Billionaire's Long Journey of Chasing His Love
Chapter 228 - 217: Self-Harm to Apologize? (Three Updates)

Chapter 228: Chapter 217: Self-Harm to Apologize? (Three Updates)

Yi Luowa froze for a moment and lifted her gaze to look at the recently tearful Ai Ni.

Ai Ni sniffled and said nothing.

Tong Airui furrowed his eyebrows slightly. "Dad, don’t play games like this. Sure, I’m the eldest in the family, but you can’t just throw me under the bus to make a point to Luowa. If we promised someone something, then we have to deliver. If you think Ai Ni’s engagement at the end of the month is too soon, then let’s push it to next month. If that still doesn’t work, then the month after next."

Long Che cast a sinister glance at Tong Airui before turning his gaze to Tong Aino.

Before Long Che could speak, Tong Aino preemptively said, "Don’t even think about targeting me. Connie and I are still interns; we haven’t even officially been hired yet. Besides, even if we were, I’ve got an older brother and younger sisters. It’s definitely not my turn."

"Two unfilial sons!" Long Che cursed at his sons and then looked at Yi Luowa. "Girl, what do you think? What’s your view?"

"Dad, my view is the same as Tong Airui’s." Yi Luowa noticed how dark and intimidating Long Che’s expression had become and quickly put on a flattering smile. "Dad, who are you? You’re the Prime Minister of Summerwitch! Anyone who mentions you can’t help but give a thumbs-up. We can’t let something this trivial tarnish your reputation.

"You Jia’s father is way out of line, daring to insult you like that. Give me his number later. I’ll teach him a lesson on your behalf—I guarantee I won’t even need to use a single curse word, and he’ll be so furious he’ll be bedridden! Ideally, he’ll be so angry he won’t even attend the engagement ceremony. Dad, imagine how infuriated he’ll be when he realizes he can’t witness the event he cares about most!"

Long Che glanced at his three children one by one and finally pointed at Yi Luowa. "See that? Now *that’s* a true descendant of the Aldrich family! When their father is wronged, they take action! Look at you two—always stepping back, acting pathetic!"

"Didn’t I just say I’d flatten their house?" Tong Airui muttered under his breath.

Long Che slammed the tea table forcefully. "Do you think that’s realistic? Do you think two nations can go to war just because you say so? Luowa!"

"Yes!" Yi Luowa shot to her feet like a rocket.

"That old bastard said the engagement will happen on the 30th. On the 29th, call him and infuriate the death-proof bastard!"

"OK! No problem!" Yi Luowa answered cheerfully with a sly grin.

Long Che gave her a final glance before storming off upstairs in a huff.

Once the family saw him leave, they all burst into laughter.

Tong Airui pulled Yi Luowa back into her seat. "Your flattering skills really are improving!"

Yi Luowa pursed her lips into a small smile. "I’ll do anything for Ai Ni!"

Tong Yao chuckled. "Only you could handle smoothing him out like that! But remember, your dad—if you agree to something, you’d better be ready to follow through. How’re you going to handle that phone call?"

"I’ll definitely make the call. You Jia’s dad insulted mine, so I have to avenge him. But even though I’m doing this for Dad, I can’t afford to be overly rude to You Jia’s father either, since I’m technically the junior in this situation." Yi Luowa’s gaze shifted to Ai Ni. "Still, for Dad’s sake, you and You Jia need to coordinate with me a bit."

Ai Ni sniffed again, "You Jia called me earlier. Apparently, after his dad said those words, he regretted it and has been trying to fix things. As long as you help Dad vent his anger, whatever you decide, we’ll do."

Yi Luowa chuckled mischievously. "I’ll tell you my plan when the time comes."

After spending a bit more time in the Duke’s manor, Tong Airui eventually escorted Yi Luowa out. Instead of heading straight back to the hospital, they decided to stop at a cozy café. Truth be told, while You Jia and Ai Ni had their woes, these two weren’t having much luck either. Every time they tried to spend quality time together, something or someone would interrupt. Even trying to enjoy some one-on-one time felt like they had eyes watching them everywhere.

"We have a perfectly good home, yet we’ve got to come out here to sit," Tong Airui grumbled.

Yi Luowa smiled and clasped his hand. "Isn’t this romantic?"

"I’ll pass on this kind of romance," Tong Airui snorted. "When we’re married, we’ll live on the top floor. I’ll install a massive iron gate at the staircase. Let’s see who dares disturb us then."

Yi Luowa giggled and pinched his face affectionately. "Could you be any more childish? Fourth Brother, do you think you’ll grow old to be like Dad someday?"

"I’d never be as bad as him!" Tong Airui declared in a low, defiant voice, silently swearing to himself he’d never be the kind of father who meddles in his children’s affairs and ruins their plans.

Yi Luowa propped her chin on her hand, staring at him intently. The more she looked at him, the more convinced she became—he was undoubtedly going to end up just like his dad!

The next day, Yi Luowa arrived at the Duke’s manor bright and early. Together with the family, she went to the airport to send off McKay and Shanshan.

Tong Aino, meanwhile, headed straight to the office with Connie after leaving the airport. At least today, he managed to hold it together without sulking.

"Brother, why don’t you and Sister-in-law go spend some quality time together? I’m heading back home first." Ai Ni said as she watched the car of their fifth brother vanish from sight before getting into her own car.

Tong Airui glanced at her. "Where’s Third Brother been this whole time?"

