Because I Cannot Hurt You

Xinyi was stunned to hear this sudden news. "E-engagement? Yunru and Zizi?"

"Yes!" Soo Enlai's face brightened akin to the most shining star in the sky. "Hehe, I waited so long for this day and now, I can finally see my son getting settled too in his life."

She rapidly blinked her eyes and so was Zhiyuan shocked similarly.

Didn't Yunru say that he has a girlfriend? 

Xinyi asked, "This... have you talked to them?"

"It's a surprise for them!" He laughed. "Zizi isn't at home now. Elder Han and I decided to surprise her with this news as soon as she is back."

Zhiyuan slowly said, "But Dad, Yunru said that he has a girlfriend."

Soo Enlai widened his eyes and gasped. "That idiot lied to you too?"

"Lied?" Zhiyuan frowned.

"Of course he lied! I asked him myself if he already has a girlfriend. He clearly denied having one. It was the day when I caught Zizi and Yunru *ahem* spending some quality time together. And it's not just that. Zizi and Yunru like each other too. That's why Elder Han and I have decided to get them engaged as soon as possible!" He grinned.

Han Huizhong's booming voice cheerily resounded in the hall. "I was a bit skeptical at first, but after what we saw that night, we are sure of it now. Hah! I am so glad that Yunru tamed my idiot granddaughter."

The sparkle in his eyes and expression was utterly clear and evident. He was over the moon to arrange this engagement. Han Huizhong had always liked the Soo siblings and just like Xinyi, he wanted Yunru to be a part of his family too.

But ever since Zhiyuan disappointed him, he regretted forcing Xinyi to marry him. That's why he was always hesitant especially after how Zizi and Yunru's first date went. He didn't want Yunru to suffer being with Zizi like Xinyi already was living with Zhiyuan.

Xinyi was confused. "What night?"

Soo Enlai and Han Huizhong furrowed their brows and then they realized it. "Oh! We forgot to tell you two! We got so excited seeing Zizi and Yunru lovey-dovey that we already started thinking about their engagement."

Zhiyuan's mouth twitched. "Lovey-dovey?"

"Yes! Yunru and I stayed in the Han villa that night when we found Siying, right? Hehe, you won't believe what we witnessed…"

*Flashback*

After Han Huizhong's insistence, Soo Enlai and Yunru decided to stay the night after Siying was found. Soo Enlai and Yunru shared one room, and it was quite late at night when Elder Soo felt some soft movements and heard light noises. He half-opened his eyes to look at Yunru restlessly pacing around the room. He seemed to be in deep thought, combing his fingers through his hair. He sighed and in the end seemingly decided upon something, he tiptoed out of the room and shut the door behind him.

Soo Enlai immediately sprang up on the bed. He looked at the time and it showed one-thirty AM in the clock.

"Where does Yunru want to go so late at night?" He narrowed his eyes and smelled some clandestine gossip. His gaze sparkled like a little child, wondering if he went to meet Zizi.

"It's definitely Zizi! After all, they are at the same house now! Of course, they would want to meet. Hoho!"

Soo Enlai eagerly got up, but before shamelessly going to follow his son, he went to Han Huizhong's room and knocked on his door. "Elder Han!" He urgently whispered. "Come out! This is important. You don't want to miss this."

The door opened and a sleepy Han Huizhong opened the door, yawning. "What is it, Enlai? Why are you so excited at this Godly hour?"

Soo Enlai could hardly contain his excitement. "If you know what I have to say, then you will be excited too! Yunru just stepped out of the room, and I am sure he has gone to meet Zizi!"

At that, Han Huizhong's grogginess all flew away, and he attentively stared at him. "Which direction?"

Soo Enlai grinned. "Follow me!"

Yunru stood in front of Zizi's room, wondering whether to do this or not. In the end, he just quickly knocked on her door before he changed his mind again.

Unexpectedly, Zizi was quick to open the door. He thought that she must be sleeping. "Who is-"

She froze as she saw Yunru standing right in front of her. Her eyes widened and she stared at him, feeling stunned. 

