Chapter 85: Mystery and Sparks
At that moment, she finally confirmed it—he truly loved her.
"Alright, it's late. You should rest now," Ye Tianlin said. This time, he didn't demand a direct response from Liang Xiaoluo as he once might have.
After everything that had happened today, especially seeing her wake up terrified from her sleep, he knew he couldn't push her too hard anymore.
He loved her, and that meant protecting her.
But Xiaoluo clung tightly to his shirt, refusing to let go.
Tianlin was puzzled.
Xiaoluo slowly raised her head. Under Tianlin's gaze, she gently kissed his lips.
He froze, his heartbeat racing again. Yet, he wasn't sure what this meant.
"Liang Xiaoluo…" he murmured, confused.
Xiaoluo lowered her head, speaking softly, "I don't know how I feel about you. I can't find the answer."
"When you're hurt, I worry. When I see you with Gu Lingzi, my feelings become complicated. When you're not around, your image keeps appearing in my mind. When you care for me, I feel warm. But when you hurt me, it feels like a dagger piercing my heart—it's so painful. I don't know what all of this means. I…" Xiaoluo let out the thoughts she had buried deep within her heart as she recognized his feelings.
Tianlin listened intently, his heart surging with emotion. These words were more precious to him than anything in the world. Before she could finish, he leaned down and kissed her.
So, she loved him too!
"Xiaoluo, is it true? Do you really feel uneasy when I'm not around? Have you really thought of me?" Tianlin asked, his voice trembling with excitement.
Xiaoluo nodded. "Yes."
Her cheeks, once pale, had regained their rosy hue, tinted with a soft blush.
Tianlin sighed in relief, gently brushing away the hair on her forehead. His gaze softened in a way she had never seen before. "Thank you for telling me this."
The answer he had been waiting for, the outcome he had only dared to dream of, was finally here.
Happiness filled his heart, a kind of joy he had never known before. He held Xiaoluo tightly, unwilling to let go.
Xiaoluo didn't push him away as she had in the past. Her heart raced uncontrollably, as if it might leap out of her throat.
"Tianlin…" His low, husky voice called her name.
He lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.
Xiaoluo panicked and turned her head away.
"I love you, Xiaoluo," Tianlin confessed, his voice full of satisfaction. "What about you? Do you love me, Xiaoluo?"
"… I…" She closed her eyes tightly.
"Say it. Tell me you love me too."
"Tianlin, stop teasing!" Xiaoluo finally relented. "I… I love you!"
Tianlin froze for a moment, his eyes locking onto hers. "What did you say? Say it again?"
Such a beautiful sentence—it was music to his ears.
Xiaoluo blushed, turning her face away. "I've already said it."
"That doesn't count! I didn't hear it," Tianlin pressed.
"I'm not repeating it!" Xiaoluo declared firmly.
Feigning anger, Tianlin released his hold on her and turned away.
Xiaoluo panicked. Could he really be that petty? She leaned over him, asking cautiously, "You're not upset, are you?"
Tianlin remained silent.
Helpless, Xiaoluo turned his face toward hers and held it in her hands. Taking a deep breath, she said, "Tianlin, I love you! I love you! I love you!"
She repeated it several times, her voice clear and resolute. Tianlin's lips curved into a satisfied smile, and he leaned in to kiss her again.
"Mmm!" Xiaoluo gasped, overwhelmed by the intensity of his kiss.
"Tianlin, mmm!" She couldn't help but call his name.
For the first time, she allowed herself to let go, to embrace this moment. She had found the answer in her heart, and with it, a sense of happiness.
But just as the situation grew more intense, Xiaoluo abruptly pushed Tianlin away. Her eyes flew open, and she stared at him in shock.
"Liang Xiaoluo!" Tianlin grumbled in frustration.
Why did something always interrupt them at the critical moment?
"We… we can't…" Xiaoluo stammered, relieved she had regained her senses just in time.
Tianlin finally understood, his gaze dropping to her stomach. He muttered a low curse, "Damn it."
"Tianlin…" Xiaoluo blinked innocently.
"Alright, I get it!" he relented, realizing he couldn't risk their child's safety over his desires.
"But…"
"Hm?"
Tianlin's eyes sparkled mischievously, and a sly grin spread across his face. "Once the safe period is over, you'll have to make it up to me."
Xiaoluo's face turned crimson. She quickly turned away, stammering, "I—I don't know what you're talking about. I'm going to sleep now!"
Tianlin pulled her into his arms, whispering playfully, "Oh, really? Then I guess we'll have to continue now."
"Fine, fine! I understand!" Xiaoluo gave in, knowing she could never win against him.
But this time, there was no tension between them. With their hearts reconciled, a newfound sense of happiness replaced the shadows of the past.
Tianlin held Xiaoluo as they drifted off to sleep together, both savoring the warmth of being in each other's arms.
Morning Bliss
When Xiaoluo woke up the next morning, she found Tianlin already awake, staring at her. Flustered, she tried to turn her face away, but he cupped her cheeks.
"Let me look at you a little longer," he said softly.
Blushing, Xiaoluo reluctantly met his gaze.
"How is it that such an ordinary face managed to captivate me?" Tianlin mused, feigning confusion.
Xiaoluo frowned, her tone tinged with annoyance. "If you regret it, it's not too late to take it back."
Tianlin chuckled, his smile teasing. He turned her face back toward him and leaned in for a kiss.
"But how could I regret falling in love with you?" he whispered as their lips parted.
Xiaoluo's heart warmed. Unsure how to respond, she pushed lightly against his chest. "We should get up. Grandpa will be waiting."
Though still unaccustomed to such intimacy, she couldn't help but smile.
Watching her retreating figure, Tianlin's heart swelled with warmth. He thought, from now on, everything would finally be alright.