Chapter 37: Confusion
By midday, Liang Xiaoluo finished preparing lunch.
"Shao Ye said he won't come down to eat. Bring the meal up to his room."
"Me?"
Liang Xiaoluo froze, staring at the tray in her hands. She desperately didn't want to deliver the food.
"Are you deaf? Why do I have to repeat myself every time?" Liu Jie snapped irritably.
Reluctantly, Liang Xiaoluo began walking toward the second floor, her steps heavy and slow. The closer she got, the more hesitant she became. Facing Ye Tianlin was akin to facing a demon—it was worse than death.
"Hurry up!" Liu Jie urged from behind.
With a deep breath, Liang Xiaoluo forced herself to quicken her pace. She reached Ye Tianlin's bedroom door, her heart pounding in her chest like a frightened deer. The silence of the hallway only amplified her racing heartbeat.
Finally summoning her courage, she gently knocked on the door. "Shao Ye, your lunch is ready," she called out, her voice stiff and formal.
There was no response.
She knocked again, but the room remained silent. Curiosity overtook her hesitation. Slowly, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The bedroom was empty.
Could it be that Ye Tianlin wasn't there?
Relief washed over her. It seemed she was spared the ordeal of facing him. Turning to leave with the tray in hand, a sound from the bathroom froze her in her tracks—a woman's voice.
Curiosity piqued, she moved toward the bathroom. The door was slightly ajar, revealing a narrow crack through which she could glimpse inside.
That one glance made her breath hitch and her hands tremble. The tray slipped from her grasp, crashing to the floor and shattering loudly.
Liang Xiaoluo instinctively covered her mouth, struggling to suppress any sound of shock. But the noise of the breaking dishes had already caught the attention of those inside.
The bathroom door creaked open. A woman stepped out, her expression turning to shock when she saw Liang Xiaoluo. "Xiaoluo, why… why are you here? Did you… did you see everything?"
Liang Xiaoluo's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the woman standing before her, wrapped in a bathrobe. It was none other than Su Xin—her best friend.
"Xiaoluo, don't misunderstand! It's not what you think," Su Xin stammered, her tone pleading, though her eyes gleamed with a slyness that didn't match her words.
"You…"
Liang Xiaoluo's mind reeled. Was this really happening? Hadn't Su Xin been severely injured last night? Yet now, she appeared perfectly fine.
No scars, no bruises. How could that be?
And what had she just witnessed in the bathroom?
Liang Xiaoluo felt her world spinning. What was real, and what was false? She couldn't tell anymore.
Suddenly, Ye Tianlin appeared behind Su Xin. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he spoke in a husky, teasing tone, "Little temptress, don't get distracted. Let's continue…"
His gaze briefly flicked to Liang Xiaoluo, a smug smile playing on his lips as if he had anticipated her presence all along.
"You…"
Liang Xiaoluo's voice trembled as she struggled to comprehend the scene before her. How could Su Xin and Ye Tianlin be together? Was she hallucinating?
"I'm sorry, Xiaoluo," Su Xin said sweetly, her voice dripping with feigned guilt. "Tianlin said… he prefers me and wants to be with me."
Her words were like a thunderclap in Liang Xiaoluo's ears. She stumbled backward, her face pale.
"You… you're saying…" she managed, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Xiaoluo…" Su Xin reached out, trying to touch her, but Ye Tianlin caught her hand, pinning her against the wall. Right in front of Liang Xiaoluo, he kissed Su Xin passionately.
Liang Xiaoluo's eyes filled with tears as she watched Ye Tianlin's intimate gestures toward Su Xin—gestures he had once reserved for her. But unlike her, Su Xin seemed willing, even eager.
Had last night been a lie?
Liang Xiaoluo's knees buckled. She felt as though the ground beneath her had given way, but she steadied herself, determined to uncover the truth.
"What about last night?" she asked weakly.
Ye Tianlin paused, his cold laughter sending chills down her spine. Stroking Su Xin's cheek, he sneered, "Little temptress, your acting last night was flawless."
The words struck Liang Xiaoluo like a hammer blow. Everything had been staged. She was nothing more than a pawn in their game.
Barely able to stand, she turned and fled the room. The door slammed shut behind her, leaving Ye Tianlin and Su Xin alone.
As soon as Liang Xiaoluo left, Ye Tianlin shoved Su Xin away, his face twisting in disgust. He straightened his clothes, visibly repulsed.
Merely holding Su Xin had made his stomach churn. If not for his plan, he would never have touched her. The bathroom scene had been meticulously staged to provoke Liang Xiaoluo.
It was undeniable—his only desire was for Liang Xiaoluo. Other women revolted him.
"Master Tianlin…" Su Xin's voice trembled with hope, still lost in the memory of his earlier tenderness.
"You're not worthy to call me that," Ye Tianlin snapped coldly.
Su Xin froze, her dreams shattering. "But…"
Her words were cut off as Ye Tianlin slapped her hand away. His voice was icy. "Get dressed and return to your quarters. As long as you cooperate with my plans, I'll ensure you live comfortably."
To him, Su Xin was nothing but a tool.
Su Xin's face fell, but she quickly composed herself. "Yes, of course, Shao Ye," she murmured, retreating obediently.
The moment she stepped out of his room, her heart burned with resentment. Why does Liang Xiaoluo deserve everything while I get nothing?
No, she wouldn't accept this. She vowed to seize what she wanted, no matter the cost.
Later, after Ye Tianlin left the house, Su Xin roamed freely. Few knew the details of her arrangement with him. Most assumed she had replaced Liang Xiaoluo in Ye Tianlin's favor and flocked to curry favor with her.
"Su Xin-jie, you're so lucky! The young master clearly dotes on you now."
"Yes, yes! Don't forget us in the future."
Flattery surrounded her, feeding her vanity. Su Xin basked in their admiration, silently vowing to hold onto this newfound status forever.