Chapter 138: Promises of the Past
"Sister-in-law," Liang Xiaoluo said, shaking her head firmly. "I can agree to anything else, but not this."
Yan Ruoxi's hand fell to her side, defeated. She had spent countless days and nights deliberating before finally summoning the courage to voice her request, only to be met with refusal.
How could she leave this world in peace now?
After Liang Xiaoluo's rejection, neither woman spoke again. They sat together on the bench in silence, watching as the sun dipped below the horizon. Finally, Liang Xiaoluo broke the quiet. "Sister-in-law, we should head back. Big Brother will start worrying about you."
"Alright."
The two returned to the Ye family mansion, unaware of the shadowy figure that had been watching them all day, tracking their every move.
As they stepped into the house, Ye Tianqing immediately approached. "Ruoxi, why are you back so late? What did the doctor say?"
"It's nothing serious," Yan Ruoxi replied smoothly. "The doctor said I've just been overworking myself."
Ye Tianqing exhaled in relief. "That's good to hear. Dinner's ready."
Liang Xiaoluo excused herself quickly. "Big Brother, Sister-in-law, you two eat. I'm not hungry. I'll go rest."
She hurried away before anyone could stop her, her heart weighed down by the conversation with Yan Ruoxi. She didn't know how to face Ye Tianqing after what she had learned.
Ye Tianqing watched her retreat in confusion. "What's wrong with Xiaoluo?"
Yan Ruoxi tugged at his arm. "She's probably just tired from spending the whole day with me. I'll ask Liu Ma to bring something up to her later."
"Alright."
Upstairs, Liang Xiaoluo opened her bedroom door, only to find herself face-to-face with Ye Tianlin. She froze, caught off guard. His sharp features were illuminated in the dim light, and her heart, heavy with sorrow, seemed to momentarily lighten.
Her mind, however, spiraled into chaos as she recalled Yan Ruoxi's words and the gravity of her illness. Overwhelmed, her nose tingled, and tears welled up in her eyes. Before she could stop herself, she threw her arms around Ye Tianlin and buried her face in his neck.
Ye Tianlin stiffened at the unexpected embrace. He opened his mouth to speak but couldn't find the words.
For a moment, he stood frozen, grappling with the unfamiliar storm of emotions surging within him. There was confusion, joy, vulnerability, and an inexplicable ache—a cacophony of feelings he couldn't untangle.
Liang Xiaoluo clung to him tightly, as if afraid he might vanish. Her vulnerability was palpable, her trembling frame silently pleading for comfort. Yet, even as her tears wet his skin, she found herself struggling to suppress her emotions.
"Liang Xiaoluo, what's wrong?" Ye Tianlin's voice broke the silence, tinged with a softness she hadn't expected.
Realizing what she had done, Liang Xiaoluo quickly released him. Wiping her tears, she forced a bitter laugh. "I just wanted to see if you still cared about me. If we're going to part ways, I might as well secure some compensation, right?"
Her voice dripped with sarcasm, her words a desperate attempt to build a wall between them.
Ye Tianlin's face darkened. The fleeting warmth he had felt moments earlier was replaced by coldness. "I've already told you—you're never leaving me."
Liang Xiaoluo sneered. "You might keep my body, but you'll never have my heart."
Ye Tianlin's expression hardened, his disappointment visible in the set of his jaw. Without another word, he turned and left.
As the door clicked shut behind him, Liang Xiaoluo collapsed onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Her tears flowed freely now, the ache in her chest intensifying with every sob.
How she wished she could tell him everything. But the words refused to come, leaving her trapped in her own despair.
Outside, someone watched the scene unfold from the shadows. His lips curled into a sinister smile as he murmured to himself, "Her suffering is my greatest pleasure."
Later that night, Yan Ruoxi's scream shattered the stillness. Liang Xiaoluo leapt from her bed, rushing into the hallway. She scanned the dimly lit corridor but found no one. Had she imagined it? Her heart pounded as she called out, "Sister-in-law?"
In Yan Ruoxi's room, a man clad in black had silenced her cries, dragging her forcefully inside. He locked the door behind them, his movements deliberate and methodical.
"Who… who are you?" Yan Ruoxi stammered, her voice trembling with fear.
The man stood by the window, his silhouette blending into the night. He didn't turn to face her, his voice cold and detached. "Who I am doesn't matter. I'm here to help you."
"Help… me?" Yan Ruoxi's disbelief was evident.
The man stepped closer, his hands slipping into his pockets. "Yes. But whether you accept my help or not… that's up to you."
Before she could respond, the man disappeared as quickly as he had appeared. In his place, on the bedside table, lay a thick envelope. Yan Ruoxi hesitated before opening it. Inside were photographs—shocking, incriminating images of Liang Xiaoluo being pinned down by several men, their intentions unmistakable.
Her breath hitched as she stared at the photos. She flung them away in horror, her hands trembling violently. The man's parting words echoed in her mind: "I've done my part. What happens next is up to you."
Yan Ruoxi clenched her fists, torn between her conscience and her desperation. If she used these photos, Liang Xiaoluo would have no choice but to leave Ye Tianlin. It would give Ye Tianqing the chance to get closer to her. But was this the right thing to do?
Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered to herself, "Xiaoluo, don't hate me. One day, you'll understand why I did this."
The next morning, Liang Xiaoluo descended the stairs, only to be met with Gu Lingzi's shrill voice. "Oh, Xiaoluo, you're finally awake! Something terrible has happened!"
Before Liang Xiaoluo could respond, Gu Lingzi thrust a newspaper into her hands. Her eyes widened as she took in the images plastered across the front page—those same damning photographs.
Gu Lingzi's feigned concern dripped with malice. "Oh, Xiaoluo, don't take it to heart. I'm sure this is all a big misunderstanding."
Liang Xiaoluo's hands trembled as she clutched the paper. She looked up to see Gu Lingzi's smirk, her gloating eyes daring Liang Xiaoluo to retaliate.
At that moment, Ye Tianqing and Yan Ruoxi entered the room, their expressions quickly shifting to shock as they took in the scene.
"Xiaoluo, what's going on?" Ye Tianqing demanded.
Yan Ruoxi's face paled. She turned to Liang Xiaoluo, her voice shaky. "How… how did this happen?"
Ye Tianlin appeared at the top of the stairs, his face a storm of fury as his eyes locked onto the newspaper in Liang Xiaoluo's hands.