Imperfect Desires

The atmosphere outside the operation theatre was heavy. The tension was so thick that one could slice it with a blade. Everyone was drowning in sorrow, despair, and guilt. 

Zhao Huan had been crying non-stop since the time she came. She couldn't help it anymore. No matter how hard she tried to keep herself strong, she couldn't do it. She had stayed strong for years only because she had nothing to lose. But now that she had finally found another reason to live in the form of a daughter, how could she bear to lose her again? 

This was complete torture for her. Xin Zemin had been hugging her and continued to rub her back in a soothing manner but he knew he couldn't help her right now. Nothing he said would make a difference. The importance of a child in his wife's life, he knew it well. If he didn't know why else would he agree with Wen Ai's plan back then?

He did it all for his wife. Just to make her happy. No matter how much love and care he gave her. No matter how much he devoted himself to her, she still had a void in her heart even after years. She always felt incomplete. And that void could only be filled with the presence of a child. 

Even if he just met his daughter, it didn't mean he was willing to lose her as well. Which father would want to lose his daughter? For years, he had imagined what would be like if his daughter was alive whom he never even got to hold in his arms? But now that he finally had a chance to embrace that daughter through a miracle, he was sent back into the valley of despair and helplessness.

Zhao Huan clutched his shirt as she choked out, "She'll be fine, right?"

It took Xin Zemin a lot of effort to nod his head as he said, "She'll be fine. She won't leave us again."

"I can't lose her again," said Zhao Huan. "I didn't even get to hug her enough. I haven't even cooked anything delicious for her yet. And I didn't even go shopping with her as other mother-daughter pairs do. I still have to shower her with all the love I couldn't give her in the past years. I still have so much to do..." she sobbed uncontrollably.

"She knows," he blinked his eyes to not let his tears fall. He didn't want to break down before his wife. She was only holding on because of him. So, he had to be strong for her sake. "She is our daughter. She is definitely strong. She won't succumb to this. I believe in her. You should also believe in her. She knows her parents are waiting for her. She won't disappoint us."

Zhao Huan silently sobbed against his chest. 

When Xin Zimen came back, this was the scene he was met with. He had checked up on Darren before coming and after making sure that he wasn't in danger, he made his way here. Actually, looking around was just an excuse he was using to stay away from this place. He didn't want to let his emotions get the best of him. So, he was keeping himself busy.

But in the end, his worry and love for Xiu still pulled him here. He thought if he stayed away, he won't be the first one to hear about her condition. 

Xin Xiaoli who had been sitting in silence, noticed his father's presence and asked, "Did you find the culprit?"

Xin Zimen shook his head, "Not yet." He gathered up his courage to ask, "Did the doctors say anything about her condition?"

Xin Xiaoli's shoulders slumped down, "No one is even coming out. It's been so long. I don't know what's going on. What's taking so long?"

When Zhao Huan heard Xin Zimen's voice, she abruptly stood up and came to stand before him. She held his hand and pleaded, "Xiao Zi, please save my daughter, eh? You can do anything. So, please save her. I don't want to lose her. I can't! I have so much to tell her."

Xin Zimen's heart clenched when he saw his sister-in-law's condition. She was after all a proud woman, who had never even bowed before anyone. But right now, she was pleading with him like this. It really made him feel indescribable pain.

"Sister Huan, I'm not as omnipotent as you think," he said in a soft voice. "If I was I wouldn't have lost my daughter and my wife."

Zhao Huan shook her head in a daze, "No, no, no! I believe in you! If you want, you can do anything. So, please help me."

Xin Zemin's heart broke seeing her like this. He strode over to hold her in his arms as he said, "Haunhuan, relax! Xiao Zi is already doing his best. He can't save her but I'm sure he won't let the ones who hurt our daughter get away." When he said that, he looked at his younger brother with a meaningful gaze.

Zimen pressed his lips into a thin line before he said with conviction, "That I can promise you, Sister Huan. Whoever dared to touch her, will have to suffer the pain worse than death!"

Zhao Huan looked at his resolute and determined look, "That's good. Whoever hurt my daughter doesn't deserve any pity. Don't let them get away. They should pay for it."

During this conversation, only Xiao Li noticed that the light above the operation theatre had turned off. His heart drummed inside his chest and his eyes intently looked at the door, waiting for it to open. And as soon as it opened, he walked over and inquired, "Doctor, how is my sister?"

The doctor looked at him with a complicated look in his eyes. He seemed to be having difficulty saying something and it further made Xiao Li's heart drop down. It was almost like, he was losing all hope all of a sudden.