Chapter 64: You Did It on Purpose
Liang Xiaoluo's mind was filled with questions, a persistent voice whispering that the relationship between those two was far from ordinary.
Closing the door to her room, she still couldn't calm her thoughts. Shouldn't this be a good thing? With another woman by Ye Tianlin's side, she finally had a chance to escape his grasp.
But why… why didn't she feel as happy as she had imagined?
She tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Eventually, she climbed out of bed, put on her shoes, and left the room. The air in her room felt suffocating, and she needed to step outside.
As she passed Ye Tianlin's room, she quickened her pace, refusing to linger.
What was she afraid of? What was she feeling guilty about?
She had no answer.
The Ye family's rear garden was far larger than the one at Ye Tianlin's private villa. The courtyard was filled with rare plants that, under the glow of the lights, created a serene and breathtaking atmosphere.
Liang Xiaoluo sat in the garden's lone pavilion. Though it was night, the pavilion's intricate craftsmanship was still evident. Yet, she had no interest in appreciating its beauty.
Her thoughts wandered far away, and every memory she replayed seemed to include Ye Tianlin.
No matter how much she didn't want to admit it, Ye Tianlin had occupied every corner of her life, leaving an indelible mark.
If this continues, will I get used to his presence? Will I slowly fall for him?
Confusion clouded her mind. She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice someone approaching until they were less than a meter away. The sudden closeness startled her, and before she could react, the person leaned down and planted a kiss on her cheek.
The unexpected act jolted her from her daze.
Her heart sank, and she instinctively turned, retreating a few cautious steps. When she finally saw the man clearly, she realized it was… Ye Tianhao, Ye Tianlin's younger brother?
Though she had only seen him a few times, she recognized the man with dyed yellow hair and a devilish smirk. His handsome features bore a striking resemblance to Ye Tianlin's. It was indeed Ye Tianhao.
"You…" Liang Xiaoluo's voice trembled as she recalled the kiss.
Ye Tianhao grinned, sitting casually on a stone bench. "Don't be scared. I was just teasing."
This woman overreacts to everything.
But truthfully, he had been drawn to her. The way she gazed up at the night sky, like a sprite in the dark, inexplicably captivated him.
"I…" Liang Xiaoluo didn't believe his excuse. Her nerves were still on edge as she replied, "It's late. I should head back."
From their first meeting, Liang Xiaoluo had sensed that this man was dangerous. The farther she stayed from him, the better.
She turned to leave, but Ye Tianhao quickly stood and blocked her path. "Why are you so afraid of me?"
"I'm not…" she stammered, unable to conceal her anxiety.
"Oh, if you're not afraid, then sit with me for a while. After all, we'll be family soon. I'm your future uncle. Surely, you wouldn't refuse me this small courtesy?" Ye Tianhao's usual roguish demeanor softened into something more serious.
"I…" Liang Xiaoluo hesitated, struggling to find an excuse to decline.
Seizing the opportunity, Ye Tianhao grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her back to the bench. "Just sit. Let's chat. No one ever talks to me at home. When I was a kid, Grandfather and Mom were always too busy for me." He paused before adding bitterly, "Oh, wait, they weren't busy. They just didn't care about me. They only had time for my older brother."
The resentment in his voice was unmistakable, just as it had been when they first met.
"But things are different now," Ye Tianhao continued, his tone shifting. He turned to Liang Xiaoluo, his eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "We have someone new in the family now."
Liang Xiaoluo felt uneasy under his gaze. "It's really late. I should go," she said, trying to excuse herself.
She stood, but Ye Tianhao pushed her back down. His demeanor darkened, his voice turning sinister. "What's the rush? It's still early."
"Let me go!" Liang Xiaoluo protested, alarm bells ringing in her mind.
The more she struggled, the tighter his grip became. His cold, heartless words spilled out. "Why go back? My brother doesn't even like you. Why not stay with me? I'll treat you better than he ever will."
His words struck a nerve. For a moment, Liang Xiaoluo froze. A sharp pain pierced her heart, lingering in its depths.
"Take your filthy hands off me," she said coldly. "Whatever happens between him and me has nothing to do with you."
Her face betrayed no emotion, her demeanor detached and unyielding. She concealed her turmoil well.
Ye Tianhao was momentarily stunned by her icy response, giving her a chance to break free. But before she could escape, he grabbed her shoulders, his agitation mounting.
"Of course it's my business. Everything about him concerns me."
"What do you mean?" Liang Xiaoluo asked, dread creeping into her voice.
Ye Tianhao's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Oh, my dear future sister-in-law—or perhaps, not so future. You must be deeply in love with my brother. But do you know? His heart belongs to someone else."
Liang Xiaoluo's eyes widened in surprise, though she quickly countered, "So what?"
She didn't want to hear about Ye Tianlin's past or his affections for someone else. It had nothing to do with her; their relationship was purely transactional.
"Don't pretend you don't care. Do you think I'll believe that?" Ye Tianhao smirked. "Aren't you curious who that woman is?"
Liang Xiaoluo's composure faltered under his probing gaze. She struggled to find words as his voice hammered into her ears like thunder.
"You know her," Ye Tianhao said, his eyes gleaming. "It's Gu Lingzi. The woman who had dinner with us tonight."
His words hung in the air like a revelation. "You've noticed, haven't you? My brother never lets any woman near him. But Gu Lingzi is different. Not only can she approach him, but right now, they're probably in his room together."
"Liar!" Liang Xiaoluo shouted, her voice unsteady and filled with anger she couldn't explain.
Why does it bother me so much? Why does hearing about him make me so upset? She couldn't understand her own reaction.
Ye Tianhao laughed mockingly. "Oh, you're mad? Why not get even, then…"
But before she could process her anger toward Ye Tianlin, Ye Tianhao's intentions became clear. His predatory gaze sent a chill down her spine.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice trembling. The look in his eyes reminded her of something she'd seen in Ye Tianlin—a dangerous warning she couldn't ignore.
Ye Tianhao's voice grew husky as he leaned closer. "Just helping you…"