trying to snatch him away from me."

"Blame it on your Madam Zhou! If she hadn't tried to hurt my darling son, I won't this ruthless with you."

"Why my life's all miseries start with this so-called 'Madam Zhou'? She is not even my wife!"

Darren turned and stood between them like a wall. "Stop it both of you! How old are you both? What's the point of this argument exactly?"

Both Zhou Xichen and Francesca glared at each other and humphed.

"On one hand, you both are eager to have grandchildren. On other hand, you both are acting like children yourselves." Darren didn't know whether to laugh or cry. They really made him feel tired for some reason. "Please, behave like elders. Can't you both just let bygones be bygones?"

"I can," replied Zhou Xichen. "It's this woman who always starts this."

"Oh, look how innocent you are," retorted Francesca.

Darren rubbed his forehead and stepped away saying, "Fine! Go on! Let me even pass you baseball bats to officially have this war for once and all."

Both of them stared at Darren with a flustered look and lowered their heads.

He took a deep breath before saying, "You're my mother, you raised me. You're my birth father, your blood is in my veins. You both have your own place in my life. Please, stop with your childish nonsense already. It puts me in a very awkward situation."

"Fine, I won't argue with her again," Zhou Xichen agreed readily.

"Alright. I won't do it either," said Francesca.

Darren sighed in relief and hugged them both saying, "Thank you very much because I'd like to give a peaceful family to my kid."

"Speaking of kids..."

Before Zhou Xichen could continue this topic, Darren hurriedly shifted the topic as he asked, "And you dad, why did you give my wife that pendant?"

"It's the only thing your mother left," said Zhou Xichen in a small voice.

Darren rolled his eyes, "My mother is standing right here. That's something your wife left behind and my wife certainly doesn't need it."

Zhou Xichen's expressions shifted as he said, "I just wanted to pass on something of Florence as her blessings to you both."

"Her blessings are not even the last thing I need in my life," retorted Darren sternly. "I have made myself clear plenty of times. Florence Salvay has no meaning in my life. She is just a name I heard plenty of times. She is nothing else to me." He took a pause before adding, "Now, I'm going back to my wife. Can't leave her alone for long. You both better not start another agenda behind me. I'm watching you."

Seeing his receding back, Francesca sighed heavily as she said, "Do you have to bring up Florence's name before him?"

"As if you never bring up her name before him," retorted Zhou Xichen.

"I do," agreed Francesca. "And that's why I know very well how disturbed he gets after hearing that name. Even if Florence is just a name to him, you can't possibly expect him to forget what she did to him. She abandoned a newborn baby. It's too cruel!"

Zhou Xichen looked at the side of her face as he said, "That's why it's even harder to believe that you both are sisters." Francesca raised her brows at him inquisitively as he went on, "One ran from her responsibility, and the other has been fulfilling the responsibility that was never hers."

"What nonsense! He is my son. And I'm the proudest mother in the whole world for having him as my son. I wouldn't want to exchange anything for what I have now!"

Zhou Xichen smiled softly, "When your sister and I married, you're really a carefree, rebellious young miss. I didn't even realize that you grew up very well."

Francesca rubbed her nape saying, "With that smart son of mine, I had to grow up before he could start calling me dumb mama. And trust me, I have no doubt that he'd have called me that if I had not tried my very best to match his intelligence at some level."

Zhou Xichen laughed out at her crying face and said, "Thank you once again."

"For what?"

"For being the best mother to him," he answered sincerely.