Imperfect Desires

"If you worry about me this much, your boyfriend might get jealous," retorted Xiao Li on purpose.

Ying looked at Han Bohai and said, "Although he doesn't look like it, he is actually very understanding." Ying spoke so naturally as if she knew him for years now. And seeing this, Han Bohai was genuinely pleased.

"Are you defending him right now?" Xiao Li's voice had a touch of surprise palpable in it.

"Obviously! That's my job as his girlfriend!" was Ying's response that made Xiao Li chuckle. He was amused to see that finally she actually said something like this. It showed how much Han Bohai was becoming important to her.

He raised his hands and said, "I give you both my blessings!"

Ying tried to stand up to smack his head from across the table but she forgot she was injured, so ended up falling back on her seat. Glaring at Xiao Li who was still laughing at her, she gritted out, "Who needs your blessings? Keep it to yourself! You are in need of it right now!"

"Ying'er!" Xin Zimen's voice rang out making Ying bit down on her own tongue. "I hope you don't repeat it again."

Ying lowered her head and nodded, "Sorry! I didn't mean to say it."

Xiao Li was still laughing at her as he said, "Dad, it's okay. I don't mind."

"I didn't ask you," said Xin Zimen and Xiao Li decided to stay quiet.

"Nora, where is your Ah-Si?" questioned Dylan. "I haven't seen him much."

"He is taking care of Ava and Asteria," replied Nora. "And how is he mine? He is still his father's."

Dylan tutted at her, "You abandoned him that soon?"

Nora glared at him, "What about you? Where is your girlfriend?"

Dylan's mood fell instantly as he replied, "Cali had to make a trip to Italy. She said she needs to find something. She'll come back soon."

Hearing the antics of the younger generation, the elders finally got to smile. And they felt their moods lifting up. Each of them had been shrouded in worry for days now. Only after spending time with these young people, they could relax.

After breakfast, everyone didn't immediately scatter around. Instead, they all sat down in the living room and each made a group of two or three to talk.

"Ah-Li, why don't you listen?" Ying's tone was harsh. "Go and get some rest before you really collapse!" She rubbed her forehead, "Don't play with your health!"

"Ying, you're really worrying unnecessarily," replied Xiao Li calmly. "I'll go to rest after a while. I just ate. Give me some time to digest."

"You just never listen to me," said Ying and looked at Han Bohai. "Don't learn from him. If you didn't listen to me, I'll... stop talking to you!"

Han Bohai nodded obediently, "I'd do as you say, Ah-Ying."

"Wow, what an obedient boyfriend," said Xiao Li. He took a moment before asking, "Bohai, I heard you've worked as an assistant for a female superstar?"

"I did," replied Han Bohai honestly.

"Why are you asking?" inquired Ying.

Xiao Li looked at her and said, "Aren't you very suspicious of me these days? I can't generally talk now?"

Ying made a face at him doubtfully but didn't say anything.

Meanwhile...

"Darren asked about you," informed Nora. 

"He did?" Nora nodded and Dylan went on, "What did you tell him?"

"I told him the truth that you're sulking outside," replied Nora.

"What do you mean by sulking?" 

"Haven't you been sulking?" questioned Nora. "If not, what else?" Dylan glared at her silently. She took a moment to ask, "By the way, you are really not gonna see him?"

"Who said I won't see him?" retorted Dylan. "I just need some time."

"Why complicate things?" asked Nora. "Friendship isn't that complicated, Dylan. In friendship and love, it's not fair to run away. Because you can't run from either. Stop doing it to yourself."

"You think I want to?" He responded despondently. "I also don't want to run away like this. But I'm scared."

"Even when you know he won't blame you for anything?"

Dylan nodded his head, "Yes! Even if I know he won't blame me. In fact, that's what's scaring me more. I want him to angry with me. I don't want him to always hide me behind himself."

"Whether you like it or not," stated Nora. "Friends don't stand against each other."

He contemplated her words before asking, "How is Xiu?"

"Didn't I already said that she's fine?"

"You did. I just wanted to hear it again," he replied.

On the other side...

"Did you find the culprit?" questioned Xin Zemin.

"No," answered Xin Zimen. "All our leads got nowhere."

"Are you gonna give up?"

Xin Zimen looked at his elder brother, "I won't let this go."

Xin Zemin was quiet for a moment in his own thoughts before asking, "You're suspecting mom?"

"I don't trust that woman!" replied Zimen without any hesitation. "I have never believed her. And I never will! So, she is at the top of my suspect list!"

Xin Zemin couldn't bring himself to question him regarding this any longer. He already knew his brother's strong dislike for their mother. He couldn't change his views now.

"My daughter likes you a lot," he remarked quietly.

At the mention of Xiu, Zimen's eyes softened instinctively. "I like her a lot too."

Xin Zemin chuckled softly, "That's really a surprise."

"How?" 

"You don't usually say your feelings so openly. I think even your wife never got to hear that you love her."

"She did," retorted Zimen.

"Yeah but you never said it before people," reminded Xin Zemin.

"I didn't need to declare my love to the whole world. Only she needed to know and she did know it."

"It's really a mystery to me how your marriage actually worked."

Xin Zimen didn't say anything. It wasn't a mystery to him at all. He knew how much Wen Ai loved him. Just like she knew how much he loved her.