Because I Cannot Hurt You

The sweet whisper of her name from his lips made Caihong take a silent but sharp breath. His intense gaze felt as if she was the only one that he could see in this world and no one else.

She didn't understand if she felt warm because of the heat radiating from the bathroom after his hot shower or Xiaosi's proximity that was leaning towards something more intimate.

"Mama!"

They froze. The voice of a certain dumpling snapped them out of their stupor.

Xiaosi and Caihong, both took a step back at once, their faces flushing red till their necks.

She stammered. "Y-Your towel…"

Xiaosi hastily nodded in a robotic manner. "So-sorry for pulling you in. It was an a-accident."

She quickly said, "It's okay," her sight once again fell on his chest and she immediately looked away.

"I will check what Chyou wants."

She turned and swiftly escaped the bathroom with all her might. Xiaosi stared at the door and shut his eyes, feeling like an idiot.

Damn!

He cursed himself and combed his fingers through his hair in frustration.

I am stupid. I am stupid. Yup, I am a certified stupid!

But as he thought about her in his embrace, a soft smile etched on his lips. He looked at his arm that had held her waist. It felt as if the softness and warmth of her body was still lingering on his hands.

"She is cute when she blushes…" he smiled.

Outside, Caihong finally breathed as if somebody had been holding her back until now. She covered her tomato red face with her hands.

What did I just…

Xiaosi was completely naked and for a moment, her gaze did fall on his brother and it's sight blew steam out of her ears. She even felt it pressing against her waist when Xiaosi had held her in his arms.

Caihong wished to bury a hole deep underground and never appear again. 

"Mama!"

Chyou trotted towards her and tugged her dress.

She coughed. "Y-Yes…?"

Caihong tried to smile as she looked down at her. Chyou tilted her head as she observed her mother. She curiously asked, "Why is Mama so red?"

Her mouth twitched and smile faltered. "Red? I am not. Oh! It's a little h-hot in the atmosphere so…"

Chyou's little brows furrowed deeply. "But Chyou is feeling cold."

"..."

The door opened and Xiaosi stepped out. Caihong straightened up in attention and so did him.

Xiaosi cleared his throat and smiled at his daughter."Chyou."

Chyou gasped. "Dada is red too!"

Mama and Dada stiffened.

"Why Mama Dada so red?" She pursed her lips. "Are Mama Dada hiding something from me? Mama Dada have fun behind me? You did not call me…."

Little Chyou felt as if she was betrayed. She thought that Caihong and Xiaosi played some games together to make them look so red. And she wasn't included in it.

Xiaosi said, "Of course not. We won't play without you."

"Then why are you red?"

"Um…"

Chyou pouted. "I will ask Uncle Jack! He will tell me!"

They choked and quickly stopped her. "No!"

Xiaosi said, "Haha, you don't need to ask him."

Of course he will understand what was going on! What if he says something inexplicable to my innocent daughter?

Caihong said, "Yes, yes. Don't go to him. Xiaosi and I were just... telling jokes." 

She said the first random thought that came to her mind. 

Xiaosi quickly supported her. "Yes! You know, right? If you laugh too much, it makes your face red. So we were competing to see whose joke was the best."

She nodded her head in agreement.

Chyou blinked her eyes, apparently unable to understand the need of such competition.

Caihong asked, "You came here for something, right? What is it?" She wanted to divert her mind from this topic now.

Chyou brightened. "I will sleep with Mama and Dada! I missed Mama and Dada," she pouted.

Xiaosi nodded. "Of course we will. Where is Uncle Jack?"

She giggled. "He fell asleep!"

"...Well let him sleep then in whatever position he is sleeping in."

Chyou climbed on the bed and hopped into the middle. Xiaosi and Caihong climbed on her either side. They were glad that Chyou would be sleeping with them tonight or the awkward encounter in the bathroom would have left them fidgety all night long had they been alone.

Chyou soon fell asleep after Caihong told her a story and then she felt drowsy as well after a tiring day. After so many nights spent in the hospital in worry and stress, she would finally have some decent sleep tonight.

Xiaosi stared at the mother-daughter pair who had the same expression and posture as they slept. He couldn't help but chuckle.

He kissed the top of Chyou's head. "Good night," he whispered.

Xiaosi peeked at Caihong and bit his lip. He leaned further towards her and gently pecked her forehead too.

"Good night."

He quickly turned back.

A peck should be alright, right? 

Even though he knew that they had been married for seven years, his memory loss made him hesitant to act too familiar and intimate with Caihong as a husband. So these simple gestures, too, made him wonder if it would make her uncomfortable.

In the bathroom though...Damn it, I am shameless!

Xiaosi shut his eyes and buried himself in the duvet. 

A few moments later, Caihong opened her eyes and dazedly touched her forehead. The touch of his lips still lingered on that spot where he kissed.

A smile couldn't help flutter on her lips seeing him burying himself inside the blanket. She was liking this side of his more and more now. He acted cold and distant all this time and even though he cared for her so much, he kept his feelings buried within him.

But now his true emotions were coming to the surface. He was now the Xiaosi in front of her who had been hiding for so long.

Caihong smiled and went back to sleep, thinking about the good days to come ahead.