Chapter 51: Thrilling and Unbelievable
Ye Tianlin casually walked to the wardrobe, rummaging through Liang Xiaoluo's clothes. His brows furrowed as he examined the outdated pieces. "How can anyone wear these? We need to buy you some new ones," he muttered to himself.
After much searching, he reluctantly picked out a piece. "Wear this today. Later, I'll take you shopping."
"Why should I listen to you?" Liang Xiaoluo retorted, her defiance flaring.
Ignoring her, Ye Tianlin replied, "Hurry up and change." Seeing her glaring at him, he smirked. "Or should I help you?"
He started moving toward her as if to follow through.
Liang Xiaoluo panicked, grabbing the clothes from his hands. "I'll do it myself! Now, get out."
Once again, she had fallen for his trap.
Ye Tianlin's expression turned amused. "Liang Xiaoluo, are you still shy?"
She shot him a fiery glare, silently demanding he leave the room. He shrugged and took a step back. "Fine. I won't look."
He turned his back to her.
Liang Xiaoluo, left with no choice, conceded. To guard against any sudden movements from him, she turned her back as well.
But just as she began to change, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her close.
"No!" Liang Xiaoluo instinctively struggled, resisting his advances.
But to her surprise, the movements stopped. Instead, she felt him helping her slip into the clothes.
Confused, she opened her eyes to find Ye Tianlin calmly assisting her. His deep voice carried a teasing edge. "You're not used to me not touching you, are you?"
Her cheeks flushed, and she stammered, "I-I'm not!"
He chuckled but refrained from exposing her lie. After helping her dress, he said lightly, "All done. Let's go."
He stood, preparing to leave.
Watching his retreating figure, Liang Xiaoluo couldn't shake a sense of unease. "You…"
Ye Tianlin stopped and looked over his shoulder. "What?"
"Are you really going to marry me?" Liang Xiaoluo asked hesitantly. She had always thought he was just toying with her.
For her, marriage was sacred. But judging by his actions, he seemed serious. A man like him—wealthy, powerful, and from a prominent family—why would he marry someone like her, a woman of no standing?
What was his true intention?
"Do you think I'm joking?" Ye Tianlin countered.
Even he had initially thought it was a joke. But after last night's contemplation, he realized marrying her wasn't such a bad idea. At the very least, she was the only woman he didn't find repulsive.
Her presence gave him a glimpse of something he hadn't felt since his dark childhood—a faint sense of beauty in life.
"Isn't it?" she pressed.
To her, wealthy men like him only played with emotions. Love wasn't even part of the equation.
Ye Tianlin's gaze darkened. He neither confirmed nor denied her suspicion. "Perhaps you're right."
"What's the point, then?" Liang Xiaoluo paused before continuing. "If this is just for fun, I assure you, you'll grow bored of me very quickly…"
Before she could finish, Ye Tianlin interrupted. "Then do your best to make sure I don't tire of you."
Perhaps, as she said, he would one day lose interest. But when that day came, what would fill the void she left behind? Would he retreat to his solitary, grotesque world once more?
No. He refused to go back.
Liang Xiaoluo froze. His persistence left her speechless. Today, Ye Tianlin felt different.
As she sat in a daze, he returned, gently knocking on her forehead. "Liang Xiaoluo, stop zoning out. Don't you know your father is waiting for us outside?" He paused, his tone softening. "As long as you marry me as planned, I'll ensure you live comfortably."
She lowered her gaze. "What if you hate me before we even get married?"
Ye Tianlin's eyes glimmered. "Don't worry. Even if I grow tired of you someday, I won't let you suffer."
Strangely, his words eased the tension in her heart. Her eyes flickered with an indescribable emotion before she masked it with a faint, false smile.
"Alright," she said firmly.
Raising her head, Liang Xiaoluo appeared like a different person. To her, their relationship was just a transaction. Her first time had been with him, and she and Nan Shaojie were impossible. What did it matter who she married?
At least this arrangement would improve her father's life. Wasn't that the best outcome?
Yet, deep down, a quiet sorrow tugged at her heart.
Ye Tianlin didn't like the forced smile she wore. It irked him that she had agreed for money, making her decision seem transactional.
From outside, Lin Meiling's voice interrupted. "Xiaoluo, Tianlin, are you ready?"
"I'm coming!" Liang Xiaoluo replied, walking to the door.
Though she disliked Lin Meiling, she reasoned that if she and Lin Xue got married, her father would at least have someone to accompany him.
"Let's have breakfast together," Lin Meiling suggested, eager to curry favor with Ye Tianlin.
"There's no need," Ye Tianlin interjected. "Grandfather wants to meet Xiaoluo. I'm taking her there."
Lin Meiling was momentarily at a loss for words.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Liang Hui, Ye Tianlin led Liang Xiaoluo away.
The car arrived at the Ye family estate. It was grand and imposing, with two rows of servants standing at attention to welcome Ye Tianlin. He hadn't been home in a long time.
Liang Xiaoluo felt the air around him grow colder. Before she could question it, Ye Tianlin wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. "Whatever my grandfather says, stand firm," he instructed.
"Huh?" She blinked, confused.
He tapped her forehead lightly. "Stand firm in wanting to marry me."
"Oh…" she murmured, beginning to understand.
As they walked, Ye Tianlin unexpectedly pressed his warm lips to her face, planting a series of kisses.
"What are you…" Liang Xiaoluo stammered, caught off guard.
"Don't worry about my grandfather," Ye Tianlin reassured her. "He's easier to deal with than you think."
Just then, a sharp voice pierced the air. "Tianlin, you're back…"
It was Hualin. She rushed over, desperate to interrupt their intimacy. Her bloodshot eyes betrayed her inner turmoil, and her long nails dug into her palms, leaving faint red marks.
Ye Tianlin ignored her completely, keeping his arm firmly around Liang Xiaoluo as they entered the estate.
Hualin trailed behind them, unwilling to let go.
Inside, Ye Lao was waiting. Besides him, there was Ye Tianhao and another stern-looking man who bore a resemblance to Ye Tianhao.
"You're here," Ye Lao said coldly.