Chapter 158: The Prelude to the Storm
As she lay in the dimly lit room, memories of meeting Ye Tianlin flooded Liang Xiaoluo's mind. Their encounter had been nothing short of brutal. Yet, against all logic, she had fallen hopelessly in love with that tyrant, so deeply that she couldn't extricate herself from his grasp.
When she once thought he was her destined happiness, he shattered that dream, crushing her heart into irreparable fragments.
If the happiness she sought was no longer hers, and if her body and heart were already desecrated, why should she continue to feign dignity? Why not use her sullied body and broken heart to forge a better life for her family?
"No, Xiaoluo, you cannot do this!" Lin Meiling suddenly cried out, her voice hoarse and piercing. Her dramatic outburst was akin to a masterful performance, her expressions shifting rapidly as if she were auditioning for an award.
Even Liang Hui and Lin Xue, standing beside her, froze in surprise. They tugged at Lin Meiling's sleeve, silently begging her to tone it down.
But Liang Xiaoluo, lost in her own despair, failed to notice Lin Meiling's over-the-top display or the odd expressions plastered on Liang Hui and Lin Xue's faces.
Nearby, a servant nudged Boss Ming, snapping him back to reality. Puffing out his chest, he declared with exaggerated gusto, "Fine! That settles it. Tomorrow, we'll have the wedding. Tomorrow, you'll become my wife and my woman."
His demeanor shifted dramatically as he turned to Liang Hui's family. With a sickly sweet smile, he exclaimed, "Oh, come now, my future in-laws! Why are you still on the floor? Get up, get up! Tomorrow, we'll all be one big happy family."
Liang Hui was helped to his feet, but he still trembled visibly.
"Cheer up! There's no need for such gloomy faces," Ming said with a laugh. "Isn't this the perfect resolution to everything?"
He turned back toward Xiaoluo, his hand reaching out as if to touch her. Suddenly, he hesitated, withdrawing it mid-air. "Dear wife," he said, forcing a grin, "you should return to your room. Tonight, the makeup artist will help you prepare. Tomorrow, we'll officially tie the knot."
"What about my family?" Xiaoluo demanded. "You promised to release them."
"Of course, my love. The moment the wedding is over and we've consummated our marriage, they're free to go. I swear it," Ming replied, the smugness in his tone making Xiaoluo's stomach churn.
"You'd better keep your word," Xiaoluo warned, her voice sharp with determination.
If Ming dared to break his promise, she resolved to kill him with her own hands.
"I'm a man of my word," Ming assured her. "Now, off you go. I'll make sure our in-laws are treated like royalty tonight."
Xiaoluo hesitated, her gaze lingering on her family. Liang Hui, Lin Meiling, and Lin Xue kept their heads low, avoiding her eyes. She attributed their behavior to guilt and did not press them further. She didn't blame them. As long as they were safe, it was enough.
Love had failed her, but she clung to the lifeline of familial bonds.
Returning to her room, Xiaoluo sat on the bed, trembling. Tomorrow, she would become that disgusting man's wife. The thought alone made her nauseous. Her mind involuntarily conjured images of Ye Tianlin, and tears streamed down her face.
"Why? Why did you ruin me like this?" she whispered.
Unbeknownst to her, someone was watching.
As Xiaoluo closed the door, a tall figure emerged from the shadows. His face was dark with fury. The presence of Ye Tianlin loomed over Boss Ming, who froze in terror. Feeling a wave of killing intent at his back, Ming cautiously turned around. His face drained of color when he saw who was standing there.
"Y-Ye… Second Young Master Ye…" Ming stammered before collapsing to his knees.
Ye Tianlin's piercing gaze was like a blade pressing against Ming's neck. The aura around him was cold and suffocating, as if death itself had arrived.
Ming broke into a sweat, his forced smile twitching uncontrollably. "Second Young Master Ye, how… how did I do? Did my acting convince Miss Liang? She doesn't suspect a thing!" he babbled nervously.
Without a word, Tianlin motioned to his subordinate, Zuo Lun, who grabbed Ming by the collar and dragged him to his feet.
Tianlin's gaze landed on Ming's right hand. "You used this hand to touch my woman, didn't you?" His voice was dangerously low.
Before Ming could answer, Tianlin's command rang out coldly: "Cut it off."
"Yes, Young Master," Zuo Lun replied, his grip tightening as he began to drag Ming away.
"Wait! Please, Second Young Master, spare me! It was all for the sake of the act!" Ming wailed. "I didn't mean any disrespect. I swear!"
"Enough," Tianlin interrupted.
Ming froze in fear, his knees buckling. Tianlin's eyes were devoid of any mercy as he leaned closer. "You also called her your 'wife.'"
The words sent chills down Ming's spine. He scrambled for an excuse. "Second Young Master, it was all part of the plan! To convince Miss Liang! Please believe me—my loyalty to you is unwavering."
Zuo Lun hesitated, leaning close to Tianlin and whispering, "Young Master, we'll need him for tomorrow."
After a long pause, Tianlin nodded. "Consider this your last warning," he growled, waving Ming away.
Ming bowed repeatedly, his voice trembling with gratitude. "Thank you, Second Young Master. I'll take my leave now."
As soon as he was out of sight, Tianlin turned to Liang Hui, Lin Meiling, and Lin Xue. Their pale faces betrayed their fear, but before they could speak, Meiling dropped to her knees, wailing dramatically, "We didn't see or hear anything, Young Master Ye. Please, have mercy!"
Tianlin was momentarily stunned by her theatrics before bursting into laughter. The sight of his rare, genuine smile left the room in shock. It was warm and dazzling, like sunlight piercing through the coldest winter.
"Thank you for cooperating with me," Tianlin said, his tone sincere as he addressed Liang Hui.
Despite the strangeness of the situation, Liang Hui couldn't suppress his curiosity. "Can you truly make my daughter happy?" he asked, his voice heavy with doubt.
Tianlin's expression grew serious. "Her happiness is something only I can give her," he replied firmly.
Meanwhile, Xiaoluo sat alone in her room, her soul weighed down by despair. As night fell, servants brought her a wedding gown and makeup supplies.
"Miss Liang, please try on the dress to ensure it fits," one of them said.
Mechanically, Xiaoluo stood and allowed them to drape the gown over her. It fit perfectly, its shimmering train resembling the tail of a mermaid gliding through an ocean of sorrow.
To her, the dress was nothing but a cruel mockery.
She lay down on the bed afterward, staring blankly at the ceiling. Tears spilled silently from her eyes as the weight of her decision crushed her spirit.
Tomorrow, she would sacrifice everything. And she prayed that her family's suffering would end with her own.