Because I Cannot Hurt You

Xinyi stared at the glistening ring in her finger that brightly shone under the dim night. She felt too stunned to speak anything. Zhiyuan intertwined his fingers against hers. 

"Xinyi...I am sorry that I couldn't give you this ring earlier. You deserved this ring a lot before but I…"

His gaze dimmed in guilt and sadness. "I don't want you to wear the wedding band anymore. I know the situation in which we got married was...not ideal."

Xinyi softly bit her lip.

Zhiyuan cupped her face and her gaze lifted to meet his. "But with this ring, I want to tell you that that past is behind us. When I saw this ring today, I knew it was only meant for you. Please forgive me for all these years. Because of me, you couldn't even wear a proper wedding ring."

She hastily said, "Zhiyuan you-"

"Ssh," he placed his finger on her lips. "I know what you want to say. But that won't ease my guilt. I know I made you wait for seven years, but...will you still accept this ring?"

She felt her vision turn blurry as tears enveloped her eyes. Everything was so overwhelming for her that she couldn't find the proper words to express herself. She could only softly nod in agreement. She looked at the ring and inexplicable happiness surged in her heart. She still felt as if this was her dream and she would soon wake up to reality.

Zhiyuan pulled her closer as the tip of his fingers softly brushed against her cheek. Her acceptance bloomed his heart in immense joy. Unable to hold the surging feelings swirling in his chest, he leaned in as his gaze locked with hers. Amidst their pounding heartbeats, the only sound they heard was of the wind whistling by. Their irises stared into the depths as if they were pulled in by a force.

Zhiyuan brought her face closer and bridged the last gap between them as he kissed her lips. Xinyi shook as their lips met. He shut his eyes as he pressed his lips harder to deepen the kiss. He tilted his head and with a dart of his tongue, he flicked over her soft lips, making them moist. Xinyi felt her knees go weak and as Zhiyuan realized it, he firmly pressed her waist against his body, not allowing her to lose support.

As her sweet smell invaded his nostrils, he didn't find it any less intoxicating than a drug that would make him lose his control. His fingers tightened the hold over her cheek unconsciously that made her gasp and slightly part her lips. It was the chance that Zhiyuan waited for, and he quickly delved into her mouth.

At that time in the small village hut, he hadn't yet tasted the forbidden delicacy of her tongue, but now he didn't wish to settle with a simple kiss. He wanted more. He wanted to go deeper.

Xinyi's eyes flew open as she felt tongue wrapping around hers. As if electricity jolted through her body, she trembled hard. Her eyes grew misty and hazy as their lips were deeply connected. She clutched his coat in her fists. A low groan escaped his throat and his eyes clouded in desire. His tongue slurped the corner of her mouth from which he could faintly taste the remnants of the curry he prepared. His tongue was busy exploring her mouth but his lips didn't forget to devour her.

He parted away only to bite upon her delicious lips, digging his teeth into them. She gasped again as a tickle burst in her stomach akin to a butterfly. Their kiss grew more passionate and fiercer as seconds turned into minutes. Soon, Xinyi started to feel breathless and she softly whimpered. Zhiyuan finally withdrew his tongue from thoroughly eating it and made his way down to her fair neckline. 

At that point, her face was already flushed in tomato red shade that only darkened into crimson as his hot kisses trailed on her neck and collarbone. He buried his head in between her neck and shoulder with his hair tickling her skin as it brushed upon it. He sucked her neck harder as he felt a strong desire flaming his body with heat. 

He turned and ravaged the left side of her neck too, making it moist and at the same time hot with his kisses. The seven years of distance between them was reduced into ashes at an alarming rate. The closeness tingled them to their very core. 

With a dazed look, Xinyi opened her tightly shut eyes. It took some time to regain her focus. Zhiyuan raised his head to see her flushed face. Xinyi stared into his black orbs that seemed to focus his gaze on her with utmost concentration. He bent and kissed her forehead and then peppered soft kisses on her delicate eyes and nose.

He wanted to confess his feelings for her and let her know just how much he loved her. He had fallen for her so hard that it was impossible to keep these emotions all to himself. He didn't want any more ambiguity to remain between them. They were husband and wife in front of the whole world but not a couple in a true sense that wholeheartedly loved each other.

Xinyi's misty gaze got clearer as she looked at him and found him staring at her as if wanting to say something to her. His lips were slowly parting in an attempt to talk.

His expression right now looked similar…

As similar to the time when they had slept together that one time.

Suddenly, as if a mountain crashed on her, her eyes widened and she froze. Her body stiffened, and she felt unable to move. She gasped sharply, and it felt as if she couldn't breathe.

No…Why am I thinking of that night again?

Everything was fine until now. Then why did she suddenly get reminded of that thorn in her life?

She trembled and shivered and before she knew it, she already placed her hands on his chest and pushed him back. Zhiyuan staggered a few steps behind. He didn't understand what happened and he looked at her in confusion. But the sight that fell upon his eyes stunned him.

Tears automatically trickled down Xinyi's cheeks as she tremblingly hugged herself. She seemed to be in a stupor.

"Xi-Xinyi…?"