Chapter 114: Forever Together
"Liang Xiaoluo." His lips left hers, swollen and red. His gaze was piercing and clear. "I want you."
Before she could refuse, he scooped her up in his arms. Kicking the bathroom door open, he nearly threw her onto the bed with a roughness that left her dizzy.
The bed was soft, but she still felt lightheaded. Did he really have to throw her?
Before she could recover, his strong body was already pressing down on hers.
Her breath hitched, and panic flickered in her eyes.
"Ye Tianlin…" Her trembling voice barely escaped her lips.
He leaned down, planting kisses along her delicate porcelain-like neck. Her breath caught as her hands instinctively pushed against his chest.
"Ye Tianlin, did you take your medicine today?"
"Ye Tianlin, are you thirsty? Should I get you some water?"
"Ye Tianlin, are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?"
He abruptly rolled off her, glaring with irritation. "Liang Xiaoluo, what are you trying to do?"
Shrinking back slightly, she whispered, "I'm just trying to take care of you."
Annoyed, he gave her a shove, almost knocking her off the bed. She curled up on the edge, too wary to move.
I must've really upset him, she thought. He wasn't used to being denied, and she had rejected him more than once now.
Minutes passed in tense silence.
Clutching her hands together at her chest, she watched him from the corner of her eye. Then, unexpectedly, a strong arm wrapped around her waist from behind, pulling her against his chest.
"Liang Xiaoluo, I'll just hold you while we sleep," he muttered gruffly.
Though he craved more, he didn't want to push her. Maybe she still resented him. After all, it was his fault she'd lost their child.
He owed her, and he would endure this frustration for her sake.
Pulling her closer, he tightened his grip around her waist, venting his pent-up emotions in the embrace.
In the dark, Liang Xiaoluo let out a soft sigh, closing her eyes.
Behind her, he lay motionless, like a proper gentleman. He kept his distance, respecting the line between them.
Initially, she remained alert, worried he might go back on his word. But as his breathing became even and steady, she relaxed, snuggling into the blankets and drifting off.
Half-asleep, she felt warmth pressing against her back.
"Go away," she mumbled groggily, pushing at the heat.
But instead of retreating, it grew closer, more intense.
Fully awake now, she tried to sit up, only to feel his arms tighten around her waist. His husky voice whispered against her ear, sending shivers down her spine.
"Liang Xiaoluo, I don't want to be a gentleman anymore."
"Ye Tianlin, don't…"
Her protest turned into a muffled gasp as he claimed her lips again, silencing her.
She struggled, but against his strength, her resistance was futile. He held her so tightly, their bodies felt like two halves of a whole, inseparable.
Shame and fear swirled within her. Tears welled up as she weakly pushed at him.
"You liar… you said you wouldn't…"
He froze, pulling back slightly. His conflicted gaze lingered on her face before he let out a frustrated sigh.
"Liang Xiaoluo, I—" His voice cracked with restraint.
Realizing the turmoil he was suppressing, she turned her face away, resting it against the pillow without a word.
"Are you mad at me?" he asked softly, his head resting on her shoulder like a chastened child.
"No," she replied, her voice barely audible.
"You're lying. I can see it on your face." He gently turned her to face him, his expression softening as he brushed her hair away.
"Liang Xiaoluo, I'm dying here. Please." His voice was tinged with desperation.
She hesitated, her resolve wavering. "No. The doctor said you're not fully healed yet. You can't overexert yourself."
He groaned, utterly defeated. "Liang Xiaoluo, you idiot. This is a man's basic need!"
"Doesn't matter. You need to follow the doctor's advice," she countered firmly.
Their playful bickering continued until he finally relented, pulling her into a tight embrace.
"Go take a shower," she said, wrinkling her nose. "You smell."
"I don't smell."
"Yes, you do. You reek."
"Liang Xiaoluo…"
"Go!"
Grumbling, he trudged to the bathroom. By the time he returned, she was already fast asleep.
Ye Tianlin stood by the bed, torn between waking her and letting her rest. Eventually, he chose the latter, though his own body burned with unrelenting frustration.
Since being discharged, something felt off. His desires were sharper, harder to control. It was as if his body had been rewired.
Brushing the thought aside, he stepped back into the bathroom for another cold shower.
When Liang Xiaoluo woke, Ye Tianlin was already out, dressed and brooding.
"You're up early," she remarked, walking over.
He turned away, scowling. "I'm hungry."
Suspicious, she studied him. "What's wrong with you? You've been grumpy all morning."
Ignoring her, he headed downstairs.
By the time she reached the living room, voices were echoing loudly.
"You dare treat our daughter like this? The Ye family will pay for this insult!"
"Mr. Gu, please calm down. Let's talk this over," Ye Lao pleaded.
"There's nothing to discuss. Either you give us a proper explanation, or we'll cut all ties."
Liang Xiaoluo froze at the bottom of the stairs, unsure whether to approach.
Ye Tianlin spotted her immediately. Without hesitation, he strode over, grabbed her hand, and pulled her into the room.
"The explanation you want is right here," he declared, presenting her to the Gu family.
Mr. and Mrs. Gu stared at Liang Xiaoluo, their expressions hardening as they grasped his meaning.
"Ye Tianlin!" Mr. Gu roared.
"Let's go," Mrs. Gu said, tugging at her husband's arm. "They'll regret this soon enough."
"Mr. Gu, Mrs. Gu—please!" Ye Lao called after them, trying to smooth things over.
Ye Tianlin, however, stepped in front of the departing couple, blocking their path.