Chapter 174: Chaos and the Strange Man
Teasing her was undeniably entertaining.
Liang Xiaoluo's expression froze, her teeth clenched as she spat out words through gritted teeth. "Xi Luo, I don't want him to misunderstand… Hey, what are you doing… Let me go, Xi Luo, let go of me!"
Struggling noises echoed in the kitchen. Liang Xiaoluo was furious, thrashing about with all her might. But Xi Luo's strength was overwhelming. He pinned her shoulders against the wall, rendering her unable to move.
Xi Luo's gaze darkened as he looked at her. After a moment of silent contemplation, he asked with a faint smirk, "Xiaoluo, did you and Tianlin reconcile?"
"My relationship with Ye Tianlin is none of your business!" Liang Xiaoluo gritted her teeth, trying to free herself. After several futile attempts, she roared in frustration, "Let me go!"
"So, it seems you really have reconciled," Xi Luo mused with a sly smile, his eyes flickering with some unreadable emotion. Glancing at his now-stained shirt, he remarked casually, "Xiaoluo, you've dirtied my clothes."
Liang Xiaoluo snorted in anger, using her flour-dusted hands to push against him frantically. "Let me go! I'll pay you back for it!"
"Can you afford it?"
His light and mocking tone froze her movements instantly. Pressing her lips tightly together, she felt a sting of humiliation wash over her.
Just as Liang Xiaoluo struggled to suppress her growing feelings of self-loathing, the grip on her shoulders suddenly loosened. Before she could react, a large hand grabbed her arm and pulled her into an embrace.
She collided with Xi Luo's chest, utterly stunned. These past few days, not only had Ye Tianlin seemed like a different person, but Xi Luo's behavior had changed as well.
At that moment, a deep, magnetic voice cut through the tension. "Zuolun, call the police."
"Yes, sir!" Zuolun replied immediately, glancing at Xi Luo before turning and leaving the kitchen.
Xi Luo pouted, clearly unimpressed, and said playfully, "Tianlin, you're so stingy."
Reluctantly, Xi Luo released Liang Xiaoluo. He had been hoping to hold her a little longer.
"Since Xiaoluo ruined your clothes, I'll compensate you," Ye Tianlin said calmly. Turning his attention to Liang Xiaoluo, who stiffened slightly at his words, he added, "What are you doing here?"
Lowering her gaze to avoid showing the vulnerability in her eyes, Liang Xiaoluo whispered, "Doing what I'm supposed to."
The weight of his sudden reappearance after three days felt like a dream she couldn't wake from. A person who shouldn't have come back was suddenly standing before her. She felt like a bystander in her own story, watching an intricate play she couldn't understand.
Her mind wandered to the day they built a snowman together, and his promise to have dinner with her. Yet, after she fell ill, he didn't even show his face, let alone eat with her.
Ye Tianlin's deep gaze remained on her as he asked, "You're cooking?"
Startled, Liang Xiaoluo looked up and met his eyes. She froze, unsure how to respond.
"Hey, hey, hey," Xi Luo interjected, his grin widening as he leaned casually against the wall. "Could you two at least acknowledge that I'm still here?"
His remark snapped them out of their awkward silence, and they quickly averted their gazes.
"We need to head to the study," Ye Tianlin said to Liang Xiaoluo, his expression softening briefly before hardening again. "Finish cooking and wait for me."
Without waiting for her response, he turned and left. His movements were calm, but an unspoken tension weighed on him. The ongoing battle with Hua Lin loomed heavily in his mind, gnawing at him from within. Despite his inner turmoil, his face betrayed no emotion.
Liang Xiaoluo frowned, watching him leave, her thoughts drifting far away.
In the study, Xi Luo stood by Ye Tianlin's side and quipped, "It seems you're really in love with her."
"I've never denied it," Ye Tianlin replied coldly, his sharp features impassive. Only a faint, almost imperceptible curve of his lips hinted at deeper emotions.
"But you've never admitted it either," Xi Luo countered with a chuckle, his words dripping with playful sarcasm.
Ye Tianlin remained unmoved by the jab. His voice was calm yet laced with warning as he said, "Whether or not I admit it doesn't matter. She's my woman. I don't like others having designs on her, especially not my closest friends."
The quiet dominance in his tone left no room for argument.
Xi Luo gave a self-deprecating smile that didn't reach his eyes. "So, what did you call me here for? Surely not to lecture me about flirting with your woman?"
Ye Tianlin's gaze darkened as he leaned back in his chair, studying Xi Luo carefully. "Why haven't you returned to England?"
Xi Luo shrugged nonchalantly. "England doesn't matter to me. Why should I go back?"
He had never been interested in competing for the throne.
Ye Tianlin took a sip of coffee, his demeanor unchanging. "Aren't you curious about your brother's schemes?"
Xi Luo's sharp eyes locked onto Ye Tianlin, his fists clenching reflexively. Though he wanted to deny it, the words struck a chord.
"My brother wouldn't…" Xi Luo began, his voice faltering. "He's set to inherit the throne. He doesn't need to resort to schemes."
Ye Tianlin smirked faintly. "Then why are you trembling?"
Xi Luo froze, unable to respond. After a long pause, he pulled out his phone and made a call. "Ryan, book me a flight back to England for today."
As he turned to leave, he glanced over his shoulder, catching a figure outside the study door. He muttered softly, "So you really didn't lose your memory, did you?"
Leaving behind this parting shot, Xi Luo walked away.
Outside the study, Liang Xiaoluo hesitated. She had overheard fragments of their conversation. Her heart pounded as she wrestled with the implications.
When she finally mustered the courage to enter, her eyes met Ye Tianlin's. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
"Xiaoluo," Ye Tianlin called gently, breaking the silence.
The sound of his voice shattered her fragile composure. Tears welled up in her eyes as she took a step back, shaking her head. She didn't want to believe that his amnesia had been a lie.
Without another word, she turned and fled.
Ye Tianlin took a step forward, as if to chase after her, but stopped himself. His feet remained rooted to the floor.