Because I Cannot Hurt You

Zhiyuan shook his head. "It's not your fault, Xinyi. Stop blaming yourself for doing nothing. Instead of drowning in despair over Caihong's loss, I should have moved forward and-"

"It's not easy, Zhiyuan," Xinyi sadly smiled. "I said, right? Had I been in your place, I wouldn't have been able to give up on you either. It's the same with Shuang, who couldn't move past her feelings from Xiaosi even though Yunru was right beside her for all these years. Zizi is there with him now, but I can see that he has been hesitating too. Sometimes love makes us strong, but sometimes...it also makes us helpless that keeps on binding us in the past. And I did nothing to break that connection."

Zhiyuan pursed his lips and seemed to be frustrated. "No matter what you say, it seems ridiculous to me. If you accuse yourself one more time, then I would stop talking to you!"

She looked at him, surprised and then burst into a soft chuckle. "But isn't it me who is giving you the cold shoulder?"

He harrumphed. "Tables seem to be turned now. If you don't stop this, then I won't forgive you," he glared at her.

Her gaze softened.

"It's not like that, Zhiyuan. I am just thinking about it from all perspectives. There are some mistakes that you made, but those happened because I couldn't get it together. I felt hurt, but I couldn't get angry with you because I knew that somewhere or other, I had failed too."

He gritted his teeth. "Didn't you handle the company when I was unable to? Stop saying that you failed. You had always been the best wife who supported me in my tough times. Don't be so hard on yourself."

Xinyi blinked her eyes. "Company matters are different. I did my best there, but…" she lowered her head, "I cannot run away from the truth that I should have been proactive like Zizi when it came to our marriage. When somebody has difficulty in moving on, which it always happens when you lose your love, it's the partner's responsibility to push you through that difficult phase. We only get this life once, and we have limited time. So we should do everything we can that makes us happy. But I never fought for my happiness with you. I should have taken the chance to make the man I love notice me. But I couldn't. That was my weakness."

Zhiyuan pressed his brows. "You…"

Xinyi quickly raised her palm. "Don't try to convince me otherwise, Zhiyuan. You feel that way because you are guilt-ridden over that night. But trust me. I am thinking about this very objectively."

"Hmph. We are not going to get anywhere with this."

Xinyi seriously nodded.

"..."

Zhiyuan squished her cheeks. "You shouldn't nod your head!"

"But you are right. We will just be on an endless loop if we argue about this."

He sighed. "Anyway. Today is Siying's birthday, so we shouldn't fight like this."

Xinyi pouted. "You brought up the topic, though."

"..."

"You are right. My mistake. I just wanted to thank you for Siying's birth, but the conversation…"

"It's alright. It was bound to happen one day," her eyes lit up with joy, "And honestly, you shouldn't thank me for it. It was someone else who made me realize the mistake I was going to make…Hehe, and I have invited them to Siying's birthday party tonight."

Zhiyuan raised his brow. Then his gaze darkened in dismay.

"Can we not invite two particular people to the party?"

"No. Whatever problem you have with them, keep that to yourself," Xinyi narrowed her eyes.

Damn it!

---

"Siying!!!"

The twins, Jian and Nian, jumped onto Siying, who was sincerely trying to tie his party hat.

The trio collapsed on the floor with Jian and Nian crushing on top of Siying's back. Siying looked back, and his gaze brightened.

"Bro Jian! Bro Nian!"

They squeezed him hard until he had no place to move. "Happy Birthday, Siying!" 

Siying cheekily smiled. "Thank you!"

Jian put his hands on his waist and said with a solemn expression. "This brother blesses you that you will never be caught and punished by your Mama while secretly eating chocolates."

Nian raised his hand as if he was a great wise sage. "This brother blesses you with good luck that your teacher never calls your Mama for a parent meeting when you make mischief at school."

Siying blinked his eyes, and half of the things flew over his head.

"Mama and Dada said that I am four now! I am a big boy now!" He proudly said.

The twins grimaced. "You just ignored our great blessings! You have no idea how useful they will be for you."

Siying pouted. "But I never secretly eat chocolates. I always ask Mama. I never do any mis-mis... mischief at school too!"

The twins were flabbergasted. Then they sadly held his shoulders with pity in their eyes. "Siying. Are you sure you are living your life to the fullest?"

He blinked his eyes. "I don't understand…"

"Siying!"

From the corner of his eye, he saw little Nuo trudging and trotting to his side. He beamed. "Nuo!"

"Happy Birthday, Siying!"

She was about to hug him when she was promptly pulled back. The atmosphere had suddenly turned colder, but the kids didn't understand it except for the twins.

Nuo frowned and turned. She pursed her lips and asked, "Dada. Why do you pull back?"

The CEO of Liu Corps gave an extremely gentle smile which was anything but gentle inwardly.

The twins exchanged understanding glances.

We should get out of here.

They moved, but their father's chilling voice froze them in their steps. "Move an inch and be ready for the consequences."

They shuddered.

Jinhai's attention went back to his adorable daughter. "You were running too fast. I was worried that you might trip, dear."

The twins were horrified and accusingly looked at their father.

Scam! This is a scam! Please don't fall for it, Nuo!