Imperfect Desires

Today, when Ying had gone out to find Xiao Li, Han Bohai was just helping her in cleaning her room which she left in a mess. And while doing so, he accidentally came across the bracelet he was all too familiar with. For a moment, he could have doubted that it was just another bracelet with the same design but in the end, he couldn't do so. 

He spent his whole day trying to think about this. And only at night, he decided to come and look for Xiu. Just as Xiu had said, he could have chosen any other moment to show up at her door but he didn't. He also didn't know why he couldn't bring himself to do so. But once he was faced with something related to his Sister Xiu, he just couldn't control his anxiousness and had to look for her.

"Let's confirm it first," began Han Bohai. "This is really yours and not just another bracelet like yours, right?"

Xiu gave him a disdainful look, "Xiao Bobo, I can recognize my stuff." She rotated the bracelet and showed it to him, "For a moment, let's ignore the fact that my name is carved here. But remember I fell down back then. And because the bracelet rubbed against the ground, these scratches were left behind. It really is mine! There is no doubt!"

Han Bohai nodded his head. He just needed this confirmation from her. He already was clear about the truth but he still wanted to hear it from her.

"Why would Ying Jie have it though?" Xiu muttered softly with perplexity trickling from her face. It was obvious from her face that she was feeling troubles about this turn of events. She held his shoulder and urged, "Go and ask her."

"Huh?"

"I said, go to Ying Jie and ask her why she has it? Who gave it to her?" said Xiu straightforwardly.

"I'm assuming that..."

Xiu flicked his forehead, "I don't want assumptions! Do you know how much time we can save from direct confrontations? Why go around trying to find the truth when you can just ask the one who knows the truth?"

Han Bohai squinted his eyes at her, "I know that already! But with what right I should question her?"

"As her boyfriend!" retorted Xiu.

"Is that enough?" questioned Han Bohai sternly. "She won't tell me anything! She is simply gonna say I have nothing to do with this."

"This is your sister's property!" Xiu reminded him. "Of course, you have everything to do with this!" She stared at him intently, "I can't go and question her because I as Bai Xiu have nothing to with Chen Xiu's stuff. It will only complicate things. But you as Chen Xiu's brother have all the right to know why your sister's bracelet is with your girlfriend!"

Han Bohai stayed quiet for a while before voicing out, "I think she is looking for Chen Hana."

Xiu frowned at him, "Why would she be looking for Chen Hana?"

"Maybe to learn about who you are," replied Han Bohai. "From the time she learned I was close to Chen Xiu, she had repeatedly tried to pry up some information regarding Chen Hana's whereabouts. At first, I didn't pay much attention to why she was so curious but now, I can't help but think that this all connected." Xiu opened her mouth but he cut her off as he continued, "Hear me out first! You already know that Chen Hana isn't your mother which left us with the question, who are your parents? Aren't you curious in the least bit?"

"Honestly, no!" was Xiu's firm reply.

"Stop lying to yourself," said Han Bohai. "Even if you aren't curious, have you ever thought that there might be some desperately looking for you?" He took a deep breath and went on, "This bracelet might be your only clue. This can really lead you to your identity. And I have no doubt that 'Xiu' is your name since it's carved on it. But what if, 'Xiu' is just one character from the full name?"

"How does all of this connect to Ying Jie having this bracelet?" asked Xiu in exasperation.

"What if she knows something?" said Han Bohai. "The way she has been keeping this safe shows it isn't just a random bracelet to her. This isn't even where she lives but she is carrying it with her. She definitely knows something!"

Xiu sighed out, "If she knows then all the more reason for you to question her upfront! If you can come here to question me, you should go to her as well!"

"Fine! I'll go," he agreed readily. "But first, tell me, are you prepared to confront your real identity? Or are you willing to spend a lifetime with fake names?"

Xiu's heart trembled when he put it that way. Even though she resolutely told Darren that she was fine without knowing who her parents were but not having her own identity was different. Until now, she felt like she lives two lifetimes based on lies. She definitely owed herself one truth and that was; Who was she? 

Xiu calmed herself down and said, "We can't be sure that Ying Jie knows anything about that. And until that is confirmed, let's not talk about it. For now, you should just ask her why she is keeping my things with her."

Han Bohai nodded his head, "I obviously am gonna ask her that. She just hasn't come back yet." He took the bracelet back from Xiu as he went on, "She went out in the morning but I haven't heard from her since then. Not sure if she is coming back for the night or not."

Xiu groaned tiredly, "Why is talking getting so tiring these days? I feel exhausted now!" She pointed at Han Bohai and shouted, "This is all your fault! You made my brain cells burn from exhaustion!"

"Then you should use those brain cells more often!" he shot back. "Maybe they'll get used to working and won't burn to exhaustion so soon!"