Imperfect Desires

After a long drive of three hours, both father and son arrived at a palace. It was literally like a palace. Since the Wen Clan were known as the royal descendants, even their family house was passed down from generations that looked like a big palace. 

Standing before this familiar and yet unfamiliar place, Xin Zimen turned his head to look at his son. Xiao Li could feel his father's gaze but he chose to avoid it. There was really no need for his father to know what had he been up to. 

"Don't just stand there, day," with those words he made a run for his life and created a bit of a distance between himself and his father. He knew if he stood closer, his father would definitely end up beating him right here. 

He wouldn't even care about rows of people gathered around with their head bowed slightly showing their respect towards their master.

Xin Zimen currently had too many questions for this son of his but he didn't want to question him before all these people around them. He only looked at Xin Kuan who had followed him and asked, "Must be nostalgic for you, Brother Kuan." Xin Kuan gave him a questioning look. "You grew up here, didn't you?"

Xin Kuan took a moment to look around and nodded, "It brings back a lot of memories indeed."

"You knew what my son had been up to?" he inquired in a stern voice.

"I only knew that Wen Ai left her emblem of power with Xiao Li. Since I had been assigned to stay beside you, I never probed into the Wen Clan's matters."

Xin Zimen's hands clenched tightly, "Why would she leave such a dangerous thing in our son's hands?"

Xin Kuan had a thoughtful look as he replied, "Because being surrounded by this danger was the only way for her to protect her sons." He gave Xin Zimen a look and went on, "Just because we don't talk about it, doesn't mean Xiao Li or Xiao Si had always been out of danger."

Xin Zimen stayed quiet in reply. He knew why Wen Ai would pass on her Xiao Li. Technically, he was the rightful heir since he was Wen Ai's eldest son. He just always wanted to keep his sons away from dangers. 

In front of him, Xiao Li stopped before a door and the men standing guard outside greeted him.

"What's the situation?" inquired Xiao Li.

"She likes to scream," said one of the subordinates. "We had to tape her mouth. Apart from that, we didn't hurt her at all." The subordinates looked behind him and immediately bowed their head humbly before Xin Zimen, "Master Zimen!"

"Open the door," said Xiao Li.

The door was opened for them. 

Xiao Li looked at his father and said, "Dad, why don't you stay behind?"

"Why?" asked Xin Zimen. 

"I mean, I'll do the talking part. You can just watch from the side room?" suggested Xiao Li.

Xin Zimen took a while to nod and stepped towards the side room. Xiao Li heaved a sigh of relief and entered the room. In the room, a frail look figure was huddled up in a corner.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, the girl lifted her head from her knees and looked up. Seeing Xiao Li standing before her eyes, her eyes widened. Her hands were tied behind her, there was tape over her lips restricting her voice. Tears had stained her face and fear was very clear in those eyes of hers.

And seeing Xiao Li, her fear didn't diminish. It intensified to the point that she started shuddering uncontrollably. Seeing her like this, Xiao Li's eyes didn't show any emotion. His face was still as cold as before. In fact, right now, he looked very angry but was trying hard to restrain himself.

As he walked closer to her, the girl wished to just merge into the wall behind her. However, she calmed herself down to meet his eyes when he crouched down before her to look at her face.

Just as he lifted his hand, she closed her eyes as if afraid that he was gonna hit her. But instead, he pulled the tape off her lips. 

"Li Ge," she called out in a frail and pitiful voice. "Did... Are you the one who kidnapped me?" Her voice was shaking as she stuttered out her question. Even though the answer was obvious before her eyes. And Xiao Li didn't even deny it as he nodded his head. "W-Why? Why would you do this? I'm your cousin. How can you treat me like this?"

Xiao Li's sneered, "Don't you already know why you're here?"

She shook her head repeatedly, "I don't. I don't know anything. I don't know why you're doing this to me. I was just here for your wedding. And I was supposed to leave last night. But then your men kidnapped me on my way to the airport. Tell me why you're doing this to me?"

Xiao Li looked at her face for a while before he lowered his voice and asked, "Liu Nuan, I'm gonna ask again. Do you really not know why you're here? Or why I'm treating you like this?"

"How would I know?" she shot back. In the moment of despair, she had to hold onto all her strength. So, her voice got louder and harsher. "Is it because I stood beside Meihui? How can you hold that against me? She is my best friend, no matter if she right or wrong, I have to stay by her side."

"I always thought of you as a spoiled girl. But it wasn't your fault, since you're an only child everyone did spoil you that made you become arrogant. However, I never thought you'd be vicious as well."

Liu Nuan's heart shook violently, "What are you trying to say?"

Xiao Li stood up and called out, "Bring him inside."

As soon as a badly beaten man was dragged inside the room, Liu Nuan's face lost all color.