Imperfect Desires

"Having chit-chat behind the bushes?" Xin Zimen provided the words that Dylan was looking for with a playful smile.

"Somehow, that sounds really strange," said Xiu before adding, "Anyways... Just don"t tell anyone what we were doing outside."

Xin Zimen looked at Xiu"s face and smiled gently, "I won"t tell anyone that you both were eavesdropping on someone but what will I get in return." Both Xiu and Dylan scratched their head sheepishly because of how straightforwardly Xin Zimen chose to disclose their intentions. "I"m a businessman, I don"t do anything that"s not profitable to me."

Dylan smiled at him saying, "But we are all family."

"All the more reason for clear cut negotiations," said Xin Zimen with a glint in his eyes. 

Xiu and Dylan shared a look while thinking about his words. "But uncle has everything. What can we offer?"

Xiu who had been silent finally stared back at him and said, "We can keep your secret." Xin Zimen"s brows quirked up slightly. "I mean, we won"t tell anyone that you had been crying outside while smoking." Her fleeting gaze had fallen on him when she left the kitchen with Dylan but because she was eager to sneak up to Darren, she didn"t pay much attention. 

Xin Zimen"s eyes widened in surprise while Dylan was no better. He looked at Xiu before looking at Xin Zimen who didn"t refuse her words. "Uncle, you really cried?"

Xin Zimen laughed at Xiu before saying, "You have a talent." Saying that he walked out of the kitchen but not before adding, "I won"t tell anyone but don"t think it"s because of your offer. I just find you really amusing."

His words were directed at Xiu who had made him laugh all over again and without even trying. She really was something. As he came to the living room, he saw Darren sitting beside Zhao Wei who was talking nonstop about how tired he looked and blah blah that he wasn"t gonna pay attention to.

"What were you doing outside?" Qiu Jiayi asked Xin Zimen.

"I was waiting for Ying. It"s been hours we called her. She"s never late so I was a bit worried," answered Xin Zimen while looking towards the door. Qiu Jiayi actually believed his words and also voiced his concern for Ying"s delay.

"Regan, who dropped you here?" asked Zhao Wei as she finally did enough complaining about how thin and worn out Darren was looking.

"Oh, it was Cali," answered Darren without hiding anything.

Zhao Wei had to put some strain on her memory to dig out that familiar name from her mind as she exclaimed, "Ao! Cali is that friend of yours who saved Dylan"s life, right?" Darren silently nodded his head with a smile. "Why didn"t you call her inside? It"s been years and I have yet to thank her in person for saving my son."

Darren shook his head at Zhao Wei as he replied, "She"s staying in the city for a while. I"ll bring you to her." With this rea.s.surance, he finally nodded his head. "Anyways, where is my best friend and why can"t I see my girlfriend?"

Zhao Wei"s expressions s.h.i.+fted into a full-blown charming smile as she began, "Xiu pushed me out of the kitchen and took Dylan inside as her helper. Hehe... It"s fun watching him suffering there."

Darren also chuckled at how much Zhao Wei was enjoying her own son"s misery. He knew how much Dylan liked eating but hated cooking. His limited skills of frozen and instant foods were already enough headaches for him and now, Xiu actually forced him to cook from scratch. 

"I"m gonna go and check up on them," said Darren and got up to leave. After turning to the hallway, he found Qiu Jiayi and Xin Zimen standing there looking at the door with a frown etched between their brows. This was an odd picture for him. "Hey, Uncle Yi!" Qiu Jiayi smiled at him affectionately and even gave him a hug. "h.e.l.lo, uncle Zi!" He greeted the person beside Qiu Jiayi who also did the same as Qiu Jiayi and even patted his shoulder.

"How are you Regan?" asked Qiu Jiayi.

"Pretty good I"d say," answered Darren.

"Well, with such a peculiar girlfriend, of course, you"d be feeling pretty good," chimed in Xin Zimen. "I have a question though, where did you find her?"

"If I say she ran into me on the streets," replied Darren with a smile that showed how happy and proud he was feeling while talking about his girlfriend. 

"Then we can say, d.a.m.n! you"ve struck a lottery without even buying the lottery ticket!" said Qiu Jiayi which earned him a slap from his best friend.

"Use the right metaphors!" said Xin Zimen before adding, "He means to say that you"re really lucky. She seems like an amazing person."

"You met her?" he asked and saw them both nodding. "So, as the only father figures in my life, what are your views if I say I want to marry her?"

Qiu Jiayi and Xin Zimen looked at each other before asking in unison, "Really?" Darren nodded in response. "I say, let"s call France back here. She just needs to be here, we"re willing to arrange everything for the wedding."

"You both look way too excited," Darren pointed out.

"Sorry, it"s been a while since we have found something interesting," replied Qiu Jiayi making Darren chuckle.

"Then you should convince mama to just come here and settle everything," said Darren.

Xin Zimen patted his shoulder again, "No worries. I"ll talk to your mom." Then he pushed him towards the kitchen and added, "Now, hop along! Don"t waste your time with old people, your girlfriend is over there." Laughing, Darren nodded his head and went towards the kitchen.

"He looks really happy," commented Qiu Jiayi and Xin Zimen nodded in agreement.

"Who looks happy?" they both were startled at the voice that suddenly came from their side. Both of them looked at the head that appeared craning over their shoulders before two dainty arms were placed on their shoulders. "What? Seen a ghost? Stop staring, you both are gonna make me blush now!"

That remark earned the speaker something she really hated. Both of them held one of her cheeks and pulled it so not gently making her scream in pain.

"Ah! Let go already!" she rubbed her cheeks that had gotten red under that brutal attack. That was so uncalled for. Before they could ask anything, she explained herself, "I got stuck in work. It was important. Don"t be so moody now."

"You could have informed us," said Xin Zimen looking at Yan Ying who was still rubbing her cheeks. 

"Yeah, I could have..." she said before smiling back at them, "But if I did, how would I know that you both were worrying about me?" Seeing how their eyes narrowed, she smiled awkwardly, "Okay, okay! Ying is really sorry. My mistake, it slipped my mind."

Both of them shook their head before looking behind her as if to look for someone. While Ying was about to ask what they were doing, Qiu Jiayi asked, "Where is your girlfriend?" Ying gaped at him. "You said you"ll bring your girlfriend. We"re waiting for her."

Ying rolled her eyes at them, "As if you both would be looking so nonchalant if I really brought a girlfriend."

"Why wouldn"t we be?" 

Before she could answer them, she heard the sweetest voice calling her, "Yingying, when did you come? And why are standing there? Come inside!"

Ying smiled at the two middle-aged men before her as she said, "Now if you excuse me, old people. I have a beauty to flirt with." Saying that her expression changed to a delightful one as she ran over to Zhao Wei"s side. "Weiwei! You look gorgeous than ever. Are you aging backward?"

"Oh, look at you being a sweet talker," said Zhao Wei trying to hold back her smile.

"Sweet talker? Gorgeous lady, you"re calling my sincere words just a sweet talk? I"m hurt," Yan Ying feigned her most pitiful expression. 

Zhao Wei rubbed her head, "You are really something."

"Well, something is better than nothing."

"What?"

"Don"t ask why I said that."

Zhao Wei laughed at her words without holding back. Today was really a very beautiful day for her. She had so many people at home. All whom she dearly loved and cared about. And that included Xiu since she was Darren"s special someone.