467 Cry Her Heart Ou (1/2)

”You can have Hu Dengxiao,” Yu Zhen coldly told her. ”But are you ready to face the consequences of your actions?”

Yu Lingluo's lips parted in response, ready to foolishly agree to it, but he interrupted her.

”Are you ready to kneel before Father and beg for mercy when he captures Hu Dengxiao? Are you ready to watch Hu Dengxiao get whipped to death until his face is disfigured, and he is a bloody mess?”

Yu Zhen cocked his head. ”Do you have the guts to go against Lu Tianbi, both mentally and physically? Are you willing to abandon your pride and dignity for a man who will never love you the same way you do?”

Yu Lingluo pushed him away as she took staggering steps backward. She stared up at him as if he was a monster. Hatred and anger dripped from her eyes, more than her tears.

”Zhen-gege, you're being cruel!” she cried out.

Yu Lingluo gasped when she nearly tripped over something that could've injured her foot, but narrowly dodged it.

”Cruel?” he repeated with a scowl. ”If I am cruel, then what are you? You're making an audacious request that will split the relationship between my closest friends.”

Yu Zhen stalked towards her with a disapproving look on his face. ”You can force Hu Dengxiao to physically be by your side, but his heart and attention will never belong to you.”

Yu Lingluo shook her head at him, refusing to listen as she cupped her ears and continued walking backward.

Yu Zhen cared too much about her for her to stupidly injure herself. He angrily gripped her wrists, just before she would step onto a shard of porcelain.

”Xiao Ling, don't be a fool,” he gently coaxed. ”You have a bright future ahead of you. Don't throw it away for a man who will never look your way. Don't make the same mistake as the Empress.”

At this, Yu Lingluo was forced to pause. She shakily looked up at him, astonished that he would say such a horrible thing. ”Mother never made a mistake with Father, she—”

”She is in a loveless marriage.”

Yu Lingluo's lips trembled. The air was frigid, but his gaze was colder. He glared down at her with disappointment in his eyes. Violent tantrums like this was a normal occurrence. She had destroyed many things in her youth whenever she threw a tantrum, and he had always indulged her when it happened, only to scold her a day or a week later.

”You've seen how much it tore her apart, Xiao Ling.” Yu Zhen released her wrists and guided her towards the door, which seemed to be the only spot free from sharp objects that could hurt her feet.

”C-can't you be nicer to me, Zhen-gege…” she hiccuped out whilst looking at him as if he had wronged her. She was in tears and heartbroken, but he still spoke to her as if she was his worst enemy.

Yu Lingluo could not understand why he was so mean to her tonight. He should be comforting her, offering sweet words, promising the world, and giving her everything that she wanted. It was what everyone else would've done for her…but he never did that.

”If you only listen to sweet nothingness, you will get spoiled rotten,” Yu Zhen spat out. He noticed a pair of slippers by the door. Pointing down at it, he urged her to put it on. She reluctantly did so whilst holding onto his arm for support.

”Besides,” Yu Zhen said and turned to her with a slight frown. ”It's unlike me to do that. You should've asked for the First Prince.”

Yu Lingluo pouted at the ground. Her tears had dried up, but her cheeks were still wet.