Chapter 80: Secrets of Pregnancy
Liang Xiaoluo remained silent. She knew that Gu Lingzi had finally dropped her facade, exposing her true self.
Gu Lingzi stirred the bowl of porridge in her hands, her expression once again one of innocent sweetness. "Sister Xiaoluo, this porridge was made with so much care by Liu Ma. How could I possibly do something so wicked as to taint it?" She paused, lifting her eyes to meet Liang Xiaoluo's. "Or do you think I would?"
Liang Xiaoluo stayed quiet. Her face betrayed no emotion, but inside, she couldn't calm the storm of panic rising in her heart. Gu Lingzi was terrifying.
"Abortifacient?" Gu Lingzi's voice turned mocking, her tone almost playful. "Or maybe rat poison?"
Liang Xiaoluo's eyes widened in shock, unable to believe the malice in Gu Lingzi's casual words.
"You're scared, aren't you?" Gu Lingzi leaned closer, her cold, cruel intent clear in her eyes.
Liang Xiaoluo refused to cower, even as fear gripped her. She forced herself to confront Gu Lingzi. "Why? Why are you doing this? I have no quarrel with you."
"No quarrel?" Gu Lingzi interrupted, her voice icy and mocking. "Liang Xiaoluo, should I call you naive, or just a very good actress?"
"I don't understand what you're talking about." Liang Xiaoluo tried to deflect, unwilling to escalate the confrontation or delve into Gu Lingzi's obvious obsession.
"Don't understand?" Gu Lingzi scoffed, her face twisting with disdain. "You don't understand how much I love Tianlin?"
Suddenly, her composure broke. In a burst of rage, she flung the scalding porridge at Liang Xiaoluo. The hot liquid splashed across her face and exposed skin, leaving angry red marks in its wake.
"Ah!" Liang Xiaoluo cried out, instinctively clutching at her burning skin.
But Gu Lingzi wasn't done. Gripping Liang Xiaoluo's chin, she forced her to look her in the eyes. "You don't know what it's like to love him, because you don't love him as deeply as I do!" Her voice cracked with madness. "If it weren't for you, he would be mine!"
Liang Xiaoluo struggled weakly, her body too drained to fight back. She gasped, "Let go!"
"No," Gu Lingzi hissed, her gaze lowering to Liang Xiaoluo's stomach. "It's all because of that child. That child is the reason he cares about you. If it weren't for the child, you'd be nothing."
Fear shot through Liang Xiaoluo like ice. She watched in horror as Gu Lingzi's expression turned murderous.
"That thing shouldn't exist," Gu Lingzi spat. "It has no right to live in this world."
Panicked, Liang Xiaoluo mustered her strength to fight back. She spoke quickly, trying to reason with Gu Lingzi. "If you hurt me, Tianlin and Grandpa will know. What do you think they'll do to you then? You'll never be able to stay by his side."
Gu Lingzi paused, her crazed expression softening into a smirk. "Oh, Xiaoluo, don't worry. No one will ever know. If anything happens to you, I'll just say you fell from the bed. Who would doubt me?"
Liang Xiaoluo's heart sank. Gu Lingzi wasn't just crazy—she was calculating.
When Liang Xiaoluo tried to scream, Gu Lingzi silenced her with a cruel smile. "Don't worry, I won't do anything so stupid."
Releasing Liang Xiaoluo, Gu Lingzi casually wiped her hands on the blanket. Standing over her, she added, "I like to play games. Like taking away someone's happiness, one piece at a time."
Her words sent chills down Liang Xiaoluo's spine. She suddenly thought of her father, her voice trembling as she asked, "What do you want with my father?"
Gu Lingzi turned, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, don't worry. I'll make sure he's part of the game."
"Gu Lingzi!" Liang Xiaoluo's voice rose in desperation.
At that moment, the door swung open. Ye Tianlin entered, his face cold as he took in the scene. Gu Lingzi instantly switched personas, her tone soft and apologetic. "Oh, Tianlin, it's all my fault! I was careless and spilled porridge on Sister Xiaoluo. I'll go get some ointment right away!"
Her performance was flawless, and anyone watching would be convinced of her sincerity.
"What happened?" Ye Tianlin asked, his voice as icy as his gaze.
Gu Lingzi clung to his arm, tears brimming in her eyes. "It's my fault, Tianlin. I didn't mean to hurt her. I'll make it right!"
Liang Xiaoluo trembled as she watched the scene unfold. Could he not see through her lies?
"It wasn't an accident," Liang Xiaoluo murmured. "She did it on purpose. She burned me on purpose."
Ye Tianlin's eyes narrowed as he glanced between the two women. Gu Lingzi remained calm, her tears flowing freely.
"Sister Xiaoluo, why are you saying such things?" Gu Lingzi's voice quivered with hurt. "I apologized. I even blessed your relationship with Tianlin. Why would you accuse me of this?"
Liang Xiaoluo felt the world closing in around her. No matter what she said, Gu Lingzi had already won.
Ye Tianlin's cold demeanor didn't change, but his next words struck like a dagger to her heart. "Liang Xiaoluo, you've disappointed me."
Without another word, he turned and left, Gu Lingzi triumphantly clinging to his arm.
Liang Xiaoluo was left alone, her heart shattered. She clutched her stomach, her mind spiraling with despair. Maybe Gu Lingzi was right. This child is a mistake. I shouldn't have brought it into this world.
She gripped her abdomen tightly, consumed by the thought of ending her pregnancy. Her tears flowed freely as she spiraled deeper into hopelessness.
Moments later, Ye Tianqing and Yan Ruoxi entered. Ye Tianqing rushed to her side, grabbing her wrists. "Xiaoluo! What are you doing?"
Liang Xiaoluo broke down, collapsing against his chest. "I don't know what to do anymore. I don't know why this is happening."
Ye Tianqing's heart ached as he held her. He had never expected to care for her so deeply, yet here she was, breaking before him.
Yan Ruoxi stood nearby, silent and watching. She knew her husband cared for Liang Xiaoluo more than he should, and the pain of that knowledge was unbearable. But instead of jealousy, her heart filled with resignation.
As tears welled in Yan Ruoxi's eyes, she whispered to herself, Perhaps this is for the best. If I must leave this world, at least he'll have someone to take care of him.
Her silent tears fell as she turned away, leaving the room without another word.