Chapter 142: Change, and the Heartbeat Continues
He wanted this woman—right here, right now.
Liang Xiaoluo's pleading gaze suddenly hardened. She saw the unrestrained fire burning in Ye Tianlin's deep, piercing eyes. Her face turned pale. Instinctively, she bit her lip and shook her head, her eyes brimming with fear.
"Manager, is this door broken?"
"It doesn't seem to be broken, miss. Please wait a moment."
"…"
The voices outside grew closer. Liang Xiaoluo's breathing quickened, her body trembling with fear. She whispered, her voice filled with panic, "Ye Tianlin, even if you don't care about my feelings… don't you care about others? What if someone sees us like this? I beg you, let me put on some clothes. We can talk outside."
Ye Tianlin didn't respond. His gaze grew more intense as he stared at her.
Tears welled in Liang Xiaoluo's eyes. Hearing the approaching footsteps outside, she lowered her voice in desperation. "Let me go. I promise… from now on, I'll do whatever you want—anything you want."
Her red, misty eyes reflected her helplessness and submission.
Once again, she lowered herself, accustomed to this degradation.
Ye Tianlin's lips curled into a faint smile. Just as Liang Xiaoluo thought he had relented, his deep, magnetic voice echoed: "From now on, you'll obey me? No—this moment counts, too."
Ignoring the approaching voices, Ye Tianlin's hand gripped her tightly, and his domineering lips claimed hers without hesitation.
"Mmph!"
Tears streamed down her face almost instantly. Humiliation surged over her like a tidal wave. The footsteps outside reached the door. The overwhelming shame made her wish she could disappear into thin air. She had endured enough of his humiliations. How could he treat her like this?
Liang Xiaoluo clenched her teeth tightly.
The metallic taste of blood spread in their mouths. Liang Xiaoluo thought Ye Tianlin might finally let her go, but he didn't. Instead, he deepened the kiss, even with the faint taste of blood.
Knock, knock!
"Excuse me, is someone in there? Could you please open the door? A lady urgently needs to use the restroom."
"Is anyone inside?"
The knocking and questioning voices intensified the tension. Liang Xiaoluo, numb from Ye Tianlin's assault, swallowed back a scream that was about to escape. She froze completely, unable to resist his invasive actions.
The people outside didn't leave. Liang Xiaoluo's nerves were stretched taut, but Ye Tianlin seemed utterly unfazed. If anything, the situation only fueled the fire within him.
Liang Xiaoluo stared at him, wide-eyed. His deep voice filled her mind, overwhelming her senses.
Ye Tianlin leaned closer to her, his gaze darkening as he took in her pale face. A trace of pain flickered through his heart.
She didn't understand—had never understood—his love and patience.
How much had he sacrificed for her? Why couldn't she endure even a few days without turning to another man?
Liang Xiaoluo's hands clenched tightly. She glared at Ye Tianlin, her face pale with a mix of fear and anger. Her lips trembled uncontrollably.
"You brought this upon yourself," Ye Tianlin murmured softly, his chiseled features devoid of warmth. Slowly, he lifted a hand, his long fingers brushing against her cheek before tracing her trembling lips. His gaze grew darker and more enigmatic.
Liang Xiaoluo abruptly turned her face away, glaring at him venomously. She trembled as she hissed, "Don't justify your cruelty as my fault."
Ye Tianlin's body stiffened, his dark eyes deepening. Gripping her chin, he forced her to face him.
"Cruelty?" he sneered, his voice cold and cutting. Her contemptuous gaze pierced his heart like a blade. Narrowing his eyes, he whispered, "You think this is cruel? There's more—much more—waiting for you. You brought this upon yourself."
Liang Xiaoluo bit her lip, too terrified to speak, yet she refused to show weakness before him. Her stubbornness was her shield, disguising her fear.
Ye Tianlin's gaze turned into a bottomless abyss, concealing a storm of emotions beneath its calm surface.
His lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. Even he didn't notice it.
Pressing Liang Xiaoluo against the wall, he kissed her deeply. She tried to resist, but his overpowering dominance left her no choice but to endure.
"Mmph!" Liang Xiaoluo let out a muffled cry, her hands weakly pushing against his chest. Her resistance gradually faded, leaving her defenseless under his unrelenting force.
His kiss left her gasping for air, as if he intended to consume her entirely. Her mind clouded from the lack of oxygen. Just as she thought she might faint, Ye Tianlin abruptly released her.
Wrapping his arms around her, he whispered in her ear, his deep, magnetic voice tinged with a shiver-inducing intimacy. "Liang Xiaoluo, remember this: everything I do is for you. Your every move will shape your destiny. So watch closely—see what's real."
His words froze the fire he had ignited within her.
Liang Xiaoluo's lips twitched involuntarily, her body trembling as his minty breath lingered near her ear. What should have been an intimate moment felt like a plunge into icy water.
It wasn't his relentless oppression that chilled her—it was the warning in his words. Every move she made would determine her future, leaving no room for independent thought or rebellion. She was destined to live like a puppet, her life dictated by Ye Tianlin.
Her heart sank into a frozen abyss, shrouded in cold despair.
Ye Tianlin sensed her sudden stiffness. His dark eyes deepened. She still didn't understand…
His lips curled into a faint, icy smile. Releasing her, he resumed his usual aloof demeanor. The earlier passion had vanished without a trace, suppressed by his iron will. "Remember, this is my final warning."
Liang Xiaoluo looked up in confusion. Seeing the cold detachment in his dark eyes, she mustered a flicker of courage and retorted coldly, "You should know—I'll never remember, no matter how many times you warn me."
Ye Tianlin's sharp gaze faltered momentarily. Anger flared in his eyes as he stared at her defiance. "Liang Xiaoluo, must you always provoke me?"
"Isn't it you who provokes me?" she countered, trembling yet resolute.
Ye Tianlin fell silent, his expression unreadable. He stared at her for what felt like an eternity.
Taking advantage of his hesitation, Liang Xiaoluo hastily adjusted her disheveled clothes and prepared to flee.
Before she could escape, Ye Tianlin grabbed her arm. "Do you hate being with me that much?"
A shiver ran down her spine. She shook off his hand without answering, darting away.
As she opened the door, the manager and a locksmith stood frozen, startled by her abrupt exit. "Oh, so someone was inside. I thought it was empty," the manager stammered, his face pale.
Liang Xiaoluo hurriedly wiped away her tears, keeping her head low as she fled the scene without a word, leaving the stunned onlookers behind.
She didn't return to the table or inform Hilo. Like a thief, she ran away.