Imperfect Desires

Meanwhile, after having a discussion with his father and his godmother, Xiao Li had actually gone to check up on Xiu and Darren. He knew that Xiu's session must have been over by now but was surprised when he saw that she had not come back to her bed yet. For a moment, he was scared but then realized that nothing could happen within this house, and only then did he relax again. 

Apparently, the shadow of this attack was left on his mind as well. Even though he hadn't been there in person to witness it himself.

When he was about to go look for her, Darren stopped him, "Li bro, don't."

"I don't feel comfortable with her not being here with you," said Xiao Li.

Darren offered him a small smile. He had already noticed Xiu's absence when he woke up just a while ago. And he had also learned that Xiu's session with Gigi had finished over thirty minutes ago. But she hadn't come back. And he knew his wife well enough to know why. That's why he didn't rush anyone to bring her back. He also knew nothing could happen to her here. So, he was calm about it. 

He'd just let her relax on her own for a while. She'd come back when she felt like it.

"Give her some time," Darren said to Xiao Li. "She needs some space to clear her head."

"Wouldn't she be overthinking all alone?" 

"Even if she does it, neither you can do anything about it nor can I. There are certain things in her life she needs to overcome on her own. You and I can't do anything about that."

Xiao Li listened to Darren's words and frowned. Although he agreed with Darren's words, he somewhat didn't agree either. He didn't like the idea of leaving Xiu to deal with everything on her own. Even if she was fighting her inner demons, he wanted to be of help. But when he looked at Darren, he couldn't bring himself to say anything.

Since Darren knew Xiu better than him, he really couldn't question Darren. There were a lot of things regarding Xiu that he wasn't able to understand. Especially, he couldn't understand what bothered Xiu. No matter how hard he tried to understand her, he wasn't able to. That seemingly lively and bright person hid too many things behind her smile that he wasn't capable of reading.

But he wanted to. He really wanted to understand Xiu's worries. Only then could he help her in any way. However, he knew that although Xiu was nice to everyone, she was guarding against everyone as well. The way she let Darren in her heart, no one would ever be able to do so.

Xiao Li decided to stay there to wait for Xiu. He sat beside Darren's bed and asked, "How are you feeling?" 

"It isn't as bad as I thought it'd be," replied Darren. "Besides, you have gathered such brilliant doctors for me. They are doing their very best to reduce any kind of complications." He was silent for a moment before he inquired, "Did you find the one behind this attack?"

Xin Xiaoli thought about it before shaking his head, "Not yet." He didn't want Darren to think over it that's why he chose to lie to him. 

"But my father thinks you have found the culprit," stated Darren calmly. Although his father didn't come to see him, it was only because Francesca would never allow him. When it came to Darren's life, Francesca didn't trust many people. Even if Zhou Xichen was his father, she'd still not trust him.

Also, Darren didn't allow his father to come and see him either. He really didn't think there was a need for that. It was enough that he could talk to his father over the phone daily to reassure him.

"And why would he think like that?" questioned Xiao Li as his brows furrowed. He knew he hid his tracks very well. There was no way for Zhou Xichen to find Wen Clan's movements solely on his own.

"Li bro, did you really think no one would notice Liu Nuan's absence?" Xiao Li's eyes widened while Darren continued, "Although my father's power can't compare to the one behind you, he is still a very smart person. He had concluded that since the attack happened right after the wedding, the perpetrator was within the guests. And most importantly, someone close. Very close." Xiao Li's expressions stiffened. "Because of his assumption, he managed to notice that Liu Nuan was supposed to take her flight to Capital but she never managed to do so. There was no way to contact her either. He found it quite suspicious and I think you're the reason why it's suspicious."

"Liu Nuan has nothing to do with Xiu, why would you so easily believe that she vanished because of that reason? Maybe she offended someone else."

Darren silently looked at his face for a moment before saying, "I'd have loved to believe your words. In fact, I really wish those words were true. I really don't want to hate Liu Nuan anymore than I already do."

Xiao Li contemplated his words and asked, "Do you hate her because of what happened with Chen Xiu?" Seeing Darren's silence, Xiao Li's eyes had a complicated look, "Are you still not able to forget her?"

Darren chuckled at that, "It's not about whether I can forget her or not. It's about how she was wronged. Do you really expect me to forgive everyone who hurt her so badly?"

"She is the reason your relationship with Jinhai got strained, right?"

Darren lowered his eyes as he said, "He should have never gotten into a relationship with her when he knew he couldn't protect her. Even if his feelings for her true, he didn't deserve someone like her." He took a deep breath and asked again, "It's really Liu Nuan, right?"

Xiao Li finally nodded his head, "Yes. She is the one."

"And what's her excuse this time around?" He snorted, "Last time her excuse was a miscarriage, what is this time?"

"Miscarriage?" questioned Xiao Li. "What miscarriage?"

Darren stared at him, "Li bro, it was such a high profile miscarriage that destroyed someone's reputation and life as well. How could you not know about it? Especially when one of the people involved had been your own cousin?"

Xiao Li actually looked confused. He couldn't remember anything regarding this. Strange.

"Anyway, I don't know why she tried to kill Xiu. She is not telling the truth. She claims that she tried to kill Xiu because of her hatred for Chen Xiu. She just needed someone to vent her anger and she chose to do it with Xiu."

Darren's eyes darkened as soon as he heard that. Xiao Li noticed how his hands clenched and he was trying hard to restrain his anger. He cared about nothing at the moment, he only wanted to strangle her right now! 

 *Beep! Beep! Beep!*

Xiao Li was startled as he stood up and held Darren down saying, "Have you gone insane? Don't try to get up!"

"I want to kill her with my own hands!" exclaimed Darren.

"Stay down!" shouted Xiao Li sternly. "This is why I didn't want to tell you anything. Your emotions are all over the place right now."

Darren looked at him, "I almost lost my wife and my child, do you really think I can be calm about this?"

Xiao Li fell silent for a while. "I know you can't. I know how serious it is. But I'll deal with it. I promise."

"She is your cousin, what would you possibly do?" questioned Darren doubtfully.

Xiao Li didn't mind his doubtful look. It was expected. "You should know that for my dad, justice is always above relationships. I'd never do anything to disappoint him. Whether she is my cousin or not has nothing to do with this incident. I'd deal with it accordingly."

 "You better do as you said," warned Darren. as he lied back down and closed his eyes for a moment. 

Xiao Li patted his shoulder, "I will do it. If she dared to take a life, she'd be prepared to give her own life as well. As they say, while digging an enemy's grave, one should dig for oneself as well." He watched Darren slowly calming down and relaxed as well. He hesitated a little before asking, "Were you really close to Chen Xiu?"

Darren frowned at that question that came out of nowhere but still answered, "I was a stranger who was very familiar with her."

"Huh?" Xiao Li didn't understand his meaning at all.

Darren used simple words to say, "I think we were close. In fact, very close."

Xiao Li nodded his head before asking, "What kind of a person was she?"

"Why are you asking that?" questioned Darren. "Besides, does it matter? She is already dead. You shouldn't be so curious about a dead person."

"And if I am," retorted Xiao Li.

"Nothing good will come out of this curiosity," replied Darren.