Because I Cannot Hurt You

Han Huizhong was seated on a bench inside of the church while everybody was busy with the wedding preparations. He noticed a pair of shoes at his eye level, and he raised his head.

"Yo."

Han Tian sighed. "What are you doing here?"

He shrugged. "Why am I needed while the bride and groom get ready anyway? I will look over the preparations here."

From the corner of his eye, he saw two figures, An Guoting and An Yueqin.

He softly exhaled. "They are right there if you want to talk."

Han Huizhong glared at him. "Can this old man not have some quiet time for himself? You should tell that to yourself! I know you were hovering around so annoyingly because you have been wanting a chance to talk to Guoting."

His mouth twitched.

"I was just searching for you."

"Shut up. You dare speak against your father?"

"..."

"*Ahem*"

They froze, turning to see An Guoting and An Yueqin standing before them. There was an awkward silence.

Han Huizhong snorted, "...I was just sitting here bothering nobody. He came up to me and started yapping. Throw him out if you want."

Han Tian felt a headache.

In the end, An Yueqin broke the ice. "I brought Guoting here because I think you all need to talk."

Nobody did. Nobody wanted to take out the subject of Han Zongying.

"...I am sorry."

An Guoting stared at Han Huizhong who spoke in a low voice. "I apologized to Caihong. But you deserve to hear my apology."

Han Huizhong faced him and sincerely said, "I am sorry for all your suffering that Zongying caused and then I. I was blinded in my daughter's love. It was all my fault. I don't expect you to forgive me. I just…needed to let you know."

Reminiscing about his younger sister, Han Tian's eyes became hazy as well. The sister he always loved and doted upon so much was no more. She left a scar in everybody's hearts which cascaded in the years to come as revenge.

"I also…apologize," he whispered. "I understand an apology is too small and weak against what you had to suffer. But it's not the only thing I want to offer you."

An Guoting blinked.

"All these years, we kept Zizi's existence from you. She is your daughter, but we didn't give you any chance to take responsibility or raise her."

He trembled. Countless mixed emotions swirled in his gaze.

Even though he hated Han Zongying, he would have never treated Zizi poorly. He was heartbroken to realize that he had another daughter whom he couldn't give his love.

An Yueqin clasped his hand, silently offering her support.

Han Tian smiled. "That's why I would want you to be the one who walks down the aisle with Zizi."

An Guoting widened his eyes. He was genuinely taken aback by this.

Han Tian nodded. "I know Zizi would want this too. You are her father. We kept you away from her for twenty-eight years now. It's only you who must have this right now."

His eyes ached and a tear slipped out of them.

Walking down the aisle is every father's dream. There was no doubt about it that his heart fluttered with anticipation and joy. He missed her childhood. He missed so many moments where he should have been there as her father.

An Guoting took a deep breath and faced him. "Thank you Han Tian. I appreciate this gesture. But I would like it if you do the honors. You loved her as your own daughter and never differentiated between Zhiyuan and her. You never let her feel that she wasn't a part of your family. You truly treated her like Princess. Even if we have reunited now, there is still a big gap that Zizi and I have to cross. Suddenly appearing into her life as her father and now doing this…it doesn't feel right to me. Even if I am her biological father, nobody can replace you in her heart. You are always there first."

Han Tian pursed his lips. "You don't have to think so much, An Guoting. Until now, I took care of all the duties. This is a big day for Zizi and this time, it should be you to fulfill your fatherly responsibilities."

An Guoting frowned. "That's exactly my point. You took care of everything until now. Zizi wouldn't want me suddenly snatching such an important responsibility-"

"No, no! Zizi won't be definitely against it. She understands the most!"

"And I don't want her to force her to understand and agree to keep my heart," he remained stubborn. "She respects you a lot, and it should be you-"

Han Tian glared at him. "Excuse me but I know what my daughter wants, and she would love for you to accompany her down the aisle."

An Guoting gritted his teeth. "Oh so you mean to imply that I don't understand Zizi? I have spent enough time with her now to realize that she would definitely want you!"

"An Guoting, you ass! Why are you being so difficult over this?"

"I am difficult? Me? You are the one who is turning this into an argument for no good reason!"

Han Huizhong and An Yueqin were just blankly staring at the duo, not able to grasp when this emotional conversation turned into a fight.

They bickered like cats and dogs until Han Huizhong snarled at them. "Shut up, you fools! Bickering like two dumb idiots on a freaking wedding day!"

An Guoting and Han Tian spoke in unison. "You tell him, not me!"

Zizi worriedly rushed out and saw the commotion happening. "Hey! No fighting today!"

She put her hands on her waist and glowered at them with an accusing gaze. Today is such a bright sunny day and you are making it all gloomy and depressing!"

An Yueqin sighed in relief. "Thank God you came. Now you can only solve this issue," she glared at her husband, making him tone down.

"What problem?"

She explained it in short and as Zizi listened in, she was rendered speechless. "What is there to argue about this? I was gonna walk down the aisle with both of them anyway! How could I choose between the two of you?"