Chapter 33: I'll Wait for You
Xiaoluo's heart was pounding as she stared at Ye Tianlin in disbelief. The room's oppressive tension made it hard to breathe. His piercing eyes locked onto hers, radiating a mixture of dominance and amusement, as if her every move amused him.
Unwanted Assistance
"Why are you doing this?" she spat, her voice laced with defiance, even as her body trembled. She clenched her fists, the tremor in her hands betraying her composure.
Ye Tianlin ignored her question. Instead, he grabbed the clean clothes he had set aside earlier and threw them over her. "Wear these," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"I don't need your charity!" she retorted, clutching the damp sheet tighter around herself.
His smirk deepened, his sharp jawline tightening. "Five seconds," he warned, his voice dangerously low. "You put them on yourself, or I'll do it for you."
She froze, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She hated him, hated how he could bend her to his will with just a threat. Grinding her teeth, she yanked the clothes from his hand and turned her back to him, forcing herself into the dry fabric with shaking hands.
"Good girl," he murmured when she was done. The mockery in his voice was unbearable.
A Reluctant Truce
Ye Tianlin scooped her up effortlessly, cradling her as if she weighed nothing. Her fists pounded weakly against his chest, but he didn't flinch. "Put me down!" she hissed.
He carried her out of the bathroom, completely ignoring her protests. In the room, his childhood friend and family doctor, Zhiyi, was sprawled on the couch, flipping through a magazine as if he owned the place.
Hearing the door, Zhiyi glanced up casually, only for his jaw to drop. His eyes widened as they darted between Ye Tianlin and the woman in his arms. "Well, well, what do we have here?" Zhiyi said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "You've finally gotten over your aversion to women?"
"Shut up and check her fever," Ye Tianlin ordered, placing Liang Xiaoluo gently on the bed.
Zhiyi snickered as he approached. "Relax, man. I'm just saying it's nice to see you acting human for once."
Under His Watch
As Zhiyi examined Liang Xiaoluo, her flushed face and glassy eyes revealed the severity of her fever. "Forty-one degrees," Zhiyi announced, glancing at Ye Tianlin. "She needs rest, fluids, and fever meds. And you," he added with a smirk, "need to keep your hands off her for a few days. She's already weak—don't make it worse."
Ye Tianlin's expression darkened. "Leave," he snapped.
Zhiyi held up his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. Don't shoot the messenger."
As Zhiyi left, the room plunged into silence. Liang Xiaoluo's gaze darted around, looking for an escape, but Ye Tianlin blocked her path effortlessly. He sat down beside her, holding an ice pack. "Hold still," he ordered.
"I don't need your help!" she snapped, batting his hand away.
His jaw tightened, and his eyes hardened. "Stop being stubborn. I'm not asking."
"Then I refuse!" she shot back, her voice rising despite the weakness in her body.
The Breaking Point
Ye Tianlin leaned closer, his voice a cold whisper. "Do you think you have a choice? Every time you fight me, you only hurt yourself."
"I'd rather hurt myself than let you win!" she cried, her voice breaking.
Something flickered in his eyes—an emotion she couldn't identify. "You're impossible," he muttered under his breath.
Suddenly, he slammed the ice pack onto the bedside table and stood. "Fine. If you don't want my help, don't expect me to care when you burn yourself out."
Liang Xiaoluo's defiance faltered as he turned away. The room felt colder, emptier. She hated him for making her feel so helpless, but more than that, she hated herself for wishing he'd stay.
An Unwelcome Visitor
Before she could process her swirling emotions, the door opened again. A maid stepped inside, carrying another ice pack. Liang Xiaoluo froze when she recognized the woman—Su Xin, her childhood friend turned rival.
Su Xin's expression shifted from surprise to disdain as she took in the scene. Her gaze lingered on Liang Xiaoluo, her lips curling into a smug smile. "Here's the ice pack, sir," she said sweetly, handing it to Ye Tianlin.
He barely acknowledged her, his focus on Liang Xiaoluo. "Hold this," he said, pressing the ice pack to her forehead despite her weak protests.
Liang Xiaoluo turned her head sharply, causing the ice pack to fall. "I don't need you," she muttered.
The maid's smirk widened. "Such an attitude for someone in your position," she murmured, loud enough for Liang Xiaoluo to hear.
"Enough," Ye Tianlin said sharply, his voice cutting through the tension. He turned to Su Xin, his eyes icy. "You're dismissed."
"But—" Su Xin began.
"Leave," he growled, his tone brooking no argument.
A Fragile Compromise
As the door closed behind the maid, Liang Xiaoluo felt tears prick her eyes. "Why do you keep doing this?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Why won't you just let me go?"
Ye Tianlin's gaze softened for a brief moment, but his reply was firm. "Because I don't want to."
He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Rest," he said, his voice low. "I'll wait."
She turned her head away, closing her eyes tightly. She didn't want to see the strange mixture of possessiveness and tenderness in his eyes. She didn't want to feel the warmth of his hand or the steadiness of his presence.
Most of all, she didn't want to admit that, deep down, a part of her wanted to believe him.