Because I Cannot Hurt You

The closeness that Zhiyuan's heart unconsciously wished for that night when he had leaned in to kiss her was now a reality in front of him. Even with that light teasing brush, he felt his heart rile up like crazy. If began thudding and beating hard and fast as it had never done before.

As his gaze met Xinyi's, he felt it too how she was taken aback by the sudden turn of events. Xinyi was too shocked to move.

Zhiyuan…

Her head was in a mess. Her heart was in chaos. After that night almost four years ago, it was the first time their lips had touched like that. She froze as she recalled that night. That memory just came out of the blue that shook her hard.

"Haha. Mama and Dada fell for it."

Siying's cheerful giggles brought them out of their stupor. They realized the situation and quickly withdrew. The distance between them widened and an awkward silence grew that couldn't be compared to that time when he had almost kissed her.

Xinyi's legs trembled as she got up. She couldn't face Zhiyuan. She couldn't meet his eyes. 

"I-I…"

But in the end, she couldn't say anything as she ran away with all her might.

---

Where Siying had tried on his end to unite Xinyi and Zhiyuan, Chyou refused to be left behind too. But her situation was even more difficult than Siying's.

In his case, Xinyi and Zhiyuan slept in the same room at the very least. But here the problem started with Xiaosi and Caihong sleeping in separate rooms.

So Leina had said, "Hmmm...So first, we have to bring your Mama and Dada in one room!"

Chyou's shoulders slumped. "But they don't like each other."

"There will be something! Don't worry! I will think of a super good plan!"

And that super good plan was Chyou feigning to be sick. She still wondered if it would work because Caihong hated to be anywhere near her. 

But there was no harm in trying.

When Xiaosi stepped into her room, he was shocked to see her looking all pale and weak.

"Chyou! What happened?" He rushed to the bedside and sat beside her as he wrapped his arm around her head.

"Dada...I feel sick...My tummy is painful."

Xiaosi panicked. "How? Did you eat something wrong in school today?"

"I don't know…"

"It's okay. I will quickly ask the doctor to come here and check on you. You will be fine in no time."

Chyou slightly stiffened.

The doctor uncle will find out my lie.

"No, no! Dada I don't want to see any doctor uncle. I-I…"

"No, Chyou. I cannot take the risk. Don't worry. I will ask him not to give you an injection," he smiled.

She pursed her lips in anxiousness.

Fifteen minutes later as the doctor reached the Zhu villa, he met Caihong on the way to Chyou's room. She frowned. "You…"

"How is Chyou feeling now, Mrs. Zhu? Is it paining more or…"

She didn't understand.

"What are you-"

"Ah, there you are."

Xiaosi said, "She is inside. I will take you to her."

He glanced at her once and then walked away.

Suddenly she said, "The doctor…"

He stopped and raised his brow. After a pause, he said, "Chyou is sick."

Xiaosi waited for a while. But there was no response from her.

He faintly smiled. For a moment, he expected that she would feel concerned for her but…

Xiaosi left without saying anything.

Inside her room, the doctor said, "I don't see any serious problem, Mr. Zhu."

Chyou panicked. But she was afraid to admit her lie.

"It might be slight acidity in her stomach. I have prescribed some medicine. She will be fine by tomorrow morning."

Xiaosi felt relieved. "Alright."

After the doctor went away, Xiaosi smiled. "See? I told you right? He wouldn't give any injection."

"En…"

Phew! Now it is the time!

"Now rest and sleep."

Chyou tugged her father's coat and said, "Dada... please sleep with me."

"Of course my princess. Dada will be here with you," he patted her head.

"A-and Mama too…"

He said nothing.

"Chyou. It won't be possible for your Mama to be here."

"Dada please…" she looked pitiful the best she could, "I want Mama and Dada with me... Please…"

Xiaosi hesitated. She was already so weak. Maybe it would get more painful for her by the rejection.

Outside Caihong's room, Xiaosi stood for a long time before he finally knocked on the door. A few moments later, the door opened and Caihong slightly widened her eyes to see him.

"What does Mr. Zhu want?"

