Billionaire's Long Journey of Chasing His Love
Chapter 202 - 193: Pretending to be Fine for Just a Moment, He Seems on the Verge of Death (3)

Chapter 202: Chapter 193: Pretending to be Fine for Just a Moment, He Seems on the Verge of Death (3)

Yi Luowa’s heart was in her throat as she put down her phone and lay back dejectedly. It was the first time she had ever heard the sound of real cannon fire. Although she only heard it through her phone, coming from Tong Airui’s end, it felt more terrifying than having it explode right next to her.

Unable to sleep, Yi Luowa kept checking her phone periodically, afraid to miss a call from Tong Airui.

It wasn’t until dawn that she took a quick nap. By early morning, without needing anyone to wake her, she got up, washed, and hurried downstairs.

Tong Yao saw her and smiled warmly, "Up so early, are we?"

"Morning, Mom! Where’s Dad?"

"He’s in the study. Do you need him for something?"

Yi Luowa shook her head with a smile. It was bad enough that she was worried; she didn’t want her mother to worry alongside her.

Hearing movement, Long Che pushed open the study door and waved Yi Luowa over.

Yi Luowa ran up to him. "Morning, Dad."

"Been worried all night, haven’t you?" Long Che looked at her fondly.

Yi Luowa stuck out her little finger, gesturing secretly toward Tong Yao.

"It’s fine, your mother already knows." Long Che chuckled and turned to Tong Yao. "Your daughter-in-law didn’t want you worrying about Rui’er and tried to keep me quiet."

Tong Yao laughed as she walked over. "This child overthinks everything. But don’t worry—Mom’s seen plenty of storms and rough seas. Back in the day, I even watched a video of your dad being beheaded with my own eyes."

"Mom, weren’t you scared out of your mind at the time?" Yi Luowa asked pitifully, finally finding someone who could relate. "I could hardly sleep last night after hearing the cannon fire."

"That cannon fire was the Second Prince attacking the palace. Airui’s barracks are close to the palace, so it probably sounded nearby. You don’t need to worry about Rui’er; last night he launched a full-scale offensive. The study has the battle report he just sent over. Do you want to take a look?" Long Che lowered his gaze to her.

Yi Luowa hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. "I wouldn’t understand it anyway, and besides, battle reports are classified, aren’t they? If I read them, Dad, you’d be in trouble. Knowing he’s okay is enough for me."

Long Che smiled in satisfaction. "In that respect, you’re as sensible as your mother-in-law! Rui’er is fine, so you can set your worries aside. Go play with your mother-in-law. I need to work on some documents, and there’s a military parade at the square in a little while."

"Alright, Dad. You focus on your work; I won’t disturb you." Yi Luowa beamed and whispered to Tong Yao while holding her arm, "Mom, about that video of my dad being beheaded... What’s the story there?"

"The one killed was your dad’s double. I recognized it right away," Tong Yao said with a laugh, patting her hand. "When you encounter such situations in the future, don’t worry too much. Your father and Rui’er understand the weight of their responsibilities—they’ll take care of themselves."

"Mm-hmm." Yi Luowa nodded. "Mom, I heard from my second uncle that you’re a sharpshooter. I looked it up afterward, and it turns out you’re the kind of person who can identify someone in a crowd just by their footprint. Mom, you’re amazing!"

"Everyone is skilled in their own field. Your chess skills and driving prowess—they’re leagues beyond us." Tong Yao smiled gently. Despite her young age, Yi Luowa was more mature than her peers. Her son had chosen well!

"Your driving skills must be better than mine; otherwise, my second and third uncles couldn’t lose to you."

Tong Yao laughed and shook her head. "That was ages ago. If I were to compete in a race now, I doubt I’d even place."

"Mom—" Ai Ni came clattering down the stairs. "You should go check on my fifth brother."

"What’s he up to now?" Tong Yao frowned slightly. "I shouldn’t have had so many of you back then!"

"Who has kids is not up to you!" Ai Ni pouted, teasing her.

Tong Yao tapped her lightly. "Out with it—what has your fifth brother done this time?"

"He tore up all of Connie’s clothes into ribbons." Ai Ni said crossly, "Last night, my sister-in-law and I listened for a while, but their room was silent, so I went to bed. Who knew he would do this in her room!"

Yi Luowa pouted. "After my call with your brother yesterday, I went to knock on the door. Aino said they’d gone to bed. I thought they’d reconciled... Wait, something seems off. If Connie’s clothes got shredded, why didn’t she call us?"

"Who knows? The problem now is Connie has nothing to wear. Where can we buy clothes this early in the morning?" Ai Ni looked at her mom’s figure, then at Yi Luowa’s. "Mom’s clothes definitely won’t fit; they’re one size off. My sister’s would be too big."

"I’m about the same size; she can use mine. I brought a set of clothes yesterday and haven’t had a chance to change. She can wear that for now." Yi Luowa said, heading upstairs.

Tong Yao caught hold of her. "Come upstairs with me; I need to see what’s going on with Tong Aino. If he keeps this up, he’s asking for it! You two, watch me closely—if he doesn’t behave, the three of us will gang up on him! This time, he’ll learn to call me ’Mom’ properly!"

Yi Luowa burst out laughing. "If he doesn’t call you ’Mom,’ what would he call you instead?"

