Imperfect Desires - Chapter 965

“And then you say you aren’t cute,” muttered Xiu. “Anyway, let’s begin our preparations.” She took out the filling prepared for the dumplings and told him, “Let’s start with fillings. Fillings can be of vegetables, chicken, meat or whatever you like. We have a little of everything here. Now, we are going to knead the dough.”

Jackie acted like a little ȧssistant and followed Xiu around as she kneads the dough and rolled the dumpling sheets.  ​​

Looking at the round dumpling sheet, Jackie marveled, “Wow! It looks like you measured it with a compass. How is it so thin and equally round?”

“With practice,” said Xiu. “This is something you can achieve with practice.”

“Early birds catch the prey, I should begin practicing from now on,” said Jackie.

“There is no need to be in such a hurry,” said Xiu. “I’m still around. You still have loads of time to learn this.”

She brought the sheets and placed some in front of the kids. Taking one, she put the filling in and expertly rolled it into a cute-shaped dumpling. Then she did it slowly to show them how to do it.

“We got it.”

Only then did Xiu went back to do her own stuff. Jackie had been marveling at the speed of Xiu. She so easily made so many dumpling sheets. “Jackie, you do something for me. Arrange them on the counter and placed a moderate amount of filling in. That way, it’ll be easier for me to roll them.”

“Got it,” Jackie immediately got to work.

Meanwhile, the other kids were having fun. Rowan could hardly make sense of what to do. But he wasn’t willing to give up. As for Asteria and Ava, they were also seriously doing the work. Well, Asteria was seriously doing the work. Although she was slow, her dumplings at least looked presentable.

But Ava was filling the dumplings with loads of ingredients. And when she tried to close the dumpling, the fillings would spill out either from one side or another. She was distressed. She wanted to eat these fat dumplings where she could get to taste meat with every single bite.

She also didn’t give up and managed to close her dumplings but they looked like they were about to burst out any minute. Xiu didn’t complain about any of them. She even appreciated them for their work and sincerely said thank you for helping her.

Since boiling the dumplings they made would end in a disaster, she took out the steamer basket to steam these dumplings. As for the rest, she boiled them.

Leaving the job of boiling to someone else, she took out the soy sauce to prepare the dipping sauce. Jackie was still seriously studying by her side.

“Sister Xiu, how about going on a holiday this summer?” suggested Jackie.

“Where do you want to do?” asked Xiu.

“I’ll go anywhere you go,” said Jackie seriously.

“So, if only I go, it’ll be fine right?”

Jackie pressed his lips together and Xiu chuckled at him.

“I know what you’re scheming,” said Xiu.

“I’m not.”

“Don’t you think it’s useless?” asked Xiu. “As if I can’t see what you have been up to.”

“Do you mind it?” he asked cautiously.

“Not really,” answered Xiu. She looked at him seriously and said, “I just believe you’re too young to understand what your feelings are. Or what they represent. But I can ȧssure you if these feelings of yours didn’t change even after you graduated from college, I’d do anything in my power to help you.”

“Really?”

“Have I ever lied to you?” Xiu tapped his nose. “But there is another condition.”

“And that is?”

“She has to have the same feelings for you,” answered Xiu. “I won’t be forcing anyone no matter how great you are. If she doesn’t like you, then forget about it.”

“You don’t have to worry about that,” Jackie spoke smugly.

“As always, you’re quite confident,” said Xiu.

“I learned it from you,” told Jackie.

Xiu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She indeed was the one teaching this. How could she do it? But she had to say she actually liked this little couple a lot. She had seen the way Jackie brought changes to Asteria. That girl had been closed off since losing her mother but Jackie’s presence was quite a blessing for her.

In all honesty, they weren’t as close as Asteria, Ava, and Rowan. Those three always hung out together. But even when Jackie wasn’t always there, his importance could be seen. The way he interacted with Asteria was subtle. They hardly talked to each other. But still had such cute interactions.

Take today for instance, just when Xiu taught them how to make dumplings and went back. Asteria couldn’t really close her dumpling. So, our Jackie the master went to her side, made a dumpling right before her eyes slowly, and walked off. And after that, Asteria was able to catch what to do to make her dumplings look presentable.

Wasn’t that cute?

But her little brother’s tricks were already in place.

She was definitely certain about this couple. As for what others had to say, did she care? If her little brother asked for it, what can’t she do for him? But this time it was a matter of the heart. She had to take Asteria into account as well. She would never force her if she didn’t have the same feelings for her brother.

But she was actually quite aware of Asteria’s feelings as well. Haiz! This young love is so cute and makes her feel so envious as well. Why did she have to waste so many years and a lifetime before finding her love?