Because I Cannot Hurt You

Zizi and Soo Enlai watched as Yunru began cooking in the kitchen with expert efficiency that was way opposite of how they worked.

"Yunru really knows his way in the kitchen?" She whispered.

Soo Enlai nodded. "Xinyi and Yunru are really good at doing the housework," he sheepishly grinned, "I am very clumsy as he said. That's why my wife and the twins never let me work in the house. Thankfully, the two inherited my wife's qualities, hoho."

Zizi's shoulders drooped. "But I really wanted to cook tonight…"

"Aish, don't feel bad. This was your first time. You will grow better the more you learn."

They felt a shadow hover over them. They stiffened, seeing Yunru quietly watching them. "Have you two reflected on your mistakes?"

Soo Enlai mumbled. "I wasn't at fault."

"Dad."

"Yes, I have reflected on my mistakes. I shouldn't touch anything in this house."

"Because?"

"I am a walking hazard."

"Good."

Then he looked at Zizi, who had her shoulders hunched. "If you promise to listen to what I say, then you can join me in the kitchen."

Zizi brightened. "Really!?"

"But you will only do as I say," he warned.

She nodded hard. She eagerly hopped and followed him into the kitchen.

Yunru had already cut the vegetables, and he was cutting some more.

"Should I help in that?"

"No. I don't want you to hurt yourself."

"I-I can chop!"

"I will see for myself," he smiled. "For now, just stir the curry. Keep an eye on the flame. When it begins to boil, lower it and continue stirring."

"Oh."

Zizi obediently did as told. As she stirred, she saw him frying pork pieces in a pan. They turned a beautiful golden crisp color, enough to make her drool.

"Mine got burnt."

"Because you fried one side for too long. It should be 2-3 mins each side and then flip. Obviously, you shouldn't forget to season the meat before putting it into the pan."

"Yes, chef Yunru!" 

He flicked on her forehead and chuckled. He took out the cooked pork and put it on a plate. Zizi saw the pack of flour at the side, and she giggled in mischief. She dipped her fingers into it and then tapped on his cheek.

"Haha! You look funny!"

"Hey!" Yunru touched his cheek and narrowed his eyes. "You... Don't play around the kitchen."

She pouted. "Yes, sir."

She went back to stirring. But Yunru dropped a cup of flour from above on top of her head. Her hair turned white and flour spilled down her cheeks and shoulders.

"Hahahaha. You look like a ghost now!"

Zizi was speechless. "You! My precious hair!"

"It's just flour. But l-look at you…" he couldn't hold back his laughter, "you should try for a ghost role."

Zizi gritted her teeth. She took some flour in her fist and threw it at his face which he effortlessly dodged.

"Haha. Predictable," Yunru smirked.

"You are unfair!"

"You started it."

And so Zizi ran behind Yunru, trying to give him the same ghostly look. A game of tag automatically started in the kitchen.

"Stop!"

"Try to catch me then."

This continued for a while when Yunru said, "Alright, alright," he laughed, "Let's stop. It's become slippery now. Ah, I will need to clean this up again…"

But it reached her a bit late, and she already slipped and tumbled upon him. Yunru widened his eyes and quickly caught her waist. But his foot slipped too, and her back bumped on the counter with him falling on top of her.

Zizi clutched his shoulders and gazed at his handsome face that was only inches apart from hers. She was trapped between his arms and the counter at the back. Even though her face was almost white with the flour, it still turned pink with the proximity. She felt her heart rapidly thudding. Yunru stared at her flushed face, and unconsciously, he tightened his grasp over her waist.

"You...If my face wasn't so ghastly, it would have been such a perfect moment for a kiss…" she cried, "I look so ugly now."

Yunru tilted his head. "It's just flour. You don't look ugly."

"As if anybody would feel like kissing such a ghostly face!" She sobbed in grievance.

Yunru narrowed his eyes. "Not really."

He lifted her chin and gently pressed his lips on hers, amidst his loudly drumming heart. Zizi went into such a deep shock that for a few moments, she didn't even understand what was happening.

And when she did, the kiss was already over. 

"Princess will always be beautiful with or without the flour," he smiled.

She pointed her trembling finger at him. "Y-you kissed me…"

"Wasn't it a perfect moment to kiss?" He chuckled.

"B-but I didn't feel it at all! You shocked me! I didn't know you would suddenly do that…" though she seemed as if she was complaining, she was actually rolling left and right in her mind in pure bliss.

"I see. So pay attention this time."

"Ah?"

He kissed her again, making her brain cells plummet. But she quickly recovered this time and kissed him back. Yunru just wanted it to be a short kiss, but somehow...he couldn't help but deepen it as he held her face. He felt it strangely addicting and satisfying. He remembered her crying and devastated face when she had learned the truth. He remembered her sitting lonely on the beach, staring emptily at the sea. Each time it felt as if his own heart was being ripped into pieces.

But now she was smiling again. He liked seeing her like this. Back to the Princess like she always was.

They shared a long kiss in the kitchen and parted, their gazes locked at each other. Zizi finally couldn't continue with his intense gaze and looked away, feeling shy.

He chuckled, seeing her cute reaction.

"Aha!"

They almost jumped in shock. They turned and quickly separated, seeing Soo Enlai standing with his hands on his waist.

"Idiot son! You accuse me of causing trouble, but look at what you did! The whole floor is messed up with flour. What do you have to say to that?"