"He’d have to call me big sis; I’m youthful enough to pass for a sister!" Ai Ni teased before darting upstairs, fearing her mother’s wrath.

Tong Yao snorted in mock exasperation. "None of you listen to me!"

Yi Luowa quickly soothed her. "Don’t be angry, Mom, don’t be upset! I’ll always listen to you."

Tong Yao smiled dotingly and patted her cheek. "You’re my little joy!"

When the two entered the room, Tong Aino was lounging on the sofa like there wasn’t a problem in the world, while Connie sat on the bed wrapped in a blanket.

Tong Yao’s eyes twitched at the sight of colorful fabric strips scattered across the floor.

"Nuo’er~" Tong Yao smiled sweetly and walked step by step toward her son.

Tong Aino stiffened at his mother’s smile and quickly stood. "Mom, don’t smile like that—it scares me."

Tong Yao’s smile grew warmer. "Afraid now? Did it not occur to you when you were tearing up Connie’s clothes that I would come to seek justice on her behalf?"

As she spoke, Tong Yao raised her hand and slapped Tong Aino’s bare arm. Five clear finger marks immediately appeared on his skin.

Connie, teary-eyed, looked over and quickly spoke as Tong Yao raised her hand again. "Auntie, please don’t hit him anymore; I share some of the blame, too."

"You still feel sorry for him at a time like this? What, do you want him to bully you for the rest of your life?" Tong Yao turned and embraced Connie protectively. "Connie, tell me—why did he tear up your clothes? If he’s acting out this much, why didn’t you call for help? If he lost control and ended up hurting you, how would I answer to your parents?"

Connie sniffled. "I told him I was going back to Raman today, but Tong Aino insisted I stay. We started tugging at my clothes, and then he got mad and sat on the floor shredding my clothes one by one. He said if I didn’t have anything to wear, I wouldn’t be able to leave... It was so late, I didn’t want to wake everyone, so I didn’t yell for help."

Ai Ni came in carrying the set of clothes Yi Luowa had mentioned. "Connie, wear your fourth sister-in-law’s clothes for now. If you want to go home, no one can stop you. Mom will back you up."

"No backing her up! She’s not allowed to leave!" Tong Aino snatched the clothes from his sister’s hands, shook them out, and readied to tear them up again.

Yi Luowa glared at him. "Tong Aino, try wrecking those again, I dare you!"

He paused briefly, then balled the clothes up and stuffed them under his T-shirt.

Yi Luowa felt half amused and half exasperated. This brat—could he be any more childish?

Tong Yao raised her hand to hit him again, but Tong Aino quickly sidestepped. "I’ve already apologized to her, and she still wants to leave!"

"You don’t know how to sweet-talk, huh? Dodging a slap from me—do you think you’re invincible?" Yi Luowa chased after him, landing a few light smacks before giving him a fierce look.

Tong Aino fled into the adjacent room, but she followed, grabbing his ear on tiptoe. "Can’t you use your brain once in a while? These days, sweet-talking is key, but all you do is make people angry! Go to the hospital—there are a few new outfits in my wardrobe, tags still on. Bring those back and claim you bought them for Connie. After that, pour your heart out sweetly to her. Once Connie’s not mad anymore, she’ll naturally decide to stay."

"She’s tough to please! She’s so stubborn now; she wasn’t like this before," Tong Aino grumbled, pulling the clothes out from under his shirt.

"Serves you right! Karma’s catching up with you, for all the show-offs you’ve pulled!" Yi Luowa snatched the clothes, her cheeks puffing as she asked, "So, what’s your game plan now?"

"Game plan?" Tong Aino looked confused.

Yi Luowa rubbed her temples in frustration. "You kissed her in front of all those people, and now you don’t want her to leave. What exactly do you have in mind?"

"If she dares leave without my say-so, I’ll break her legs. That’s my game plan!" Tong Aino flicked his messy hair arrogantly. "Fine, I’ll go pick up the clothes. But what if she sneaks off while I’m gone? That’ll be your fault!"

"Fault, my foot!" Yi Luowa glared at him. The moment this guy stopped acting high and mighty, he’d fall apart!

Tong Aino grumbled, "I’ll have someone else go get them then."

"Does that carry the same gesture as going personally to ’buy’ them?" Yi Luowa snorted in annoyance. "Whatever, do as you please! Good luck finding a wife in this lifetime!"

Tong Aino saw her turn to leave and quickly blocked her way. "Sis-in-law, we’re close, aren’t we? Help me keep an eye on Connie—don’t let her leave before I’m back, okay?"

"Why would I team up with you? You can’t even be straight with me."

"How am I not straight with you?" Tong Aino scratched his head in confusion.

"Fine, then answer me. What do you really intend for Connie—do you want her as a wife, or are you just throwing a tantrum to spite her?"

Tong Aino hesitated. "That’s a hard question to answer. Let me grab those clothes and then we’ll talk. Watch over her for me, alright?"

Without waiting for her reply, he dashed downstairs like the wind.

Yi Luowa shook her head in resignation. She unfolded the clothes in her hands, saw they weren’t wrinkled, and carried them to Connie’s room. By the time she entered, Connie had already climbed out of bed. Spotting the absurdly mismatched dress she was now wearing, Yi Luowa burst out laughing, nearly doubling over.