Chapter 123: You Intentionally Try to Suffocate Me?
In the quiet of their shared moment, Liang Xiaoluo barely had time to respond before Ye Tianlin kissed her deeply. It was as if every fiber of her being reacted to him, her hands instinctively clinging to him for support.
When their passion reached its peak, Liang Xiaoluo playfully nipped at the tattoo on his chest, eliciting a low chuckle. He whispered, "Liang Xiaoluo, silly woman."
"You're the bad one!" she countered weakly, her energy spent.
As the storm of their passion calmed, Liang Xiaoluo nestled against his chest. She wanted to speak, but when she glanced up, she found Ye Tianlin already fast asleep.
"Ye Tianlin?" she murmured softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
He didn't stir, save for the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest, his breaths even and peaceful. She couldn't help but smile at the sight. For all his boundless energy during the day, he always fell into an almost childlike slumber afterward, as if utterly exhausted.
She loved him deeply, despite his quirks and flaws.
Leaving the bed quietly, Liang Xiaoluo dressed and decided to prepare something for Ye Tianlin to eat. Knowing him, he'd wake up famished.
As she opened the bedroom door, she froze. Hua Lin stood there, her expression unreadable. Startled, Liang Xiaoluo took several steps back, clutching the doorframe for support.
"Did I frighten you?" Hua Lin's voice was calm, almost apologetic. "I was waiting downstairs for a while. I came up to knock just as you opened the door."
Liang Xiaoluo's cheeks flushed red as she quickly thought about what Hua Lin might have overheard. Embarrassment rushed through her, but she managed a composed nod. "Is there something you needed, Auntie?"
Hua Lin's smile was serene. "I just wanted to remind you to make sure Tianlin takes his medicine."
"Ah… of course," Liang Xiaoluo replied hesitantly. Something about the way Hua Lin spoke made her feel uneasy, though she couldn't pinpoint why.
Hua Lin continued, her tone gentle, "And if you can, please persuade Tianlin to come back home. That's where he truly belongs. When you two get married, you can't just live outside on your own forever, can you?"
Liang Xiaoluo's gaze dropped, her heart heavy with the implication. "I'll try, Auntie. I'll do my best."
"That's good to hear. Thank you." Hua Lin's words were kind, yet her eyes carried a hidden sharpness as she turned to leave.
Watching her go, Liang Xiaoluo sighed. She couldn't let things continue like this—she had to find a way to mend the relationship between Ye Tianlin and his family.
Later, as she brought food upstairs, she spotted the bottle of pills Hua Lin had given her earlier. Remembering Hua Lin's insistence, Liang Xiaoluo picked it up, examining the label. Nothing seemed amiss, but a feeling of unease gnawed at her. Opening the bottle, she poured out one pill and scrutinized it closely. It was an ordinary white capsule.
Curiosity piqued, Liang Xiaoluo decided to inspect it further. As she raised it to her nose to sniff its scent, Ye Tianlin suddenly stirred. His voice, filled with desperation, echoed in the room. "Don't leave, Liang Xiaoluo. Don't leave me."
Startled, she hurried to his side, placing the pill back in the bottle. Sitting by his side, she grasped his hand tightly. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."
His face was drenched in sweat, his expression contorted in fear. It pained her to see him like this. Stroking his hair softly, she whispered reassuringly, "I'm right here."
Yet even in his sleep, his trembling didn't cease. His voice turned darker, haunted. "Get away from me… Hua Lin, don't touch me… don't use your filthy hands…"
Liang Xiaoluo froze, staring at him in shock. What nightmare could torment him so deeply? His words left her with more questions than answers.
"Ye Tianlin," she called softly, gently shaking him. "Wake up."
His eyes fluttered open, disoriented and clouded with unease. When he saw her, relief washed over him, but the fear in his heart lingered. "What… happened?" he asked hesitantly.
"You were dreaming," she said softly, placing a cool hand on his forehead. "It must have been a terrible one."
He sat up slowly, the tension in his body evident. "Did I… say anything?"
Liang Xiaoluo blinked. "A little. It seemed like the dream had something to do with Aunt Hua Lin."
The mention of Hua Lin's name made his heart plummet. A cold sweat broke out on his back. Had he revealed too much?
Suppressing his panic, Ye Tianlin forced a smirk. "Dreams are just dreams. They don't mean anything."
Liang Xiaoluo nodded, her concern easing. She handed him a bowl of soup and smiled gently. "Drink this. You've been so busy lately, you're not taking care of yourself."
He accepted it without protest, though his mind raced. He couldn't let his nightmares seep into their reality.
As he drank, Liang Xiaoluo added, "And don't forget to take your medicine later."
Ye Tianlin's grip on the bowl tightened. He shot her a glance, gauging her expression. She seemed completely unaware of his inner turmoil.
"You're worried about me," he said, his voice softening.
"Of course I am," she replied simply. "Now hurry up and eat before it gets cold."
Ye Tianlin pulled her close, his lips brushing her ear. "You care too much. How can I not fall for you more?"
She squirmed in his embrace. "Tianlin, stop teasing."
But he held her tighter, his voice a mix of playfulness and sincerity. "Tell me, Liang Xiaoluo. What would I do without you?"
Her laughter filled the room, lightening the mood. For now, the shadows of their past stayed hidden, but the weight of unspoken truths loomed ever closer.