Chapter 146 - 145: Becoming Rebellious

"Miss Lin, what’s wrong?" Yang Tian asked, unable to hide his concern when he saw Lin Aoxue trembling.

Hearing his voice, Lin Aoxue realized she had lost her composure. She took a deep breath to collect herself and gave him a gentle smile. "I’m fine, thank you for your concern. Grandpa Yang’s passing was a tremendous shock to me as well. Please don’t be too sad."

Her gentle words made Yang Tian’s heart flutter, stirring an unfamiliar feeling toward her within him.

"Thank you," he murmured, lowering his head. He then led Lin Aoxue to the memorial portrait of Yang Zhennan.

After paying her respects, Lin Aoxue intended to leave immediately. However, she had barely taken a few steps before Yang Tian blocked her path. He looked at her shyly, his hands wringing together in obvious nervousness.

"Is there something else?" Lin Aoxue asked, curious about his behavior.

"Um... it’s getting late. Would you like to join us for a meal?" After hesitating for a long time, Yang Tian finally managed to blurt out the invitation. He stared at her intently, eagerly anticipating her response.

Lin Aoxue froze. It was the first time Yang Tian had ever initiated an invitation, and it caught her completely off guard.

"I’ll pass this time. Maybe next time," she replied indifferently, shooting a sidelong glance at Ye Xuan and Yang Bingyu.

A flash of disappointment crossed Yang Tian’s eyes, but he quickly masked it and maintained a cheerful tone. "Then, once I’m done sorting out my grandfather’s affairs, I’ll treat you to a meal."

His newfound boldness left Lin Aoxue somewhat at a loss. She had fully intended to refuse again, but seeing how intimately Ye Xuan and Yang Bingyu were acting, she agreed in a fit of pique.

"So Ye Xuan and Yang Bingyu are together now, are they?" she thought. "Then I’ll just date Yang Tian. I won’t let anyone have an easy time."

Although Ye Xuan was busy feeding Yang Bingyu her porridge, he had been keeping tabs on Lin Aoxue out of the corner of his eye. Seeing her chatting so happily with Yang Tian instantly stirred a pang of jealousy within him.

Yang Bingyu noticed the sudden change in his expression and didn’t need to guess the reason. She glanced at Lin Aoxue, who was sharing a laugh with Yang Tian, and let out a soft sigh.

"If you really can’t let her go, just go to her. I can manage on my own," she said mildly, reaching for the bowl in Ye Xuan’s hands.

"No, let me feed you," Ye Xuan insisted, immediately withdrawing his gaze and returning his attention to her.

Yang Bingyu let out a helpless sigh. She pushed his hand away, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "I’m full. I feel a bit tired and want to rest for a while."

Hearing that she was tired, Ye Xuan quickly packed up their things to escort her out. The mourning hall only had one main exit, meaning he had to walk right past Lin Aoxue to leave.

As they brushed past each other, Ye Xuan’s footsteps faltered for a fraction of a second. Ultimately, however, he walked away without looking back.

When Lin Aoxue saw Ye Xuan walking toward her, her heart fluttered with nervous anticipation, hoping he might say something to her. But her hopes were dashed. She bit her lower lip hard, doing her utmost to keep her composure.

"Miss Lin, if... if you’re upset, just cry it out. No one here will laugh at you." Despite his timid nature, Yang Tian was highly observant. He instantly recognized her sorrow and offered his gentle comfort.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Aoxue steadied her emotions and offered a faint smile. "I’m fine, Young Master Yang. I should get going now. I’ll contact you when I have time."

Yang Tian stood rooted to the spot in a daze, watching her receding figure for a long time.

When his family first pushed him to marry Lin Aoxue, he hadn’t felt much for her. He had simply gone along with it, adopting the mindset that one marriage prospect was as good as another. He hadn’t thought she was anything particularly special. But for some inexplicable reason, hearing her concerned words just now had instantly captivated his heart.

Yang Tao had taken note of every single reaction his son displayed, and his face immediately darkened. He pulled Yang Tian aside and warned him in a low voice, "Keep your distance from that Lin Aoxue woman. Don’t go getting involved with her."

Yang Tian was highly dissatisfied with his father’s warning. He was single, and so was she. Why couldn’t they be together?

"Dad, I think Aoxue is wonderful. Why would you say something like that?"

This was the first time Yang Tian had ever talked back to him, leaving Yang Tao utterly astonished. He hadn’t expected Lin Aoxue to have such a profound influence on his son.

"She is Ye Xuan’s woman. It would be best if you steered clear of her."

If it were anyone else, Yang Tao would have been a hundred percent in favor of it. After all, Yang Tian wasn’t getting any younger, and it was time for him to marry and establish his career. Especially at a crucial juncture like this, a marriage could temporarily stabilize the Yang Family’s situation.

But why did it have to be Lin Aoxue? Given her past relationship with Ye Xuan alone, Yang Tao would absolutely never allow his son to fall for her.

"Dad, Lin Aoxue and Ye Xuan are already divorced. Besides, Ye Xuan is about to marry my sister. His ties with Lin Aoxue are severed," Yang Tian argued. "This is my own business. Don’t interfere. I know what I’m doing."

Yang Tian cast a glance at Ye Xuan, finding the man incredibly repulsive for the very first time. To have had such an outstanding wife like Lin Aoxue and completely fail to cherish her was unforgivable.

"You ungrateful boy!" Yang Tao was so angry he could spit blood. He used to complain that he couldn’t pry a word out of the boy with a crowbar, but now that his son was finally talking back, he was half-dead from the sheer aggravation of it.

"I’m hungry. I’m going to get some food." Not wanting to discuss the matter with his father any further, Yang Tian turned and marched straight out of the hall.

Yang Tao was left stomping his feet in fury.

"Tao, what’s wrong? Did you have a fight with Tian?" Yang Kui walked over, looking suspiciously at his younger brother’s distressed expression.

"Sigh. That boy Tian just won’t listen to me anymore," Yang Tao lamented with a weary sigh.

"How can that be? Tian has always been the most sensible and obedient child. He never causes any trouble. What exactly happened?" Yang Kui was slightly taken aback by his brother’s words. This didn’t fit Yang Tian’s usual behavior at all. The boy had been timid and cowardly since he was little—the type who would jump out of his skin if someone spoke just a bit too loudly. How could he possibly be talking back to his father?

"The boy has fallen for that girl from the Lin Family. It’s worrying me to death," Yang Tao answered truthfully, not overthinking it. In his eyes, Yang Kui was his older brother; he certainly wouldn’t mean him any harm.

Upon hearing this, a sharp gleam immediately flashed through Yang Kui’s eyes. He subconsciously cast a sidelong glance toward Ye Xuan as gears began turning in his head, plotting a new scheme.

"Kui, what’s wrong? What are you thinking so deeply about?" Yang Tao asked in confusion when his brother remained silent for a long moment.

"It’s nothing." Yang Kui snapped out of his daze, swiftly masking the calculation in his eyes. He smiled and patted Yang Tao on the shoulder. "Tian is simply growing up. He has his own ideas now. If he really likes Lin Aoxue, just let him go after her.

"There’s no need to worry so much. The younger generation will forge their own path. Besides, matters of the heart are always unpredictable anyway. Just let him be."