Imperfect Desires

The dinner was lively as it could get with these people gathered around. There wasn't ever a dull moment when all the troublemakers were in one place. Even the sensible Xiao Li would let loose around his dear sister. What about the maintaining image? Was it edible?

All of them happily ate and wholeheartedly praised Xiu's cooking skills. None of them skimped when it came to flattering Xiu for this free meal.

"I can do anything for this free meal!" stated Nora.

Xiu shook her head at her while Han Bohai said, "Have you been starving? With how much money you all have, I can't believe you're always looking for a free meal from Sister Xiu."

"You're also one of us," reminded Dylan. 

Ying patted Han Bohai's shoulder as she told Dylan, "He seems to keep forgetting that he is also one of us now."

Han Bohai lowered his head saying, "Sister Xiu, they all are scary."

"Your Sister Xiu is scarier," said Dylan.

"Not for me," argued Han Bohai.

With that statement, Dylan shot Xiu a look and muttered, "Double standards!"

"Get over it Dylan," said Xiu.

"I can't," said Dylan helplessly. "I can let go of everything but when it comes to you, I just can't!"

"By the way, how come none of you even asked why I called you all?" asked Xiu. "Did you really come just for the free meal?"

Dylan stood up, "I asked. No one knew the answer and even insulted me for thinking about anything other than food."

"Oh, it seems our Dylan had been wronged today," said Xiu.

"It isn't the first time," came Ah-Si's voice.

"Definitely won't be the last," added Nora.

Now seeing how Dylan was fuming, Xiu instantly tried to soothe him, "We are gathered today to celebrate something."

"Celebrate something?" All of them were curious to know what she meant.

"Did you all notice a change?" asked Xiu with bright eyes but none of the people got her meaning. 

And before Xiu would lose her patience with them all, she heard Jackie's voice from behind, "Sister Xiu lost the extra weight."

Xiu's eyes sparkled as she turned around and picked up her little brother. "As always, only my Jackie is the best."

"Xiu, it's not that we didn't notice that," said Xiao Li. Of course, all of them could notice the weight loss. It was so obvious how could they even miss it out? 

"It's just we didn't think it'd be enough of a reason for you to celebrate it," said Ying.

"If we don't celebrate the smallest of things, how will happiness find us?" retorted Xiu. "If we value the small things, only then we can create bigger happiness."

"And thank you all for coming to Xiu's Ted Talk today! Yay!" Nora even clapped her hands for Xiu who threw her a dirty look. Nora disregarded the look and asked, "I'm still not even sure why you insisted on losing weight."

"Regi, did you say something?" asked Xiao Li with a dangerous look in his eyes.

Darren raised his hands in defense, "It's not my fault. No one liked the fact that she put on weight more than me. After all, she was so cushiony and cuddly. How can I complain?"

"Cushiony?" 

"Yeah!" Darren nodded his head.

"It has nothing to do with Regan," Xiu chimed in. "I wanted to lose the extra weight. My doctor said it's not good for me. Besides, don't you know being healthy is what matters. I have to be healthy to live a long life for my son."

"What about me?" Darren questioned.

"And also for my Regan," added Xiu with a smile on her lips.

"Xiu, can I take Rowan?" asked Jackie.

"Of course," answered Xiu. She took her son from Darren and let Jackie carry him. Jackie carefully carried Rowan who was enjoying the ride from one person to another. Seeing him take Rowan to another side, Xiu had a sweet smile on her face.

Dylan patted her shoulder to get her attention, "Since we are celebrating, how about something sweet?"

"Why not?" 

"Really?"

Xiu smiled at him and answered, "Of course, Sweets is right in front of you."

Dylan's smile stiffened as he snorted, "I am talking about the real sweetness that reminds you of heaven. Not the kind that reminds me of hell!"

Darren slapped the back of Dylan's head, "Aren't you talking too much today?"

"I always talk too much," said Dylan in his defense.

"Then today you're talking unnecessarily."

"That's also something very common for me," said Dylan without any embarrassment.

"Guys, I think Dylan is missing Cali way too much today," Nora couldn't help saying. "That's why he is looking for a beating."

Dylan sighed out sadly, "Don't remind me. I haven't met her in a month! And every day feels like a long and lonely year."

"Dramatic!" commented Xiu.

"Learned from you after all."

"It seems you don't want cupcakes anymore," threatened Xiu.

Dylan was instantly floored, "I do! I do! I do! Shifu, your disciple had momentarily lost his mind. You're the big person, let bygones be bygones and forgive this peasant for his mistake."

"And I remember someone saying we are eager for a free meal, what about you?" questioned Nora.

"We are talking about sweet heaven called cupcakes!" exclaimed Dylan. "Can food even compare with cupcakes?! Not even in a million years!"

"Our Didi has his priorities clear," said Darren. "Also, his preferences!"

Xiu ruffled Dylan's hair, "I already made cupcakes. I knew you'd remind me of it today."

Dylan didn't even mind that she ruined her hairstyle as he said, "It just shows how good you know me."

Xiu beckoned him to follow her, "Come with me and get your cupcakes."

Dylan hurriedly followed her inside while Nora also ran after them shouting, "Hey, wait for me! Don't let him eat my share!"

Darren looked at Ashley and smiled sheepishly, "Sorry about this again. They really can't maintain their image."

Meanwhile, Ashley had only one thought in her mind, this was really a family of crackheads!