Imperfect Desires

"Daddy, I'm home!"

Xin Zimen was eating dinner when he heard the voice of his daughter. As soon as she entered through the door, she shouted so loud that he could hear it clearly. He smiled helplessly as he looked up at his sons who were both busy making sure their own daughters were eating well.

Just a minute ago, he had been depressed seeing his sons but now, he gave them a gloating look. His daughter was also here now. He didn't have to feel lonely between these father-daughter pairs anymore. Besides, just the name of Xiu was enough to make him smile much less when the whole Xiu had come to look for him. It just made him grin from ear to ear.

Xiu rushed over to the dinner table when she learned that the family was having dinner right now. This must be Xiu's first time coming to this house since the day she had that wedding ceremony. After that, she never got the chance to come here. Even though the house was right next door, she never managed to come here.

After all, taking care of her son was a difficult task. She had only so much time in a day. And since everyone had their own lives to worry about, it took Xiu days to meet even her own best friend or her brothers who lived next door. The people she got to see most in the past months had to be Asteria, Ava, and Jackie. Other than these young ones, the adults were busy and couldn't show up every day.

Coming over, she slid a chair next to Xin Zimen and hugged him tightly, "Daddy, I miss you."

Asteria giggled at the way Xiu acted, "Xiu is acting cute with grandfather."

Xiu raised her brow at her, "So what? Don't you also act cute with your dad? Why can't I do it?"

"Because you're old," said Ava instead of Asteria. Lately, she had started talking a lot more than before. And she could hold a conversation with others.

Xiu frowned at her and pointed at her, "Daddy, say something! Your granddaughters are calling me old!"

Xin Zimen rubbed her head indulgently and looked at his granddaughters, "Both of you, stop teasing my daughter. She is not old. She is still my baby."

"This baby has her own baby now," reminded Ah-Si.

"I didn't ask you," said Xin Zimen. Then he ignored everyone and turned to Xiu asking, "Did you have dinner?"

"Yup!" answered Xiu. "I ate dinner an hour ago. I had to come here so I ate early."

"Where is Rowan? You didn't bring him?" asked Xin Zimen.

Xiu shook her head, "Why would I bring him? I left him and his father!"

"You and leave your son and husband? That's hard to believe," commented Xiao Li.

"Can't I leave them for a couple of hours?"

"I knew it!"

Xiu decided not to pay attention to her brothers and just focus on her father, "Daddy, are you done eating? I made some flower pie for you. Keep some space in your tummy."

Xin Zimen chuckled at her, "Even if there is no space in my tummy, I'll still eat what my daughter made for me."

Xiu grinned when she heard that, "I know. But I don't want you to overeat. That won't be good."

"Let's go to the lounge," suggested Xin Zimen. 

"Okay!" Xiu stood up immediately. "Make some tea for Daddy and bring it to the lounge. Also, serve the pie I brought as well."

"Xiu, where is the pie for us?" asked both Asteria and Ava. "You didn't forget us, did you?"

Xiu gave them a look, "You both girls are gonna be a real trouble when you grow up." She shook her head and added, "I brought your share as well. Stop giving me those doe eyes. I don't fall for it!"

"I think you already fell for those eyes," said Ah-Si.

Xiu glared at Ah-Si, "Daddy, get him married already. Once Nora comes here, let me see how you go against me."

Xin Zimen coaxed Xiu out of there and warned his sons with his eyes. Although both brothers loved their sister, they still couldn't help teasing her whenever their father was around. Because her reactions would get even cuter.

"Xiu is loud," commented Ava.

Ah-Si pinched his daughter's nose saying, "Say that before her."

Ava shook her head immediately, "She won't give me the pie."

Ah-Si laughed out, "You're smart."

Ava smiled at her father and said, "Even though she is loud. I like her! A lot!"

"Really? And why is that?" asked Ah-Si curiously as if he didn't know the answer to that question already.

"That's because Xiu makes a lot of snacks for us," answered Asteria since Ava was struggling with how to tell her father why she likes Xiu. "She tells us stories, takes us out on a walk with her, lets us play with Rowan as well. And she never rebukes us. When we broke her vase, she only said, 'Break another one. I finally have a reason to buy a new one.'"

Both Xiao Li and Ah-Si laughed out when they heard that. Their sister was just like that and they already were familiar with her antics. It's not like they didn't know how much Xiu took care of both the little girls when they weren't around. 

The girl who used to run from kids was now always surrounded by kids and she actually loved their company. After all, the world of kids was a lot simpler than adults and Xiu had long forgotten how it felt like to be surrounded by such purity and innocence. That's why she came to enjoy spending time with the kids. Whether it was her own son or her nieces. 

"Come on, finish your meal. Only then Xiu will let you eat the pie," reminded Xiao Li. "You know how she is."

"Yes, daddy," said Asteria and tried to finish her meal as soon as possible.