Because I Cannot Hurt You

Yunru's expression turned somber as he remembered the last conversation he had with Shuang. They hadn't sorted out their argument yet. It was as if a cold war was going on.

Zizi, too, mirrored his same serious gaze. She felt confused for no reason as she mentioned his girlfriend. A weird feeling pricked her chest as she thought of her and she found it annoying.

She coughed. "I mean just what you were doing!? I wanted to tell you that he had planned to kill you but your number was coming as busy!"

Yunru sighed. "I am really sorry about that."

She was dumbfounded. "You are apologizing to me?"

"Why does this sound so strange to you? Normal people apologize for their mistakes."

Zizi flared. "What do you mean! That I am abnormal!?"

"Oh you caught it quick," he beamed.

She gnashed her teeth. "Soo. Yunru!"

Yunru said, "I was on a call with my team. We were coordinating our plan. We knew the thugs were gonna be on this floor but we couldn't confirm the room number where the deal would take place."

She frowned. "What deal?"

"Drug deal. They were drug peddlers."

Zizi widened her eyes. "So the packet they were saying…"

"Drugs. White powder. They sell in the black market."

"Oh…"

"But when I saw your message, we finally got the room number. I chose a room that could give me a full view of the corridor but luckily their room was just beside mine. Honestly, I was shocked to read your message that you followed them and saw them enter the room. That's when I heard them catching you."

Then he touched his chin and curiously asked, "But honestly. Why did you do this? You were right. You should have escaped. You are a civilian after all. Things would have gotten dangerous."

Zizi bit her lower lip.

When she heard that goon was talking about Yunru's death, she couldn't help but not ignore it and just run away. Something stopped her from doing so. Something tugged her to warn Yunru. Something made her feel afraid of losing him. She was unsure herself what it was.

"It was just payback for helping me in the mall. T-that's it…." She mumbled. "You saved me that time so I just helped you in return. Now we are equal!"

"Hooo…"

Zizi proudly smiled. "So you should thank me. You caught them with my help after all. Hah. You were so helpless." She had no qualms in exaggerating the situation.

But Yunru didn't mind. "It was an unexpected help but thank you. Thank you very much."

His sudden sincerity shook her.

"Even if it was easy for you to run away, you still stepped up to warn me of the danger. I know how scary these things could get."

Her trembling figure and tears were still fresh in his mind.

"Princess Han Zizi, you were really brave. Hmm. You really changed my opinion of you," he smiled as his eyes twinkled.

Zizi felt spellbound. This was the first time that he complimented her and strangely, she felt really happy. 

So he can say things like that too...

But Zizi acted as if she wasn't affected at all. "O-of course. I was always this awesome. You realized it too late," she snorted.

Yunru chuckled. "My bad. Come with me. Let me drop you home."

"Of course you will!"

Downstairs at the dance floor, Zizi saw many couples having fun dancing and grooving together. Seeing them having so much fun gave her an urge to join in too. She automatically peeked at Yunru. He caught her glancing at him, and she straightened up, feeling nervous.

"What is it, Princess?"

"No-nothing…" she fiddled with her fingers. She cleared her throat and probed. "A lowly man like you wouldn't know how to dance, right?"

Yunru blinked his eyes. "You think I cannot dance?"

She snorted. "Of course you cannot. Poor people like you don't learn this classy stuff, do you? Mindlessly moving your hands and legs is not called dancing."

Zizi proudly smiled. "I can teach you a step or two. Since the stage is already set, I don't mind. At least you will build something useful in your poor repertoire."

Then she turned a little fidgety. "So w-will you dance with me?"

---

At home, Shuang placed the hotpot on the table and set out the plates. Yunru loved to eat hotpot, ramen, and other such spicy curry food. So she thought to pacify her boyfriend by making his favorite food.

When she calmed down and thought about it, she agreed that Yunru had all right to get mad at her. She should have told him about Xiaosi working with her. She didn't mean to particularly hide it from him, but she didn't bother to bring it up in the conversation either.

If it was someone else, Yunru wouldn't have minded it. But of all people, it was Xiaosi who Shuang had feelings for. So, things became complicated for him.

Shuang unlocked her phone and saw that her message was still unread. She had sent it two hours ago but there was still no response. She sighed.

"Come on Yunru...don't be so mad at me, please. Let's talk and sort it out."

Tired, she rested her head on the table and stared at the door, waiting for it to open. 

"Come Yunru. Come quickly…"

---

At the bar, Yunru took a step towards her, making Zizi's heart jump in her chest. He tilted his head which she found his action strangely alluring and attractive.

"Don't challenge me, Princess," he smiled, "because you will be in for a huge embarrassment. The lowly man here will make you eat your words."

Zizi narrowed her eyes. "Is that so? Do you think you can match my standards?"

He chuckled. "Find it out for yourself."

And he took her hand in his, guiding her to the dance floor. Zizi jolted by his sudden touch as she was effortlessly pulled by him. She watched him in a trance as she followed him. On the dance floor, Zizi tore her gaze away from his breathtaking face. She heard some women whisper around her.

"Hey, that man is so hot!"

"Damn he is sexy. Just look how tall and muscular he is."

"That devilish smile oof. Gosh, he is charming."

"The other men can't even hold a candle to him."

Watching the other women swoon over Yunru made Zizi grit her teeth in annoyance. She didn't know why, but she didn't like those women ogling Yunru with those hungry and desiring stares.

Look away you fools!

"I am waiting, Princess Han Zizi. Oh sorry. You are the teacher now, aren't you?" Yunru teased.

Her mouth twitched. "Of course! I will show you the footwork and you have to match my steps. You will do it exactly the way I show you. Though I am sure you won't be able to handle it."

"Let's see," his eyes twinkled.

Zizi flustered as she said, "S-so hold me now…"

Yunru wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her towards him. He lifted her hand and placed it on his shoulder while his other hand intertwined with her left. She felt as if an electrifying current coursed through her body as he held her. Her waist felt strangely hot where he was touching her. Her fingers slightly trembled against his. They were slightly rough as compared to her delicate ones. Zizi gazed at their hands wrapped together in a stupor.

My hand is so small as compared to his. His fingers are so long too...and wait. His hand seems a little bit tanned too.

She raised her head and looked at him.

He must be working a long time under the sun for his cases. Does he even know how to take proper care of his skin? She frowned.

Yunru found her strangely staring at him as if she was thinking hard. "You haven't started the class yet, Princess."

Zizi snapped out. "I-I remember!"

Damn what is wrong with me today?

"Heh. Try to match my rhythm and pace. Though I doubt you can do it."

"You said that twice now."

Zizi ignored his comment and took a step back. "Now-"

But before she said anything, Yunru already stretched his left foot behind her right foot. She looked dumbfounded at him. Then he suddenly raised their intertwined hands and twirled her around. As she was wrapping her head around his dance moves, he took two steps back and pulled her arm as he twirled her again into his embrace.

Yunru effortlessly danced to the music echoing in the bar, perfectly matching its beats with his steps while pulling Zizi into his flow. His footwork was light and upbeat. Even after the song changed, he easily changed his steps in sync with the music.

Zizi was only guided along as he pulled and twirled her. Her mouth opened and closed in an attempt to say something but she couldn't

"So Princess, what do you have to say? Am I a diligent student?" Yunru chuckled, as he enjoyed her dumbstruck reaction.