Chapter 87: Divide and Conquer—The Man is Mine
"Let's head back down. The kids are waiting," Mr. Gu said confidently, feeling assured after Ye Lao's promise to help his daughter regain her happiness.
As Ye Lao and Mr. Gu descended the stairs, all eyes turned toward them. The only person who didn't bother to lift his gaze was Ye Tianlin, who had never seen Mr. Gu as someone worth his attention.
Liang Xiaoluo, on the other hand, looked visibly uncomfortable.
Not long after, Mrs. Gu returned to the room with a seemingly calmed Gu Lingzi.
The atmosphere in the room grew tense. Everyone exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to break the silence.
Finally, Ye Lao took the lead, saying, "Mr. and Mrs. Gu, you haven't had breakfast yet, have you? Why not join us here?"
The Gu couple graciously accepted.
Gu Lingzi, as was her habit, made a beeline for the seat next to Ye Tianlin. Before she could sit down, however, her parents pulled her back. They even turned to Liang Xiaoluo with a polite apology. "Our daughter can be quite thoughtless. I hope you don't mind."
"Uh…" Liang Xiaoluo was taken aback by their unexpected civility, feeling somewhat flattered.
Watching the courteous Mr. and Mrs. Gu, she couldn't help but think how such seemingly polite parents could raise someone as capricious and self-centered as Gu Lingzi.
Appearances can be deceiving.
Though Lingzi was visibly displeased, she forced herself to remain composed. She believed her parents wouldn't let her down and would fight for her happiness.
For a brief moment, Xiaoluo caught what looked like a sly smile on Lingzi's face. Thinking it was a trick of her imagination, she tried to look closer, but before she could, Tianlin asked, "What's wrong?"
Shaking her head, she replied, "Nothing."
Lingzi's sudden change in demeanor felt out of place, as if it were all a pretense. Xiaoluo wondered if she was just overthinking, or if her growing jealousy was clouding her judgment.
Throughout breakfast, Xiaoluo remained distracted.
After the meal, Tianlin noticed how uneasy Xiaoluo seemed. He was about to suggest taking her out for a walk when Mr. Gu stepped in, saying, "Tianlin, it's been a while since Lingzi's mother and I last visited Dream River. Would you mind showing us around the city?"
Tianlin, who had no interest in pandering to others, was about to refuse when Mr. Gu slyly turned to Xiaoluo. "You don't mind if Tianlin takes us sightseeing, do you, Xiaoluo?"
"Uh…" Startled by the sudden question, Xiaoluo nodded hesitantly. "N-No, I don't mind."
Tianlin clenched his jaw. Did this woman not realize how much attention he drew wherever he went? He decided he needed to have a serious talk with her later about boundaries.
"Tianlin, take Mr. and Mrs. Gu out for a tour," Ye Lao chimed in, his tone almost pleading.
Having spent years observing Ye Lao, Tianlin could see the underlying desperation in his request. He understood the economic ties between the Ye and Gu families and how reluctant Ye Lao was to jeopardize them.
Even so, Tianlin was not the type to be coerced into compliance.
Ye Lao then directed his request to Xiaoluo. "Xiaoluo, you wouldn't mind letting Tianlin accompany them, would you?"
Once again, Xiaoluo foolishly nodded. "I-It's fine."
This time, even she wanted to slap herself. Why do I keep saying yes?
Tianlin froze, glaring daggers at Xiaoluo, who avoided his gaze, clearly regretting her answer.
Feeling both exasperated and defiant, Tianlin said, "Fine. Mr. and Mrs. Gu, let's go."
He made his way toward the door, walking deliberately slow, hoping Xiaoluo would call him back.
But even as he reached the entrance, she remained silent.
Infuriated, he left without a backward glance.
Watching Tianlin leave, Xiaoluo felt a deep pang of regret and sadness. She hadn't anticipated that he would go so readily, and her heart ached more than she expected.
With Tianlin gone, Ye Lao, Hua Lin, and Tianqing left for their respective business commitments. Even Tianhao was nowhere to be found. The once-bustling Ye estate now felt desolate, leaving Xiaoluo alone with Yan Ruoxi.