"Can you sleep with us tonight? Chyou really wants you by her side."

"Why do you think I will agree? I have got nothing to do with that girl."

He had no answer.

"Just one night. Please."

"You-"

"Please. Please."

She slightly trembled on seeing him lower his head, pleading to her. She never really saw him talking so straightforwardly.

"She is sick and she might get more sick if we refuse her. You don't have to love her or tell her any stories. Just sleep beside her. She won't bother you."

Caihong stayed silent as she stared at him.

His sincerity now was resoundingly similar to how he was at the hospital that day.

'I believe you.'

Caihong bit her lip. She didn't understand why she couldn't shake him off like before.

"Just this night," she sternly said.

Xiaosi stiffened and widened his eyes. He didn't expect her to agree so easily. He looked at her dumbfounded, but she ignored him and walked past him.

Did she agree?

Caihong stepped into Chyou's room. Chyou brightened upon seeing her. "Mama!"

The plan is a success!

Caihong froze for a moment. She slightly felt uncomfortable. She had never done something like this for almost six years. There was no connection with her daughter at all.

Her body was stiff as she climbed on the bed and pulled over the duvet. "Don't bother me. Go to sleep."

Chyou's excitement knew no bounds. This was the first time that Caihong had shown this side of hers. She looked at Xiaosi and eagerly patted the other side of the bed. "Dada. You sleep on this side."

He paused while Caihong stiffened.

Caihong gritted her teeth. "We will not be on the same bed!"

Chyou's face drooped into sadness. "Please…" she coughed and her brows furrowed.

Xiaosi said, "Chyou. I will be on the couch. Now no more talking and go to sleep."

He didn't want to test her limits otherwise she could storm away if she got angry.

Chyou pursed her lips and clutched the duvet.

For now, she couldn't do anything else. It was already a big achievement that Caihong agreed to stay for the night in one room.

Oh, God. Please help Mama and Dada to get all cuddly like Leina planned!

---

Late at night, Caihong frowned and slowly opened her eyes. 

"Hah...hah…"

What is this gasping noise?

She stiffened in fear.

Is it an intruder?

Caihong nervously peeked from her blanket as she slightly pulled it down. But there was nobody in the room.

Then her gaze fell onto the couch's side and she saw Xiaosi restlessly shifting on the couch.

Xiaosi?

She thought for a moment and got up. She walked near the couch and was stunned to see the sight.

Xiaosi was heavily gasping for breath. His forehead was completely covered in sweat as it trickled down the sides. His brows were tightly furrowed as if he was in extreme pain.

"Ugh…"

"Xi-Xiaosi?" She whispered.

But he didn't respond. To her shock, he suddenly clutched his head and his body started trembling.

Caihong shook his arm. "What's wrong? Xiaosi. Wake up!"

---

At the same time in a bar filled with loud music and dance moves everywhere, Zizi's friends were dragging her up the dance floor.

"Come in Zizi. Let's dance!" One of her friends, Diu, said.

The other one, Luan, had grabbed onto Zizi's other arm. "Yeah. Don't be such a bore and sit idly on the couch."

Zizi said, "Nope. I am really tired. I just want to sit here and relax. You two go on and enjoy."

Since the past two or three days, Siying had been sleeping with Zizi at nights and thanks to his incessant moving and kicking on the bed, she could hardly get any sleep. But she loved her nephew very much, so she didn't have the heart to stop him from coming.

Even tonight, she had no intentions of partying, but her friends refused to budge this time to take a no from her.

Diu and Luan pouted. "You are really a party pooper."

Zizi chuckled. "Sorry girls."

Her friends moved to the dance floor while Zizi leaned back on the couch, closing her eyes. A few minutes later she felt someone sit beside her at some distance.

A gruff and heavy voice spoke, "I have brought it."

Zizi frowned with the disturbance, but said nothing.

"Hm. I have got the money too."

"Don't worry. It's safe."

"Heh. The cops must be circling on the false traces like crazy. They will never catch us."

There was a pause.

"Who? Soo Yunru?"

Zizi's eyes instantly flew open, hearing the familiar name.