Chapter 147: Silent Tears
"No need to brew it," Liang Xiaoluo said. "Coffee in the morning is bad for your stomach." She turned to Hilo and added, "Luo, stop drinking coffee in the mornings. Have some hot milk instead."
Such a simple, unfiltered statement struck a chord deep in Hilo's heart, leaving him momentarily stunned.
Meanwhile, Ryan began to sob loudly.
"Ryan, what's wrong?" Liang Xiaoluo asked, puzzled and unsure how to react.
Wiping tears from his eyes, Ryan choked out, "It's been so long since anyone cared about the young master's health. This is the first time someone has shown such concern. I'm just so happy. Truly, I'm so happy!"
"Ryan!" Hilo interrupted, worried Ryan might say something else. He turned to Liang Xiaoluo and said, "Xiaoluo, let's eat breakfast. I'm starving."
"Oh, okay!" Liang Xiaoluo nodded, pulling Ryan over to sit at the table. "We're like family here, so let's act like one."
Liang Xiaoluo's presence brought warmth and cheer to the household.
After breakfast, she picked up a pair of scissors, intending to trim the lawn. Ryan quickly snatched the scissors from her hands. "Miss Xiaoluo, leave this heavy work to me."
"It's no trouble," she replied. "I can't just eat and live here for free. Think of this as my rent."
Ryan muttered under his breath, "If you became the lady of this house, that'd be even better."
"Hmm? What did you say?" Liang Xiaoluo asked, startled.
"Nothing! Nothing at all!" Ryan replied hastily. Spotting Hilo approaching, he beamed and nudged Liang Xiaoluo toward him. "It's such a beautiful day. Miss Xiaoluo, why not go on a date with the young master and enjoy it?"
Liang Xiaoluo's cheeks turned crimson at his suggestion.
"Young master, shouldn't you invite Miss Xiaoluo out for a walk?" Ryan teased with a mischievous glint.
It had been half a month since they'd gone anywhere beyond the nearby area. Their daily routine had grown monotonous.
Hilo resisted the urge to throttle Ryan for meddling. Of course, he knew when to seize an opportunity, but rushing things would only ruin them.
"How about we go for a walk, Luo?" Liang Xiaoluo asked, breaking the tension.
Hilo nodded.
The two of them headed to the city, wandering around like a newlywed couple, their hearts light. After exploring for hours, they found a small café to rest.
"What would you like to drink?" Hilo asked.
"Orange juice," she replied.
Just as she thought she could enjoy a peaceful moment, the café's TV blared loudly, its sound piercing her ears. Her face turned pale and ashen.
"In ten days, the Ye Group's second son, Ye Tianqing, will marry the Gu family's daughter, Gu Lingzi, in a grand wedding. The lavish ceremony will take place aboard a luxury cruise ship. Stay tuned for full coverage of this spectacular event…"
The repeated mention of "ten days" stabbed at Liang Xiaoluo's heart. She didn't need to look up to imagine how perfect Ye Tianlin and Gu Lingzi must seem—a match made in heaven, admired by all.
Her relationship with Ye Tianlin felt like a fleeting drizzle—leaving no trace on the ground.
"Luo, let's find another place to eat," Hilo suggested, his growing unease mirroring her distress.
"No, it's fine here." She forced a smile, though it was more of a grimace.
She tried desperately to hide her emotions, but why couldn't she? She had promised herself not to care, yet news about him still cut her deeply.
"Xiaoluo…" Hilo's words faltered, powerless against her anguish.
Liang Xiaoluo gave a bitter smile, glancing around aimlessly. When her gaze fell upon someone at table 21, her face drained of all color. For a moment, it felt as though her blood had stopped flowing.
Hilo, sensing her sudden change in demeanor, followed her gaze. He saw her pallor and rapid breathing, her eyes fixed on something—or someone—with growing anxiety.
But the crowded café made it impossible for him to identify what had shaken her. People bustled about, and he couldn't pinpoint the source of her distress.
"Did you see someone you know?" he asked, puzzled.
His words snapped her back to reality. Gritting her teeth, she stormed toward table 21.
"Lin Xue!" Liang Xiaoluo's cold voice cut through the noise.
The woman at the table flinched and turned around. Her expression froze. "Sister?"
"What are you doing here?" Liang Xiaoluo asked, her eyes narrowing at Lin Xue's revealing outfit and flirtatious behavior with several men at the table.
Lin Xue's face darkened. "I'm… working."
"Working?" Liang Xiaoluo asked skeptically. "What kind of work?"
"Waitressing, of course. Can't you see? I was just carrying these plates," Lin Xue replied awkwardly.
Liang Xiaoluo grabbed her hand. "Are you serving with your body, too? Come with me. You know how much Dad hates this. How could you betray him like this?"
Lin Xue snapped, yanking her hand away. "And what gives you the right to judge me? Didn't you use the same tricks to snag yourself a rich husband? And what did it get you? Nothing but humiliation! You ruined our lives and left us worse than dogs!"
"Lin Xue!" Liang Xiaoluo's voice shook as she struggled to process her sister's words.
"At least I can make money to survive," Lin Xue sneered. "Unlike you."
Just then, one of the men at the table leered at Liang Xiaoluo. "Hey, another beauty. Why don't you join us for a drink?"
Lin Xue stepped in front of her. "Leave her alone. You don't need her—I'm enough for all of you."
"Get lost, slut! Who do you think you are?" the man snarled.
Hilo intervened, grabbing the man's wrist and squeezing tightly. "And what if she's mine?"
The man yelped in pain. "Let go! Let go of me!"
Hilo threw him off disdainfully. "Get lost. Don't let me see you again."
The men fled, not daring to make another scene.
As they left, Lin Xue snapped, "Happy now? You've ruined my chance to make money today."
With that, she turned to leave.
"Lin Xue!" Liang Xiaoluo grabbed her hand. "Tell me what's going on. Where's Dad? What about our stepmother? Where are they?"
Lin Xue led her to a grimy hotel kitchen in the city center. The cramped, filthy space reeked of grease and decay. The walls were blackened with soot, and flies buzzed over the accumulated grime.
In the corner, a frail figure hunched over a basin, scrubbing dishes tirelessly. His hair was stark white, his body frail, yet his hands never stopped working.
"Dad…" Liang Xiaoluo's voice trembled as she approached, each step heavier than the last. She clutched her mouth, trying to stifle her sobs, though tears spilled freely from her eyes.
Hilo steadied her as her legs threatened to give out. She couldn't bear the sight before her.
Her father, once proud and dignified, had been reduced to this—toiling in filth for a meager existence. When he finally sensed their presence and turned to look, his trembling eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
"Dad!" she cried, rushing to embrace him.
For the first time, Liang Xiaoluo's tears couldn't be held back. She clung to him tightly, sobbing uncontrollably.
She had never seen her father like this—stripped of his pride, reduced to mere survival.
And she… she had been oblivious to it all, living her life in comfort and ease.
How could she ever forgive herself?