Imperfect Desires

Before Xiu and Dylan could take their bickering to another level, Darren decided to interject. 

"Didi, you really came just to inquire about my future plans?"

Dylan looked at him and sighed, "Not really. I came to eat here."

"Is this a hotel?"

Dylan made a face at him, "Don't be like that. Cali took Ma and France to Italy because she has a designer friend there. Now, Ma isn't home to cook for me. And my dear dad spends all this time at his best friend's house. What am I supposed to do?"

"Oh, whining king!" Xiu called out. "Focus on eating if you're here to eat."

Instead of making Dylan run for his life, Xiu gave him a glare to eat in silence. Dylan obediently went back to eating. 

Soon, another person chose to visit for breakfast. Just like Dylan, this newcomer also naturally took a seat at the dining table and looked at everything before her. Not finding something to her liking, she said, "I want pancakes."

Xiu looked at her best friend and then looked at Dylan before saying, "Do you both always come here with mutual planning?"

Dylan and Nora shared a look before they both asked, "What are you doing here?"

Dylan was the first to ignore her as he said, "Xiu, I think your best friend is stalking me."

"Get lost!" responded Nora. "Why would I stalk you of all people? I have better things to do in life."

"If you have better things to do, then what the hell are you doing here?" asked Dylan.

"Just wanted to have breakfast with my best friend," Nora smiled sweetly at Xiu.

It was really amusing how lately both Nora and Dylan had been coming to see Xiu and Darren on the very same day. Every single time, they showed up on the same day. It'd seem suspicious to anyone. But it was indeed true that they never made any prior plans for such a coincidence.

It was pure coincidence that their timings for visits had been clashing.

Oddly enough, these two only came when they were hungry. And they always treated this place like their own home. Not like Xiu or Darren minded any of it.

And because this was regular, even the kitchen help knew all about them. Soon, a plate of pancakes was laid before Nora. She rubbed her hands and poured lots of maple syrup and cream on her pancakes. 

Seeing the spread before her, Dylan's eyes looked at her longingly. "I also want that."

"You both are really treating my house as a hotel," remarked Darren.

"Dazi, you're awesome!"

"Stop flattering me," said Darren.

Because of these two, the breakfast was quite lively. And when it passed none of them even realized. 

"Xiu, where is my nephew?" asked Nora.

"He is sleeping," answered Xiu.

"Is someone with him? What if he woke up and started crying?" 

Xiu shook her head at Nora, "He won't wake up at this time."

"How do you know that?"

"Because I know my son," retorted Xiu. 

Nora decided to not bother Xiu. "I heard you are planning to lose weight?"

"Yes," replied Xiu. 

Nora laughed out, "I can't believe the girl who once paid a third person to go and cancel her gym membership is actually gonna join a gym now. Seems like you're finally getting over your laziness."

Xiu smirked at her, "Not really. Regan built a gym in the basement. I don't have to go to a gym. I'm still as lazy as I was."

"It's her laziness that she decided to become a housewife," added Dylan. "You're really wasting your talent. You're so good at your job."

"It's because I already know I was good at the job that I'm taking on a new challenge," said Xiu. "Do you think being a housewife is easy? Besides, even if I want to work, I'd not do it at this time when my son is only two months old."

"You can hire a nanny," suggested Dylan.

"There is no room for a nanny in my family. I'm gonna raise my son on my very own." Saying that Xiu went upstairs to check up on her son.

Darren looked at Nora and Dylan, "Both of you, stop forcing my wife. Everyone has different aspirations in their life. Hers doesn't match with yours. Besides, who said she is being lazy?" He took a pause and told them, "During my work from home, she had been helping me a lot. Since she wants Rowan to spend equal time with me and her, she takes over my work to give me enough time to spend with my son. Although most of the time he is only sleeping."

"We were not forcing her," said Nora. "We all know what kind of a person she is. Although she is lazy, she can't live without doing anything."

"That's why I thought being just a housewife isn't suitable for someone like her," added Dylan.

"Then please wait and see," said Darren with a smile. "My Sweets will give you a pleasant surprise in the future."

"Mr. Whipped-for-his-wife, stop spreading sugar around here."

Darren laughed at them but didn't feel embarrassed. It's not like there was anyone in their family who didn't know how much whipped he was for his wife. But he still was amused to hear every single time from these two who had followed her and Xiu from the very beginning of their love story.

Someone from the house help came and informed Darren, "Sir, you have a guest."

"Guest?" Darren raised his brows.

"Hey, aren't we here already?" asked Dylan.

"Yup! Guests are already sitting here," added Nora.

The house help looked at them before saying, "But Madam said you're family."

Both Nora and Dylan pursed their lips when they heard that. 

"Who is it?" Darren asked.

"He said his name is Zhou Jinhai and he is here to see you and Madam."

"Zhou Jinhai?" repeated Darren.

The help didn't know what that reaction from Darren meant but she still nodded her head.