Chapter 121: He's Sick
"Why didn't he chase her?" Liang Xiaoluo asked, half-focused on the drama.
Ye Tianlin leaned back lazily on the couch, spreading his arms across the backrest. "Chase her for what? If she steps outside, she's bound to get hit by a car…"
Before he finished, the woman on screen really did get hit by a car.
Liang Xiaoluo angrily twisted his arm. "You're such a jinx!"
"It's just a show," he mumbled, rolling his eyes at the over-the-top melodrama.
The screen faded into the ending credits just as the scene reached its climax. Liang Xiaoluo groaned in frustration. "What happened to the girl? Did she die?"
Ye Tianlin perked up at the sound of the credits music. Suddenly full of energy, he declared, "It's over. Time for bed."
"But what about the girl? Did she die?" she persisted.
"She didn't die. Trust me," he replied, scooping her up effortlessly.
She didn't resist, letting him carry her. "Ye Tianlin, turn off the lights."
"Okay."
Darkness enveloped the room, with only faint moonlight slipping through the curtains. Liang Xiaoluo had braced herself, but her nerves were still on edge.
"Ye Tianlin…" she murmured hesitantly.
"Hmm?" His voice was already thick with desire.
"Are you sure… you're okay now?" she asked, biting her lip.
"Let's find out," he replied with a teasing smirk.
She turned away. "Ye Tianlin, I… I don't think I can."
Her anxiety took over. She was too tense.
Ye Tianlin moved closer, wrapping his arms around her from behind. "Relax, Liang Xiaoluo. We've done this plenty of times. You've always been fine."
"I can't!" she exclaimed, flipping over and clutching the front of her shirt tightly, rejecting him outright.
For a moment, Ye Tianlin felt like he'd been doused with cold water. The frustration and longing burned inside him.
"Liang Xiaoluo!" he growled, visibly annoyed.
He had been so patient with her, yet she still refused him.
Rolling over with a huff, he turned his back to her. If she wanted to leave him like this, so be it.
Liang Xiaoluo couldn't stop her mind from spiraling into a whirlwind of fear and confusion.
Both lay silently, backs to each other. Eventually, Liang Xiaoluo fell into a restless sleep. In the middle of the night, she woke to soft noises coming from his side of the bed.
"Ye Tianlin?" she called softly.
There was no response. Worried, she reached out to touch him and was startled to feel how hot his body was. Beads of sweat clung to his skin.
"Ye Tianlin, are you okay?" She felt his forehead and gasped. "You're burning up!"
He weakly swatted her hand away. "Don't… bother."
"I'll get medicine!" she said, starting to climb out of bed.
Before she could leave, he grabbed her wrist tightly. "No medicine."
"What are you talking about? You're burning up! You need treatment," she argued, her voice tinged with panic.
"I know my body," he insisted stubbornly.
"But you—"
"Stupid woman!" he roared suddenly, silencing her. "Don't you get it? I'm like this because of you!"
"Me?" She blinked, utterly baffled. "What did I do?"
"How many days have you made me hold back?" he demanded, glaring at her.
It took a moment for his words to sink in. When they did, her cheeks burned red. "You mean…?"
She took a deep breath, steeling herself. "If… if I give in… will you really be okay?"
"Of course!" His eyes lit up instantly, his previous frustration forgotten.
Without waiting for her response, he pulled her into a deep kiss. Heat flared between them, overwhelming and undeniable.
"Ye Tianlin," she murmured between breaths, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anticipation. "Can we… cover ourselves with the blanket?"
He grabbed the blanket and threw it over them both without hesitation.
The night stretched on, filled with passion and tenderness, a perfect harmony of two hearts entwined. But as perfect as the moment was, it was only fleeting—a prelude to the challenges waiting just beyond the horizon.
The next two days were blissful. They stayed in the villa, utterly absorbed in each other. For Ye Tianlin, these were the happiest days he could remember. He ignored all calls, wanting nothing more than to freeze time and live in this moment forever.
But reality eventually intruded. Unable to wait any longer, Ye Lao and Hua Lin arrived at the villa unannounced.
Liang Xiaoluo was in the kitchen, preparing something for Ye Tianlin. Hearing footsteps, she peeked out and froze when she saw Ye Lao and Hua Lin approaching. A sense of foreboding settled in her chest.
"Grandpa…" she greeted nervously, lowering her head.
Ye Lao's expression was icy. "Don't call me that. You're not worthy."
His words were like daggers to her heart. He looked at her as if she had committed an unforgivable crime.
Liang Xiaoluo's hands clenched the fabric of her apron tightly. She had begged Ye Tianlin to return to the Ye family, but his stubbornness made it impossible.
"Where is my useless grandson?" Ye Lao demanded, his voice brimming with fury.
Before she could answer, Ye Tianlin sauntered in, his usual arrogance radiating off him. "What's the rush? Got something to say? Say it and leave. You're not welcome here."
Ye Lao turned to glare at his grandson. Though Ye Tianlin looked slightly haggard, his demeanor was unchanged.
Hua Lin stepped forward with a bottle of pills in her hand. "Tianlin, you left without a word and didn't take your medicine. The doctor said you must take this daily. Here, take one now."
Ye Tianlin's gaze darkened. He shot her a venomous look. "Keep your fake concern to yourself."
"Tianlin!" Ye Lao roared. "How dare you speak to your mother like that?"
"She's not my mother. My mother is dead," Ye Tianlin spat, his voice cold and cutting.
Hua Lin's face fell, and Ye Lao's anger reached a boiling point. "Tianlin!" he bellowed.