Chapter 95: Conflict and Broken Dreams
"Old man, you should know my temper. I don't let anyone dictate my decisions," Ye Tianlin said sharply to Ye Lao, his tone dripping with irritation.
Liang Xiaoluo, eavesdropping outside, wasn't surprised by his reaction.
"If we can't secure the Gu family's support, the Ye Corporation won't survive this crisis. And Lingzi adores you so much—can't you do this for your grandfather?" Ye Lao pleaded, attempting to convince Tianlin to accept Gu Lingzi.
Xiaoluo's heart pounded as she overheard the conversation. They were discussing Tianlin and Lingzi…
She clapped a hand over her mouth to muffle her gasp of shock. Her ears strained to catch every word, desperate to hear Tianlin's response. Any assurance from him would make all her suffering worthwhile.
"If I give in… everything will be fine?" Tianlin's voice came, laced with cold resignation.
Xiaoluo felt as if the ground had been pulled from beneath her feet. Her legs trembled, barely able to support her. The words hit her like a thunderclap, and the world around her seemed to blur. She stumbled backward, her eyes brimming with tears.
Unwilling to hear more, she turned and fled, her steps hurried and clumsy. The sound of her retreat caught Tianlin's attention. He stepped out of the room, catching sight of her retreating figure. His brows furrowed in thought.
Xiaoluo rushed to the kitchen, her mind spinning. She moved mechanically, picking up a glass and filling it with water. Even when the water spilled over, she didn't notice.
"It's already full," Tianlin's voice broke the silence.
Startled, Xiaoluo flinched, the glass shaking in her hand. She glanced down at the water pooling on the countertop and floor. Without a word, she placed the glass down and knelt to clean the spill, using her sleeve to soak up the water.
Tianlin's gaze darkened as he knelt beside her, grabbing her shoulders to stop her frantic movements. "Did you overhear us?"
Tears streamed silently down Xiaoluo's cheeks, mingling with the spilled water on the floor.
"Answer me. Did you hear?" Tianlin demanded, his frustration rising.
Xiaoluo finally lifted her tear-filled eyes to meet his. "Does it matter if I heard? It changes nothing, does it?" Her voice was soft, but the pain in her words cut deep.
Tianlin frowned. "What exactly did you hear?"
A bitter smile tugged at her lips. Pushing his hands away, she whispered, "Why are you doing this to me, Tianlin? I've already fallen in love with you. My heart is full of you—there's no space for anyone else. Is this your game? To make me love you, only to humiliate me? How long will this go on?"
"Xiaoluo…" Tianlin began, but she interrupted, pouring out her anguish.
"I thought we had a future, a chance at happiness. I believed your words, your actions. But why do you keep shattering my dreams? Why give me hope only to crush it over and over again?"
Her voice broke, and her words tumbled out in a torrent of despair. Before she could continue, Tianlin pulled her into a fierce embrace. His lips found hers in a punishing kiss, as if trying to silence her accusations.
His kiss was demanding, a blend of anger and frustration. Xiaoluo struggled, but his strength overwhelmed her resistance.
"Tianlin, stop!" she cried, her voice muffled against his lips. She managed to free one hand and slapped him across the face.
The sharp sound of the slap echoed in the room, and Xiaoluo froze, shocked by her own actions. Tianlin's expression darkened as he stared at her.
"I…" she stammered, but before she could say more, he kissed her again, his movements even more forceful.
The commotion drew Ye Tianqing to the scene. He intervened just as Tianlin's temper flared once more.
"Enough, Tianlin!" Tianqing's voice rang out, firm and authoritative.
Tianlin turned to face his older brother, his lips curling in a sneer. "And why are you here, Tianqing? Sticking your nose into my business again?"
"This isn't about you, Tianlin. It's about Xiaoluo." Tianqing stepped between them, shielding Xiaoluo with his body. He removed his jacket and draped it over her trembling shoulders. "Go back to your room," he said gently to Xiaoluo.
Xiaoluo hesitated, glancing between the two brothers. Seeing Tianqing's reassuring nod, she turned and walked away, her steps unsteady.
As she passed Tianlin, she instinctively flinched, bracing herself for retaliation. Tianqing placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "You're safe. Go," he said softly.
Once she was gone, the tension between the brothers reached its peak. Tianlin's fists clenched, and his eyes burned with suppressed fury. "You've crossed the line, Tianqing."
"And you're blind to your own actions," Tianqing retorted, his voice calm but firm. "You're hurting her, Tianlin. Do you even realize what you're doing?"
Tianlin smirked bitterly. "And what about you, Tianqing? Don't think I haven't noticed your interest in her. Are you stepping in out of kindness, or is it something else?"
Tianqing stiffened, guilt flashing briefly in his eyes.
Tianlin scoffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I see. You're no saint after all, are you?"
The air between them grew heavy with unspoken emotions. Tianlin's smirk faded, replaced by a look of cold determination. Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving Tianqing to grapple with his own turmoil.