Imperfect Desires

582 I'll Be There For You

Xin Zimen was genuinely really pleased to see Xiu here but that was no surprise because he always felt a calmness around her that no one else brought him in a long time. Seemingly she was a very simple girl with a complicated life but she had a strange attraction in her that could make people feel at ease around her. In fact, she always brought out that doting side of his out that even he didn't know existed in him till now.

Whenever she smiled, it made her eyes sparkle and her own face would lit up. He was one of those people who loved seeing her smile. The day she came to beat Ah-Si was the first time he saw her solemn expression and at that time, the pain, loneliness, yearning reflecting in her eyes had somehow pricked his heart too deeply.

He really didn't want to see that look in her eyes again. He never wanted her to feel lonely ever again. He didn't know why he was so protective of her. He couldn't tell why he wanted to give the whole world to her. Was this what they called, the calling of the blood? Since she was his only niece, perhaps that's why he was so different around her.

He had asked someone to bring coffee for Xiu and even shared the cake she brought for him.

"Ah-Xin, how can you share my own cake with me?" Although Xiu was grumbling like she wasn't happy, inwardly she was very pleased seeing how he served her with his own hands and even accompanied her while she ate. She knew he was a busy person and yet he was here spending his time with her without any hesitation.

You see, this was the exact same attention of his towards her that made her always want to look for him. She couldn't help herself. She liked it when he paid so much attention to her and looked at her with such a gentle gaze that made her want to pour her heart out to him. She didn't know why but her heart was certain that she could always lean on him and he would always be there to protect her.

The girl like her who had been deprived of fatherly love for two lifetimes really seemed to want to get lost in his affection. It reassured her, made her feel protected, and even made her heart feel at ease.

"I only wanted you to give me company. But if you want something else, I'd love to bring it to you."

Xiu tsked at him, "You really take everything I say very seriously. I was just messing around." He nodded and took another bite of the cake while his lips curved upward.

"You made this yourself?" he asked even though he could tell the answer. But somehow he thought he'd love to hear her response.

"Of course! Who else can have such a magical taste? It's only my magical hands that can bring this taste to you. Cherish it."

Xin Zimen chuckled softly. See? He really knew he'd love to hear her bragging about her skills. "Then this humble one is honored to be graced with your excellency's finest delicacy."

Xin Zimen only smiled and said, "It's my job's requirement to know how to talk."

That reminded Xiu... "Am I disturbing your work?"

"Not at all," he hurriedly denied it. In fact, he was really busy. He had been absent for a couple of days and a lot of matters needed his approval. He hadn't been able to even lift his head up from the piles of files at his table since morning. And was even feeling tired since he hadn't recovered completely. But seeing Xiu had seemed to make him forget all about his tiredness. He was more than happy to stay with her.

Xiu scowled, "How is that possible? You have such a big office, such a big position, it comes all with a cost. I'm certain you have loads of work. I'm really being a nuisance here."

Xin Zimen patted her head saying, "You're definitely not being a nuisance. Stop overthinking it."

Xiu hesitated but still nodded her head. She walked all around his big office and admired the view outside before coming back to his side as she poked his arm softly. When he turned his head to look at her, she asked, "Ah-Xin, did your wife also worked here? You told me she was a criminal psychologist. So...?"

He was a little surprised that she still remembered it but still nodded his head, "Yes, she also worked here. Actually, she was the reason why I joined as well."

"Oh, really? So, she must have a higher position than you back then." Xiu was again like a curious child wondering about all sorts of things.

"She had always been at a higher position than me," said Xin Zimen honestly. "We weren't just two people who had two different personalities, we were also from a very different world."

Xiu tilted her head slightly as she wondered, "How? I mean did you both have the same social circle?"

Xin Zimen shook his head saying, "She came from a prestigious background. Although the Xin family is one of the elites in our country, it can never match up to the Wen family."

Xiu narrowed her eyes, "Then how did you both cross paths and fell in love?"

"Even though we were from different worlds, we ended up growing together. Because she lost her parents when she was young, she was raised by Ying's maternal family. That's how we ended up crossing paths..." he was silent for a while as if lost in his thoughts before he continued, "We both hated each other guts even though we had always been best of friends. She hated me for trying to be perfect in everything and I hated her for always looking for trouble, As for how we fell in love... I'm not sure about her but I can tell you what made me really look at her as more than just a friend."

Xiu was even more curious as she leaned over and asked, "Tell me. What made you look at her differently?"

Xin Zimen chuckled at the memory as he said, "We were in high school and one day she walked up to me and said, 'Dear Zi, I have decided.' Knowing how she always caused a big ruckus, I wasn't expecting anything good from her as I asked, 'What did you decide now? Don't tell me you want to blow up the whole school like last week you set the principle's wig on fire.'"

Xiu laughed out as she heard that, Xin Zimen didn't mind the interruption since it was the reaction he had expected. Anyway, he continued...

"She wasn't the least bit flustered or embarrassed at what she did as she went on, 'The idea of blowing up the whole school is pleasing but it's a place for knowledge, I wouldn't be so crude.' I rolled my eyes at her as I asked, 'Then what else did you decide now?' She grinned widely before she draped her arm around my shoulder and said, 'I have decided that I'm gonna marry you.'"

"What? She said it just like that?"

Xin Zimen nodded his head, "Yes, she indeed just said it like that. Without rhyme or a reason, she had come to tell me that she had decided me to marry me as if I was dying to marry her." He snorted as he shook his head and added, "I laughed at her face saying, 'Do you really think I'd actually take you as my wife?' She looked like she had expected that reply from me and wasn't surprised at all. Instead, her grip around my neck tightened as she added, 'Don't worry my little Zi, I promise I'll take good care of you.' I still don't know why but I asked, 'Why would be taking care of me? It should be the other way around.'"

"What did she say?" Xiu was so engrossed in the story that she had played the whole scene in her mind and dying to know the rest now.

Xin Zimen poked Xiu's head as he went on, "She said, 'You're biodegradable.' I was baffled and didn't know where did that come from but she went on before I could question. 'You break down easily. So, I'll be there to take of you.'"

Xiu placed her hand over her mouth. Those words sounded so simple but someone like could tell what kind of a promise that was. "She managed to touch your heart with that? How beautiful!"

He nodded his head saying, "She was someone who instead of telling me to be strong and fight on told me that it was okay to break down because she'd be there with me."