Chapter 122: You Join Me in Doing Bad Things
Ye Lao regretted indulging his grandson for so long. After Ye Tianlin's mother passed away, he had feared that Hua Lin, as a stepmother, would mistreat him. As a result, he had showered Ye Tianlin with unconditional love, ensuring he never faced any hardship. Who could have guessed that such indulgence would create someone so temperamental, dismissive of everyone around him?
"Father, let it go. Tianlin just got out of the hospital and needs to rest. Let him do as he pleases," Hua Lin softly interjected, as she always did, siding with Ye Tianlin in the hope of earning even the slightest warmth from him.
Ye Lao waved his hand dismissively, his frustration palpable. He couldn't bear to look at the scene any longer.
Hua Lin tightened her grip on the bottle of medicine, her gaze shifting to Liang Xiaoluo. Hatred boiled in her chest whenever she saw Liang Xiaoluo, the woman who had taken the place she thought was rightfully hers. But Hua Lin suppressed her anger, donning a smile as she approached.
She gently placed the medicine bottle in Liang Xiaoluo's hand. "Xiaoluo, these pills are for Tianlin. Make sure he takes one every day. The doctor said they're essential for his recovery," she said softly.
Liang Xiaoluo hesitated but eventually nodded, accepting the medicine. "Okay," she murmured.
She glanced at Ye Tianlin. His health appeared fine, and he hadn't mentioned needing medication. Still, Hua Lin's words about the doctor's orders left no room for doubt.
"Now that you've said what you came to say, perhaps it's time for you to leave," Ye Tianlin interjected coldly.
He didn't want anyone disrupting his peaceful time with Liang Xiaoluo.
"Tianlin!" Ye Lao roared, his temper flaring once more. "You're coming back to the house with me right now to apologize to Lingzi and ask for her forgiveness."
His voice was laced with urgency. "Do you want to see our family ruined?"
"That's unnecessary," Ye Tianlin replied firmly. Compromising wasn't in his nature.
"Unnecessary?" Ye Lao's voice trembled with rage. "Do you want to see the Ye family bankrupt? Is that what you're hoping for?"
For Ye Lao, no matter how significant a personal matter, the family business always came first. He couldn't comprehend Ye Tianlin's refusal to prioritize the greater good.
"Do you think the Gu family can bankrupt the Ye family?" Ye Tianlin replied with a calmness that only added to Ye Lao's unease. "Grandfather, that's easier said than done."
His confidence left Ye Lao momentarily speechless. "Tianlin… what do you mean by that?"
Ye Tianlin cast a glance at Hua Lin, smirking. "Didn't she tell you?"
Ye Lao turned to Hua Lin for answers, his eyes demanding clarity.
Hua Lin avoided his gaze, hesitating before saying, "Father, just as Tianlin said, the Gu family isn't capable of taking down the Ye family."
She quickly pieced together the implications. Ye Tianlin must have sent the compromising footage of Gu Lingzi to the Gu family. That tape would explain why the Gu family had been unusually silent in recent days. They wouldn't dare risk their reputation by retaliating.
Realization dawned on Ye Lao, and he turned back to Ye Tianlin. His grandson had always been sharp, but this was ruthless. "Tianlin, wasn't that a bit too much?"
"If they're ruthless to me, I'll be ruthless in return," Ye Tianlin retorted unapologetically. "Fair, isn't it?"
While he preferred to avoid trouble, anyone who overstepped their bounds would face his wrath.
"Are you satisfied now?" Ye Tianlin asked, folding his arms. "You can go back now, old man."
Ye Lao hesitated. After a moment, he said, "You're coming with me."
"Why?" Ye Tianlin demanded, irritated by his grandfather's persistence.
Ye Lao's gaze flickered to Liang Xiaoluo, and he seized the opportunity. "If you ever want to marry this woman and bring her into the Ye family, you'll have to return with me."
Even now, Ye Lao hadn't truly accepted Liang Xiaoluo. His words were laden with unspoken conditions and his own agenda.
"Grandfather, you're sorely mistaken," Ye Tianlin replied coolly, pulling Liang Xiaoluo closer. "Whether I marry her or not is my decision. None of you have the right to interfere."
Without waiting for a response, he led Liang Xiaoluo upstairs, leaving Ye Lao fuming with frustration.
"Are you scared?" Ye Tianlin asked as they reached their room.
"I… I'm not," Liang Xiaoluo replied, though her trembling hands gave her away.
"Your palms are sweaty," he teased, leaning in to nuzzle her nose affectionately.
Liang Xiaoluo exhaled deeply. "Tianlin, are you sure this is the right way to handle things? After all, he's your grandfather… your family."
"You think I should listen to him and break up with you?" he shot back, his tone sharpening.
"I just… I hope we can gain his blessing. It's important to me," Liang Xiaoluo admitted quietly. Without the family's acceptance, she would always feel a void in their relationship.
"It's pointless. He's as stubborn as a rock, unyielding and inflexible," Ye Tianlin dismissed her concerns.
"But—"
"Enough." He silenced her by pressing her against the wall, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "Xiaoluo, I want you."
"It's still morning!" she stammered, trying to deflect him.
"I don't care," he growled, pulling her closer.
"Wait, wait!" she gasped, pushing him away slightly. "Tianlin, how did you deal with the Gu family? What did you do?"
Curiosity overtook her fear. She needed to know how he had managed to avert the crisis.
"You really want to know?" His mischievous grin sent shivers down her spine.
Liang Xiaoluo began to sense trouble. "If you're not going to tell me, I'll just leave!" she threatened, trying to wiggle free.
"Calm down," he said, tightening his grip. His gaze darkened. "I'll tell you everything… but it comes with a price."
"Tianlin!" she exclaimed, flustered.
Leaning closer, he whispered, "I sent the Gu family a tape. A very special one—of Lingzi in a compromising position with another man. They wouldn't dare move against us now."
"You're despicable!" she cried, equal parts shocked and impressed.
"It's called giving them a taste of their own medicine," he replied smugly.
Before she could retort, he silenced her with a kiss, drawing her into his arms.