Chapter 63: Go Away
Ye Tianlin and Liang Xiaoluo took their seats, and Old Master Ye was fuming inside but forced to act as if everything was fine.
No one dared sit in the empty seat next to Ye Tianlin. Even Ye Tianqing and Ye Tianhao, who had just returned, chose seats across from him. Everyone knew of Ye Tianlin's bad temper—unless he allowed it, no one dared sit beside him.
But Gu Lingzi was fearless.
"Grandfather, can I sit here?" Gu Lingzi casually asked Old Master Ye for permission but didn't wait for an answer. She didn't even think to ask Ye Tianlin. Instead, she plopped herself down next to him without hesitation.
The room fell silent. Everyone's expressions changed.
Old Master Ye stammered, momentarily at a loss for words. Although he had invited Gu Lingzi to dinner to give Liang Xiaoluo a hard time, he knew his grandson well. If Ye Tianlin got angry, even he wouldn't be able to handle it.
He raised a hand to stop her. "No, Lingzi, you…"
Gu Lingzi ignored him entirely. Clinging to Ye Tianlin's arm, she said sweetly, "Brother Tianlin, you don't mind me sitting here, do you?"
Everyone expected Ye Tianlin to yank his arm away and order the servants to throw her out—a scene that would surely be terrifying. They held their breath, waiting for the inevitable.
One second. Two seconds. Three seconds…
To everyone's shock, Ye Tianlin simply pried Gu Lingzi's hand off his arm with visible disgust but said nonchalantly, "Whatever."
The room was stunned. It was as if something supernatural had happened.
Even Liang Xiaoluo was taken aback. She knew Ye Tianlin well enough by now to understand his temperament. He had never been so tolerant with any woman—not even her.
But now…
Was this woman special to him?
Liang Xiaoluo lowered her gaze, hiding her thoughts. Special or not, what does it have to do with me? Ours is nothing more than a transactional relationship.
"Grandfather, aren't we starting dinner?" Gu Lingzi acted as if she owned the place.
"Oh, yes, of course. Steward Liu, bring out the food," Old Master Ye said, dazed.
He wondered if he was imagining things. Could bringing Gu Lingzi home have been the right move after all?
Gu Lingzi ignored everyone else, her eyes fixed on Ye Tianlin. She had always admired him—the extraordinary man she'd never forgotten, even after meeting countless other outstanding individuals.
The atmosphere at the table was tense. No one dared speak, except for Gu Lingzi, who took it upon herself to liven things up. Every topic she raised was directed at Ye Tianlin. She didn't care about his cold responses or indifference and continued to chatter enthusiastically.
Suddenly, she turned to Old Master Ye with an innocent question: "Grandfather, my parents are still in England and won't return for a while. Can I stay here in the meantime? My house is so empty with just the servants. It's lonely."
Her wide, pleading eyes shone like the full moon, her tone pitiful.
Old Master Ye hesitated briefly before nodding. "Well, there's no—"
"No!" Ye Tianlin interrupted sharply before the words left his grandfather's mouth.
Even Ye Tianlin himself was startled by the intensity of his reaction, drawing curious stares from everyone. He quickly composed himself and explained gruffly, "The house is crowded. I don't like it."
With those simple words, he managed to diffuse the surprise.
Hua Lin, who had been silent until now, chimed in, "That's right, Father. Tianlin has always disliked a noisy home. How about we arrange for Lingzi to—"
"Grandfather, Aunt Hua Lin, do you hate me? Am I too noisy for you? I see… I've been disturbing everyone. I'm sorry…" Gu Lingzi's voice trembled, her eyes welling up with tears.
She stood abruptly, covering her face as if about to burst into tears, and headed for the door.
Old Master Ye rushed to console her. "Of course not, Lingzi. You're such a sweet girl. You'll stay here. As long as I'm here, no one can make you leave."
"Really?" Gu Lingzi's face lit up instantly. "Thank you, Grandfather!"
Her tears disappeared as quickly as they had come. Without a second thought, she shamelessly sat back down beside Ye Tianlin, as if nothing had happened. She resumed eating her pasta gracefully, cutting her steak with poise. Every so often, she turned to Ye Tianlin with childlike innocence.
"Brother Tianlin, I want to try yours. Oh, and this one too!" she said, pointing at his plate.
At the other end of the table, Hua Lin's heart skipped a beat. In that fleeting moment when Gu Lingzi looked up, Hua Lin caught a glimpse of something chilling in her eyes—a sneer of pure disdain.
Why would she look at me like that?
Dinner was awkward for everyone except Gu Lingzi, who seemed to be having the time of her life. Liang Xiaoluo, on the other hand, felt increasingly uneasy. Ye Tianlin's uncharacteristically kind behavior toward her made her suspicious, as though he were planning something terrible.
After what felt like an eternity, dinner finally ended. Ye Tianlin stood and announced, "Old man, if there's nothing else, Xiaoluo and I are going upstairs."
As they turned to leave, Old Master Ye called after them, "Her room is on the first floor."
Ye Tianlin stopped in his tracks and replied pointedly, "She's sharing my room."
Old Master Ye scowled. "You're not married yet. That's improper."
"I don't care," Ye Tianlin said coldly. "I want it that way."
Old Master Ye sighed, knowing it was futile to argue with his stubborn grandson. Turning to Liang Xiaoluo, he asked sharply, "And what do you think? Do you agree?"
His tone carried an unmistakable threat.
Liang Xiaoluo hesitated before replying, "Tianlin, we should listen to Grandfather."
Avoiding sharing a room with Ye Tianlin was a blessing she dared not pass up.
Ye Tianlin's expression darkened. This damn woman! How dare she betray me? But he maintained his façade, saying, "If that's what Xiaoluo wants, fine. But her room will be next to mine."