Because I Cannot Hurt You

The situation somehow calmed down after a while when Xinyi and Zhiyuan finally intervened.

She smiled. "I wanted to introduce them to you all. They are the Liu family. Remember how Siying had lost a few months back? At that time, Jun and the Liu family helped us."

Ah Cy said in realization. "Oh yeah, I remember. Liang and I had stayed back to take care of Grandpa."

Han Huizhong, who had just crossed them, couldn't help but dryly look at them. "Who the hell needed your help in taking care of me? I was just fine, pharma boy."

Liang's brow twitched.

Soo Enlai, who was enjoying his time with his cute grandson, chimed in. "Now, now. Don't be like that. You were so pale after Siying had disappeared."

"Soo Enlai! Who the hell was pale? Are you underestimating me?"

He sighed.

Liang carefully studied Jian. "Well, of course, who doesn't know about the Liu family? It is really nice to meet you."

Jinhai gave a perfunctory nod while Nana greeted them with a warm smile.

"But I would still like you to warn your son to stay away from my Leina!"

Ah Cy glared at him. "Liang! Didn't we just sort everything out?"

"Hey, my daughter was pushed down and hurt!"

Leina nodded. "En!"

Jian gritted his teeth. "I was walking just fine. It's not my fault if she cannot look ahead and carry herself in the dress at the same time!"

Jun clicked his tongue. "Tsk. Tsk. You will never get a girlfriend like this if you treat girls like that."

"I don't want a girlfriend like that who snatches my precious food away!" Jian's gaze darkened.

Nian gravely nodded. "It's a painful thing to watch your meat go."

Liang was horrified. "How dare they talk about making my daughter their girlfriend!?"

Caihong choked. "You are not listening to the conversation!"

Nana felt a headache coming. Jinhai, who couldn't see his wife in pain, quietly said, "Enough."

Liang snorted. "The point is to tell your boys to stay away from my daughter."

Zhiyuan couldn't agree more. "Of course. One of them even targets my unborn daughter."

Jun tilted his head. "Why do I sense hostility from your tone, future father-in-law?"

Zizi coughed hard.

Future father-in-law?

Zhiyuan had an urge to throw him out of this party.

Han Huizhong raised his brow and sharply studied the young boy. "Hooo. Why do you have interest in my yet-to-be-born great granddaughter?"

"Of course, it's a given. Who wouldn't want a wife like Aunt Xinyi? Warm, sweet, gentle, and beautiful," he nodded.

Xinyi touched her chin, feeling embarrassed.

Zhiyuan's gaze darkened.

The hell you are flirting with my wife!

Han Huizhong laughed. "Well, you got good eyes, but don't think we will just hand her over to you."

Jun smiled. "I will take on that challenge anytime."

He smirked. He glanced at Jinhai. "Liu Jinhai. Nice to meet you after a long time."

"Same here."

"What is Liu Hai doing these days?"

"Enjoying with Mom."

He sneered. "Tell me something new. His whole tenure as the Liu Corps CEO felt like a honeymoon period to me."

"I cannot deny that."

As the adults were busy talking, the children were having their own serious conversation, especially Jian and Leina, between whom lightning seemed to crackle.

Chyou stepped in between and made some distance between them. Being the eldest of all, she said in a responsible tone. "No fighting anymore. So don't look like that."

Siying pursed his lips. "En. It's my birthday. So everybody be happy!"

Nuo hopped up and down. "Happy, happy!"

Baby Jin clapped his hands too as if giving his approval. "Baaaaaaa!"

Nian furiously patted his brother's back. "Cheer up, bro! Aunt Xinyi said that we would get a lot of skewers! So forget about the lost meat."

Jian grumbled. "I guess so…"

But the invisible tension between Jian and Leina still remained.

Ah Cy felt tired. "Phew. Everything is sorted out. Hey, I remember now that I think about it…"

She looked at Caihong. "Isn't Uncle An's birthday today as well?"

Liang scratched his chin. "Oh yeah. Siying and his birthday fall on the same day."

Caihong and Xiaosi nodded. She smiled. "Yup."

Ah Cy sighed. "Does he still refuse to hold his birthday banquet?"

Caihong lowered her gaze. "Yes...I don't know why."

"But don't worry. We already wished him before coming here," Shuang's voice echoed from behind them.

They turned and saw her coming along with Jack Si.

"Sorry, we are late," she sighed, "I hope we aren't too late for the cake cutting ceremony."

"Nah, you are just in time…" Liang curiously glanced between her and Jack Si. "You two came together?"

Jack Si smiled with his beautiful bluish-grey orbs twinkling in delight. "Well, she asked if I wanted to eat some cake, and I said, why not? Who can ever deny cake? And so we are here."

Shuang said, "It's my thanks for giving me a ride in your car last time."

"You didn't have to, but I appreciate it," he winked.

She shrugged.

"So, as I was saying, you don't have to worry about Dad. We already wished him and smothered him with gifts before coming here. He must be still crying, feeling emotional over Chyou's drawing gift."

Xiaosi laughed. "Yup. He was so cute when he burst into tears like that."

Caihong shook her head. "It's like he becomes a child whenever Chyou is around."

Jack Si smiled. "Well, I can understand. Grandfathers are like that, especially to their granddaughters, more than their grandsons."

Suddenly, Shuang's gaze fell on Xia Liqin, who seemed to walk past them. Her shoulders were tense, and she was tightly holding a gift box in her hand. Her fingers clutched it as if she was thinking hard about something.

She narrowed her eyes.

Did she hear us talking about Dad?

---

Back in her room, Xia Liqin placed the gift box on the table and slowly sat on the bed. Her gaze dimmed as she thought about An Guoting.

The door opened, and she heard a voice filled with anger and disdain.

"I guess that gift must be for your good friend, An Guoting, isn't it?"

She stiffened and looked up to see Han Tian staring back at her, his gaze glinting in indignance and contempt.