Imperfect Desires

565 Cultivating Feelings

Once again, Xiu had her way and managed to drag Ying to her own place along with Han Bohai who trailed behind.

"Sorry for intruding," he said as he entered through the door.

Right now, Xiu was very thankful to Nora who hadn't neglected her duties behind her back and had actually bought the groceries over the weekend. Xiu asked them to make themselves at home as she rushed over to find all the ingredients she needed to make Han Bohai's favorite dishes.

"Unlike you, your sister is quite lively," remarked Han Bohai as he looked around the apartment.

"I already know that," replied Ying calmly.

"I'm feeling bad right now. We shouldn't be imposing on her," stated Han Bohai. No matter how he looked at it, he wasn't comfortable with letting Xiu cook for them.

"Isn't it all your fault?" retorted Ying. "If you hadn't insisted on having a meal with me, she wouldn't have done this."

"I also suggested takeouts. She is the one who didn't let us argue at all."

Ying snorted, "You'd need another lifetime to win an argument with her. And even then you might end up just giving in to her. She knows how to have her way."

Han Bohai nodded his head as he said, "No wonder you gave in so easily."

Ying stood up to go over to Xiu's side saying, "Let me help you with that."

Xiu pointed at Ying with the knife in her hand saying, "Ying Jie, do you have a doubt in my skills? I can do it myself. Don't look down on me."

"I'm not looking down on you. I just want to help you out a little."

"No need for that," Xiu plainly refused to take any help at all. "Lately, I have spent some time in the kitchen with Dylan. That has truly made me repulsive of having any assistant. Although your skills are not as bad as his, I still don't want any kitchen assistant."

"You just had to drag Dylan into this, didn't you?"

Xiu shrugged her shoulders and didn't reply. Instead, she said, "You should go over and cultivate some feelings."

"Cultivate feelings?" repeated Ying as she gaped at Xiu disbelievingly.

"Yes," nodded Xiu. "The best way to cultivate feelings is to spend time together. Didn't he say, he's gonna leave for a few days? You won't be able to see him then. So, take this precious time and go, talk to him."

Ying looked over at Han Bohai and said, "I really don't see any need to cultivate any feelings here." Seeing how Xiu squinted her eyes, Ying turned to the fridge and said, "I'll just offer him something to drink then."

Xiu looked at the drink in her hand and said, "Don't! He had lactose intolerance. He can't drink that flavored milk. Just give him salt soda water."

"Yes! Yes, I'm his fan. I read it in an interview of his." Xiu heaved of sigh of relief when Ying gave her a way out herself. Otherwise, she really didn't know how to explain how she knew about his lactose intolerance when this was supposed to be their very first meeting.

Ying brought the salt soda water to Bohai who happily chugged it down. "You aren't gonna help her?" he asked looking over to Xiu's side and realized that she had been looking at him. As he frowned, Xiu was startled and smiled sheepishly before paying attention to her work.

"She doesn't need help," said Ying. "That's what she said to me."

"She said and you agreed to not help? What kind of a sister are you?" He was talking righteously when... "Ouch! Why did you hit me?"

"Don't preach!"

"Oh."

Ying had just taken out her phone when it rang, "What is it? Did you find what I asked for?" Listening for a moment, she abruptly stood up and said, "Alright! I'll be right there then!"

Han Bohai also stood up as he asked, "Are you leaving? Where are you going? What about my lunch?"

Ying patted his head saying, "Be a good boy! I have some important matters to attend. As for your lunch, Xiu will do her best."

Han Bohai shook his head, "You're not getting the point here. I'm not even familiar with your sister. Isn't it weird to stay here without you?"

Ying called out to Xiu, "Xiu! I have to get to an important meeting. Is it weird that he'd be staying for the meal without me?"

Xiu smiled at her and shook her head, "It's not weird at all."

"See? She doesn't mind at all. Besides, she loves feeding people."

Han Bohai was still not okay with this turn of events. He could see that Xiu didn't mind but he did! He was feeling awkward for some reason. How was he supposed to stay without Ying here?

"Also, as my Trial Boyfriend, you should be working hard to impress the people involved in my life. I call her my little sister, shouldn't you be putting some effort into this?"

These words worked like a charm since Han Bohai's anxiousness was gone. She was right. To get close to Ying, he had to be close to the people she cared about. And where else will he find a chance like this?

"So, I'll see you after you come back," said Ying. "Have a safe journey." With that, she left in a hurry. A part of her wanted to have this lunch with Han Bohai but she couldn't run from her work either. She had always prioritized her work over everything. She couldn't just change instantly.