Because I Cannot Hurt You

An Shuang collapsed on her bed as soon as she reached her room. The back-to-back meetings today had completely exhausted her.

An Meiying entered her room and sighed.

"This is not any way an elegant lady from a rich family like ours should behave, Shuang."

Shuang pressed her head. "Mom. Please. My head is gonna explode any moment now so don't start with the etiquettes."

An Meiying said, "That's why I have said a number of times to join your father's company. You could have led such an easy life. But what did you choose?"

She snorted. "A small game developing company which is nowhere near the An Corps."

There she goes again...

"Mom. You do realize that I would have had to work in the An Corps too, right?"

"My foolish daughter. There is a difference in between doing all the work yourself and making the ones under you do it."

Shuang rolled her eyes. "That's not how I wanted it and you know it. Anyway, you can nag me about my career choices later. Why are you here?"

An Meiying glared at her. "You are my daughter! Can I not come to meet you?"

"You only remember me when you want to take me to high-class parties or plot against Caihong to ruin her even though I am not interested in it. Otherwise, you are pretty much busy shopping and socializing. So, which is it?"

An Meiying was exasperated. "How did my own daughter turn out to be like this? We should be lucky that An Guoting is my husband and your step-father. You should do everything to gain his favor and the only method is by pulling Caihong down."

Shuang glared at her. "Mom. I am already tired. Come to the point already."

"Fine. I want you to go on a cruise trip hosted by the Mu Constructions next week. An Guoting can arrange an invitation for you."

"What? Why? Who are Mu Constructions?"

"Idiot! This is what happens when you stick your head into the games all day! Just know that it is a big and rich company like ours."

Shuang frowned. "Why should I go on that trip? Please don't say it's a high-class party again. I am really not interested. Goodnight."

An Meiying smiled. "Heh. It's because Xiaosi and Caihong are going there too."

She paused. "They are back?"

An Meiying was frustrated. "Since many days already! What are you doing?"

"I see. So?"

"So there are two reasons I want you to go. First because of Caihong and second that Zhiyuan will also be there."

Shuang grimaced. "Oh come on! Please don't tell me that you want me to impress Zhiyuan on that trip!"

An Meiying glared at her. "Of course I do! You don't understand. That nasty Guang. She will definitely try to nudge Caihong and Zhiyuan to get together. Like hell, I would let them get back after she is gone from his life!"

Shuang was in a stupor for a moment. Her gaze seemed far away as she remembered a certain day.

She looked back at her mother. "You know in what circumstances she had to leave him."

An Meiying snorted. "So? The end result is what matters. That Guang favors Caihong because she is Guoting's biological daughter. That witch won't let this chance slip by."

Shuang lazily yawned. "You know. You two oldies really got to mind your own business. And FYI if you have forgotten, Zhiyuan is married to Xinyi and Caihong is married to Xiaosi. Do you understand its meaning or should I spell it out for you? For God's sake, they have children and you are still on about it."

She glowered. "Don't talk to me like that! I am only doing this for your own future. Only getting into the Han family will secure that for you."

Then she snickered. "And married? That is a joke. Zhiyuan doesn't love Xinyi. Everybody knows that. You just need to win over him and his son and Xinyi would be out."

Shuang was about to say something, but An Meiying raised her hand.

She narrowed her eyes. "Also, you have to make sure that Caihong doesn't get closer to Zhiyuan and seduce him. Do anything that will embarrass her in front of everyone."

Shuang was disgusted. "Mom. This is not some cliche drama going on. Step-mother and step-sister plot against the biological sister and ruin her."

"You…"

"Please. I have got my own life. Neither do I want it to revolve around destroying Caihong nor impressing Zhiyuan. So my final answer is no. Goodnight."

An Meiying wanted to bang her head against a wall.

"Why? Your only goal should be to get together with Zhiyuan. Your life is set once you become Madam Han. You will achieve what Caihong could never do! Do you know how much that would just be like pouring salt over her wound?"

She shrugged. "I am not as obsessed with her as you. And Madam Han's position is not that lucrative enough for me. Keep me out of it."

"An Shuang! I tell you that you must go on the trip!"

"Good luck with that. Now leave. I am tired."

She practically pushed her out of her room.

An Meiying stomped her foot.

"I will make you go on the cruise trip by any means!"

Shuang rolled her eyes.

An Meiying mumbled angrily. "What useless daughter! This is a golden chance. One arrow, two targets. I cannot let her ruin it!"

She forced herself to calm down.

"You just want a reason to go on that trip that would convince you, right?" She smirked. "Then just wait. I will give you one."