Imperfect Desires

Early in the morning when Rowan learned that they were still going on camping, he was overjoyed. He was so excited that he announced, "I'm gonna pack my stuff!"

"I already did that for you," said Xiu.

Rowan looked at his mother with loving eyes, "Mommy, didn't you say I should do my own work?"

Xiu smiled at him, "Well, mommy can help you once in a while." She took a pause and added, "Why don't you pay for making mommy work for you?"

"How should I pay?" asked Rowan.

Xiu tapped her cheek, "How about a kiss?"

Rowan rushed over to kiss her cheek and even added a bonus by kissing her other cheek. And then he wanted to continue doing that but Darren held the back of his jacket and pulled him away from his wife saying, "That's enough."

"Stingy!" Rowan puffed his cheeks at his father.

Soon, Asteria and Ava ran over and Rowan forgot all about his parents. He finally got to see his sisters after so long, how could he see anything else? The three of them hugged each other and jumped in a circle excitedly.

Their excitement was so intoxicating that even Nora opened her arms and tried to hug Xiu who lowered her head and escaped her arms before she could even catch her. Nora glared at Xiu, "It was just a hug."

Xiu shrugged her shoulders at her.

"All ready?" asked Xin Xiaoli. "Should we hit the road?"

"Let's wait a little longer," said Xiu.

"Is anyone else joining us?" inquired Ah-Si.

"Yes," answered Xiu.

"Who?" asked Nora.

"You'll know soon enough," said Xiu.

As she finished talking, Ashley came running inside with her backpack, "Thank God, you guys are still here."

"Ash, you're coming with us?" Darren was surprised to see her here since he didn't know she'd be joining them.

"Sister-in-law told me that you all are going camping, I felt like joining as well," said Ashley. She had been feeling a little down since her breakup. So, when she learned about camping, she decided to join them. First, she thought it'd be relaxing. Second, she knew she won't be thinking nonsense between these people who always managed to brighten up her mood.

In fact, her real purpose was to distract herself from the depressing thoughts she had.

As they were getting in the cars, Asteria said to her father, "Daddy, I want to sit with Rowan." 𝘧r𝘦𝗲w𝘦𝚋𝐧o𝘷𝘦𝙡.co𝑚

"Me too! Me too!" Ava also shouted.

Xin Xiaoli looked at his daughter and his niece before he shook his head and looked at Xiu, "How about I take the kids while you couples can have some time to yourselves?"

"Sounds good to me," replied Ah-Si. He was more than happy with this arrangement.

"Can I also tag along?" asked Ashley to Xin Xiaoli.

"Sure," agreed Xin Xiaoli.

In this way, Xiao Li was the first one to get in the car. Ashley took the passenger seat while the kids sat in the back seat happily.

"Seatbelts," reminded Xiao Li. "Ria, help your brother and sister with their seatbelts."

"Yes, daddy!" Asteria was more than happy to help her brother and sister.

And then their car took the lead and got on their way. Behind them, the others were also about to leave when another car entered the driveway and parked right before them. The window rolled down and Dylan's haggard face appeared. He gave a finger salute to Xiu, "What's up, Xiu?"

Xiu pursed her lips when she noticed his appearance and asked, "You're really coming with us?"

"Why can't I?" retorted Dylan tiredly. 𝐟𝙧ℯ𝑒𝒘𝐞𝒃𝗻𝒐ѵ𝘦𝑙.com

"Can you even drive?" asked Xiu.

"I don't think he can," came Cali's voice from inside the car. She waved at Xiu saying, "I told him to get the driver but he refused."

"How about you ride with us?" suggested Xiu.

Dylan stared at her vigilantly, "You being nice is always suspicious. I don't trust you enough to believe that you aren't up to something."

"You're overthinking," said Xiu. "I'm just worried about you." Dylan was still not convinced and that made Xiu sigh, "Then let Cali drive instead. She still looks like she is in a better condition than you to drive."

"I don't want her to tire herself," said Dylan.

"Is this time to act romantic?" Xiu was irked by his words. "Your life is more important here. What if you got into an accident? Or let me just call our driver instead."

Cali also persuaded Dylan, "Let's just get the driver. Don't be stubborn."

"Didi, get out of the car," was all that Darren said and Dylan obeyed his words instantly.

"Dylan, you look like you've been at war," commented Nora as she looked at Dylan's condition.

Poor guy had lost so much weight in such a short time. He looked tired and beaten down. There were big dark circles under his eyes ruining the beauty of his otherwise handsome face. But the thing was, he was so unkempt. As if he cared nothing about his image right now.

"It's really a war right now," replied Dylan in a tired voice.

"Maybe you should stay home and relax," suggested Nora.

"No!" Dylan instantly refused. "We're going camping to relax! Don't try to change my mind. I don't wanna go home. In fact, I want to run away from home these days."

"Wow! You really have it that bad, eh?" Although Nora's words seemed like she was feeling bad for him, inside she was actually laughing heartily at his condition. Poor Dylan.

"Who would have thought this day would come for you, Mr. Playboy?"

Dylan glared at Xiu, "I've left those days far behind me."

"I wish I had left you far behind in my life as well. Idiot!"

"I just got here," said Dylan. "Do you have to start with the insult?" He was really too tired to even bicker with her right now.. He looked at Darren and said, "Dazi, we are meeting after weeks. Can you please ask your wife to stop it?"