*Bathump!*

Her heart loudly drummed in her chest, and her cheeks automatically turned rosy. Instead of his prim and proper appearance during the day at his duty, he had a messy look with the locks of his hair stretched out in all directions. That made him look even more charming and handsome.

But then she suddenly recalled their last conversation. Her eyes almost brimmed with tears when she remembered how rudely he talked to her, telling her to stay out of his life.

How could the arrogant, spoiled princess bear that?

She gave a humorless smile. "You shouldn't disturb people so late at night. I don't know why you would come here. After all, you did say to keep my nose out of your business, and I think I am keeping my word."

From a distance, Soo Enlai and Han Huizhong hid behind a pillar and peeked at them. From Zizi's expression, it was clear that she wasn't too thrilled to meet Yunru. They couldn't stand too close, lest they would catch them. So they couldn't hear their conversation.

Han Huizhong mumbled. "So something did happen between them. Even before, she acted all arrogant towards him."

Soo Enlai pursed his lips. "It must be my idiot son's fault! That's why he looked so restless in the room. Maybe he came to apologize?"

"Let's see."

Zizi folded her arms and challenged his gaze, trying her best not to show the pain clutching her heart. Whenever she saw him, she would always get reminded that he has a girlfriend. The fact would prick her like a thorn as if she lost something precious.

Yunru bit his tongue and felt awkward. He knew that he was at fault this time.

"If you don't mind, can we talk somewhere else?"

Zizi was inside her room while he was outside. Of course, it would be strange to have this conversation like that…

Zizi wanted to reject him and get back to bed. She wanted to shut the door in his face, wanting to vent the hurt she felt. But what would she do after that? It wasn't like she was sleeping anyway.

Yunru was staying in their house, and once again, she failed to get any sleep just like last time. Even though she was mad at him, her heart tugged her to follow him.

"Only ten minutes!" She acted as if she was doing a huge favor.

They went up the terrace and Soo Enlai and Han Huizhong shamelessly followed them, curious about their conversation.

"We will definitely get our proof tonight that Yunru and Zizi are close," Soo Enlai said.

At the terrace, they stood beneath the night sky where the moon cast a dim shadow over them. Yunru slowly said, "I am sorry."

Zizi stayed silent.

"I am really sorry for saying all those rude things to you. I didn't mean it that way."

Zizi snorted. "Then how did you mean it?"

Yunru sighed. "My relationship with her...is a little complicated."

Zizi already had a fair idea of that since she saw Yunru crying on the beach that night.

"So when you said to leave her, I just lost it. I know I shouldn't have. I really apologize for my behavior. I know you talked harshly, but you said it for my own good. I didn't appreciate it, and I am really sorry."

Zizi slightly trembled. He was earnestly asking for her forgiveness that couldn't help but shake up her heart. She lifted her gaze to see him softly smiling at her and his eyes that hoped for her to forgive him.

"I…" she choked up, "I still stand by what I said. What is the use of staying in this one-sided love and hurting yourself? That is foolishness."

"It won't be foolish for long."

"Huh?"

"I have decided to tell her my true feelings."

As if lightning struck her hard, Zizi froze on her spot. She blankly looked at him. She almost staggered at her place, but she somehow held on to herself.

"O-Oh…"

"Yes," he smiled. "An unexpected person made me realize that I have waited long enough."

He thought back to his conversation with Xiaosi.

It took all her strength not to break down in front of him. A gripping pain pierced her heart at the thought of Yunru confessing his feelings for another woman. Her shoulders trembled, and she forced her tears not to leave the rim of her eyes.

"I am still afraid. I don't know what she will think about me. Honestly, I am nervous," he grabbed the back of his neck and Zizi understood that he felt embarrassed.

"I-I see…" she tried to smile. "Good for you."

Yunru nodded. "If it goes all well and I hope it does, then Princess won't mock me as a foolish man anymore," he chuckled.