Because I Cannot Hurt You

*Seven years back on the night of the graduation party.*

"Cheers!"

Today was the last day of their college and everybody in Zhiyuan's class gathered to celebrate their graduation party.

Xu Liang continuously poured the wine into all his classmates' glasses.

"Woooo, Liang. He is all set to have a blast tonight~~" One of them laughed.

Ah Cy rolled her eyes. "You boys are so rowdy."

Dressed in a sexy black dress, she sat like a queen having fun with the girls.

As Liang stepped near her, he cleared her throat. "Should I pour you some too?"

The others whistled, making Liang glare at them.

The boys whispered. "Hey, I bet Liang will confess his feelings to Ah Cy tonight!"

"Nah. He looks all tough but he is a scaredy-cat when it comes to Ah Cy."

"Let's bet. Ten bucks that he will confess."

"Tsk. So cheap. Ten bucks that he won't. If he really did, then I will give a pizza party to everyone."

"Woohoo…"

Ah Cy smiled. "You are so adorable. Sure pour me the drink. Tonight we only drink and play!"

The brightened smile on her beautiful, dazzling face made Liang blush a little. He quickly tried to hide his flustered expression.

From her side, Caihong nudged her. "Aww, look he is so cute. What do you think?" She curiously raised her brow, "Will he confess tonight?"

Ah Cy touched her chin. "Hmm. Can't say. Liang acts all cool and dashing in front of others but he always gets flustered around me. Let's just hope he doesn't make me wait or I am gonna dump him if he confessed any later than tonight."

Caihong chuckled. "Oof so lovey-dovey."

"Duh. We cannot compare you and Zhiyuan. You pour so much sweetness as if we are eating sugar."

Caihong laughed out loud.

Just at that time, the door opened and Zhiyuan entered with Xiaosi.

"Ah there they are! What took you so long?" The others whined.

Zhiyuan said, "We brought more snacks for you all, but Xiaosi messed up the order."

Xiaosi glared at him. "Hey! It was the shopkeeper's fault!"

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure."

"Zhiyuan," Caihong got up and hugged him.

Zhiyuan smiled and lightly kissed her forehead. "You look beautiful."

"And you look handsome."

They lovingly gazed at each other with a gentle smile on their lips.

"Ooooooohhhhh~~~"

The others teasingly whistled and cheered.

Xiaosi looked slightly uncomfortable. He averted his gaze and smacked him on his head. "Stop it with your dog food. It's too early for that."

"Yeah, Xiaosi! Tell them the pain of being a single man!"

"I think we should forbid all couples in this party."

"I agree!"

The party went on a full swing with everybody laughing, singing and dancing together.

Xiaosi quietly stared at Zhiyuan and Caihong twirling in each other's embrace on the dance floor. His gaze dimmed in pain, and he clenched his fists. A frustration erupted in his heart on seeing them together. He downed three glasses in one shot.

Liang said, "Wo wo. Hang on, Xiaosi. You are drinking too fast. Dude, you wanna get sick?"f𝓇𝘦e𝑤𝘦𝚋𝒏૦ѵℯ𝒍.c𝐨𝒎

Xiaosi chuckled and softly mumbled, "If I get sick, would…" he stared at Caihong, whose gaze was only focused on Zhiyuan, "would she take care of me?"

Liang leaned. "What did you say? The music is too loud."

"Nothing."

Xiaosi got up as he started to feel more suffocated staying there.𝒇𝑟𝐞𝐞w𝐞𝑏𝙣𝑜vℯl.co𝑚

On the dance floor, Zhiyuan tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. "Tomorrow, I will talk to Grandpa about us again."

Caihong softly nodded. "En. But...will he accept me?" Her smile dimmed. "He doesn't like me."

Zhiyuan smiled. "Don't worry about that. I will have a good chat with him to clear any misunderstanding he might have about you."

"Are you sure he will agree?"

"Why not? Grandpa looks tough and cold, but he cares about his family a lot. He also knows that my happiness will always be in you. He will definitely understand. We have to be a little patient."

Caihong hugged him. "En…"

Zhiyuan smiled. "Once we gain Grandpa's blessings, I will officially ask your hand to Mr. An too."

She anxiously said, "Zhiyuan actually... even Dad seems to oppose our relationship."

"What?"

"En," she bit her lip, "It happened two days back when he somehow came to know about us."

Though she was highly suspicious that An Meiying might be behind it.

"Dad's demeanor suddenly changed and he declared that he wants me to break up with you. I asked him the reason many times, but he didn't give any clear answer. Right now, we aren't talking to each other."

Zhiyuan was taken aback to know this. But he couldn't see Caihong stressed.

He comforted her. "Don't worry, Caihong. As long as we stand strong together, everything will be fine. Let me talk to Grandpa first. Once he agrees, things will get easier."

Caihong smiled. "En. If you are with me, I have no fear."

Zhiyuan pecked her forehead.

From afar, Xiaosi saw the couple and felt his heart ache so much as if somebody was stabbing him mercilessly. He could only clench his fist.

---

An hour later, Caihong started feeling a little dizzy. "Zhiyuan. I will be back from the restroom."

He nodded. "Be careful. You have drunk quite a bit. Wait, let Ah Cy go with you too."

"No, I am fine. No need to trouble her," she giggled, "I already saw her and not alone. She and Liang seem quite busy kissing each other. Guess he finally confessed."

Zhiyuan chuckled. "Ah let him come back. I will tease him to no end."

Caihong walked towards the washroom, stumbling and tripping. She felt even dizzier than before.

"W-what is happening to me? Did I really drink so much?"

Suddenly, a shadow crept behind her and covered her mouth. Caihong gasped. She tried to resist, but she was firmly caught in the grip. She felt her consciousness fading away and her resistance stopped.

She only woke up the next morning, seeing herself lying on the bed naked in a room. She froze and trembled as she felt a strange ache in her nether regions.

"So, you are up, Caihong."

She slowly turned her head to see Xiaosi leaning on one corner, smiling at her.

*****