Billionaire's Long Journey of Chasing His Love
Chapter 219 - 209: Bite with Skill (First Update)

Chapter 219: Chapter 209: Bite with Skill (First Update)

"Mom, when did you get here?!" Yi Luowa immediately smiled as she saw them—the whole family was sitting together, except for the one busy with official work.

"After dropping off You Jia, Ni’er said she wasn’t feeling well and needed a change of scenery. I called Li Hua to ask if it would be convenient for Ni’er to come over, and next thing we knew, Li Hua sent someone to pick us all up!" Tong Yao said with a smile. "Didn’t expect to see you two here as well."

Tong Airui walked over silently. He nudged Mi Chenxuan’s foot lightly with his own, prompting Mi Chenxuan to hurriedly stand up. Tong Airui sat Yi Luowa down in the spot Mi Chenxuan had been occupying before taking a seat next to her himself.

Uncle Li had fresh tea brought out. "If Second Master were home and saw so many esteemed guests here, he’d surely be overjoyed!"

"Uncle Li, please have a seat too," Yi Luowa said cheerfully to him.

"Oh no, I’ll stay standing. You talk with everyone; I’ll go make arrangements for dinner," Uncle Li responded with a laugh. "Does anyone have dietary restrictions?"

Tong Yao waved her hands quickly. "Please don’t trouble yourself—we’re just staying briefly before heading back."

"Yi Luowa has caused you so much trouble already, and you’ve been nothing but patient, yet you find a simple meal at the estate inconvenient!" Uncle Li, known for his forthrightness, was somewhat displeased to hear that Tong Yao was planning to leave.

"Mom, stay," Yi Luowa pleaded, holding Tong Yao’s hand, not wanting everyone to leave.

Tong Yao looked at her son.

Tong Airui chuckled, "Let’s stay. We’ll head back after dinner."

Seeing Tong Yao nod in agreement, Yi Luowa smiled and asked, "Where are Grandpa and Grandma? Didn’t they come along? Should we go pick them up?"

"They’re here too. They’re out back with Big Brother and Little Brother, watching the animals," Tong Yao replied with a laugh. "This place is perfect for retirement."

"Then you should come often. There’s not many people at home—a visit from you all would liven things up," Yi Luowa said with a grin. "How about staying overnight? Nobody leaves tonight."

"I don’t mind. After all, no matter where I go, I’m still a lone wolf," Ai Ni said, letting out a long sigh, her face full of despair.

"I’ll head back in a bit," Lan Ji spoke coolly.

Yan Zi teased her with a laugh, "Is your family calling to remind you to return?"

Lan Ji shook her head. "No. I just feel like going home."

Yan Zi’s smile remained unyielding. "If you’re homesick, go stay there for a few days. Once you’ve had your fill, come over to our house for some fun. Lots of people there—it’s always lively."

Lan Ji responded with a blank stare and only a curt acknowledgment.

"Since Lan Ji wants to go, why don’t we all head back together? Your Uncle Wei Yang isn’t home yet, so staying might be inappropriate. Once Wei Yang returns, we can make plans to visit again," Tong Yao said with a smile, shooting her son an instructive glance. "Go and tell Uncle Li not to fuss; just make a few simple, homely dishes."

Tong Airui was about to get up, but Yi Luowa pulled him back. "It’s everyone’s first time here—it should be a feast! If Uncle Li underdoes it, he’ll be unhappy."

Looking toward his mother, Tong Airui tilted his head. "Yi Luowa is right. Let’s just follow our host’s lead. If anyone gets bored, they can go to the garden to see the flowers and animals."

As he spoke, Tong Airui grabbed a footstool and carefully lifted Yi Luowa’s leg, resting it on top.

Lan Ji glanced over before dispassionately moving her gaze away.

Jimo Shanshan approached, rolling up Yi Luowa’s pants leg for a look. "She should really go lie down for a while."

"It’s just a minor injury—nothing serious. This’ll do," Yi Luowa shook her head, aware that leaving to rest with so many guests around would be impolite.

"Are you sure it’s just a minor injury?" Tong Airui frowned slightly.

Yi Luowa stuck out her tongue. She had noticed the fresh dressing on her wound earlier and realized Tong Airui must have checked her injury while she was asleep. Since he hadn’t made a fuss, she’d assumed the matter had passed. Who knew he’d bring it up now?

"Why don’t I take everyone to the backyard to see the animals?" Tong Yao suggested, standing up and inviting the guests.

Everyone got up and followed her out the door.

Once the others were gone, a serious-faced Tong Airui scooped up Yi Luowa. Yi Luowa pouted, "You were fine earlier. Why the sudden mood shift?"

"It’s not you I’m mad at. I’m mad at myself," Tong Airui replied, his brows furrowed deeply. He blamed himself for failing to protect her.

Yi Luowa reached her hand up to rub his cheek, her voice calling out toward the kitchen: "Uncle Li, where’s my room?"

Uncle Li rushed out. "Second floor, first room on the left after the stairs. Tong Airui Duke’s room is right next to yours... Where did everyone go?"

"They’re watching animals in the backyard," Yi Luowa replied, pouting.

"I’ll go keep them company," Uncle Li said as he hurried off.

Tong Airui carried Yi Luowa upstairs. The moment she stepped into her room, her smile vanished. "What’s this supposed to be? You all said my room was pretty, but it’s like you think I’m still a kid!"

