Chapter 92: Love Lost, Happiness Fades
Ye Tianqing's back stiffened as if Ye Lao had struck a chord in his heart. His clenched fists slowly relaxed. There were no words to refute the elder's admonition.
Lowering his gaze, he replied softly, "I'll head back to the company now, Grandpa."
Tianqing understood Ye Lao's unspoken reminder. He realized that his actions earlier had indeed crossed a line. In moments of weakness, he forgot his boundaries—forgot who he was supposed to be.
Had Ruoxi noticed this, too?
He resolved to return home that evening and explain everything to Yan Ruoxi properly.
"Good." Ye Lao nodded, satisfied. As long as Tianqing understood the implications, that was enough. After all, Liang Xiaoluo was still Tianlin's woman, and no matter what, a brother should never covet another brother's wife.
Meanwhile, in another part of the mansion, Hua Lin emerged from the staircase.
"Good morning, Madam," a housemaid greeted her politely.
She had risen much later than usual, her mind clouded with thoughts after receiving the same damning photos Gu Lingzi had sent to Liang Xiaoluo. Those explicit images were a bold and blatant declaration of war.
Very well, Gu Lingzi, Hua Lin thought grimly. You've succeeded in angering me. Now, you will pay the price for your actions.
Liang Xiaoluo sat quietly in the backseat of a car with Gu Lingzi's parents as they drove toward Dream River's most renowned hospital. She gazed silently out of the window, keeping her emotions locked away. She had no desire to appear vulnerable in front of others.
Gu Lingzi's parents exchanged glances, their silent communication carrying an unspoken plan. They decided to break the oppressive silence.
"Young lady," Mrs. Gu began, her voice laced with false warmth, "you're quite young to be expecting a child. It must feel overwhelming, doesn't it?"
Xiaoluo forced a polite response. "I'm managing."
"That's good to hear," Mrs. Gu replied with a smile. "We were worried you might struggle with the adjustment."
But as the conversation lapsed into silence again, Mrs. Gu's patience began to wane. She had an agenda, and Liang Xiaoluo's quiet resolve wasn't going to stop her from achieving it.
"You and Tianlin haven't known each other for very long, have you?" Mrs. Gu pressed.
"No, we haven't," Xiaoluo admitted.
"Well," Mrs. Gu continued, "our Lingzi and Tianlin practically grew up together. They've been inseparable since childhood. The two of them were like peas in a pod. Business matters eventually took us to England, but now Lingzi has grown up and insisted on coming back. We couldn't stop her. You know how daughters can be—when they set their minds to something, there's no holding them back."
Xiaoluo heard the subtle undertones in Mrs. Gu's words and could sense where the conversation was headed. Finally, she asked directly, "Mrs. Gu, what are you trying to say?"
Mrs. Gu's polite facade cracked slightly, revealing a more calculating smile. "You're a clever girl, Ms. Liang. Surely you understand what I mean."
Though Xiaoluo's face remained composed, her heart raced uncontrollably. Was Mrs. Gu trying to force her out?
Mrs. Gu leaned in closer, gripping Xiaoluo's hand. "Tianlin is still young. He enjoys his freedom, and I'm sure his sense of responsibility led him to promise you marriage. But, my dear, this isn't love. It's obligation. You might think it's love now, but what happens when reality sets in? When he realizes he's tied to someone he doesn't truly love?"
Her words cut deeply, each one driving a wedge into Xiaoluo's fragile heart. She faltered, unsure if she could trust her own convictions.
"I know what it's like to be young and dream of love," Mrs. Gu continued, her voice softening into a tone of feigned sympathy. "But marriage without love? It's a disaster waiting to happen. Can you really bear the thought of Tianlin resenting you later? Of him regretting this union and asking for a divorce?"
Her words were daggers cloaked in velvet, slicing through Xiaoluo's fragile sense of security.
"I…" Xiaoluo's voice wavered, her heart clinging desperately to the memory of Tianlin's heartfelt confession. She would never forget the sincerity in his eyes when he told her he loved her.
Seeing Xiaoluo hesitate, Mrs. Gu's expression hardened. "Do you really believe that? Do you think a man who loves you would spend the night out with another woman, leaving you alone at home?"
The image of the photos flashed through Xiaoluo's mind, each one a fresh wound. Her hands trembled as she covered her ears, desperately trying to block out Mrs. Gu's words.
"Stop! Please, stop…" she whispered, shaking her head as if to erase the memories.
But Mrs. Gu wasn't finished. "I'm not trying to hurt you," she said, her tone now dripping with mock concern. "I'm offering you a way out. If you step aside, I'll make sure you're compensated. You'll have everything you need—a better life for yourself and your father, a successful business for your family. Isn't that worth considering?"
Xiaoluo stared blankly at Mrs. Gu, her mind a whirlwind of doubt and despair. Mrs. Gu's lips moved, but Xiaoluo could no longer hear her words. Her own thoughts drowned out the noise, leaving only a suffocating silence.
When Mrs. Gu finally stopped talking, she called out sharply, "Ms. Liang? Ms. Liang!"
Snapping out of her daze, Xiaoluo looked at her with an unwavering gaze and declared, "I refuse."
"What?" Mrs. Gu's polished demeanor slipped entirely, her voice rising with incredulity.
"I won't leave Tianlin unless he asks me to himself," Xiaoluo said firmly. "I've chosen to love him, and I trust him. No one else's words will change that."
For a moment, Mrs. Gu was speechless. Then anger boiled over, and she nearly raised her hand to strike Xiaoluo. But she restrained herself, realizing she needed another strategy to deal with this stubborn woman.
Mr. Gu, who had remained silent until now, finally intervened. "If that's your decision, Ms. Liang, we'll respect it."
Mrs. Gu gasped audibly, turning to her husband in shock. "What—"
But a sharp look from Mr. Gu silenced her. He turned back to Xiaoluo, his tone calm but edged with warning. "Just know that your choice could have consequences—not just for you, but for the entire Ye family."
Xiaoluo's heart sank as Mr. Gu elaborated. "The Ye family is facing a severe financial crisis. Our partnership is their lifeline. Without it, the entire family could fall from grace overnight. Are you prepared to shoulder that responsibility?"
The weight of his words crushed her remaining resolve. Could she bear to be the reason for the Ye family's downfall?
Her silence spoke volumes.