Chapter 81: Unbridled Fury
Ye Tianqing, oblivious to Yan Ruoxi's pain, was consumed by a storm of emotions. As he left Liang Xiaoluo in her care, his thoughts lingered on the earlier scene. Did Xiaoluo's despair stem from seeing Tianlin and Gu Lingzi together?
His fists clenched as he stormed toward Ye Tianlin's room. Inside, Gu Lingzi sat on the bed, her demeanor coy and flirtatious. "Tianlin, it's broad daylight, and you're already so eager?" she teased, her voice saccharine.
Ye Tianlin's piercing gaze locked onto her, his mind replaying Liang Xiaoluo's injured state. The rage simmering within him surged. Yet, Gu Lingzi held his secret in her grasp, shackling him. The thought of Liang Xiaoluo learning the truth, of her loathing him, was his greatest fear.
Gu Lingzi, unrestrained by shame or modesty, pulled him toward the bed. Her hands moved boldly, attempting to ignite a response from him. "Tianlin, don't you want me?" she murmured as she leaned in for a kiss.
In one swift motion, Ye Tianlin flipped her over, pinning her beneath him. His hand gripped her neck tightly, his face inches from hers, his voice cold and threatening. "Stay away from Xiaoluo. This is your final warning."
Gu Lingzi, despite her reddened face from his grip, remained unfazed. She chuckled softly, her voice laced with defiance. "Tianlin, you wouldn't dare hurt me, would you?"
His hand faltered.
"If anything happens to me," she whispered with a malicious glint in her eyes, "I'll make sure the whole world knows your secret."
Ye Tianlin's breath hitched. He believed her. This woman had prepared for every eventuality, and her calm was evidence enough.
Seeing his hesitation, Gu Lingzi's lips curled into a triumphant smile. Her hands caressed his, loosening his grip. "Don't worry, Tianlin. I wouldn't ruin you. I'd rather be your shadow than not have you at all."
As she attempted to close the distance between them again, the door flew open.
"What are you doing?!" Ye Tianqing's voice thundered through the room.
Gu Lingzi froze, her head snapping toward the door. A flicker of surprise crossed her face before it melted into calculated calm.
"Tianqing," she purred, feigning innocence. "Why such a dramatic entrance?"
Ye Tianqing's fury was palpable. "Tianlin, how could you? Xiaoluo is still recovering, and you…" His voice faltered with disbelief, his disappointment evident.
Ye Tianlin remained silent, his expression impassive.
Gu Lingzi, undeterred, stood from the bed. "Tianqing, surely you understand how love works. Sometimes, passion is uncontrollable."
Ye Tianqing's fists tightened at her audacity. "Passion? Is that what you call this betrayal?"
Gu Lingzi's lips quirked upward as she approached him. Her gaze was predatory, her voice honeyed. "Oh, Tianqing, don't act so righteous. Surely, you've felt it too—an uncontrollable desire."
Ye Tianqing's face flushed with anger, but her words struck a nerve. He shook his head, pushing aside her implication. "You're disgusting," he spat, turning back to Ye Tianlin. "Tianlin, how could you stoop this low?"
Ye Tianlin's silence only fueled his brother's anger. Without thinking, Ye Tianqing's fist connected with Ye Tianlin's jaw.
The younger man staggered but made no move to retaliate. His apathy enraged Ye Tianqing further. He struck him again. And again. Each punch landed with the force of his frustration.
Gu Lingzi shrieked, trying to intervene. "Stop! You're hurting him!"
But Ye Tianlin's lack of resistance was unnerving. He absorbed the blows without complaint, his gaze distant. Finally, Ye Tianqing, his anger spent, stepped back, his breathing labored.
"You're a disgrace," he muttered before storming out of the room.
Gu Lingzi watched him go, her interest piqued. This man had fire. She turned back to Ye Tianlin, only to find him wiping the blood from his lip, his eyes colder than ever.
"Still playing games, Lingzi?" he asked, his voice devoid of warmth.
She smirked. "Always. And I always win."
Before she could elaborate, a figure appeared in the doorway. Ye Tianhao leaned against the frame, his gaze appraising. "Quite the show," he drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Gu Lingzi's expression darkened. "What do you want?"
Ye Tianhao stepped inside, a sly smile on his face. "I couldn't help but overhear. You're quite the actress."
Gu Lingzi rolled her eyes. "Spare me the lecture, Tianhao. You're hardly in a position to judge."
He chuckled, unfazed by her sharp tone. "True. But you might find my silence costly."
Her eyes narrowed. "What are you implying?"
He leaned closer, his voice a low murmur. "Your secrets are safe… if you play nice."
Gu Lingzi laughed, the sound hollow. "You think you can blackmail me? How quaint."
Ye Tianhao's smile widened. "Oh, I don't think. I know."
For a brief moment, their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. Then, with a dismissive wave, Gu Lingzi brushed past him. "You're not worth my time."
As she disappeared down the hallway, Ye Tianhao's smirk faded. His gaze turned contemplative. This house is a powder keg, and someone's bound to light the fuse.