Chapter 109: Courage, Once Again
Upon seeing Liang Xiaoluo in the hospital, Elder Ye didn't say a word before raising his hand and slapping her across the face.
"You cursed woman! Did I say you could come near Tianlin? Get out of here! Leave and don't let me see you again!"
Liang Xiaoluo bowed her head, her cheek burning with pain. The swelling from the slap earlier that day hadn't subsided, and now it was compounded by this fresh strike.
After scolding her, Elder Ye turned his attention to Ye Tianlin, who was lying in the hospital bed. The Ye family crowded around him, leaving no room for Liang Xiaoluo. She was pushed out of the room, left standing alone in the hallway, peeking through the door, hoping for a glimpse of Ye Tianlin.
"Xiaoluo," Silo called softly, sighing.
He couldn't understand how she bore all this blame and mistreatment with such resilience. Where did she find the courage?
In this, she was stronger than he was.
"Will he be okay?" Liang Xiaoluo asked hesitantly, her voice tinged with doubt.
She couldn't shake the memory of the mysterious man injecting something into Ye Tianlin. Was he truly going to be alright?
Silo hesitated before nodding reassuringly. "Yes, he'll be fine."
Liang Xiaoluo gave a bitter smile. "Yes, he'll be fine."
Time passed. Inside Ye Tianlin's room, a commotion broke out. Voices rose in excitement, and the words "He's awake!" floated out.
Liang Xiaoluo stood on her tiptoes, straining to see. Was he really awake?
She wanted to rush inside, to see him, but she knew the Ye family wouldn't allow it.
Lowering her head, she turned away. If he was awake, then it was time for her to leave.
"Wait!" Elder Ye's gruff voice stopped her in her tracks.
Liang Xiaoluo turned mechanically. Elder Ye was standing in the doorway, his face stern. "Tianlin wants to see you."
She froze, surprised. She hadn't expected to see Ye Tianlin again. Her steps faltered as she slowly entered the room, her heart pounding. He was awake.
The family parted reluctantly, making a path for her. She stepped inside and saw him—his familiar, handsome face, his expressive eyes. Tears welled up in her eyes as she clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle her sobs.
"Come here," Ye Tianlin commanded, his voice as assertive as ever.
She approached him hesitantly. As she got closer, he reached out and pulled her into his arms. She stumbled, landing against his chest.
Ye Tianlin winced, his injuries clearly causing him pain.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Did I hurt you?" Liang Xiaoluo panicked, trying to pull away.
But Ye Tianlin held her tightly, refusing to let go.
"You clumsy woman! Do you want to aggravate his injuries? Do you have any sense at all?" Elder Ye snapped, unable to contain his frustration.
"Get out," Ye Tianlin said sharply.
Elder Ye froze, incredulous. His grandson was outright dismissing him. He opened his mouth to retort, but the look in Ye Tianlin's eyes stopped him. The message was clear: Leave, or whatever happens next is on you.
Muttering under his breath, Elder Ye left with the rest of the family, leaving the room empty save for Ye Tianlin and Liang Xiaoluo.
Ye Tianlin held her close, his grip firm. After his brush with death, he was determined not to take her for granted again.
"You're still recovering. Let me go—you'll strain your wound," Liang Xiaoluo said, squirming in his arms.
"No," Ye Tianlin said simply. "Stay. Let me hold you. Let me feel your heartbeat. It feels like it's been forever since I've held you."
His words left her stunned. She froze, her hands hovering awkwardly in midair.
Her heart softened.
She had sworn to hate him, to never cross paths with him again. But in this moment, every resolution she'd made crumbled to dust.
"Does it hurt?" she asked gently, touching the bandage on his wound.
Ye Tianlin smiled, taking her hand and moving it to his chest. "Here. This is where it hurts."
She looked at him, confused.
"A certain foolish woman left me, and ever since, it's hurt here every day," he said, baring his feelings without hesitation.
In the days she'd been gone, he had been tormented by her absence. Losing her—and their child—had nearly broken him.
"That same foolish woman said she wanted to leave me forever. It felt like my heart was being torn apart. It hurt so much…" He sounded like a sulking child, his lips pouting slightly.
Liang Xiaoluo leaned forward and kissed him softly on the lips. "I'm sorry."
Ye Tianlin froze, startled. It was the first time she had ever been so forward, and it made his heart swell.
"You need to make it up to me," he said, his mischievous side returning.
Liang Xiaoluo blinked in confusion. "Make it up to you?"
"Yes." His tone was cheeky. "Promise me you'll never leave me again. Promise me you'll never let go."
His sincerity was clear, and it touched her deeply. But could she really stay by his side forever?
"Can we really last forever?" she asked quietly.
Theirs was a relationship fraught with difficulties. They were constantly at odds, and it seemed like they were always embroiled in one crisis after another. Could they truly grow old together?
For someone like him—and for the Ye family—Gu Lingzi was the more suitable choice.
Ye Tianlin's silence hung heavy in the air. Had he failed to convince her?
"I should go," Liang Xiaoluo said, standing abruptly. She knew her place and didn't want to overstep. Now that he was awake, she could leave with peace of mind.
She turned to go, refusing to look back. She feared that if she did, she would lose the resolve to leave.
"Ah!" Ye Tianlin's sharp cry of pain stopped her in her tracks.
She spun around and rushed to his side, panic etched across her face. "What's wrong? Where does it hurt? I'll call the doctor—just hold on, please!"
Ye Tianlin's heart swelled at her frantic concern. She still cared about him, didn't she?
She moved to leave and fetch help, but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back into his arms. His lips brushed against her ear as he whispered, "I knew you still cared about me. You do, don't you?"
Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized what had happened. She stared at him, her lips trembling. The playful smile on his face gave him away.
"Ye Tianlin, do you even know what you're doing? How could you joke about your condition like this?" she demanded, torn between anger and relief.
He had scared her half to death.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Ye Tianlin said quickly, apologizing before she could get any angrier.