Chapter 118: Misunderstanding, Hard to Resolve
Nan Shaojie was struck dumb by her words. They landed heavily on his heart. He managed only a weak, "Xiaoluo…"
"Nan Shaojie, didn't you understand what Xiaoluo just said?" Ye Tianlin interjected coldly.
Nan Shaojie showed no sign of leaving.
With a steely gaze, Ye Tianlin wrapped an arm around Liang Xiaoluo, giving Nan Shaojie one last look before walking away with her.
Nan Shaojie watched their retreating figures, his eyes flickering with emotion. This was not the outcome he had hoped for...
As they walked, Liang Xiaoluo's heart raced. Was her heart already full of Ye Tianlin? Had he overheard? Or misunderstood something again?
She glanced at his stern expression and felt uneasy. Perhaps he truly had misunderstood.
"Ye Tianlin, are you angry?" she asked cautiously.
She knew all too well his fiery temper.
Ye Tianlin turned to look at her. She reflexively closed her eyes, bracing herself.
"Why are you so scared? I'm not going to eat you." His unexpected calm caught her off guard.
Liang Xiaoluo was stunned. This was not the reaction she expected. Did Ye Tianlin take the wrong medicine?
"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked, his voice low. Truth be told, he wanted to get angry, to vent his frustrations. But the memory of the pain he had caused her held him back. All he wanted now was to make it up to her.
"You…" Liang Xiaoluo hesitated, reaching out to feel his forehead. "No fever…"
"You're the one with issues," he muttered, his tone sharp.
"I think you're the one with issues," she retorted instinctively.
"Liang Xiaoluo!" Ye Tianlin roared, his patience snapping. "Don't think you can just play dumb and get away with it. I'm still angry, and you owe me an answer!"
"An answer?" she blinked, bewildered. "What answer?"
Stopping beside the uneven bars, Ye Tianlin grabbed a bar with one long arm. In a few swift movements, he was swinging and then sitting on the highest bar, looking down at her.
Liang Xiaoluo tilted her head to look up at him. "Can you just explain what you're talking about? I don't understand."
Ye Tianlin's face darkened. "Are you trying to piss me off on purpose?"
"I'm not!" she protested.
He stared at her, unrelenting. Liang Xiaoluo wracked her brain, trying to figure out what he meant. Suddenly, she understood. Her tense expression relaxed.
"Ye Tianlin!" she called out.
"What?" he replied.
"No matter what you've been through or how bad your past was, as long as you don't give up on me, I will always stay by your side. I'll never leave."
Her words were heartfelt and sincere.
Ye Tianlin's scowl softened. A smile spread across his face—a rare, genuine smile. Then, without warning, he hooked his legs around the bar and flipped upside down, his face suddenly inches from hers.
Before she could react, he kissed her.
Liang Xiaoluo froze, her hands behind her back, staring at him in disbelief.
The gentle breeze carried the faint scent of flowers, weaving their fragrance into the moment.
When the kiss ended, Ye Tianlin whispered, "Liang Xiaoluo, you're mine. You're not allowed to leave me. Even if I drive you away, you have to stick to me like glue."
"How could you say that? I…" she began, only for him to interrupt her with another kiss.
This time, Liang Xiaoluo found herself responding. His lips were cool, carrying a hint of chill, but the warmth of his heart enveloped her, making her feel safe. She closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment.
Ye Tianlin, no matter what, my heart is yours. I will love you forever—unless you no longer love me.
When their kiss finally ended, Liang Xiaoluo's lips were slightly swollen. Embarrassed, she lowered her head.
Ye Tianlin looked at her blushing face and pulled her into his arms, satisfied. He wished this moment could last forever, and he was determined to hold onto her, no matter what.
"By the way, Ye Tianlin, there's something I need to confess," Liang Xiaoluo said hesitantly.
"What is it?" he asked, blinking in curiosity.
"Well, I…" she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "I originally applied to this school because of Nan Shaojie. In high school, he often brought me here, and that's why I decided to attend—to be with him every day."
She was nervous, fully expecting him to be angry. But she knew she had to say it. There could be no more misunderstandings between them.
Ye Tianlin responded by lightly knocking her on the head.
"Ow! What was that for?" she complained, rubbing her head.
"And now?" he asked, his tone even. "Do you still want to be with Nan Shaojie every day?"
Without hesitation, she replied, "Of course not. Now, I just want to be with you every day."
The words tumbled out before she realized it. Her face flushed instantly. When did I become so bold? she thought, mortified. She wanted to dig a hole and hide in it.
As expected, Ye Tianlin smirked, leaning closer. "Liang Xiaoluo, I never realized you loved me this much."
"What are you talking about? I don't understand," she stammered, her eyes darting nervously.
"Caught you," he teased.
"You… shameless!" Liang Xiaoluo shoved him away, her face burning.
She ran off, but her heart swelled with a happiness that felt almost unreal. Since reconciling with Ye Tianlin, every moment with him had been filled with joy. Sometimes, it felt too good to be true.
Watching her retreating figure, Ye Tianlin's expression darkened. He murmured to himself, "Xiaoluo, if you knew about my past, would you really stay by my side?"
Even though she had given him a definitive answer, he couldn't shake his doubts.
She had been honest with him about everything, but he didn't have the courage to be fully honest with her.
Could their love truly withstand everything? Could they reach the end together?
He wasn't sure.
"Liang Xiaoluo, don't run so fast! I'm still a patient fresh out of the hospital!" he called after her.
Startled, she stopped and hurried back to him, concerned. "I'm sorry! Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
Ye Tianlin gripped her hand tightly. "Silly woman."
Realization dawned on her. "Ye Tianlin, you tricked me again!"
"Hmph, who told you to be so easy to fool?" he retorted.
"Fine, I'm not talking to you anymore," she pouted.
Looking at her playful pout, Ye Tianlin couldn't help but think how irresistibly adorable she was. He wanted nothing more than to hold her forever.
"Alright, little sister, let's go do something bad," he said mischievously.
She blinked at him in confusion. "Something bad? What do you mean?"
"What do you think?" His eyes gleamed with mischief.
Seeing the hunger in his gaze, she immediately understood. Feigning ignorance, she said, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Fine, ignore me," she added, walking away. But she couldn't keep the smile off her face.
"Ye Tianlin, will you come home with me? I'd like to check on my dad," she asked, changing the subject.
"No way. Not until we finish doing something bad," he replied, as stubborn as a child.