Chapter 45 Heartache

Chapter 45 Heartache

The music at the banquet was so loud it hurt your ears, and the crystal chandelier was so dazzling it made your eyes blurry. Lin Mianmian's fingers were almost white as she gripped the glass. The cold glass was pressed against her palm, but she couldn't suppress the sour and uncomfortable feeling in her heart.

Bai Xiulin noticed that something was wrong with her, so he quietly moved closer to her to shield her from the wandering eyes, and whispered, "How about we go to the terrace for some fresh air? It's too stuffy here with so many people."

Lin Mianmian nodded quickly, her voice barely audible, "Okay."

The two had just turned around when they bumped right into Xie Lin and Su Wan, who were walking towards them.

The air seemed to freeze instantly, and even the music nearby seemed to fade into the distance.

Su Wan wore a standard smile, her gaze sweeping over Lin Mianmian before turning to Bai Xiulin, greeting him with a graceful demeanor: "Xiulin, long time no see. This must be Miss Lin, right? I've heard of you before."

Her voice was sweet, like a freshly peeled candy, but when Lin Mianmian heard it, her back tensed up instantly.

Those damned news headlines popped into her head again—"Xie Lin and Su Wan join forces, a match made in heaven" and "Xie family heir's wedding is imminent, Su family's daughter sweetly by his side." Every word felt like a needle, pricking her heart with pain.

Bai Xiulin casually put his arm around Lin Mianmian's waist, his tone gentle yet carrying an undeniable air of authority: "Miss Su, you're too kind. Mianmian doesn't really like these lively occasions, let's go to the terrace for some fresh air."

He emphasized the word "绵绵" (mianmian), making it sound like a blatant declaration of sovereignty.

Xie Lin's gaze remained fixed on Lin Mianmian the entire time. His eyes were intense and burning, like red-hot coals, almost scorching her skin.

He looked at her pale face and her subconscious attempt to hide in Bai Xiulin's arms. He suddenly tightened his grip on Su Wan's wrist, his knuckles turning white.

Su Wan frowned in pain, but didn't dare to pull away. Instead, she leaned closer to him and said in a soft, coquettish voice, "Ah Lin, you're pinching me too hard."

That sweet, coquettish voice instantly broke the tense atmosphere.

People around were already secretly glancing this way. Xie Lin took a deep breath, slowly released his hand, and his eyes were frozen, frighteningly cold.

He twitched the corners of his mouth and forced a smile, but the smile didn't reach his eyes at all: "Since Miss Lin doesn't like crowds, then please do as you please."

His voice sounded calm and even, without any emotion, but Lin Mianmian's heart sank suddenly, so much so that she could hardly breathe.

She quickly lowered her head, not daring to look at him at all, and grabbed Bai Xiulin's sleeve, walking briskly towards the terrace.

The breeze from the terrace, carrying the coolness of the evening, instantly dispelled the stuffy heat in the banquet hall. Lin Mianmian leaned against the railing, gazing at the distant city lights, her eyes instantly reddening.

Bai Xiulin handed her a glass of warm water and comforted her softly, "Don't be sad."

Lin Mianmian sipped the water slowly, but her throat felt like it was stuffed with cotton, and she couldn't say a word.

“I know…” she sniffed, her voice slightly nasal, “but I just… I just feel a little unwell.”

Bai Xiulin sighed, reached out and gently patted her back, said nothing more, and simply stayed quietly by her side.

A moment later, footsteps sounded behind them.

Lin Mianmian's heart skipped a beat. Without turning around, she knew who it was.

Xie Lin walked over, but Su Wan didn't follow; she was called away by the other heiresses.

He stood a few steps away from her, still carrying the smell of alcohol and a faint perfume from the banquet hall. The combination of these scents was particularly irritating to Lin Mianmian.

"Mianmian," he said, his voice hoarse, even more so than on that rainy night.

Lin Mianmian tightened her grip on the railing, but didn't turn around or respond.

Bai Xiulin stepped forward, blocking her way, and looked at Xie Lin with a cold gaze.

Xie Lin didn't look at him; his gaze was fixed on Lin Mianmian's back. His Adam's apple bobbed, as if he had to exert a great deal of effort to stop himself from walking forward.

“I have something to say to her.” His voice was low, with a hint of pleading.

“She doesn’t want to hear it.” Bai Xiulin wouldn’t budge. “If there’s nothing else, please leave and don’t bother her.”

"This is between her and me." Xie Lin's tone turned serious, and a hint of malice flashed in his eyes.

“She’s someone I’m with now.” Bai Xiulin said defiantly, his tone carrying a hint of warning.

The tension between the two instantly escalated, and it felt like sparks were flying in the air.

Lin Mianmian finally couldn't help but turn around. She looked at Xie Lin, at the bloodshot eyes and the dark circles under his eyes. The discomfort in her heart suddenly turned into an inexplicable resentment.

“Xie Lin,” her voice was calm, yet carried a sense of detachment, “there’s nothing more to say between us.”

Xie Lin's face turned pale instantly, and he looked at her with pain almost overflowing in his eyes.

"Mianmian, let me explain..." He took a step forward, eagerly trying to grab her hand.

Lin Mianmian suddenly took a step back and dodged.

This action was like a bucket of cold water poured over Xie Lin's heart.

His hand froze in mid-air, his fingertips trembling slightly, and the light in his eyes dimmed little by little until only a deathly silence remained.

"The rain that day..." He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know where to begin.

He wanted to say that he stood in the rain for half an hour that day, his whole body was frozen, but his heart was even colder than his body.

He wanted to say that he didn't dare let her get involved in the mess of those families, the open and covert attacks. He was afraid that those dirty things would taint her, and that she would be pushed into the limelight again.

He wanted to say that he had never thought of giving up on her, never.

But the words just wouldn't come out.

Some things can't be explained in just a few words. And some of my troubles, if I told her, would only make her worry more.

Seeing his hesitant expression, Lin Mianmian's resentment suddenly faded, replaced by a feeling of exhaustion.

"Xie Lin," she said softly, "I'm doing very well now. I don't want to talk about the past anymore."

After she finished speaking, she turned to look at Bai Xiulin and forced a smile: "Brother Xiulin, our school, right?"

Bai Xiulin nodded, put his arm around her shoulder, and said gently, "Okay, let's go back."

The two turned and walked towards the banquet hall, neither of them looking back.

Xie Lin stood there, watching Lin Mianmian's back and seeing her walking side by side with Bai Xiulin. His heart felt like it was being gripped by an invisible hand, tightening inch by inch, so painful that he could hardly breathe.

The evening breeze whistled, ruffling his hair and bringing tears to his eyes.

The music in the banquet hall was still playing, melodious and cheerful, but in his world, there was only deathly silence.

In the distance, Su Wan leaned against a pillar, looking towards the terrace, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.