Chapter 65: Resistance
He kissed her again, this time with a punishing ferocity, pressing the kiss deeply onto her neck—on a spot so visible it was clear he wanted everyone to see.
"No…" Liang Xiaoluo cried out in despair. Was she really going to be violated by Ye Tianhao?
A nightmare-like terror gripped her, overwhelming her tense nerves. She desperately hoped this was just a terrible dream, one she could wake up from. But when she opened her eyes, she was met with the crystal-clear image of Ye Tianhao's face.
This wasn't a dream.
Liang Xiaoluo felt utterly hopeless. Ye Tianhao's cold, menacing expression was identical to Ye Tianlin's. It was clear she had no chance of escape.
Tears of fear welled uncontrollably in her eyes. Wasn't there anyone who could save her?
Ye Tianhao showed no sympathy for her tears. To him, Liang Xiaoluo was nothing more than a tool to exact revenge on Ye Tianlin. Ye Tianlin had taken too much from him over the years. This was one thing he would claim for himself.
"Mm…" Liang Xiaoluo sobbed silently, unable to make a sound.
Why did they all treat her like this? Why did the entire world seem intent on tormenting her?
Ye Tianhao, now a devil in human form, slid his hand inside Liang Xiaoluo's shirt. His murmured words carried a cruel edge. "No wonder my brother likes you…"
She didn't care what he said. Her mind was consumed by a singular desire: to escape. She couldn't let herself fall under another man's oppressive control.
Her heart screamed one name over and over, an irrational plea: Ye Tianlin, save me…
It seemed like a futile hope.
Before Ye Tianhao could do anything more, a thunderous roar shattered the moment. "Xiaohao, do you even realize what you're doing?"
The voice struck Ye Tianhao like a bolt of lightning. His body froze, and he turned his head mechanically.
"Big Brother?" he gasped.
Standing before him was Ye Tianqing, the brother he deeply respected, now glaring down at him with the intensity of a lion about to strike. The moonlight highlighted the sharp angles of Ye Tianqing's face, his tightly furrowed brows revealing his barely suppressed rage.
Ye Tianhao was momentarily stunned. Before he could react, Ye Tianqing grabbed him and flung him aside with force. Then he removed his jacket, draping it over Liang Xiaoluo as he helped her to her feet. His voice softened as he said, "Are you okay?"
Liang Xiaoluo was frozen in shock.
In her most desperate moment, someone had come to her rescue. The warmth of this gesture brought a wave of relief, and she couldn't hold back the tears that spilled down her face.
"Big Brother, I…" Ye Tianhao stammered, caught off guard. He had no explanation for what Ye Tianqing had just witnessed.
"Leave," Ye Tianqing ordered coldly.
Growing up, Ye Tianqing had always been protective of Ye Tianhao, especially since Ye Tianlin was favored by their mother and grandfather. He had never scolded or punished Ye Tianhao, dismissing his behavior as immaturity. But now, he realized his leniency had allowed Ye Tianhao to become this unrecognizable person.
This was entirely his fault.
"Big Brother!" Ye Tianhao's voice was tinged with fear. Despite his rebellious nature, he had always feared and respected Ye Tianqing the most.
"Get out of my sight."
These words, spoken with such finality, cut deep into Ye Tianhao. It was the harshest thing Ye Tianqing had ever said to him, and it left him reeling.
Ye Tianhao hesitated before standing and preparing to leave. But before he could go, Ye Tianqing spoke again: "Don't let me catch you doing this again. Or else…"
Ye Tianhao stopped and turned back, anger flickering in his eyes. "Big Brother, do you think I was wrong?"
Ye Tianqing didn't reply, but his expression made his answer clear.
"You think I'm wrong? I'm not!" Ye Tianhao shouted, his voice filled with resentment. "He's the one who's wrong! If it weren't for him, no matter what we did, we wouldn't always be second-best to him in Grandfather's and Mom's eyes…"
"Enough!" Ye Tianqing interrupted sharply, unwilling to let Ye Tianhao continue. Those words hit too close to home—they were a wound he himself carried.
Ye Tianhao fell silent, sensing he had touched on something painful for Ye Tianqing. As he left, he threw one last remark over his shoulder: "As long as I'm alive, I won't let him live in peace."
And with that, he stormed off.
The garden fell silent once more, but the stillness was suffocating.
Liang Xiaoluo had overheard the entire exchange and was left speechless. She didn't know how to face Ye Tianqing after what had just happened.
After a long pause, it was Ye Tianqing who broke the silence. "I'm sorry you had to witness this. On your first day here, no less." He hesitated before adding, "As for what Xiaohao did, I apologize on his behalf."
He wanted to reach out and wipe the tears from her face but stopped himself. It wouldn't be appropriate, so he settled for a verbal gesture of comfort.
Ye Tianqing's polite demeanor left Liang Xiaoluo unsure of how to respond. She should have been angry, indignant even, but his sincerity made it difficult to hold onto those feelings.
"I…"
Sensing her inner turmoil, Ye Tianqing continued, "You must be wondering why Xiaohao hates Tianlin so much, to the point of obsession."
Liang Xiaoluo didn't answer, but the curiosity in her eyes betrayed her.
Ye Tianqing gave a faint smile. "It's because Xiaohao and I are only half-brothers to Tianlin. We have different mothers. Grandfather and Mom have always favored Tianlin, often ignoring Xiaohao entirely. That's why he's so resentful…"
This revelation shocked Liang Xiaoluo. And in Ye Tianqing's tone, she detected a trace of loneliness.
This man, she realized, was also living behind a mask. His life must have been far from easy.
But Ye Tianqing showed no sign of self-pity. He had long accepted his solitude, having spent years surrounded by people he couldn't trust.
"Please forgive Xiaohao," Ye Tianqing said, his voice sincere.
Despite everything, Ye Tianqing always tried to protect Ye Tianhao, his blood brother. No matter how grave his mistakes, Ye Tianqing wanted to shield him.
Liang Xiaoluo didn't give a direct answer. She simply lowered her head and said quietly, "I should go."
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked away.
Ye Tianqing didn't stop her. He knew she must be overwhelmed. As he watched her retreating figure, he felt a strange sense of peace. For the first time, he had shared his thoughts with someone—things he had kept buried for years.
As he stood there, lost in thought, his phone rang sharply. He answered it, hearing the familiar voice of his wife, Yan Ruoxi. "Tianqing, you didn't call me today. I thought you might be asleep. So, did you meet Tianlin's girlfriend? Is she nice? Are they getting married next month? Should I come back early?"
Yan Ruoxi's cheerful chatter barely registered. Ye Tianqing's reply was perfunctory: "Ruoxi, I'm sorry. Things were hectic today. I'll call you earlier next time."
"Silly, it's fine. Anyway, it's late there. Go get some rest. Goodnight!" She hung up.
Looking at the darkened screen, Ye Tianqing sighed. His marriage to Yan Ruoxi was nothing more than a business arrangement—a role he played to perfection. True love was something he would never have the chance to pursue.
Meanwhile, Liang Xiaoluo walked away, not looking back. She didn't notice Ye Tianqing's gaze following her. Her own thoughts were a chaotic mess, each step feeling heavier than the last.
But she knew she had to pull herself together. When she had agreed to be Ye Tianlin's woman, she had already anticipated that chaos would follow—chaos she could never hope to control.
She had no right to act high and mighty. She had always known her place in this world.