Imperfect Desires

The full moon celebration banquet wasn't really grand. The only people attending were also just the family members. Xiu neither had a wish to show off her son to the outsiders nor did she wish to interact with any outsider at all.

She had always been someone who did things in her own ways. And even if she loved showing off her husband, she really didn't want to show off her son who was barely a month old. What if her son ran into an evil-eyed one?

Sounds superstitious?

Don't bother asking Xiu why she was being such a superstitious person at this age and time. She had her answer for that. Since she could experience a rebirth firsthand, how can she deny other bizarre things?

Not everything can be explained with science after all. Her own situation had no solid answer.

Well, anyway, one thing was certain that Xiu was super protective of her son. That's why whether there was such a thing as an evil eye or not, she didn't want to take a risk at all.

As Xiu and Darren entered the banquet hall with their son, everyone's attention went over. The little tiger was clad in pure white clothes making him look like a pure angel. But surprisingly everyone in the hall had the same thought going through their minds...

'He is Xiu's son, just how much can he be like an angel?'

But no one could possibly confirm this thought for now, since the little tiger was too young right now. Whether he would be an angel or a devil, only time would be able to tell. But for now, he was certainly like a cute bun that everyone wanted to pinch.

"Everyone, say hi to our son," began Xiu as she smiled at everyone. "Rowan Derek Salvay!"

Quite a few people breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that name as they thought, 'Thank God, she didn't name him little tiger.'

Xiu could practically read their thoughts right now but she didn't mind it either for once. After all, she was a responsible mother. How could she name her son 'little tiger' so half-heartedly? He was the apple of her eyes. And one's name is the first impression that people get, how could she be so cruel to her own son?

Everyone made their way over to give gifts and red envelopes as a form of blessing to the newborn as per tradition. 

"And this is a gift from the grandfather," Xin Zimen presented a rectangular wooden box to her. Xiu looked inside the box and found jade bangles that were too small for her.

"Ah-Xin, they won't fit me," said Xiu.

Xin Zemin chuckled at her response while Xin Zimen shook his head. "Xiu, Xiao Zi gave the bangles for our grandson. Not for you."

"Oh," Xiu pursed her lips but suddenly frowned. "But he is a boy. Why would you give him jade bangles?"

"Jade bangles are more like a wrist guard for the baby," explained Zhao Huan for her daughter. "When the baby learns to walk, these jade bangles will protect him. If he fell down while walking, the bangle will break in place of any bones. This way, our baby will be safe and sound."

"Ohhh~" This time Xiu's 'Oh' was drawled and exaggerated as she finally understood the purpose. It took her a while to feel dissatisfied about something else as well. "Wait for a second! Why are all the gifts for him again? What about me? I am the one who had to go through so much trouble to get him into this world and no one is even paying attention to me!"

With a burst of laughter, Nora tapped her shoulders, "I knew you'd end up talking about this. How are you so shameless? It's the day for your son. Why would you get gifts?"

"He wouldn't be here without me," retorted Xiu and Nora couldn't really refute those words. 

"But now you're a mother. Learn to give in," said Nora trying to act all profound and mature.

Xiu slapped the back of her head, "Who wants to act mature? This is as mature as I can get. Give in? Why should I? Just because I have a son, I have to change myself? Which book stated that rule?"

"I really asked for it myself," muttered Nora. 

"Nora, stop bothering Sister Xiu," said Ah-Si. "Sister, we all have gifts for you as well. How can anyone forget you?"

Xiu was rather pleased to hear that. "I just knew it. Only my brothers understand me." She put her son into Darren's arms and opened her arms for her brother, "Come here my little lamb. I missed you so much!"

"I just realized," came Dylan's voice from beside Darren. "If his name is Rowan Derek Salvay, doesn't that mean he is our R.D. Salvay Jr?"

Xiu gave him a smile, "It seems your IQ is coming back online."

Dylan smiled back, "Thank you for the compliment."

Even before he could relish in this feeling, Xiu poured a bucket of cold water on his head with, "Don't act so smug. Even an idiot could tell that."

Dylan stared at her hatefully while she stared back in an equally provocative manner.

Suddenly, the sound of soft giggles broke the staring competition between Xiu and Dylan. Because her precious son, Rowan had woken up and was excitedly laughing out. Perhaps, he found Xiu and Dylan to be as amusing as his father did.

After all, currently, Darren also had the same expression of amusement as his son on his face. Seeing both father and son like this, someone gasped. 

"Bloody hell! Are you a future teller? Xiu! How come your son really ended up inheriting his father's best features?"

Xiu looked smug as she replied, "You can hardly even make out his features yet." Although she said it, she was really gloating inside. She told them all her son would be like his father but none believed her. 

"Even if it's not that clear yet, I can already see an image of younger Regi in him," Francesca voiced out with a hint of melancholy in her voice. She couldn't really believe her eyes right now.

This grandson not only inherited their family's signature grey eyes, he even inherited his father's beautiful smile. This made an indescribable feeling burst out within her.