Imperfect Desires

However, even if she felt cornered, Ying couldn't let Xiao Li win like that. And as soon as she Xin Zimen, her eyes lit up or more like the bulb in her mind lit up.

"Zizi!" she called out. She squirmed a little and said to Han Bohai in a low voice, "I'm not going anywhere. Would you please let go?"

Han Bohai thought about it before nodding his hand and let her out of his embrace. Ying went up to Xin Zimen and said something in his ear. Xin Zimen's brows furrowed up before he nodded his head and called Xiao Li.

"Come back home, right this instant!" was all that Xin Zimen said to Xiao Li as soon as the call was connected. He touched Ying's head and went on, "Thanks for letting me know!" Ying smiled at him feeling proud of herself.

Since she was not allowed to follow Xiao Li, how could she let him leave? Especially now when Xiao Li was not only furious but looked rather impatient. Xin Zimen would never let his son act rashly. And she was right about that. The condition Xin Zimen had seen of Liu Nuan... He'd not want his son to go around acting thoughtlessly.

Since now Ying was satisfied, she went back to Han Bohai's side and said, "Let's go to my room. I'm tired."

Han Bohai didn't say anything and held her arm to support her as they left.

Meanwhile, Xin Zimen went back to Xiu's room where the servants were clearing up the table now. Everyone had left already. He was met with only the doctors who were doing the routine checkup. He stood aside silently and only after having a discussion with the doctors did he moved to Xiu's side. 

He sat silently with his head lowered as if he was feeling conflicted about what to say to her right now. His thoughts were all over the place. Knowing who was behind the attack on Xiu was already a shocker for him. Now that he heard from Ying that Liu Nuan was apparently not even Suyin's daughter, it left him even more conflicted. He actually wasn't worried about any of that. His worry was how Xiu fit into any of that.

Even if Chen Xiu was Suyin's daughter, Liu Nuan's hatred should be directed towards Chen Xiu. Why was their Xiu involved in any of that? Why was her life in danger? Just because she shared the same name with someone? How did any of that make sense?

Xiu could feel his complex mood, she placed her hand over his and when he looked up, she asked, "Ah-Xin, are you okay?"

Xin Zimen nodded his head, "I should be asking you that."

"What can possibly go wrong with me?" she retorted.

"I didn't want this dinner to end up like that," he told her. "I thought you'd feel better with everyone around. I didn't think they would start talking about nonsense around you."

Xiu smiled at him, "But I didn't mind it at all. In fact, I actually enjoyed it a lot. It had been a while since I got to eat with everyone. So, it was really fun."

"You're not bothered by their argument?" questioned Xin Zimen as his brows raised up slightly.

Xiu shook her head in reply, "Nope! Why would I be bothered by any of it?" She gave him a big smile as she went on, "Let me tell you something, all of the people here have a special place in my heart. I don't feel bothered by any of the things they say."

Xin Zimen thought about her words before nodding. "But is it really true?" Xiu's brows raised up inquisitively and he went on, "Did Chen Xiu really saved your life?"

Xiu bit the inside of her cheek before reply, "Yeah. That is something I can't deny." She took a pause and added, "Why? Is it bothering you?"

Xin Zimen rubbed his forehead, "Not really. I'm just wondering how unexpected life is."

"Life is indeed unexpected, that we can't deny," said Xiu. 

Xin Zimen patted her head and told her, "From tomorrow, you'll have to spend a couple of hours with a psychologist." He watched Xiu scrunching up her face and chuckled, "It's for your own good."

"I know," she replied.

"And your doctor said, within a week they'd be starting the rehabilitation therapy. Your physiotherapist would be here soon to work on improving the movement of your arm. So, don't think too much about it."

Xiu laughed softly, "Ah-Xin, I think you look more worried than me. Because trust me, I've never felt as calm as I'm feeling right now. My left arm can't move right now but that's not even bothering me a little bit. Why would it?" She lowered her voice as if telling him a secret as she went on, "This way, I'm getting more pampered. Whatever I want, my mom is ready to do it for me. So, I feel like I'm in the most ideal situation right now."

Xin Zimen flicked her forehead gently, "You don't have to try to make me feel good by saying that."

Xiu rubbed the place he hit and pouted, "I'll do my best during the therapy. I promise. So, stop worrying about me."

"I can't seem to stop worrying about you," said Xin Zimen softly. He stood up to leave and said, "Take care of yourself. I'll come to see you in the morning."

"Good night, Ah-Xin!" Xiu waved at him and watched him leave. She looked at the screen between her bed and Darren's before frowning in displeasure. She beckoned the nurse over and asked, "Is my husband's doctor still here?"

"No, the doctor just left," told the nurse.

Xiu was happy to hear that. "Then can you help me over to his bed?"

The nurse nodded her head and helped Xiu down from her bed. She supported her body and brought her to Darren's bed who was surprised to find her there.

"What are you doing out of bed?" he questioned. 

Xiu sat down on his bed and told the nurse, "I'm okay here. Thank you for your help!" The nurse smiled at her politely and went to stand aside. Xiu lifted Darren's blanket and laid down beside him very carefully. She made sure to not touch anywhere she wasn't supposed to.

Hugging his waist gently, she finally gave him an answer, "I don't want to have any nightmares tonight. So, let me sleep here." She closed her eyes as she went on, "Whenever I'm beside you, I only have good dreams."

Darren held her head against his chest as he asked, "Have you been having nightmares?"

"I haven't had them in a long while, I wonder why it's all coming back now." She snuggled up against him saying, "But now it's fine." She took a pause before asking, "Are you upset with me?"

"Why would I be?" 

"Because of what I said earlier," began Xiu. "About Chen Xiu."

"I know you don't like talking about your past self, so I was a little surprised that you'd say so much all of a sudden to Han Bohai."

Xiu was silent for a while before she said, "I just felt like doing it. I don't know why but I felt like he needed to hear it."

Darren caressed the back of her head as he said, "Or maybe you're just trying to prove to him that you aren't Chen Xiu."

Xiu tilted her head to look at his face, "Did you also notice it?"

"How can I not?" he retorted. "He is being quite obvious. He definitely has some doubts or maybe he is already certain about it all." He took a brief pause before adding, "Isn't that why you talked about Chen Xiu in such a way? You wanted him to believe that you and she are two different people."

Xiu sighed out, "Do you think it worked?"

"Honestly, I don't think so," replied Darren. "In fact, I think he is even more certain of whatever conjectures he has."

Xiu groaned, "Maybe I should listen to you and keep my mouth shut all the time."

"No, you can't do that," he said.

"Are you challenging me?" she asked.

"Not at all. I just can't seem to live without your voice. So, keep talking."

"Earlier you are the one who told me to shut up," she reminded him.

"You're testing my patience at that time," he answered honestly. He took a moment to think before saying, "But I agree with what you said earlier. Everyone is indeed acting suspiciously in their own way. It's really me wonder what is going on."

"You focus on getting better," she told him. "We'll think about what's happening after we get out of these hideous hospital clothes."

Darren smiled at her and told her, "I think you're thinking more than me. That's worrying me more. So, you stop thinking and let me do it instead."

Xiu lifted her body up slightly and placed a kiss on his neck because that was her only reach right now. "Let's both not think about what's happening outside of this room. You focus on me and I'll focus only on you. I promise I won't think about useless things, so you better do the same."