Because I Cannot Hurt You

Soo Enlai and Han Huizhong, who were busy discussing the engagement details, saw Yunru and Zizi coming together. There was a sense of gloominess in the atmosphere. 

Soo Enlai frowned. "What happened to you two? Why are you so serious?"

Han Huizhong raised his brow. "Did you two fight over the arrangements?" He chuckled. "Yunru, my boy. Don't worry. We will do as you say."

Soo Enlai complained. "You don't have to spoil him. We will go with what Zizi says."

"She already thinks of herself as a princess. You don't need to pamper her more."

Yunru cleared his throat which brought their attention to him. "Dad, Grandpa. I...need to talk about something important."

Zizi glanced a blank stare towards Yunru and then looked away. The corner of her eyes ached as tears threatened to form. She had stopped herself from crying with much difficulty after his rejection and didn't wish to break down in front of them.

Han Huizhong nodded. "Yeah. Go ahead."

Yunru hesitated a bit. He was a direct person who didn't like to beat around the bush, but seeing the delighted expressions on the elder's faces, he couldn't be so straightforward.

"Um...This engagement...I wanted to say that we...we cannot go ahead with this engagement."

The last hope in Zizi's heart that dimly burned faded away into darkness.

"Huh? What happened so suddenly?" Soo Enlai asked, "Yunru. I really have no patience with you anymore. Don't say such things out of the blue."

Han Huizhong glared at Zizi. "Did you do something?"

"..."

Her mouth twitched.

Soo Enlai sighed. "It is not right to decide such things in haste because of an argument. It might be a big one this time, but you should take time to sort it out," he nodded.

Yunru coughed. "There is no fight Dad-"

"Shut up! If there is no fight, then why is Zizi looking so gloomy and sad?"

She stiffened.

"Did you say something rude to her!?" He looked at him indignantly. "Just look at her! She seems so down. Zizi dear, what did he say to you?"

Zizi panicked as she was suddenly the focus. "N-No. Yunru didn't say anything…"

He shook his head. "Don't try to hide it from me."

Han Huizhong touched his chin. "Just take your time and sort it out. It's not like the engagement is tomorrow. Until the date arrives, you two would be happily in love once again hoho."

Yunru opened his mouth to say something, but the elders gave an ultimatum. "You are adults now. There are ups and downs in any relationship. You cannot cancel an engagement marriage because of one fight."

After that, they refused to listen to them anymore.

Outside, Zizi asked, "...Why didn't you tell them about…"

A dull pain clenched her heart. 

"...her. Why not?"

Yunru remained quiet. "I cannot tell Dad about her until I talk about this to her. As you know...our feelings aren't mutual. I cannot just bring her name in front of him. Dad will definitely take it seriously and I… don't know how to explain my situation to him."

Zizi lowered her head. "I see…"

There was a beat of silence. He looked at her. Now that he knew that she liked him, he didn't know what to say. It felt as if there was a wall separating them.

He gently held her shoulders. "Princess, thank you for everything."

Today, the respect he had for Zizi had increased a thousand folds. He commended her bravery in confessing her feelings. Confession is a daunting task for anybody. It is scary. Admitting that you have feelings for someone is the most difficult part of falling in love especially when one knows that it is one-sided.

He was in a similar situation as her. He liked Shuang but she loved Xiaosi. That's why he never got the courage. But seeing how Zizi laid everything out to him, it gave him strength too. If Zizi could do it, then why couldn't he?

After seven years of staying together, there might be really a chance that Shuang would accept his love. It wasn't impossible and now he wanted to take that chance.

Zizi curled her fingers in her fist and lifted her gaze. She slowly parted her lips. "Good luck."

Yunru stared at her, taken aback.

She smiled. "Why are you so shocked? It is weird coming from me, right? But I just…want to see you happy. I will really feel jealous of her if you two get together, but in the end, your happiness is what matters to me. So I hope that she... accepts your confession."

Her eyes brimmed in tears. "She is a really lucky woman…"

Yunru genuinely felt touched by her words. It wasn't easy to say that, and he could see it in her eyes.

"If you don't mind then…can we still be friends?" She asked, feeling nervous.

Yunru smiled. "It will be my honor, Princess."

She tremblingly nodded.

"Also…" a tear slid down her cheek, "C-can I hug you? You rejected my love, but a hug should be fine!"

Yunru burst into laughter but his eyes were just as wet as hers. "You don't need to ask, Princess."

He gently pulled her into his embrace and wrapped his arms around her back. Her lips trembled and as she clutched onto him, her tears stained his shirt. She quietly sobbed, feeling this warmth for the last time. As his hand patted her head, she felt a sense of loss washing over her.

They quietly hugged like that for some time in silence before they slowly parted away.

She whispered, "About the engagement…"

"I will take care of it. You don't worry."

She paused and nodded.

---

At Zhu villa in his room, Xiaosi was heavily puffing breathlessly as he got another attack. A sharp pain shot in his head that felt as if a truck ran over him. Sweat trickled down his forehead and he ran into the bathroom.

He switched on the tap and splashed the cold water on his face over and over again. He supported himself by holding onto the marble platform and stared at the mirror. He saw his own pale face reflected in it.

"Tomorrow…tomorrow I will have my revenge," he clenched his palms. His deep gaze had a hint of a storm brewing in it.

"It started seven years back on the graduation party night."

Xiaosi squinted his eyes. The pain felt nothing in comparison to the desire for revenge burning his heart.

"I will end it in tomorrow's reunion gathering."

---

Shuang was gazing at the night sky from her balcony. Her mind was devoid of any thoughts as she blankly stared at the stars. After a long time, she picked her phone and dialed a number.

"Shuang."

She silently took a deep breath. "Yunru, tomorrow is the reunion gathering. I want to talk to you about something important."

From the other end, there was a pause, "...En. Shuang, I want to talk to you too. It's also important. I will be there."

"Hm."

---

In Chyou's room, Caihong put her to sleep when her phone buzzed. It was her father, An Guoting.

"Dad," she whispered.

An Guoting slowly said, "I want to talk to you."

"Yeah. Go ahead," she stepped out of the room.

"Caihong. I am thinking that it is time that you should divorce Xiaosi now."

Caihong froze.

"I understand you must be shocked. I forced you to marry him years back and now I am only telling you to...But I cannot see you like this anymore," his voice sounded weak and distressed, "I cannot see you suffering like this. I will deal with Xiaosi no matter how much he threatens me. Just leave him and come to live with me here."

She blankly stared ahead, feeling empty. 

"It must be difficult that I suddenly threw this upon you. But just think about it, okay? I have been a terrible father who dumped you to the man who... I am really sorry. But please give me one chance to make things right for you. Please think about it. I will wait for your call."

He hung up, leaving Caihong in a stupor. She felt her brain stop functioning.

Divorce Xiaosi…?

---

Late at night, Zhiyuan slowly stepped into the room and saw that Xinyi and Siying were already sleeping. He faintly smiled as he stared at them for a few moments. Without disturbing them, he slowly climbed on the bed and pulled the duvet.

He turned and gazed at Xinyi.

I won't let you go Xinyi. Tomorrow, I will confess to you no matter what. Whatever it is, I won't give up on my love.

As he shut his eyes and it became silent, Xinyi's eyelids fluttered open and she stared at Zhiyuan. She slowly raised her hand wanting to touch him, but she stopped midway.

Zhiyuan…

The pain in his eyes that she saw after her rejection made her heart ache. The memory pricked her that brought tears to her eyes.

She knew she had to talk to him, and she decided to do it tomorrow at the reunion gathering.

****

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