Because I Cannot Hurt You

The sun rose in the sky leaving the dark night in the past for everybody. It was a turbulent night for all. Truths were revealed and trust was shattered. Tears were shed but everybody was now slowly taking one step at a time. Fear and uncertainty clutched their hearts, but they were still standing strong.

Inside a certain ward, a man's eyelashes slightly trembled as his consciousness began to awaken him.

Xiaosi slowly opened his eyes. At first, everything was hazy in front of him. It was white and blurry. He blinked his eyes a few times and his surroundings gradually cleared up.

A white ceiling, white walls and the faint sound of something beeping.

He was confused and bewildered for a while. He didn't understand how he was here. He couldn't make sense of what was happening around him.

As Xiaosi slightly shifted and moved his hand, he suddenly felt a weight on it that restricted him from lifting it. His brow knitted together and he lowered his head.

His eyes blinked at the figure of a woman who was asleep. She had rested her cheek on his hand and seemed to be in sleep. He could hear the sound of her even breathing. A lock of her hair that fell upon her face obstructed his view.

Xiaosi stared at her. With his other hand, he slowly lifted the lock of her hair and pushed it behind her ear.

As Caihong's beautiful face came to his clear view, he felt his heart skip several beats. He couldn't tear his gaze off her. He felt his breath stuck in his throat. He felt blood rush to his cheeks. He didn't understand why he was feeling such sensations. In a trance, he remained unmoved and silently watched her.

Caihong was sleeping on his hand and her fingers had lightly clutched onto his wrist. Xiaosi tilted his head. Ever so slowly, he moved his hand from under her cheek without disturbing her. Strangely, he felt an urge to touch her.

With his heart loudly pounding in his chest, the tips of his fingers softly brushed along her cheek. As he did, he felt mesmerized by her. 

Caihong, who was asleep, felt some tickling sensation on her face. She thought that she was dreaming, but it only became all real that broke her sleep.

"H-Huh…?"

Xiaosi froze.

Caihong opened her eyes as she raised her head. Her gaze met Xiaosi's who was staring back at her. 

She stiffened and then sharply gasped, seeing him awake. Even though she knew that he would regain his consciousness the next day, she still sat beside him in the hope to see him awake sooner by some chance. But then she fell asleep. 

"Xi-Xiaosi…Xiaosi!"

She sprung up to her feet. "Y-You are awake. You are finally awake…" A tear dropped on his hand as she whispered, "I was waiting for you. Y-you are finally here now."

She hastily wiped her eyes and said, "W-wait! I will call the doctor! Just wait for me…"

She rushed outside. Everybody was startled to see her in a hurry. Ah Cy asked, "Caihong, what happened? Why are you in a rush?"

"Ah Cy! Xiaosi...he-he woke up."

"Really!?" Liang exclaimed. Relief washed over everybody. "Wait, I will call the doctor!"

"Quickly!"

Zizi eagerly hugged Caihong and said, "Ah I am so happy! Don't worry. He will be fine in no time."

Xinyi jumped in to hug her too. "Yes, Caihong."

The doctor along with the nurse quickly stepped into the ward. Caihong and the others also followed him. Xinyi, who entered last, saw Zhiyuan in a corner. On the outside, he seemed alright to everyone. But only she knew that something was weighing on his mind.

After he left last night, he returned a few hours later in the dead of the night. But ever since, Zhiyuan hadn't talked to her. Xinyi wanted to approach him and know what was the meaning of their last conversation, but she couldn't do so. That bad feeling only intensified in her heart seeing him so distant.

On the other side, Zhiyuan could see Xinyi glancing at his side. He knew she must be confused and worried by his sudden change in behavior. 

He balled his fingers into a fist and shut his eyes. He was the cause of everything that pushed her into despair. He killed her feelings the moment he took Caihong's name and his one action forced her to decide to abort too.

He had hurt her and he had also put his son's life in danger. How was he supposed to face her? 

He smiled at Xiaosi. "Hello. I am Dr. Cheng. Glad that you are conscious now. How are you feeling?"

Xiaosi shot a strange glance at everyone. It settled on Caihong who was anxiously looking at him. A trace of confusion marred on his face.

"...I am fine," he paused, "How am I here? And...who are these people?"

Caihong stiffened.

There was a beat of silence in the air as everyone exchanged glances.

Did he really...

Dr. Cheng said, "They are your friends."

His brows knitted. "Friends? But I don't know them."

Caihong bit her lip.

Dr. Cheng had a grim expression on his face. "Tell me, what do you remember?"

Xiaosi blinked his eyes and then a few moments later, he slowly widened them. "I…"

The bewilderment was evident as he seemed to realize something. "I don't remember anything...M-my name...what is it?"

Xiaosi panicked. When the doctor asked him that question, he realized that he was blank. Nothing came to his mind. There were no memories of anything. No people, no family - nothing.

Not even about himself. He thought hard and tried his best but he couldn't even remember his name.

"Xi-Xiaosi…" Caihong slowly stepped forward. Her voice faltered in uneasiness. 

He heard a soft voice and his gaze shifted to the woman who was sleeping by his side. She was the same woman who made his heart drum with a strange feeling.

He stared at her and his lips parted. "Who are you?"