Because I Cannot Hurt You

"Bye, bye Siying!" Nuo eagerly waved her hand. 

Siying showed equal enthusiasm as he flailed his hand. "Bye Nuo!"

Jinhai's gaze darkened.

Jian and Nian merrily chirped. "Mom! We will invite Siying to our birthday party too!"

Nuo was excited. "En! Call Siying!"

"No," Jinhai shot a dangerous glare towards them.

Nana beamed. "Of course. It is nothing to ask about."

"..."

Xinyi and Zhiyuan clearly saw the disdain in Jinhai's expression, and they couldn't help but silently chuckle.

Jun tugged at Xinyi's dress. "It is sad to part with you, future mother-in-law, but you and my future wife will always be in my thoughts."

Aiyaaa…

Xinyi felt as if a cupid struck her, but Zhiyuan nowhere felt emotional. 

This brat! When will he give up?

Jin also stared at her with his sparkled gaze as if he was saying that he won't forget Xinyi either. "Baaaaaa!" He squealed.

Jian and Leina's gazes met for a moment, but they immediately turned away, unable to bear each other.

Jun snorted. "That is why you will never get a girlfriend, big brother."

Jian's mouth twitched. "What do you mean?"

He cast a judgemental sneer at him and looked away. 

Zhiyuan gritted his teeth and finally exclaimed as they left. "I tell you we are never calling them again! Why is Liu Jun like that? How dares he eyes my daughter who, for God's sake, is yet-to-be-born!"

Instead of pitying him, everybody burst into laughter. Yunru said, "Come on, brother-in-law. Jun is a cute boy. I love his spirit."

He grimaced. 

Han Huizhong sneered. "You are just jealous that your daughter will like him more than you. So typical."

His mouth twitched.

"Xiaosi! Liang! At least you stand by my side, right?"

Xiaosi sheepishly scratched his chin.

Caihong rolled her eyes. "Don't be so over-dramatic, Zhiyuan. What's the problem with Jun anyway? Plus the Liu family is a good family too. Your daughter will be happy."

Liang sneered. "You deserve it, Han Zhiyuan! After how your son targeted my delicate Leina all the time, you deserve to be in my position!"

"It is not my problem if you consider everything as Siying flirting with her! He is too young to understand what that even means!" Zhiyuan glared at him. "Also, don't be so arrogant. Didn't you see Jian and Leina fighting?"

"Are your eyes rotten?" Liang gnashed his jaw, "What does that have to do with anything?"

He sneered. "Haven't you heard that those are quite likely to get together who bicker and argue the most."

He froze.

"If Jian and Leina continue to meet, even if they fight, who knows…"

"Han. Zhi. Yuan!"

Liang almost jumped at him for a fight, but Ah Cy reigned him back. "Liang!"

Xinyi pulled Zhiyuan back too. "Zhiyuan! What is wrong with you? Why are you fighting like kids?" She glared at him.

Yunru clicked his tongue. "Sis, you are too kind. Let them fight. I had just grabbed my popcorn here."

Soo Enlai smacked on his son's head. "And you call yourself a cop?"

He shrugged. "I am off duty now."

Zizi beamed. "It will be so cool! My niece and Leina will be her sister-in-laws!"

Zhiyuan and Liang looked as if they were ready to devour the whole world. One could even see an imaginary volcano erupting on top of their heads.

"As if I would let her marry into the Liu family!" Both exclaimed in unison.

Her mouth twitched. "Then who will they marry?"

"Nobody!"

"..."

"Why you two cannot be more like Xiaosi? I mean, he has a daughter too, but look how mature he is."

Xiaosi smiled.

Though inwardly, there was a whole different scenario raging.

Why are we even talking about this? My Chyou is only six years old! I won't let her have a boyfriend until she is at least thirty.

But he didn't admit it because Caihong was impressed with his mature and calm understanding and who did not act like kids like Zhiyuan and Liang were. He didn't want to break his nice image in her mind.

Sorry for lying, all...he coughed.

Xinyi shook her head. She looked around and asked, "By the way, where is Shuang and Jack Si?"

Ah Cy said, "Oh I saw them leaving early."

Zhiyuan nodded. "She told me."

Xinyi wondered if it was about the gift that she saw Xia Liqin handing Shuang over.

---

An Guoting, who had been sipping his glass of wine, stared at the empty space ahead in deep thought.

A voice from the past rang in his ears.

"Happy Birthday, Guoting!" Han Zongying's cheery voice exclaimed. 

"I love you, Guoting. We will spend many such birthdays together."

A faint smile appeared on his lips, and his eyes were slightly wet.

Those birthdays never came, Zongying…

He broke out of his stupor as he heard somebody's soft steps. He glanced at Shuang in surprise. "You are back?"

She sat beside him. "Of course. Isn't my Dad a birthday boy too?"

"Hahaha. I am an old man now."

"Shut up. You are too young to call yourself old. Don't talk as if you will die anytime. Why are your eyes wet?" She stared at him.

He stiffened. "Of course not. It's just some dust."

Shuang inwardly rolled her eyes.

Such a typical excuse. 

"Anyway. I brought a gift for you."

An Guoting chuckled. "You have already given me your gift. The necktie, remember? How many gifts do you want to give me?"

"It's not from me. I was asked a favor to hand the gift to you."

"What?" He was confused. "Who?"

Shuang took out the gift box and said, "Aunt Xia Liqin. She asked me to wish you a happy birthday."

An Guoting froze.

"Xi-Xia Liqin?"

"Yup."

Silence.

He awkwardly took the gift from her as he averted his gaze. "Th-thanks…"

Shuang narrowed her eyes. "You should thank her, not me. I didn't know that you were so close friends with Zhiyuan's mother. It came as a shock to me."

He trembled.. "Y-Yeah…We are old friends."