Because I Cannot Hurt You

Han villa.

At the breakfast table, everybody gathered with the special addition of Soo Yunru. He ordered the maids to cook an extra special breakfast this morning. Han Huizhong said, "Eat up my boy. You look too thin."

Yunru chuckled. "I eat plenty, Grandpa."

Siying beamed. "Uncle the stew is tasty!" He brought the spoon near his mouth. Today he was stubborn to sit on Yunru's lap and have his breakfast. It wasn't often that Yunru was with them like this.

Yunru hugged him hard in delight. "I have the best nephew in the whole world."

Siying blushed and giggled. On the other side, Han Mingli and Han Guang weren't too thrilled seeing him here. Han Guang felt frustrated.

As if Xinyi wasn't enough, her brother is here too! Can these Soo's not give it a rest?

The last one to enter was Zizi. The only place left was to sit beside Yunru. Her heart jumped a beat and she nervously lowered her head. 

I hope I don't have any dark circles!

Last night, Zizi wasn't to sleep a wink. She tried hard, but she could only think of Yunru the whole time. Plus his presence in the house and the room next to hers didn't help her.

"Aunty! Sit with us!" Siying furiously patted the oat beside him. She cleared her throat. Suddenly she felt too close. A light fragrance from him wafted up to her nose.

T-this feels too near…Were the chairs always placed so close like this?

Yunru smiled. "Good morning Princess Han Zizi."

She jolted and fumbled. "G-good morning!"

He raised his brow curiously. "You seem too jumpy for some reason."

It's because you are so close! I can even smell your cologne. And why is my right side feeling so warm all of a sudden?

To hide her emotions that were confusing and making her conscious, she said, "Well I have to sit beside a lowly man like you. What else am I supposed to feel?"

Yunru rolled his eyes.

Han Huizhong snorted. "You will never change huh?"

Zhiyuan and Xinyi didn't comment much. They were unusually quiet after their conversation. 

"Ah this old man had been so happy if Yunru were having his breakfast as my grandson-in-law..." He mumbled to himself, but he was loud enough for everybody to hear.

Zizi almost spit out her juice and choked hard. Her face turned bright red. "Grandpa!"

W-what grandson-in-law? As if I will be his wife!

Yunru shook his head and couldn't help but smile.

Siying giggled. "Aunty is so red."

Zizi froze. "That's not it! Y-You concentrate on your food!" She hid her blushing face as she quickly gobbled up her breakfast.

Han Huizhong glanced at Xinyi. He sneered. "What happened to my granddaughter-in-law? Has a snake bit you? Your dear brother is here but you aren't even talking."

"No. Of course not," Xinyi smiled. "I was lost in some thought…"

"About how you are fed up with Zhiyuan finally? Great. I got just the solution for you. I have certain papers in my study that you might like. They are really useful-"

"Grandpa," Zhiyuan shot a cold glare at him. "Stop it."

He really hated every time Han Huizhong mentioned the divorce as if it was some joke.

Yunru was a little taken aback but he said nothing.

Xinyi grimaced. "Grandpa, please. This is not the time."

Han Huizhong rolled his eyes. "I was just making the atmosphere more cheerful."

A while later, the breakfast got over. Yunru stood up. "Thanks for letting me stay last night and for this wonderful breakfast. I need to leave now."

Han Huizhong nudged Xinyi. "This is the time when a sister says that you wish for him to stay here longer. Don't you love him as his sister? Tsk."

Her brow twitched. "I think more than me, it's you who don't want to let him go, Grandpa."

He snorted. "Nonsense."

Yunru passed through Zizi and then stopped. "Thanks for your help last night."

Her heartbeat quickened. "Hah. Now I don't owe you anything."

He chuckled. "Anyway. I would need your statement as the witness. So if you have time later in the day, please drop in the police station."

Zizi was a little shocked.

So I will meet him again?

She didn't know why but she felt excited and looked forward to it.

"I-I am free now too!"

"Huh?"

Zizi realized she spoke too eagerly. She averted her gaze. "I mean I don't have much to do now. So I can get this over with now itself. At least you won't bother me again and again."

She peeked at him. "So take me with you too."

---

In her room, as Xinyi sat down to work on the character designs for Shuang's game, she realized that she had some things lacking for her drawing.

She sighed. "I will have to step out for some shopping."

Xinyi decided to head to the mall. She quickly got ready and was about to leave when she stopped in her steps.

"Should I call Caihong too?"

After her outburst that day, Xinyi hadn't talked to her since. She understood Caihong was bottling a lot of things in her heart. Maybe it would be a good change if she headed outside for some fresh air rather than staying cooped up inside the house the whole day.

Xinyi thought for a moment and dialed her number.

---

At the Zhu villa, Caihong just came out of a fresh bath when she heard her phone ring. She blinked her eyes seeing Xinyi's name flash on the screen.

"Hello."

"Hello, Caihong. It's me, Xinyi."

She smiled. "I know it's you. Tell me."

Xinyi coughed. "I am heading out for some shopping. If you are free, would you like to join me? Ah, Cy will also be joining us."

Caihong was surprised by her offer. 

"I mean I thought you would like it…"

Caihong then understood that she might be trying to cheer her up after that conversation. Indeed, she hadn't left the house that often ever since she returned. 

She softly smiled. "Thank you for inviting me, Xinyi. En. I will come too."

"Great! Let's meet at XX mall then."

"Sure."

As she hung up the phone, she saw a small head peeking inside the room. Caihong narrowed her eyes. "Why are you here, Chyou?"

Chyou trotted inside and raised her head. "Mama, are you going to meet Aunty Xinyi?"

"It has nothing to do with you."

Chyou pursed her lips. "Mama. Take me with you too. Please! I-I want to meet Aunty Xinyi…"

"No. You will stay here."

She tugged her dress. "Mama, please...Dada is at the office. I have a holiday at school today. I will be all alone…" she lowered her head in sadness.

Caihong rubbed the space in between her brows. 

"I promise I will not trouble you! Promise! I really want to meet Aunty."

"Fine! Just don't be a bother to me."

Chyou brightened. "Thank you, Mama!"