674 Pretty Close (2/2)

Xiu was satisfied with that reply. Xin Zimen's lips twitched as he said, ”You really are a puppy, so obedient.”

”Hehe...” was Darren's response which got him a roll of eyes from Xin Zimen.

”Regi, come here for a minute!”

Darren looked over at his mother and looked back at his wife. He didn't want to even step away from her at this time but...

Xiu patted his arm saying, ”Go on! I'm fine. Ah-Xin is here.” Seeing his reluctance, Xiu shook her head and leaned in to say, ”Mama is with your father, don't you think you should be there?”

Only then did Darren noticed his father standing beside Francesca and a frown etched between his brows. ”Don't go anywhere, I'll be right back.” As if not trusting her at all, he turned to Xin Zimen, ”Uncle Zi, I'm troubling you but keep an eye on her for me.”

”I'm not a kid,” grumbled Xiu.

”But you're with a kid,” said Xin Zimen knowingly and Xiu could only curse under her breath as she had no retort for that.

Only seeing this did Darren walk away from them. And when he did, Xin Zimen got back to his suspicion, ”You're hiding something from me, right?”

”Why would I do that? And what do I even have to hide from you?” responded Xiu calmly.

”I don't know all that but I can tell you're hiding something from me.”

Xiu was quiet for a minute as she looked at his face in silence and asked, ”It must really be tiring, eh?”

”What?”

”Having this acute senses,” replied Xiu.

”It's a survival skill,” answered Xin Zimen. ”Without these skills, I wouldn't have lived till now.”

Xiu's face darkened as she asked, ”I didn't know about your sister.” She took a pause and added, ”I heard you're pretty close to her.”

Xin Zimen neither agreed nor disagreed as he said, ”She is my elder uncle's daughter. He died right after her birth so she grew up with me and my brother. That's why...” He thought for a moment before asking, ”But why are you suddenly curious about Suyin?”

”As I just said, just a little curious that's all.” She looked around and asked, ”So, you must also be close to your niece?”

”Yes, I think we are pretty close.”

Xiu's face soured at that remark as she said, ”Oh, really?”

Xin Zimen placed his hand around her shoulders saying, ”Don't you think we are pretty close? Or it's just me?”

”Huh?” Xiu was dumbfounded.

Xin Zimen poked her forehead with his index finger and said, ”Silly, aren't you, my niece?”