Chapter 139: Business Marriage
Yan Ruoxi lowered her head, her hands wringing the fabric of her dress nervously, her palms damp with cold sweat.
Ye Tianlin's face remained impassive, his features composed and calm. But his dark eyes betrayed a simmering rage that threatened to erupt.
Without hesitation, he strode forward, grabbing Liang Xiaoluo's hand and dragging her away. His forceful actions left the others, including Gu Lingzi, stunned and voiceless, her protests falling on deaf ears.
"Get in the car," Ye Tianlin ordered coldly, his head jerking toward the vehicle.
Liang Xiaoluo hesitated, her gaze filled with uncertainty as she looked at him. His sudden and unpredictable behavior left her confused and uneasy, her heart heavy with the weight of unspoken fears.
"Now," he barked, his voice edged with impatience.
Startled, she climbed into the car without another word, buckling herself in as the vehicle roared to life. The silence that filled the car was suffocating, neither of them speaking as Ye Tianlin navigated the twisting roads with a singular focus.
Liang Xiaoluo watched the passing scenery, her heart sinking as a sense of familiarity struck her. "Where are you taking me?" she finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ye Tianlin didn't respond. His face was a mask of cold indifference as he drove, his grip on the steering wheel tightening ever so slightly.
When they arrived at a secluded, picturesque villa surrounded by lush greenery, he cut the engine and turned to her. "Get out."
The villa's serene appearance was deceptive. As Liang Xiaoluo stepped out of the car, her anxiety only deepened. "Why are we here, Ye Tianlin?"
Without answering, Ye Tianlin strode toward the villa's entrance. Inside, the air was warm and peaceful, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside Liang Xiaoluo's heart. In the courtyard, Xiluo lounged under the sun with a book in his hand, a picture of leisure. His assistant, Lyan, hovered nearby, reminding him about taking care of his health.
When Xiluo noticed Ye Tianlin approaching, his relaxed demeanor shifted. He set down his book, his sharp eyes quickly assessing the situation. "What a rare guest," he said coolly.
Ye Tianlin didn't bother with pleasantries. He tossed a folded newspaper at Xiluo, who caught it with a frown.
Xiluo's expression darkened as he unfolded the paper. The images splashed across the pages told a story he already knew—a story of the night Liang Xiaoluo had been attacked, and the aftermath he had tried to mitigate. His gaze flickered briefly to Liang Xiaoluo before returning to Ye Tianlin.
"What's the meaning of this?" Xiluo asked, feigning confusion. "I don't understand."
Ye Tianlin stepped closer, grabbing Xiluo's collar. His voice was low, each word cutting like a blade. "You know exactly what happened. Don't play dumb."
Xiluo shrugged, his expression neutral. "Even if I did know, it's not something I'd discuss with you."
Ye Tianlin released him with a shove. "She stays here," he growled. "Until I say otherwise. And if you so much as look at her the wrong way, I'll hunt you down, no matter where you hide."
Without waiting for a response, Ye Tianlin turned on his heel and walked away.
Liang Xiaoluo stood frozen, unsure of what had just transpired. When she instinctively tried to follow him, his icy command stopped her in her tracks.
"You stay here," he said without turning back. His voice was devoid of emotion, but the finality in his tone was unmistakable.
"Without my permission," he added, "don't even think about returning to the Ye family."
With those words, he left, his figure disappearing down the road without so much as a backward glance.
Liang Xiaoluo's knees nearly buckled as she tried to process what had just happened. Her heart ached, constricted by a pain she couldn't name.
"He left me," she murmured. The words felt foreign on her tongue. "He really left me."
Xiluo approached her cautiously, concern etched across his face. "Xiaoluo…"
"I should be happy," she said, her voice trembling. "This is what I've been wanting, right? To leave him, to be free. So why does it feel like I'm breaking apart?"
Tears streamed down her face as she spoke, her words barely audible over the sound of her ragged breathing. The sunlight fell gently on her, but she felt no warmth, only a coldness that seeped into her very soul.
Xiluo clenched his fists, his heart heavy with unspoken words. He wanted to comfort her, but no words felt adequate.
"Stay here," he finally said, his tone gentle. "You need time to heal. And I… I could use the company."
Liang Xiaoluo looked at him with a mix of gratitude and sorrow. After a moment's hesitation, she nodded. "Thank you."
Xiluo smiled, though the gesture didn't reach his eyes. "Let's get you settled. You'll be safe here."
For the first time in days, Liang Xiaoluo felt a sliver of peace. But deep down, she knew it wouldn't last. The shadow of Ye Tianlin loomed large, and she couldn't escape the feeling that this was only the beginning of a much darker chapter.