Chapter 140: Holding the Person, Losing the Heart
Liang Xiaoluo lowered her gaze, her cheeks flushing as she admired her reflection. The delicate outfit and accessories selected by Xiluo had transformed her. The mirror showed someone she barely recognized—an ethereal mix of innocence and allure, balanced to perfection.
Her fingers brushed her hair absentmindedly, heart fluttering at the unfamiliar version of herself. She couldn't help but smile faintly.
Behind her, Xiluo approached silently, a flower hairpin in hand. With graceful precision, he gathered her hair and secured the accessory. When he stepped back, his eyes lingered.
"You're stunning," he murmured, his voice tinged with awe. "Today, just for me, okay?"
Liang Xiaoluo hesitated, her eyes meeting Xiluo's in the mirror. The intensity of his gaze made her heart skip. Breaking eye contact quickly, she murmured, "Thank you."
"Don't thank me. I just needed someone to make me look good," he teased, a playful grin softening his sharp features.
She chuckled softly, knowing he was trying to lighten her mood.
"Shall we?" he gestured toward the door, leading her outside.
The sleek car gleamed in the sunlight. Xiluo opened the passenger door with a flourish, gesturing for her to enter.
"Come on, my lady. Let me spoil you today," he said with exaggerated charm.
As she settled in, he adjusted her seatbelt, his hands lingering for a moment. "You're not allowed to frown today," he said, his tone serious but his lips quirking into a smile. "Your smile is part of my plan to show off."
"Fine," she laughed, feeling lighter than she had in days. "I'll do my best."
The car came to a stop outside an elegant French restaurant. Xiluo exited first, rushing to open her door and help her out. His hand reached for hers, steady and warm.
The restaurant exuded sophistication, its decor a blend of old-world charm and modern elegance. But Liang Xiaoluo couldn't fully appreciate the ambiance. The weight of her tangled emotions loomed heavily.
"Let's just eat and enjoy ourselves," Xiluo said, as if sensing her hesitation. He led her inside with gentle insistence.
Their entrance did not go unnoticed. Patrons glanced their way, whispering in admiration of the striking couple. Liang Xiaoluo felt the heat of their stares, tugging her hand to pull away from Xiluo's hold.
"I'm not used to this," she whispered.
Before Xiluo could reassure her, the atmosphere shifted. The low murmur of voices grew louder, mixed with faint gasps. A sleek black limousine had pulled up outside, and the unmistakable figure of Ye Tianlin stepped out, with Gu Lingzi clinging to his arm.
Liang Xiaoluo froze, her breath catching.
"Let's go somewhere else," she said quickly, her voice trembling.
"No," Xiluo said firmly, his hand tightening around hers. "We're staying."
Gu Lingzi's sharp voice rang out as she spotted them. "Well, well, Liang Xiaoluo. Already parading around with someone new, I see?"
Liang Xiaoluo shrank back, unwilling to meet Ye Tianlin's eyes. But Xiluo stepped forward, shielding her from view.
"At least she's not stealing someone else's fiancé," Xiluo shot back smoothly, his tone icy. His gaze bore into Gu Lingzi with unhidden disdain.
Gu Lingzi flinched, her earlier bravado faltering under Xiluo's piercing glare. She stammered, "Let's just go inside, Tianlin."
But Xiluo blocked their path. "Why don't we all sit together? It's been a while, hasn't it, Tianlin?" His voice was casual, but there was an edge to it, daring Ye Tianlin to decline.
Liang Xiaoluo tugged on Xiluo's sleeve, her voice urgent. "Please, let's not do this."
But before she could protest further, Ye Tianlin spoke. "Fine." His voice was calm, but the tension in his shoulders betrayed him.
Liang Xiaoluo's heart sank as they were ushered to a table together. She avoided Ye Tianlin's gaze, focusing instead on the pristine white tablecloth in front of her. Gu Lingzi, however, smirked triumphantly, her eyes gleaming with malice.
Xiluo sat beside Liang Xiaoluo, his presence a steadying force. Under the table, his hand briefly brushed against hers—a small gesture of reassurance.
"Let's make this a memorable meal," Xiluo said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
As the meal progressed, the tension at the table grew palpable. Every word was laced with subtext, every glance a challenge or a veiled threat. Liang Xiaoluo kept her head down, her appetite long gone.
Ye Tianlin's eyes never left her, even as he feigned disinterest. The sight of her with Xiluo gnawed at him in ways he couldn't articulate. Yet his expression remained unreadable, his true emotions buried beneath layers of cold detachment.
Gu Lingzi prattled on, her words a mixture of barbs and flattery. But even she seemed uneasy under Xiluo's unwavering gaze.
When the meal finally ended, Liang Xiaoluo excused herself to the restroom, desperate for a moment alone. She leaned against the sink, taking deep, shaky breaths.
"You're stronger than this," she whispered to herself. But the reflection in the mirror told a different story—a woman barely holding herself together.
When she returned to the table, the atmosphere had shifted. Ye Tianlin was standing, his posture rigid, his gaze locked on hers.
"Enjoy the rest of your day," he said curtly, addressing Xiluo but keeping his eyes on Liang Xiaoluo. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, Gu Lingzi scrambling to follow.
As they left, Xiluo reached for Liang Xiaoluo's hand, his grip firm yet comforting.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly.
She nodded, though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Let's go."
Xiluo didn't press her further. He led her outside, his heart heavy as he watched her retreat further into herself.
He knew he could only protect her for so long. But against the shadow of Ye Tianlin, he felt powerless—caught in a battle he wasn't sure he could win.