Chapter 78: Seeing Is Believing
"Doctor said both she and the baby are fine, but…" Yan Ruoxi hesitated as they walked, carefully considering her words before deciding to share Liang Xiaoluo's condition with Ye Tianqing.
"But what?" Ye Tianqing frowned, his concern evident.
"The doctor mentioned that Xiaoluo's head has suffered a past injury, which caused selective amnesia. If her condition remains stable, she'll stay as she is now. However, if it worsens, it might affect her daily life. She could even forget significant parts of her past—possibly even who she is." Yan Ruoxi relayed the doctor's warning almost word for word.
"What?" Ye Tianqing froze in shock, his expression a mirror of disbelief. "Are you sure about this?"
Yan Ruoxi nodded solemnly, assuring him of the truth.
The weight of the revelation left Ye Tianqing in prolonged silence, his mind spinning.
Finally, Yan Ruoxi asked cautiously, "Tianqing, do you think we should tell Tianlin or even Grandpa about Xiaoluo's condition?"
"No," Ye Tianqing interrupted firmly, his voice sharp with urgency.
Yan Ruoxi flinched at his reaction, startled. "Tianqing?"
Realizing his outburst, Ye Tianqing softened his tone, explaining, "Ruoxi, for now, we can't tell anyone about Xiaoluo's condition—not Grandpa, not Tianlin, no one. She's newly pregnant, and stress isn't good for her. Let's wait until after the baby is born before deciding."
Ye Tianqing knew his family too well. If Grandpa or others found out about Xiaoluo's selective amnesia, even with her carrying Tianlin's child, they might not accept her into the family. As for Tianlin, Ye Tianqing needed more certainty about his brother's feelings for Xiaoluo before revealing this.
"Alright," Yan Ruoxi agreed, respecting his decision. She understood that Ye Tianqing was trying to protect Xiaoluo, ensuring she wasn't burdened unnecessarily.
"Thank you for taking care of her, Ruoxi," Ye Tianqing said suddenly, his tone filled with gratitude.
Yan Ruoxi responded with a faint, reassuring smile.
When Ye Tianqing suggested they go inside, Yan Ruoxi demurred, saying she wanted to walk in the garden for a while. Ye Tianqing nodded and left without offering to accompany her.
Watching his retreating figure, Yan Ruoxi clutched her chest, her heart aching unbearably. "Tianqing, have you forgotten… I'm your wife."
Her breathing became labored, her body trembling as her complexion turned ashen. Unable to hold on any longer, she collapsed onto the ground.
Fighting to remain conscious, Yan Ruoxi fumbled for her purse, retrieved a small bottle of pills, and shakily poured a dose into her palm. With great effort, she swallowed the medication, her life briefly restored by the temporary reprieve it offered.
As the medicine took effect, she leaned against a tree, her breathing gradually evening out. A bitter smile played on her lips as she gazed at the bottle. How long had it been since Ye Tianqing even noticed her? Was it because he never checked her belongings or cared to understand her life? Or was it simply because she never held a place in his heart?
Yan Ruoxi pushed herself upright, brushing off the dirt and pain, her composure flawless once more. She returned to the house, completely unaware that someone hidden among the trees had seen everything. A figure muttered gleefully, "What a revelation—the eldest daughter-in-law has a heart condition, and the future second daughter-in-law has mental issues."
Meanwhile, chaos had erupted in the Ye family's living room.
Liang Xiaoluo's father, Liang Hui, had arrived uninvited with his wife Lin Meiling and stepdaughter Lin Xue. Upon hearing of Liang Xiaoluo's pregnancy, Liang Hui had come to check on her. Lin Meiling, ever opportunistic, saw this as a chance to introduce Lin Xue to the still-unmarried third Ye son.
But the scene they encountered was far from what they expected.
With Liang Xiaoluo away for a hospital checkup, they were greeted instead by Gu Lingzi clinging intimately to Ye Tianlin's arm, playing the role of a doting partner.
Liang Hui's face darkened instantly.
Gu Lingzi, unfamiliar with the visitors, eyed their modest attire with disdain. "Grandpa, who are these bumpkins?"
Liang Hui's expression turned stormy as he marched up to Ye Tianlin, demanding, "Tianlin, who is she? And where is Xiaoluo?"
Ye Tianlin remained stoic, offering no explanation.
Sensing the tension, Gu Lingzi stepped forward, still clutching Ye Tianlin's arm. "Uncle, how can you speak to Tianlin so rudely? Such a terrible attitude! If you keep this up, we won't welcome you here."
Liang Hui, already furious, clenched his fists in silence.
But Lin Meiling, never one to hold back, erupted. Though she had always looked down on Liang Xiaoluo in the past, her newfound appreciation for her daughter's advantageous marriage left her bristling.
Shoving Gu Lingzi aside, Lin Meiling snapped, "And who are you? Parading around like this—don't you know that Tianlin is Xiaoluo's fiancé? Have you no shame?"
Gu Lingzi froze, stunned by the audacity of the older woman. Then, her shock turned to fury. Without hesitation, she slapped Lin Meiling across the face, her voice shrill. "No one has ever dared lay a hand on me—not even my parents. How dare you?"
Lin Meiling, stunned and enraged, retaliated immediately. Grabbing Gu Lingzi by the hair, she wrestled her to the ground. "You brat! Who do you think you are? My daughter is his fiancée, and I won't let anyone steal him from her!"
Lin Xue hesitated for a moment before rushing to her mother's aid.
What ensued was pure pandemonium, with housemaids and other women inexplicably joining the fray, all targeting Lin Meiling and Lin Xue. The living room devolved into chaos, shrieks and scuffles filling the air.
Through it all, Ye Tianlin stood apart, watching the scene with disinterest.
When Liang Xiaoluo finally returned, stepping into the melee, she froze, her eyes widening in disbelief.
What had she walked into?
Spotting her, Liang Hui rushed to her side. "Xiaoluo, you're back! Do something—stop them! Your stepmother and stepsister—"
Surveying the room, filled with familiar faces yet utterly foreign in their actions, Liang Xiaoluo felt a deep sense of despair. Turning to Liang Hui, she saw his helplessness, and something inside her snapped.
"Stop it!" she screamed.
The room fell silent.
But Lin Meiling, undeterred, huffed, "Anyone who dares steal my daughter's man won't get away with it!" And with that, she lunged at Gu Lingzi once more.
Shocked and frustrated, Liang Xiaoluo stepped into the chaos, trying to pull people apart. But in the confusion, an unseen hand shoved her forcefully, sending her sprawling to the floor.
The impact was jarring, and Liang Xiaoluo let out a pained gasp, clutching her stomach.
Ye Tianlin, observing from the sidelines, moved instantly. In three strides, he was at her side, gathering her into his arms. His voice, for once, was filled with worry. "Where does it hurt? Tell me."
Her surroundings faded as Liang Xiaoluo focused on his voice. It carried a concern that momentarily softened her guarded heart.
But as she looked up at him, words failed her. The pain, the chaos, and the tumultuous emotions rendered her silent.
Then, Ye Tianlin turned his cold gaze to the room. "Who pushed her?" he growled.
The silence was deafening.