Chapter 125: No Refusing Me
Gu Lingzi's venomous threats echoed in Ye Tianlin's ears long after he returned to the Ye family estate. Her final attempt to assert control over his life had failed, but her words still carried a dangerous edge—one that threatened the fragile happiness he had built with Liang Xiaoluo.
Stepping into the estate, he was greeted with a warm yet awkward atmosphere. Liang Xiaoluo, ever polite, was attempting to bridge the gap between herself and Ye Tianlin's family, even though Ye Old Master Ye was less than welcoming.
"Grandfather," Liang Xiaoluo called sweetly, her smile soft and sincere. But her warmth was met with the cold indifference of Ye Old Master's reply: "Where's Tianlin?"
The dismissive tone stung, but Liang Xiaoluo maintained her composure. Ye Tianlin entered shortly after, his sharp eyes scanning the room. Without a word, he strode over to Liang Xiaoluo and pulled her into his arms. His gesture was possessive, almost territorial.
"Brother," he said curtly to Ye Tianqing, who gave him a polite nod before excusing himself.
"Tianlin," Liang Xiaoluo whispered, tugging at his sleeve, "you don't need to act like this with your brother. Can't you try to get along?"
Ye Tianlin scoffed. "You're siding with him now? What's next, throwing yourself into his arms?"
His words were sharper than usual, and the tension in the room thickened. Liang Xiaoluo stared at him, stunned by his tone. "What's wrong with you?" she finally managed to say.
Ye Old Master, quick to seize any opportunity to criticize, interjected. "Look at this attitude, Liang Xiaoluo. And you think you're fit to join our family?"
The rebuke was harsh, cutting into Liang Xiaoluo's already bruised spirit. She bit her lip to keep from crying, unwilling to show weakness. Yet Ye Tianlin, instead of defending her, turned and left without a word.
That night, as Liang Xiaoluo lay alone in her room, the weight of the day's events pressed heavily on her. Tears streamed silently down her face. She clutched her pillow tightly, whispering, "You're a terrible person, Ye Tianlin…"
Hours later, the door creaked open softly. Ye Tianlin entered, his usually brash demeanor replaced by an air of hesitation. He sat on the edge of her bed and reached out to brush away the tears still clinging to her lashes.
"Xiaoluo, I'm sorry," he murmured. His voice, so rarely apologetic, was filled with regret.
Stirred by his touch, Liang Xiaoluo woke, her eyes widening at the sight of him. "What are you doing here?" she asked, clutching her blanket defensively.
"It's me," he said gently, but her hurt lingered.
"Leave," she said firmly, turning her back to him. "I don't want to see you."
Ye Tianlin's lips quirked into a sad smile. "You don't mean that."
"I do."
He sighed, tugging at the blanket she was using as a shield. "Alright, if that's how you feel, I'll leave." He loosened his grip and stood, but before he could take a step, Liang Xiaoluo bolted upright.
"Wait!" she called out. He stopped and turned, his smirk already in place.
"See? I knew you couldn't resist me."
Liang Xiaoluo glared at him, her cheeks flushed. "You're insufferable."
"And you're adorable," he countered, sitting back down beside her. He reached out to cup her cheek, his thumb tracing the path of a stray tear. "I'm sorry for earlier. I shouldn't have spoken to you that way."
"Why were you so angry?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
His hand stilled, and for a moment, he seemed lost in thought. "It's not you," he finally said. "I'm just… dealing with a lot."
Her expression softened, and she placed her hand over his. "You can talk to me, you know. Whatever it is, we'll face it together."
The sincerity in her eyes stirred something deep within him, but he couldn't bring himself to reveal the truth—not yet. Instead, he leaned in and kissed her softly. "Thank you," he whispered against her lips. "For always believing in me."
Before she could respond, he pulled her into a warm embrace, holding her as if she were his anchor in a storm. "Don't cry anymore, okay? I'll fix everything. I promise."
For now, they let the silence speak, their hearts finding solace in each other. But even as they drifted into a tentative peace, the storm brewing outside their fragile bubble loomed ever closer.