Noticing Xiaoluo staring blankly into the distance, Ruoxi approached her with concern. "Xiaoluo, are you okay? You seem distracted."
Xiaoluo shook her head. "I'm fine."
"Are you feeling unwell? I can take you out for some fresh air," Ruoxi offered again.
Smiling faintly, Xiaoluo declined. "No, but thank you."
After turning down Ruoxi's kindness, Xiaoluo retreated to her room. Lying on her bed, she tossed and turned, unable to find peace.
Ever since she had confessed her feelings to Tianlin, she had grown increasingly attached to him. His absence left her feeling uneasy, something she hated about herself.
Why am I letting my emotions control me so much? she wondered.
Unable to stay still, Xiaoluo wandered to the estate's vast backyard. The garden, filled with rare and exotic flowers, resembled a slice of paradise. But Xiaoluo was in no mood to admire it.
As she sat in the pavilion, lost in thought, a chillingly mocking voice called out from behind her.
"Well, well, aren't we looking lonely?"
Her blood ran cold. She turned sharply to see Tianhao, his lips curled into a menacing smirk. His freshly dyed crimson hair gleamed ominously in the sunlight.
Memories of the previous night flashed in her mind, filling her with dread. Realizing the danger, she stood abruptly, intent on leaving.
But Tianhao stepped forward, blocking her path. "Where are you going, future sister-in-law? Why so eager to leave?"
Feigning calm, Xiaoluo replied, "I just remembered I have something to do. Please excuse me."
"What could you possibly have to do?" Tianhao sneered, his tone dripping with mockery. "You're practically royalty now—a soon-to-be Ye family madam. What responsibilities could you have?"
His words were like daggers to her pride. Despite her anger, Xiaoluo knew she couldn't escalate the situation.
"Tianhao, please watch your words," she said firmly.
"Oh, did I strike a nerve? Did I guess right?" he taunted, his voice growing colder.
Unable to bear his insults, Xiaoluo turned to leave, but Tianhao grabbed her wrist, forcing her against one of the pavilion's pillars. His
smile twisted with malice as he loomed over her. "Do you know," he said, voice dangerously low, "you and my dear brother share the same condescending look when you look at me? Like I'm worth nothing."
"Let go of me!" Xiaoluo demanded, struggling against his grip.
But Tianhao only tightened his hold, his face mere inches from hers. "Do you know how much I hate that look? Every time I see it, it makes me want to make that person disappear… permanently."
Xiaoluo's heart raced as she saw the flicker of madness in his eyes. Is he serious? Would he really do something so extreme?
Her pulse pounded as she tried to remain calm. "Tianhao, I don't know what you're talking about. Let me go, and we can forget this ever happened."
Tianhao chuckled darkly. "Forget? You think I'm going to forget how everyone in this family overlooks me? How I'm always in Tianlin's shadow?"
"This isn't about me!" Xiaoluo shouted, trying to break free. "You're taking out your frustration on the wrong person!"
"Oh, but it is about you," Tianhao hissed. "You're just another part of his perfect little world. And you… you're going to pay for that."
Xiaoluo's panic surged as she realized he had no intention of letting her go. She glanced around the garden, hoping for someone—anyone—to intervene. But they were alone.
"Stay away from me!" she yelled, her voice trembling with both fear and defiance.
Tianhao leaned closer, his breath hot against her face. "Why? Are you scared, future sister-in-law? Do you think someone will come to save you?"
Desperation fueled Xiaoluo's next move. Summoning all her strength, she stomped hard on Tianhao's foot and used his momentary lapse to twist free from his grasp. She bolted toward the house, her heart pounding.
"Run all you want!" Tianhao shouted after her, his laughter echoing eerily through the garden. "But you'll never outrun the truth!"
Tears blurred Xiaoluo's vision as she fled. She didn't stop until she was safely back in her room, locking the door behind her. Pressing her back against it, she tried to calm her frantic breathing.
Her mind raced. How did it come to this? She had entered the Ye family with hopes of a better life, but now she was trapped in a web of danger and deceit.
One thing was certain—she couldn't let Tianhao corner her again. Not if she wanted to protect herself and the life growing inside her.
Tianlin… where are you? she thought, clutching her stomach protectively. Please come back soon. I need you.