Because I Cannot Hurt You

For the last three years, this had become a routine between Xinyi and Han Huizhong.

Every day, she would meet him in his study to serve him tea.

Every day, she would plead to him not to hurt Zhiyuan anymore, and every day, he refused.

Every day, Han Huizhong would show her divorce papers and tell her to sign them.

And every day, Xinyi had the same answer.

"Grandpa, I will not divorce Zhiyuan."

No matter how much ever she pleaded not to beat Zhiyuan, this was the one thing that she was always firm upon.

Han Huizhong quietly stared at her. He was tapping his finger on the armrest in frustration.

He sneered. "Just who do you think you are going against my wishes? Don't forget that you cannot fight my power. I can force you to divorce him anytime I want."

"But you didn't in the last three years."

"Doesn't mean I cannot do it now. I thought your emotional fool of a heart would sooner or later realize it, but clearly, you haven't. Useless!" He banged his fist in anger.

But it didn't deter Xinyi.

Xinyi faintly smiled in sadness as she looked at him. "You are cruel, Grandpa. First, you forced me to marry Zhiyuan seven years ago, and now you are forcing me, yet again, to divorce him this time."

Han Huizhong raised his brow.

"I did what I deemed fit at that time. You know my principle, right? Peace and profit. I do whatever I have to to get that balance. I could care less if you wanted to marry him or not. And what was the problem? You liked him anyway."

Xinyi felt tired to explain. She had this conversation countless times as well, but nothing came out of it.

He touched his chin. "You are strange. Normally, you are so scared to talk that you cannot even open your mouth in front of others. But when it is regarding Zhiyuan, somehow you get the courage to speak up. Whether it be now or seven years back."

"I find it strange myself. Maybe my love for him gives me the strength to oppose."

Han Huizhong burst into laughter. "The same love that he doesn't return."

She had nothing to retort to that.

"In fact, he even went a step ahead in searching for his old love. It's funny."

Xinyi quickly defended Zhiyuan. "It's nothing like that, Grandpa. He said that he was not looking for her for the reasons we are mistaking them to be. He just needs some answers. He said that he would never betray our marriage."

He chuckled in distaste. "And you believe him? Even after what happened three years back?"

Xinyi stiffened.

"Should I say you are blind? Or a fool? Or both?"

"Grandpa…"

"Get out," he threw the divorce papers back in his drawer. "Get out!"

Xinyi knew it was useless to talk to him now. She sighed. She took a step but then stopped.

"What?"

She faced him. "Siying got praised for his essay today in preschool."

"So?"

"He is really excited to share it with you."

Han Huizhong snorted. "It's just an essay."

Her mouth twitched. "It's a big thing for him."

"Why? How much did he earn by writing a mere 'essay'? How much did the teacher pay him? 1 billion? Or ten?"

"How can he earn by writing an essay? And billions at that?"

He lazily rested his head on his palm. "So what's the use of telling me?"

"He wants you to praise him for his accomplishment."

"Xinyi, when did you become so dull? You know me. What is the use of that accomplishment if that cannot give something tangible in return?"

"It gave him confidence. Grandpa. Not everything can be monetary."

"Hah! If Siying wants to raise his confidence, then bring him to me. I will throw him in the Han Corps. How about I make him the CEO? He will face such harsh situations that he won't have any other choice but to grow up to be confident."

The tray in her hand almost stumbled by her.

CEO at just three years of age?

He chuckled. "Just like you did when you became the standing CEO that year."

Xinyi shuddered.

It was true that she quite changed a bit after handling the company for a year, but even now, when she remembered how Han Huizhong just threw her into the company and announced one day that she would be in charge of all the affairs, it still sent shivers down her spine.

The woman who was a little timid and never liked to talk much had to lead a team on her own suddenly.

Xinyi cleared her throat. "Anyway. Please at least pretend to be happy and praise him."

"Did you ever see me pretending to keep anybody's feelings? Why do you think Siying would be any different? It's just an essay. Of course, if he earns something, then that will be a different case."

She urged. "Grandpa, please. He will be disappointed."

He shrugged. "I could care less."

People didn't say that he was heartless for no reason.

Xinyi pursed her lips. She slowly looked at him, and he narrowed his eyes.

"Hooo~ I am interested to hear what you have to say."

Xinyi said, "In exchange for not praising Siying that he deserves, at least please promise me that you won't scold Zhiyuan in front of him again. He was disheartened to see you shouting at Zhiyuan, and it really affected him. He is just three, and such fights and arguments in front of him are not good for his mental health."

Han Huizhong sneered. "Are you negotiating with me even though you are not in any position to? You have really grown, granddaughter-in-law. What will you do if I refuse?"

"Nothing. I cannot force you like you do to others. I can only request you because I think you love Siying at least a little bit to accede to one of the two things."

He tapped his finger. "Heh! Good tongue you got there. Bring him here. I will shower him with all the praises I know in my dictionary."

Xinyi smiled. "Thank you."

"And don't expect me not to beat Zhiyuan whether Siying is present or not. If his 'mental health' can be affected so easily, then I don't need such a weakling in my family!"