Because I Cannot Hurt You

"What is going on here?" A cold voice came from their back and everybody saw Han Huizhong staring at them with a frosty expression. Zizi stiffened and looked away.

His gaze fell upon his son and daughter-in-law and his eyes ever so slowly widened upon seeing them. "You two. How come my ex-son and ex-daughter-in-law got the time to come back?"

They froze.

Xia Liqin got up and faintly smiled. "D-Dad…"

"It's Mr. Han for you and your ex-husband," He narrowed his eyes. "Ever since I threw you out of this house, there is no relationship between us for you two to call me Dad."

She grimaced. As always, he had a sharp tongue. She had already prepared herself for all his insults.

The atmosphere turned a little stagnant with nobody wanting to say anything further. Xinyi glanced at all and pursed her lips.

She said, "Mom, Dad. You two must be so tired. Why don't you freshen up? Today, I will prepare dinner for all."

Zizi sneered. "If these two and...Grandpa will be there, then no thanks. I will rather remain hungry than eat with a bunch of people who have only hurt their family."

She stormed off in anger without looking back. 

"Zizi!" Zhiyuan tried to stop her, but she was already gone.

Han Huizhong smiled. "My dear granddaughter-in-law. Why do you think there is any need for us to have family dinner with them?"

"Grandpa, Mom and Dad are part of this family too," she indignantly said.

"They 'were' a part of this family, not anymore. I don't recognize someone who fights like cats and dogs in the family."

Han Tian clenched his fist. "Dad…your health. I came to know about your attack."

"Is that any of your concern?"

He gritted his teeth. "Even if you don't consider me as your son, you will always be my father. I care about you."

Xia Liqin didn't want to admit it, but she had the same thoughts as him. "Yes, Dad."

Han Huizhong chuckled. "And two adults like you couldn't care about your own kids, right? There is no need to shower me with your pathetic love."

Xinyi sighed.

Everyone finally gathered at the dinner table much to Xinyi's insistence. Xia Liqin and Han Tian had returned after so long, and she didn't want them to have a lonely dinner.

There was an awkward silence.

Xinyi glanced at everyone, but nobody was ready to talk. She bit her lip and cleared her throat.

"Mom, I heard that Xia Fashion bagged a cooperation contract with the fashion designer, Julien, right?"

She paused in surprise and looked up at her. "You... know about it?"

She beamed. "En! Zhiyuan told me about it."

At that, he choked hard. It was true that he told Xinyi about the news sometime before, but he didn't want to let Xia Liqin know that he was keeping tabs on her business.

Xia Liqin stiffened. "O-Oh…" she peeked at Zhiyuan who didn't meet her gaze.

She softly smiled. To think that her son was still interested in her life after how she and Han Tian ruined theirs…

"Yes, indeed. Julien is a talented designer. I am glad this worked out."

Han Tian wryly smiled and looked away.

Xinyi nodded hard. "En. All the best," she looked at Han Tian and smiled. "Dad, I heard about the art exhibition too. Your painting won the best award, didn't it? Congratulations! Zhiyuan showed me the video of you accepting your prize!"

"*Cough cough*" Zhiyuan wanted to cry but lacked tears to shed.

Xinyi!

Han Tian was taken aback but couldn't help but feel a little happy about it. He didn't expect that Zhiyuan would bother about his life anymore. "I-It's really nothing…"

"How is it nothing? Your fan following just increased by twofold haha," she brightened.

He smiled in embarrassment.

Xia Liqin narrowed her eyes and gave a dry smile. But she kept her silence.

Han Huizhong smiled at them. "Wow. Such great achievements."

Xinyi was surprised by the sudden compliment he gave. 

"That you got by stepping on to your children's happy childhood. Congratulations, indeed," he sneered.

Silence.

It suddenly became too awkward.

Siying, who was unaware of the internal problems, was the only one happy among all.

"Grandma, Grandpa, thank you for the gifts!" He beamed. "I will show them to Leina and Chyou and play with them!" His cheery voice made the gloomy atmosphere more pleasant.

Han Tian and Xia Liqin were surprised, but then their gaze warmed up. 

Han Tian smiled. "I am glad that you liked it."

"Grandma will bring more gifts for you," Xia Liqin nodded.

Xinyi quickly said, "Mom, Dad. It's alright. Siying will get spoiled if you bring him too many toys."

Siying's chubby cheeks puffed up. "I am a good boy! I will not spoil!" His small lips heavily pouted.

She chuckled.

Han Huizhong narrowed his eyes. "How the hell does Siying know about them anyway? I am sure I never mentioned these two strangers to him and neither would Zhiyuan and Zizi bother to tell him either."

They grimaced.

Xinyi coughed and looked away. Han Huizhong gritted his teeth in annoyance. "Useless…" he muttered. His cold gaze fell on them and he said, "And what do you two want to achieve by bringing gifts for him? Make up for the time lost with Zhiyuan and Zizi?"

Han Tian and Xia Liqin widened their eyes. Han Tian quickly said, "No, Dad. I just-"

"You just what? Are you thinking that by doing this, you will compensate for the time or are you trying to look for your children in Siying?" He sneered. "Ooohhhh I know! You are imagining as if you got another chance at raising your kids through your grandson! Hahaha!"

Xia Liqin tried to intervene. "Dad, it's not like that."

"Shut up!" He banged his fist on the table that brought upon silence.

Siying jolted in fear. "Grandpa angry?"

Zhiyuan pressed his brows as he shot a glare at Han Huizhong. "Take him inside, Xinyi."