Because I Cannot Hurt You

The cake-cutting ceremony concluded without a hitch. Though separately, Han Tian and Xia Liqin hugged Siying and showered him with lots of gifts. It was after years that they got the chance to be a part of his birthday party. There were tears in their eyes as Siying kissed their cheeks.

Zizi watched them with slight interest but then looked away. 

"Weren't so emotional during bro and my birthdays…" she mumbled to herself.

Soo Enlai, who faintly caught her words, gently smiled at her. "Still mad at them, right?"

Zizi coughed in embarrassment.

Oops, he heard…

"I understand, dear. You don't have to feel awkward. Even though they are trying to make up for their mistakes, it doesn't erase the past that hurt you."

Her eyes stung in tears. She always wanted to have normal birthday parties like other kids her age. But Han Tian and Xia Liqin's fights made it impossible to ever have a peaceful atmosphere at home.

Soo Enlai patted her head. "You don't have to force yourself to accept them. Take your time."

Zizi beamed and nodded. "Thank you, Uncle."

He pursed his lips. "You can call me Dad. We are already a family now. Uncle feels distant now…"

Zizi blushed. But her chest felt warm by his words.

"Why didn't Yunru and I exchange births?" She whined. "Why weren't you my Dad?"

"Hahaha!" He burst into hearty laughter. "It's actually good this way, dear. Had you been my daughter, then I would have to bid you goodbye from our home when you get married to Yunru," he grinned, "But now you will be stepping into our home. There will be no goodbyes. That's an option I prefer, you know."

He sighed. "It was difficult to let go of Xinyi when she married Zhiyuan."

Zizi chuckled. "You have a point."

He nodded and whispered. "Indeed. Now, we will bully Yunru together."

Her eyes sparkled in delight. "Yes!"

Yunru, who caught his words, grimaced, and his mouth twitched. "Dad. Don't teach her useless things. And Princess. Don't just agree and go along with him."

Soo Enlai glared at him. "What place do you have in a private conversation between a father and his daughter-in-law? Is this how I raised you? To snoop in an important talk? Shoo!"

"..."

Your voice was just now so polite and kind. What did I do to make it furious? 

Yunru could only grumble and go back to his dear nephew's side to cry and find solace in his hug.

"Uncle, why cry?" Siying pouted. With the birthday hat on top of his head, he looked like an angel.

"Dad and Princess are ganging up together…" he pitifully said.

Siying ruffled his hair with his small fingers and declared. "Uncle, Siying will always be by your side! Siying and Uncle together!"

Aiyaaa, my nephew is so adorable!

He hugged him hard and emotionally said, "Aish, you are just like sis. Siying is the best!"

On the other side, Soo Enlai harrumphed. "Idiot son," but his gaze softened a bit.

He glanced at Zizi and asked. "Zizi. Did you…"

"Yes?" She questioningly tilted her head.

He clasped his hands together. "You know? Yunru spends quite a lot of time with me these days. Precisely, since he returned from his trip to Shanghai. He gets home early from his work, and we even get time to have dinner and catch a movie together."

Zizi brightened. "Oh, oh! Isn't that great?"

He curiously asked, "Did something happen on the trip? Yunru never used to get so much time before. You were with him, so I thought to ask you. I asked him, but he just avoids me."

Zizi rolled her eyes. "That idiot. What is there to hide in it?"

"So, you know?" His curiosity increased.

"Yes. I just straightened a few things at the conference concerning all the officers."

She explained in short about her glorious speech. Soo Enlai stared at her, dumbfounded.

"Y-You did that?"

"Of course. How can I let Yunru work in such unfavorable conditions? He always wanted to spend time with you, but his duty made it impossible. I just knocked sense into all that there is a family too, not just duty all the time."

His gaze teared up, and a smile on his lips lit amongst it. Zizi widened her eyes. "Don't cry. It's all fine now."

"You...how can I thank you?" 

Zizi held his hands in hers. "By promising me that you won't keep such things in your heart. I know you missed him, but you never told him."

He bit his lip. "I didn't want to bother him and his work…"

"You are his father! You have painstakingly raised him, especially without his mother. You will never be a bother to him. He doesn't think that way either, or I wouldn't accept such a man as my husband. In fact, you should have beaten him up for staying all night long in the station and ignoring his health and family time," she fumed.

"Y-You are right…" he lowered his head.

She harrumphed. "I don't understand. Why do parents feel so intimidated when their children grow up? Why do they feel that they will be a bother to them? You shouldn't think that way, Unc-...Dad…"

Soo Enlai beamed. "You called me Dad."

She blushed.

"En. You have worked hard to raise your twins. You have the right to demand their time," she chuckled.

Soo Enlai seriously nodded. "I-I won't hesitate anymore then…"

"That's what I expect!" She furiously patted his shoulder in happiness.

Yunru, who was watching them from the sidelines, couldn't help but shudder.

What is this duo plotting against me? So evil!

---

As the party was about to wrap up, Xia Liqin quickly walked up to Shuang's side. Shuang smiled. "Aunt Xia."

She smiled. "Shuang," then she seemed a little anxious, "C-Can I ask you a favor?"

"Sure."

Jack Si curiously raised his brow.

Xia Liqin brought out a gift box and handed it to her. "Can you... please give this to Guoting?"

Shuang slowly took the box as she thoughtfully stared at her. "Do you personally know Dad?"

She stiffened.

Instead of answering her question, she weakly smiled and said, "Wish him a happy birthday from my side."

She turned and walked away.