Chapter 75: A Chilling Realization
Gu Lingzi clung to Ye Tianlin's arm, projecting a smug sense of triumph as if daring anyone to challenge her.
Yan Ruoxi, visibly angered, was about to retort when Ye Tianqing intervened, placing a calming hand on her shoulder. "Father, didn't you have Aunt Liu prepare Tianlin's favorite pasta? If we don't eat it soon, it'll get cold and lose its taste."
"Yes, Father," Hua Lin chimed in smoothly, ever the opportunist when it came to presenting herself in a favorable light.
Ye Lao let out a heavy sigh, deciding not to press the matter further. Everyone followed his lead, taking their seats at the dining table. Ye Tianhao, however, still fuming from earlier, stormed out, his departure barely causing a ripple of concern.
As the meal began, Gu Lingzi wasted no time asserting herself, sliding into the seat meant for Liang Xiaoluo and saying with a sweet yet cutting tone, "Sister Xiaoluo, since Brother Tianlin's hand is injured and you're expecting a child, wouldn't it be more practical for me to take care of him?"
Liang Xiaoluo froze, standing awkwardly with no place to sit.
Neither Ye Tianlin nor Ye Lao spoke up for her, and Hua Lin, while clearly displeased with Gu Lingzi's antics, chose to remain silent.
Liang Xiaoluo felt like an outsider, unwelcome and out of place.
Ye Tianqing, feeling conflicted, hesitated to intervene. Any overt display of concern for her would seem inappropriate given the delicate balance of relationships in the family.
Sensing his thoughts, Yan Ruoxi, ever intuitive, gestured warmly to Liang Xiaoluo. "Xiaoluo, come sit by me," she said gently.
Startled, Liang Xiaoluo hesitated for a moment before moving toward Yan Ruoxi, grateful for the small kindness. She sat down quietly, keeping her head lowered as she picked at her food. Her vision blurred with tears she desperately tried to suppress, but the ache in her throat only deepened.
She reminded herself bitterly that she was just a purchased companion—a toy. In this household, even the maids commanded more respect than she did.
Forcing herself to finish her meal, Liang Xiaoluo felt her stomach churn violently. She abruptly excused herself and rushed to the bathroom, where she retched everything she had eaten.
When she returned, only Yan Ruoxi and Ye Tianqing seemed concerned enough to ask if she was all right.
"Are you feeling better?" Yan Ruoxi asked softly.
Liang Xiaoluo shook her head lightly. "I'm fine."
The others, however, remained indifferent. Gu Lingzi clung to Ye Tianlin like glue, her voice annoyingly coy. "Brother Tianlin, it's been so long since we were in Mengchuan. Will you take me out for a walk later?"
She completely ignored Liang Xiaoluo's presence, behaving as if she were Ye Tianlin's rightful companion.
Yan Ruoxi couldn't stand it any longer. "Tianlin, Xiaoluo is still adjusting to her pregnancy. Perhaps you should accompany her to the hospital for a checkup. It would also be a good opportunity for you to learn how to be a responsible father."
The mention of the child brought a fleeting look of sadness to Yan Ruoxi's eyes, though she quickly masked it.
Even Ye Lao, though still displeased with Liang Xiaoluo, chimed in, "Yes, Tianlin. Take Xiaoluo to the hospital and have her checked. It's important to ensure everything is progressing smoothly."
Gu Lingzi's face turned pale with anger. She shot a venomous glare at Yan Ruoxi, who had clearly foiled her plans.
Liang Xiaoluo stood awkwardly, feeling like a child awaiting judgment.
Ye Tianlin's response was critical—it would shape her future in this household.
Part of her still held onto a sliver of hope. Despite his cruelty, he had always appeared when she needed him most. His domineering nature, though oppressive, had strangely become a constant in her life.
But Ye Tianlin's cold glance extinguished that hope in an instant. Without a word, he grabbed Gu Lingzi by the arm and left, his actions a clear declaration of where his priorities lay.
Liang Xiaoluo's heart sank, her hopes crumbling into despair.
So, her expectations were nothing but illusions. She had dared to hope for too much, and now she paid the price in bitter disappointment.
A hollow laugh escaped her lips, masking the pain that threatened to overwhelm her.
"Tianlin! Tianlin!" Yan Ruoxi called after him, her voice filled with disbelief at his behavior.
But Ye Tianlin didn't look back. He stormed off with Gu Lingzi in tow, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.
Ye Lao sighed deeply. Though he knew his grandson was in the wrong, he felt powerless to intervene. Regardless of what had transpired between Ye Tianlin and Liang Xiaoluo, his public disregard for his fiancée was unacceptable—especially since it was a match he himself had sanctioned.
His indulgence in raising Ye Tianlin now seemed to be the root of all these problems.
Liang Xiaoluo stood frozen, unsure of what to do next.
Yan Ruoxi quickly stepped forward and took her hand. "Xiaoluo, Tianlin is just being childish. Don't take it to heart. Get ready, and I'll go with you to the hospital."
Her warmth provided a fragile comfort, a sliver of solace that Liang Xiaoluo clung to desperately.
"Thank you," she murmured, her voice trembling with gratitude.
Back in her room, Liang Xiaoluo prepared herself to leave. She vomited several more times, her stomach protesting against the stress she was under. Staring at her pale reflection in the mirror, she saw the face of a woman weighed down by rejection and despair.
She didn't bother with makeup or fancy clothes. Pulling her hair into a simple ponytail, she chose a casual outfit and left to meet Yan Ruoxi.
In the courtyard, she spotted Yan Ruoxi talking to Ye Tianqing.
"You have work at the company, don't you? Don't worry about us. I'll take care of Xiaoluo," Yan Ruoxi said with a warm smile.
Ye Tianqing frowned. "It's on the way. I'll drive you both to the hospital. When Xiaoluo is done, give me a call, and I'll pick you up."
Yan Ruoxi hesitated briefly before nodding. "All right."
As Liang Xiaoluo approached, Yan Ruoxi immediately walked over, gently taking her hand. "Don't worry. Your big brother is giving us a ride. Everything will be fine."
Her kindness brought an unexpected wave of warmth to Liang Xiaoluo's heart.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Yan Ruoxi's genuine concern reminded Liang Xiaoluo of a distant, cherished memory—someone who had once cared for her with the same tenderness.
But the harder she tried to recall, the more her head throbbed with pain, as though her mind was guarding a secret too painful to uncover.
"Xiaoluo, are you feeling all right?" Yan Ruoxi's gentle voice broke through her thoughts, filled with worry.
"I'm fine," Liang Xiaoluo replied, forcing a smile.
Her words reassured Ye Tianqing, who had been watching her closely. But when he glanced at Yan Ruoxi, he noticed no trace of suspicion in her gaze—only kindness.
Relieved, he drove them to the hospital in silence.
Once they arrived, Ye Tianqing excused himself, leaving Yan Ruoxi to accompany Liang Xiaoluo for her checkup.
Throughout the process, Yan Ruoxi stayed by her side, ensuring she was comfortable and cared for.
When they finally received the results, they entered the doctor's office. Liang Xiaoluo froze when she saw the man seated behind the desk—a strikingly handsome doctor with an air of authority and confidence.
"Who is this?" Yan Ruoxi asked, a hint of caution in her voice.
The nurse beside them quickly explained, "Miss Yan, this is Dr. Ye. He's recently returned from overseas training. You probably haven't met him yet."