Because I Cannot Hurt You

He nodded. "Yes, sir."

Han Huizhong slowly leaned back in his chair. It felt as if everything moved in slow motion. "I see…"

He blankly stared at the empty space ahead. 

Why are you shocked, Huizhong? He inwardly mocked himself. Isn't this what you wanted? 

I wanted them to have a baby as soon as possible because I was sick of their marriage that stood at a standstill. I thought that if they had a baby together, his or her birth would definitely bring them closer. I would finally see them happy that I always wished for. He would finally forget Caihong and focus on Xinyi and his family.

Isn't that why I tricked Zhiyuan to get drunk that night and let them…

He tightly clutched onto his stick. The nerves on the back of his hand became visible as anger surged inside him. 

"When did Xinyi know about this?" He quietly asked.

"It has been seven days now," the assistant promptly said. "She visited the hospital for a checkup."

He slightly widened his eyes in surprise.

A week and she didn't tell anybody about it…

In normal circumstances, she would have shared this good news as soon as she got her report. She should have already informed the family about her pregnancy.

"There is more, right?"

The assistant hesitated. Han Huizhong noticed it. "Say it. Don't hide anything from me."

He softly let out a sad sigh. "She has booked an appointment for...abortion. It's two days later."

Han Huizhong froze. He trembled and for the first time, his assistant saw his gaze moist. 

"Sir…" he held his shoulders and said, "I know it's a difficult time but please... you have to be strong."

Han Huizhong took a deep breath and steadied himself. He was taken aback but then again...he could understand her reason too.

"My... great-grandchild…" he couldn't help but shiver again, "my first great-grandchild haha...but I...I am going to lose him."

The assistant quickly shook his head. "Sir, what are you saying? You can still stop this. The appointment is two days later. You can talk to Madam and convince her not to…"

Han Huizhong let out a self-deprecating laughter. "With what face do I stop her? What should I say when I ask her not to abort the child?"

The assistant was tongue-tied.

"Leave me alone for a while."

The assistant sighed and nodded.

My great-grandchild…

Han Huizhong always acted as if he never cared about emotions. But ever since Zhiyuan and Xinyi got married, he was secretly hoping and eagerly waiting for the little one to come into this world. 

But not under these circumstances.

He thought and thought about it a lot but couldn't come up with anything he must do. It was Xinyi's decision.

The next two days passed by in a flash. He wanted to stop her at times but he didn't want to either. His words were always at the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't say anything to her. He had no right to force her to keep the baby.

He sadly chuckled. "For how many things should I force her? I forced her to marry Zhiyuan and if not for me making Zhiyuan drunk, the night would have never happened. I forced that night upon her too."

Han Huizhong could have used any means to make her stop from aborting the child and Xinyi couldn't have resisted him.

But this time, he didn't. He didn't want to force her to accept yet another sadness. If the child was a burden on her, then he didn't wish for her to keep him. Yet at the same time, an inexplicable grief surged in his chest.

The child might have not conceived in ideal circumstances, but in the end, it was still his great-grandchild. How could it not pain him to see the loss?

When Xinyi left for the hospital, he asked his assistant to follow her. He had steeled himself to hear the unfortunate news at any moment.

He tremblingly picked his phone and asked, "Did she do it?"

"No, Old Master. She didn't go through the abortion."

He froze. He was in a daze for a long time. Then a soft smile bloomed on his lips.

"I see. Come back."

Han Huizhong collapsed on his seat. He realized how fast his heart was beating.

She didn't do it... Xinyi didn't do it…

My great-grandchild…

He didn't know what made Xinyi change her decision. But the happiness that engulfed him was immeasurable. Even after she returned home, Xinyi didn't seem depressed like before. 

She was smiling. She was cheerful. 

That made him realize that she had truly accepted her child with no regrets. Relief washed over him, and he was finally able to honestly feel happy too. 

He didn't know what saved the little child's life, but he was forever grateful to God for making Xinyi again happy like that.

*Present*

"Grandpa!"

Siying's voice broke his stupor.

"Huh?" Han Huizhong looked a little disoriented.

He pouted. "Grandpa don't listen to Siying!"

Leina and Chyou nodded too. They giggled. "Grandpa was a statue!"

Han Huizhong coughed. "Shut up you brats!"

When he looked back at the photo album, he faintly smiled seeing the picture again.

He looked at Siying and slowly placed his hand on his head. "Siying. I... want you to always remember one thing."

He questioningly looked at him and tilted his head.

"Your mother loves you a lot, okay? There was a time when things were not good...and it concerned you. Even if she hesitated for some time, she never hated you. She might have stumbled her way in between, but she always cared about you the most. In this world, nobody loves you more than her, and I mean it. So Siying. Love her too. A lot. Love her a lot. Be a good son. Become a good man that Xinyi will be proud of. Make her happy because she really deserves all of the happiness in this world."