Imperfect Desires

Although Xiu had a lot of things running through her mind, she still had to focus on the thing at hand. Since she changed her phone, she didn't have Xiao Li's number and she didn't remember it by heart as she did with Xin Zimen. So, she texted her husband to get Xiao Li's number. 

And only after explaining why she needed it did she manage to get the number from Darren. 

She punched in the number and waited for the other person to take the call. However, Xin Xiaoli didn't answer the phone even till the call was disconnected on its own after ringing for so long. Xiu tried once again and again and it continued for another five minutes.

Just as persistent Xiao Li was ignoring a call from an unknown number was just as persistent Xiu to get this call through. And in this battle of stubbornness between brother and sister, obviously, the sister's stubbornness won as Xiao Li picked up the call and spoke in a really harsh tone, "Who the hell is it?"

"Ouch! That hurt my feelings," Xiu's voice was heard that made Xiao Li's face color change dramatically. The change was so obvious that both Dr. Ling and Ying sitting around him noticed it clearly. "Li bro, why did you take so long to pick up?"

Hearing from his father or from Darren about Xiu was one thing and hearing her voice on his own was an entirely different thing. There had been a knot in his heart since the time he couldn't find Xiu which was now slowly untying when he heard her aggrieved voice.

In a coaxing voice, he inquired, "Whose number is this?"

"Mine," replied Xiu.

"Okay," said Xiao Li in understanding. "Sorry for making you wait for so long. I didn't want to deal with an unknown caller."

"Oh..." responded Xiu and nodded to herself. Just as she expected that's the reason why he wasn't picking up the call. "Forget it. I have something important to discuss."

Xin Xiaoli looked at the two girls around him before standing up and walking to a side, "Yes, what is it?"

"I want to know where Chen Hana is and how can someone reach her," Xiu didn't waste any time before getting to the straight question. 

Xin Xiaoli's brows jumped in surprise before the calmness on his face returned slowly, "For a second, let's look over the fact how you know that Chen Hana is with me. But would you like to tell me why you want to know about her whereabouts?"

"Yes, I can tell you," replied Xiu. "I need to make sure Liu Mingfan is able to meet her."

"Why?" questioned Xiao Li with furrowed. "Why do you want him to meet her?"

"That's the deal I made with him," answered Xiu frankly. "My end of the deal is to let him reach Chen Hana. Now that he has done his part, it's my turn to hold my end of the deal. So, stop asking questions and help me out here. Do you want your sister to end up being a liar who can't even keep her word?"

"There is no need to play me emotionally," said Xiao Li. "Tell me when he wants to leave. I'll arrange someone to take him there."

"Awesome! Li bro, you're the best!"

"This flattery is not gonna get you out of this, my sweet sister. You still have to tell me how you know about Chen Hana."

Xiu knew she wouldn't be able to play him but she still tried it. It was an epic fail but whatever. "I might have eavesdropped on this information. But it was not intentional."

"How come both my siblings are so good at eavesdropping?" One could hear the sarcasm in his tone but it didn't affect Xiu at all. She didn't even ask why he added Ah-Si in this as well. It didn't matter for now.

And of course, Xin Xiaoli was referring to the time when Ah-Si heard him talking to Ying and now, Xiu was telling him she must have heard him talking to Aunt Xixi. It was really troublesome but he couldn't do anything about it for now.

"Li bro..." Xiu called cautiously, "Are you angry with me?"

"What? No, silly!" replied Xiao Li. "How can I be angry with you? Although I didn't like the way you left the house, I know you must have had your reasons. So, I won't ask for more. Just don't let what happened this morning repeat."

Xiu heard the concern in his voice and smiled sweetly to herself, "Li bro, the situation in the morning was unexpected. I didn't take it into account. That's my mistake, I accept. But I'm safe and sound."

"I don't trust you," Xiao Li said straightforwardly. 

"Huh? Such little faith in my words now?"

"You don't have an exemplary track record, sweetie!"

Xiu cleared her throat while scratching the tip of her nose, "You're right. Sorry again."

"I don't need you to apologize to me. In fact, the problem isn't with you. The problem is with me. Since I know my sister likes to court trouble, I should have made preparations early on. But don't worry, with my arrangements, this situation won't happen again."

Xiu's brows went up, "What did you do?"

"You don't have to know," replied Xiao Li. "For now, just wait for Dad and Uncle to get there. Only after they confirm that you're safe, you'll be allowed to leave that hotel room."

"You're also treating me like a kid."

"I have to make up for the years, my baby sister. Now, don't be mad. I won't restrict your freedom. In fact, I promise your freedom won't be affected and you'll also have a wider range to cause trouble."

"Oh, I like this idea already."

"Now, you take a rest and call me if you need anything."

"I will do it. After all, if I won't ask my favorite brother, who else will I ask?"

"Oh, so now I'm the favorite brother? What happened to Ah-Si?" Although he spoke like this, anyone could see the happiness in Xiao Li's eyes at being called the favorite brother. His emotions were so damn clear on his face that it made people blind.

"Ah-Si is our little lamb."

"And what are you?"

"I'm your cute little sheep."

Xiao Li snorted at that, "More like the big bad wolf wearing the skin of the cute little sheep."

Xiu chuckled at his words, "My brother knows me best. This feeling is new and novel. But I like it."

Xiao Li shook his head, "Enjoy on your playfield. Just don't get hurt while playing."

"Okay!" agreed Xiu before hanging up the phone with a big grin plastered on her face.

In fact, Xiao Li's eyes also had the same smile when he went back to sit. As he noticed two pairs of eyes observing him, he looked up and found Ying and Dr. Ling staring at him with a knowing look.

At the same time, both of them said, "Bro-con!"

Xiao Li didn't pay attention to them, "I think everyone knows that already."

"Your gentleness only comes out when you're talking to your siblings. Before it was Ah-Si and now, Xiu also joined the chat."

"How I treat my siblings is my problem! Why are you both being so nosy?"

Dr. Ling leaned back saying, "I have to say though, you have a cute sister. But she is very dangerous as well."

"You don't even know her."

"But I've seen the world. Her eyes aren't like her personality. There is a certain degree of coldness in her eyes. It's like a profound person who has gone through trials and tribulations of the world."

Xiao Li didn't react to that, as he said, "There is no innocent one in our family. It's good that she is dangerous. People will think twice before trying to provoke her."

"Who would dare to provoke her when her elder brother has asked the entire Wen Clan forces to provide her with protection and freedom?!" roared Ying. "Ah-Li, you've lost your mind! Just to protect one person, you actually are using every single resource in your hand? Don't you know that Xiao Zi and your uncle will also bring their own people to protect her? Isn't that enough?"

"Dad didn't allow me to follow him," replied Xiao Li calmly. "I can't just sit here and do nothing. Besides, when I can provide her with what she needs, why should I bother holding back? As long as she doesn't have to exert too much effort to achieve her goal and she is safe, that's all that matters."

"Ah-Li, you can make any bro-con feel pale before you."

Xiao Li's lips tugged up proudly, "I know. Because no one else can love their siblings as I do. You have a problem with that?"

"Even if I do, it's not like you'll listen," retorted Ying and decided to shut up.

If it was in Xiao Li's hands, he'd make sure to personally solve everything for his sister. He didn't want her hands to get dirty with these things and he didn't want her to get tired as well. And that is why he made sure a team of doctors were also around Xiu at all times. He couldn't take any chances with her health.