Because I Cannot Hurt You

Zhiyuan roared in anger, snapping Shuang out of her stupor. "Don't keep quiet Shuang! If you love him, then this doesn't make all the more sense."

Shuang jolted and looked back at him, her eyes stinging in tears as she recalled that memory. Xiaosi didn't want him to know the truth. She clenched her fist.

"I only did what I thought to be the best solution in that case."

He looked at her blankly. "And you think not telling me was the best solution?"

"Dad was already against your relationship with Caihong. He didn't want you to know about it so he took that chance to break you two forever. And after that night, Caihong didn't want anything to do with you either. Everything just...fell into place."

He grabbed her arms and shook her hard. "Yeah right. Even if something so terrible happened, all your family could think of was to separate Caihong and me, instead of punishing Xiaosi!"

Shuang shook herself off and shouted. "Shut up! Nobody wanted this Zhiyuan! Nobody... wanted that night to ever occur! But it did and all because of yo-"

She shut her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Anyway, I got nothing to say to you. I am sorry for hiding this from you even though I knew you wanted to know everything. But I had no choice."

---

As Shuang dragged her tired body back to her home, she found Yunru already seated at the couch with a slightly grave expression on his face.

He observed her and frowned. "Where were you at this time?"

She shrugged. "Nothing. Just out for a walk."

"And why are your eyes slightly red if you just came from a walk?"

Shuang fiddled with the keys in her hand and said, "The air was too salty today."

"We don't live near a beach."

"The salty air might have traveled from some beach up to my spot."

"You suck at giving excuses."

Silence.

"Did you go to meet Xiaosi?"

"No."

Well, at least she wasn't lying this time.

"Then?"

"Nobody. I said I was out for a walk," and she said with such finality that gave Yunru his cue not to ask anything further about it.

Shuang freshened up and brought a cup of coffee. She sat beside him and switched on the TV.

"You had forgotten your phone at home," Yunru said while scrolling through his own phone. He wasn't looking at her but his question was obviously for her.

"I see. It happens in a rush."

"No worries."

Silence.

Shuang took a sip and she switched the channel.

"While you were away for your walk, there came a call from Xiaosi."

Shuang paused her movement in the air. She felt slightly panicked, but she didn't show it in her expression.

Did he accidentally say something, not knowing it wasn't me?

"What did he say?" She remained neutral.

"That he will be at your office by nine for the collaboration."

She silently let out her breath.

So it is about the games.

"Oh okay."

Yunru still wasn't looking at her. "I wonder why he didn't just drop a message."

"Maybe he dropped one, but I didn't respond. I forgot my phone, remember?"

"There was no unread message on your phone."

Shuang kept the cup on the table and turned to look at him. "What do you want to ask? Just ask it straightaway, Yunru."

Yunru finally lifted his gaze from his phone and looked back at her. "Are you and Xiaosi working together for something?"

"There was some hacking problem in my games so I needed his help. His company works for all kinds of digital security."

"So you two will be working together from now on?"

"...Yes."

"Did you consider what sis's reaction would be? She is coming tomorrow, right? As your artist? She wouldn't be too thrilled."

She pursed her lips. "I didn't get the time to tell Xinyi. But I won't force her now that Xiaosi would be working too. She can walk away if she wants."

"You didn't tell me either."

Shuang blinked her eyes. "It's just about my work."

"It's not just about your work. It's about you working with the man you hold feelings for."

Silence.

"I am being very direct about this because I don't want to cause an unnecessary fuss."

"You think I will mix my personal and professional stuff?"

"Considering how red your eyes seemed when you entered from your supposed 'walk', I cannot help but question that," he smiled.

His gaze bored into her as he said, "You only cry when it's something related to Xiaosi. I know you very well. We have spent seven years together after all."

Shuang said nothing.

Yunru said, "You know I am not unreasonable. I wouldn't have stopped you and frankly I don't have that right. After all, it's just a casual relationship between us, isn't it?"

"Yunru-"

"But it would have been nice if you would have just told me once yourself. I feel let down."

He got up and picked his keys.

"Where are you going?"

He faintly smiled and lowered his head. "For a walk."

---

The next morning, as Xinyi stepped into Shuang's office, she frowned as she saw nobody.

Didn't Shuang reach yet? She wondered. She might be late.

She quickly dropped the message to Shuang that she was waiting for her in her office. Xinyi took a seat and sighed.

Her thoughts went back to how she saw Zhiyuan in stress last night after he returned from meeting Shuang. Even she was just as shocked to know from him that Shuang had feelings for Xiaosi.

This came as something completely unexpected to her. And since last night, she wondered why didn't Shuang ever confess her feelings to Xiaosi?

She was a very direct person. She didn't like to hide things. What was in her heart was always on her tongue.

Is it because she knew that Xiaosi loved Caihong?

Now that was another troubling question.

She was confused as to which of Xiaosi's side to believe.

At one time he said that he always loved Caihong and then he changed his words to only using her to get revenge on Zhiyuan.

What is the truth?

"What is the truth…" Xinyi was mumbling to herself.

"And what is this truth you are referring to Mrs. Han?"

Xinyi froze. She slowly turned and stiffened on seeing Xiaosi leaning on the door and smiling at her.

"You...what are you doing here?"

Xiaosi smiled as he stepped in. "Surprised? You must be so thrilled, right? I have the same feelings."

Xinyi gritted her teeth. "Leave!"

"Come on Xinyi. We are going to work together now. We should maintain a good relationship."

"What? Working together?"

"Yup. Didn't Shuang tell you? Oops. I guess she forgot. No wonder you came here. I thought I won't see you."

Xinyi furrowed her brows. "Why are you working with us? I will be just an artist."

He chuckled. "And I will be the security guard."

"If you don't want to answer me seriously, then please refrain from talking to me."

Xiaosi sighed and took a seat beside her. "What? I am seriously telling my role. You know? A terrible thing happened to Shuang two days back. Her precious game was almost hacked."

She widened her eyes. "Hacked?"

"Yup. She came to my help. I am the CEO of the S3 group after all. Security is my forte. And as her good friend, how could I reject her? So we decided on a collaboration. My company will give all the security to all the apps and games from hacking and unethical attacks."

Xinyi looked at him suspiciously.

The hacking attack in itself seemed planned and suspicious.

Xiaosi stared at her amusingly. "Ouch. That hurts Xinyi. Do you think I would ever do something so disgraceful?"

"You have caused nothing but trouble ever since you have returned. It wouldn't be surprising if you did something to force this collaboration though I don't understand your motives."

Xiaosi suddenly jumped up from his seat and in a flash, leaned in, resting his arms on her chair handles. Xinyi jolted by the way the distance was suddenly lessened.

"What are you doing!"

"What if my motive is you?" Xiaosi raised his brow.

"You...get away from me!"

"By the way, did your dear son tell you about the school picnic?"

Xinyi pursed her lips.

"I take that silence as yes. So we will meet again. It would be so much fun. Just like the cruise trip."

She glared at him. "I won't let you do anything to Zhiyuan or Siying!"

"Just shut up and take your seat Xiaosi or I will kick you out!"

They heard Shuang's angry voice as she entered her office. Xiaosi snorted and withdrew. "Why is the Boss herself late?"

"I am the Boss. I can be late any time I wish."

She glanced at Xinyi. "By now, you must have already known that he is, unfortunately, working with us. I am sorry I couldn't tell you earlier. If you want to leave then I won't blame you."