Looking at her disgruntled expression, Tong Airui’s serious face finally softened into a smile. "I think it’s lovely!"

"Is this your sense of aesthetics, Tong Airui?" Yi Luowa huffed, puffing her cheeks. "I’m redecorating. At the very least, these cartoon murals need to go."

Tong Airui set her down on the bed and chuckled. "You don’t stay here long-term, so don’t stress Uncle Li over this. If you dislike it, just leave it for the kids. They’ll probably love it."

Wrinkling her nose, Yi Luowa glanced around. "But it’s a princess-themed room. What if we have a son instead?"

"I think our first child will be a daughter—a gorgeous girl who looks just like you," Tong Airui said, pulling up a light blanket to cover her as he sat beside the bed.

Yi Luowa pouted. "I don’t want her to look like me. I want her to look like you. Then, when you’re off on missions, I’ll stare at her and think of you."

Tong Airui’s gaze darkened slightly as he gently rubbed her head. "Yi Luowa, I’m sorry."

She tilted her head back to look at him. "Why are you apologizing?"

"Forget it. I’ll go on fewer assignments in the future and spend more time at home with you—then I won’t have to say those words as much."

"Hehe, you’re the best, Fourth Brother~" Yi Luowa said, leaning her face against his hand and playfully nuzzling it.

"Beep beep... beep beep..." Suddenly, Yi Luowa’s phone buzzed from inside Tong Airui’s pocket.

Tong Airui pulled out the phone and handed it to her. Seeing the caller ID, Yi Luowa quickly pressed the answer button.

"Hello, Pig, missing me already?"

"Beep beep... beep beep..." Busy signal interrupted their call.

"Seriously? You call me but end up hanging up. International calls are expensive, sure, but you don’t have to be this frugal!" Yi Luowa muttered to herself, redialing. "Why’s the phone turned off now?"

Tong Airui reached for the phone. "Maybe they accidentally pressed the keypad."

Yi Luowa frowned, nodding. "Probably. They’re always so clumsy."

Neither of them thought much of Huo Li’s call, unaware that she was struggling in an agonizing crisis at that very moment.

Yi Luowa rested for a while, joined the others for dinner in the estate, and returned to the Duke’s mansion afterward.

On the way back, Yi Luowa felt inexplicably uneasy. By the time she reached the mansion, she’d escalated to full-blown distress—she couldn’t sit still, nor could she lie down comfortably. Even when Tong Airui tried to talk to her, she seemed deaf to his words.

Realizing her unusual behavior, Tong Airui asked gently, "What’s wrong? Are you mad I didn’t let you stay over at the estate?"

He repeated the question when she didn’t respond immediately. Only then did Yi Luowa snap out of it, gripping his arm tightly. "Fourth Brother, I suddenly feel so unsettled. Do you think something bad is about to happen?"

"I’m here with you. I just called Second Uncle—everything is fine. What bad thing could possibly happen?" Tong Airui touched her forehead. "No fever... Should I call the Seventh Brother to have a look at you?"

"Can he treat emotional distress?"

"No, but I can." Tong Airui tugged at her collar, peeking inside. "Let me see whose heart is worrying you."

Yi Luowa laughed, pressing her hands to her chest. "You just want to tease me—you’re shameless!"

"You let me peek before, so what’s changed now?" Tong Airui joked, leaning closer.

"Do that again and I’ll call Mom!" Yi Luowa playfully bit his chin.

"Careful! Don’t bite it off!" Tong Airui patted her on the behind.

"Let me vent a little. Biting you makes me feel better," Yi Luowa teased, wrapping her arms around his neck while searching for another spot to start.

"Try my arm, leg... or worst case, I’ll even offer up my rear."

"Not your rear!"

"Anywhere but the face. Tomorrow I’m heading to camp—if people see any marks, they’ll say I’ve married a tigress."

"Rawr—!" Yi Luowa clawed at the air, mimicking a tiger’s roar.

Tong Airui pinched her nose lightly, smiling. "Feel any better?"

"Not really!" Yi Luowa sulked, withdrawing her paw.

"Then tomorrow we’ll visit a therapist," Tong Airui said, lying down beside her.

"No way. I’ve felt this way before—it’s just the kind of mood I got when I didn’t want to go to class. It’s called teenage angst!" Yi Luowa replied, turning her head toward him.

"You’re still going through puberty?" Tong Airui joked.

"Go back to your room—I don’t feel like talking to you anymore," Yi Luowa said with a huff, turning her back to him.

Tong Airui quickly scooted closer. "Don’t be mad. If you’d like, why don’t you vent by hitting me a few times?"

"Hmph!"

"So small yet so temperamental!" Tong Airui laughed, biting her ear lightly.

"Beep beep... beep beep..." The phone on Yi Luowa’s bedside table rang once more.

Yi Luowa, as though sensing something ominous, sprang upright and reached for the phone. It was a landline number from F Country!

"Hello?" Her voice quivered as she cautiously asked, "Who’s calling?"

"Yi Luowa, it’s Jast." Jast’s deep voice echoed from the other end.

Yi Luowa pressed a trembling hand over her chest and took a deep breath. "Senior, what’s going on—calling so late?"

Sitting upright with a furrowed brow, Tong Airui strained to hear the nature of Jast’s late-night call.

"Huo Li had an accident—it’s severe..."

Yi Luowa didn’t catch a single word Jast said after that. Her hand shook, and the phone slipped onto the bed.