Imperfect Desires

Slowly, everyone arrived at Xiu and Darren's place. The house was decorated with lanterns and red ribbons. It gave off a warm and welcoming feeling. Even though it was snowing outside, everyone felt cozy inside the house.

Lively chatter went on inside the lounge. Everyone was having a fun time seeing each other after so long.?? f𝘳ℯℯ𝙬𝒆𝚋𝐧oν𝑒Ɩ.c𝑜𝙢

Suddenly, they heard the noises of the kids ringing in the house.

"Xiu, isn't that the Christmas tree?" asked Asteria as she looked at the familiar tree in the hall.

"Yes, it is," answered Xiu. "I just decorated it for Spring Festival and turned it into a red pouches tree."

"So, we can take one pouch just like we took a gift at Christmas?" asked Ava with bright eyes.

"You can take one," said Xiu. "But only after the meal. No one is allowed to steal a red pouch before midnight."

"Momma, I'll go to sleep by then," Rowan played his cuteness card. "Can you let me take it beforehand?"

"Baby, rules are rules. Your cuteness won't work on me," said Xiu. "If you went to sleep, I'll wake you up. Or you can take one in the morning. No one will steal it from you."

"Momma, you're so not cute when you don't fall for my cuteness," said Rowan with a pout.

"Stop acting like a little man!"

"So, can we select our own red pouch?" came Jackie's voice.

Xiu looked at her little brother in surprise. When did he become interested in such things?

"You can," answered Xiu.

"Does all the pouches have the same thing?" asked Jackie.

"No," said Xiu. "It's your luck whether you find something really good or not." 𝐟𝙧ee𝔀e𝐛𝓃𝐨𝚟𝑒𝗹.c𝗼𝚖

"Oh, so it's all on luck now," said Jackie as he carefully studied the red pouches on the tree. Some had silver embroidery and some had golden embroidery. But each looked so pretty. "Sister Xiu, did you make these pouches yourself?"

"How do you know?" asked Xiu in surprise.

"Only you'd have such clumsy skills in embroidery," he said.

"You little brat! You're so not adorable now."

Jackie laughed happily and hugged Xiu, "How can that be? My Sister Xiu is the best. She was, she is, and she will always be. At least, for me."

"And me too!" added Rowan as he hugged Xiu's leg.

"Me three!" Asteria also jumped in and hugged Xiu from the other side.

"Wait for me! Me four! But where should I hug?" Ava pouted at them.

Jackie rolled his eyes at his niece, "Come here!" He opened his one arm for her.

Ava happily jumped in to join the group hug as she said, "Little uncle is the best."

"What did you say?"

Hearing Jackie's dangerous tone, she instantly changed her words, "I mean, JJ is awesome! He loves me very much! Haha!"

Jackie rubbed her head saying, "You're getting cheekier by the day."

"Mom says I'm learning from the best," said Ava.

"At least, Nora can agree that Xiu is the best," stated Jackie.

"Mom is always praising Xiu," told Ava. Then she looked around to see if anyone was around before whispering, "But I think she only does it because she doesn't have to take care of me with Xiu around. So it makes her life easier. Don't tell her I said it."

Xiu was amused by this little girl's gossipy look. And also the gossip she just shared.

"So, does our Ava thinks I don't deserve those praises?" asked Xiu nonchalantly.

Ava opened her eyes wide, "No, no! That's not what I meant!"

Every one of them laughed while Rowan was left confused. His little brain couldn't process what they were happy about but since they laughed, he had to join with enthusiasm. Did he care why they were laughing? No, he didn't!

"Boss, can I also get a red pouch?" Bo Jiu asked as she came down in the new set of clothes.

"Oh, it's the Sister with the cat," said Ava. "When did you come?"

"Cat sister got into a snow fight," told Asteria. "Papa saved her just now."

Bo Jiu puffed up her cheeks, "It's not like I needed his help." She so not felt good about it. She not only embarrassed herself in front of Xiao Li but also his daughter. How frustrating!

"But since my brother offered help, he deserves a thank you," said Xiu. "Because..." She gazed at the kids who continued it for her.

"Because thank you is the least we can offer to someone who is willing to offer us their care."

"Good! I feel proud of raising such smart kids," said Xiu proudly.

Seeing her indulgent gazes directed at them, Jackie also moved his head over, "I also learned from you. I am also smart. How about sharing some love here?"

Xiu shook her head at him and looked at Bo Jiu, "You'll only get the red pouch when you say thank you to my brother. We need to leave old things behind and walk on to the new things tomorrow with the start of the new year. So, today's gratitude should be paid today!"

Ava nodded her head making her pigtails move with her head as she told Bo Jiu sincerely, "Yes, Cat Sister, I also said sorry to the classmate of mine."

"Why?" asked Bo Jiu.

"Because I pulled her hair for using my pencil," told Ava. "Xiu said we should apologize when it's needed. I was wrong so I said sorry to her. And then everything was okay. I can enter the new year with a big smile because I didn't leave anything undone."

"Boss, you're raising some real kids," Bo Jiu didn't know what else to say. She was again taken aback by the way Xiu actually treated these kids. They seemed to adore her a lot. It couldn't be that Xiu actually used her food to tempt them right?

But that's also possible. After all, even she was a big fan of her food. These kids can't really resist the taste of her hands.