Imperfect Desires

687 Be A Little Tough

Just one glance at Xiu's face and Xin Xiaoli's eyes softened up. Xiu congratulated Qiu Meihui as well but the latter's reaction was perfunctory and she continued to talk to the other guests. Xiu however didn't react, she wasn't even surprised at all. But it was Darren and Xin Xiaoli who frowned at Qiu Meihui's response.

Xiu didn't notice their change as she continued with a wink, "Li bro, I prepared a thick red packet for you and lots of gifts as well."

Xin Xiaoli chuckled softly at her, "Silly girl, why would I take your thick red packet?"

"Oh? Why not?" Xiu pouted.

He pinched her cheek saying, "As an elder brother, I should be giving you gifts, not the other way around."

"Li bro, it's your wedding. I should be giving you something. Besides, I have already given my red packet, you can't do anything about it now."

Xin Xiaoli looked at Darren helplessly, "Your wife is stubborn."

Darren shrugged his shoulders, "Now, what can we do about that? Don't we all love this stubbornness?"

Xin Xiaoli pursed his lips and stayed quiet. He had no way to retort.

"Silly child, brother would be happy with just a hug."

Xiu stepped up to give him a warm hug as she said, "Hugs are free. That I can give you anywhere."

Xin Xiaoli wrapped his arm around her and his other hand stroked the back of her head. There was moisture in his eyes when she hugged him so enthusiastically. He couldn't control it. Just like he couldn't describe his feelings right now.

"But there is always a condition," she added.

"And what's that?" He choked down his emotions before asking.

"Your hugs should also be free for me. You also need to give me a hug whenever or wherever I need it. No excuses will work."

Xin Xiaoli shook his head at her and rubbed her head saying, "If I call you a sister, I mean it. You'll always find this brother whenever you need him. Even if you ask for this brother's life, I'd be willing."

Xiu pulled her head back slightly to look at his face as she said, "No need for that. Life is not what I need. I am very satisfied with my life right now."

"That's good to know," he mumbled softly.

Xiu didn't pull away from him. For some reason, this hug was longer than necessary. Xiu whispered near his ear, "Bro, I can still help you run. Give me a signal."

Xin Xiaoli burst out laughing at her, "Aiyo, my silly sister, I don't need help."

Xiu made a face at him and grumbled, "You're not happy. I can see it in your eyes."

Xin Xiaoli tilted his head and smiled at her, "But I am very happy to see you. In fact, this hug made today the most special to me."

He cupped her face and kissed her forehead saying, "And all I want is to see you happy as well."

Xiu gaped at him before asking, "Did you get my disease?"

"What disease do you have?" he asked in reply.

"The disease of wanting to see everyone happy around me," replied Xiu honestly.

Xin Xiaoli made a thoughtful face before shaking his head, "Nah. I definitely don't have this disease. Because the only person I want to see happy right now is you."

Xiu looked back at her husband and pointed at Xiao Li, "He is difficult to talk to."

Darren agreed, "He sure is."

Xiu sighed heavily before speaking again, "Li bro, can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead," he replied.

"If and I mean just if whatever reason you have for this marriage didn't exist, would you choose Ying Jie as a life partner?" She didn't know why she kept on having this question pop up in her head.

Xin Xiaoli shook his head without hesitation, "No matter what changes in my life, this truth won't change. Ying was always just a best friend, a very precious one. But that's it." He took a pause and looked at her with a complicated gaze as he continued, "I lost my sister when she was very young. At that time, Ying's presence helped me coping with that loss. In fact, Ying took the place of my sister without her even realizing it. Either it was in my life or my dad's."

Xiu's expressions changed and she nodded, "And if you hadn't lost your sister?"

Xin Xiaoli blinked his eyes, "That's the most beautiful 'if' of my life. I don't even dare think about it."

"Okay. I got it!" Xiu nodded her head as if something became clear to her.

"What did you get?"

"Now I'm certain that Han Bohai is the best choice for Ying Jie."

He also nodded along, "He indeed is the best choice for her." He suddenly held her hand and led her to the seat that had been prepared for bride and groom saying, "You sit down here. You had been standing for too long."

Xiu was in shock when she was suddenly pushed down to sit and stared dumbfoundedly at Xin Xiaoli. "This is your seat."

"It doesn't matter," said the groom as he crouched down and pushed her gown aside saying, "See, your feet are swelling up as well." He narrowed his eyes at Darren, "How careless!"

Darren pointed at himself, "How is it my fault when she doesn't even listen to me?"

"Then be a little tough and make her obey. If you kept on obliging with her, the one to suffer would be both of you."

While Xin Xiaoli was helping her take off her shoes, Xiu could feel the piercing gazes of every single person in the banquet. She placed her hand on his shoulder and said, "Bro, you don't have to do it. I'll do it. Or let Regan do it."

"You stay quiet," said Xin Xiaoli sternly. Xiu hurriedly pressed her lips together and showed an aggrieved look towards her husband who was pushed to the sideline.