Because I Cannot Hurt You

"Zhiyuan, when are we going to reach?" Xinyi was impatient. She was eager to see her birthday surprise. After a long tense atmosphere at Han villa with Liao Yuan, it was Liang and Ah Cy who had finally intervened.

Zhiyuan had grabbed Xinyi's hand and took her out of the house without sparing a further glance at Liao Yuan, he left with her.

He was still extremely furious at his audacity for coming to the Han villa to wish Xinyi as if he was so close and moreover, gifted an expensive bracelet!

But he didn't want to ruin tonight because of Liao Yuan, so he just cast him away.

He smiled. "We are there."

There was a blindfold over her, and she couldn't see the way at all.

Zhiyuan stepped out of the car. He put his hand in hers and gently pulled her out. The soft flutter of wind made her tickle.

He made her walk a few steps and then stopped. He slowly removed the blindfold and whispered in her ear. "Happy Birthday, Xinyi."

Xinyi opened her eyes. Her irises widened upon recognizing the place.

"This is our... college."

Zhiyuan smiled and nodded. "Yes."

The whole campus was lit with lights that glowed golden in the night. It was absolutely enthralling. The path was covered with soft petals and wherever she looked, she saw her young pictures hung on the walls and trees that were filled with her beautiful smiles.

He offered his hand. "Shall we go, Mrs. Han?"

Xinyi couldn't respond as she was busy getting spellbound and mesmerized with the arrangements.

He chuckled and bent down to remove her heels. As they entered, her feet touched the petals. They walked along the corridors of the campus and entered one of the classrooms.

"Do you remember the day you had a presentation and you were really nervous about it? Just before it started, I encouraged you to do your best."

She dazedly nodded.

There was a small gift box on the teacher's desk. He placed it in her palm. Xinyi took a silent breath and unwrapped it. 

A dazzling pair of butterfly diamond earrings greeted her with their brilliance. The wings were delicately carved that for some reason made her cry.

Zhiyuan took off the earrings that she currently wore and put them on her.

"This is for always giving your best and fighting your fears when you wanted to run away from the most."

She touched the earrings that gently dangled from her ears. "Thank you…"

"It isn't over yet, Mrs. Han," he smiled.

Zhiyuan took her hand again and walked out of the main campus building. They reached the huge basketball court. They stood at the center and he said, "You always used to cheer me on in my game from that seat. You never shouted my name like the others did, but I knew you always wanted me to win."

She blushed.

He took her out of the court and stood near a bench. "This was the place where you had treated my injury that day."

Of course, Xinyi remembered it. One of the players had actually fouled and made Zhiyuan trip on the field. He had injured his ankle, but he won the game anyway. She rushed towards him as soon as the game was over to put the ointment.

Her breath stopped as she saw another small gift box on the bench. Once again, Zhiyuan smiled and handed it to her.

With her heart racing fast, she quickly opened it. In the box lay a chain with a graceful diamond pendant at the centre that was shaped in the form of a cherry blossom which was also Xinyi's favorite flower. She was too stunned to say anything.

Zhiyuan stood behind her and just like the earrings, he slid the chain on her neck. The cherry blossom shone in sync with the butterfly earrings.

A tear slipped down, feeling overwhelmed by his gesture.

"This is for always silently staying by my side. Whether it was taking care of me after the game or taking the burden of the company as its CEO, you never left my side."

She bit her lip and complained. "This is supposed to be my birthday, but you are making me cry…"

He kissed her cheek and whispered, "Well they are tears of happiness, so I cannot complain."

Holding her hand, they walked along the petals filled path. They stood in front of the huge plum blossom tree.

Xinyi stared at the tree in a daze. The tree sparkled with red and pink lights as if it was a symbol of love. Standing at this spot, a gush of emotions rippled through her heart. 

"This is the most important place for me, Xinyi because this was the first time we had met," Zhiyuan clenched his fist as he remembered their fateful meeting.

This was the same place where Xinyi was bullied by a gang of four boys. She was made fun of and laughed at when she fell.

It was Zhiyuan who stepped up for her and fought against those boys. He had carried her in his arms and brought supplies for her. It was embarrassing as she was on her periods, and a boy had helped her. But this place had marked the beginning of their lives that will intertwine in the future.

Under the tree where the pink plum blossoms fluttered, she saw another small gift box. With trembling steps, Xinyi walked towards it. Her heart beat in anticipation and nervousness. 

"Open it."

Xinyi bit her lower lips and took off the gift wrap. Her movements were slow and gentle. She held a red velvet box. 

As she opened it, a diamond ring came into her view. But what mesmerized her was the intricate design of the band. 

The diamond was carved in three parts. Two doves on the left and right side where the metal ring began and ended and in between those doves, it held a small symbol.

As Xinyi looked closely, she recognized the symbol that represented infinity.