"Working on company business during the day and staying at hotels at night. He says he doesn’t like going back home; every time he does, Aunt keeps pestering him about Lan Ji."

Tong Airui frowned slightly. "If he can’t stand being at the Viscount’s estate, can’t he stay at our place?"

"With Dad at home? Who’d want to come over?" Ai Ni rubbed her temples. "Oh, by the way, Grandpa’s still waiting for you two to pay him a visit. You better set some time aside to go, or he’ll chew you out when he comes over himself."

Tong Airui shook his head resignedly. "How did such a chaotic family come together?"

"Who knows?" Ai Ni gave a wry chuckle and patted An’an on the shoulder. "Let’s get going."

Before Ai Ni’s car had driven even a hundred meters, Tong Airui received a call from his mom. Ni Lu was apparently visiting and asked the two of them to return home.

Tong Airui put down his phone and glanced at Yi Luowa. "Let’s ditch. We’re not going home."

"Let’s go back—Aunt Ni Lu’s pretty nice. Besides, it’s Shiqing who caused trouble, not her fault." Yi Luowa pouted when she saw he still wasn’t willing. "You’re even defying Mom now? Think you’re starting a rebellion?"

Tong Airui shot her a sidelong glance. "You’re impossible to argue with!"

Reluctantly, he and Yi Luowa got into the car and followed Ai Ni’s vehicle back to the Duke’s manor. As they approached the house, they could already hear laughter coming from inside.

Yan Zi chuckled, "You’re one of a kind, gifting something like that as an elder to the younger generation."

"Well, those two kids don’t seem ready yet. I was just getting anxious for Yaoyao," Ni Lu said, laughing gleefully.

Tong Yao shook her head with a smile. "Who says I’m in a rush? I’m not anxious at all!"

"Yeah, sure. But once you actually hold a grandchild, I bet you’ll be over the moon with joy!"

Tong Yao laughed again. "Luowa’s still young—she hasn’t even graduated yet. Once she does, naturally, my grandchild will follow. Honestly, though, I’m hoping for a granddaughter. There hasn’t been a single girl born in their generation yet."

"A little granddaughter who looks just like Luowa? You’d be overjoyed!" Ni Lu teased.

"You can bet on that! I saw a little girl at a jade shop the other day. Just one look, and I was completely smitten. Your kids are all extraordinary, but this girl had something extra, like a mischievous charm. Honestly, I just wanted to scoop her up and give her a hug."

"I’m more into personality than looks. That girl is kind, loyal, flexible when needed, and generous, without a shred of pettiness."

Ni Lu’s complexion turned noticeably red. "Yaoyao, when you put it like that, I feel so ashamed. The Yi family managed to raise such a wonderful child, but I somehow let Shiqing get so unruly."

Jing Ya Lady smiled gently. "You finally made it back home; let’s not dwell on past mistakes."

"Jing Ya Aunt, I came this time specifically to apologize. If you won’t let me say it, then wasn’t this trip pointless?"

With that, Ni Lu stood up to bow toward Tong Yao, but Tong Yao quickly grabbed her to stop her.

"Ni Lu, if you keep doing this, I’ll throw you out!"

"Yaoyao, please let me apologize, or it’ll weigh on me too much. Shiqing has been improving a bit lately, but I’ll need to keep a closer eye on her. Otherwise, with how she’s been, how will she ever find a decent husband?" Ni Lu said, tears rolling down her cheeks in pairs.

Tong Yao patted her on the shoulder. "Alright, you come back once a year at most—can’t we talk about happier things? As for Long Che, his temper is just like that. I’ll keep working on him. Give it some time, and it’ll blow over."

Ai Ni and Tong Airui exchanged glances at the doorway but didn’t enter just yet, while Yi Luowa tugged at their sleeves and asked, "Not going in?"

"Ah..." Ai Ni sighed helplessly. "Aunt Ni Lu has a ’wonderful’ daughter—what luck!"

Tong Airui grabbed Yi Luowa’s hand, their fingers interlocked, as the two entered together.

Seeing them enter, Ni Lu quickly turned away and wiped her tears.

Yi Luowa pouted and walked over to her. "Auntie, none of us blame you, so don’t be too hard on yourself."

Ni Lu suddenly pulled Yi Luowa into a tight hug. "I don’t have the blessing to have a daughter like you."

Yi Luowa froze for half a second before gently hugging her back, patting Ni Lu’s shoulder with a light smile. "If you don’t mind, you can treat me as your daughter instead."

Ni Lu playfully pinched Yi Luowa’s cheek. "You said it yourself! Everyone here is my witness—Luowa’s my daughter from now on!"

Tong Airui frowned slightly, pulling Yi Luowa protectively into his arms. "Auntie, my wife was just comforting you. Don’t take it too seriously, or Shiqing might stage another dramatic episode."

Ni Lu glared at him slightly, annoyed. "You brat! Always bringing up the most sensitive topics! That girl Shiqing really is a handful. She recently claimed she was ugly and demanded plastic surgery. When her father and I refused, she grabbed a fruit knife to scare us. Who’d have thought she’d actually end up nicking herself?"

Tong Airui let out a low chuckle. "I thought she was repenting for her mistakes and trying to atone through self-harm."

Yi Luowa scratched his palm with her fingernail, hinting for him to drop it.

Luckily, Ni Lu had a thick skin and didn’t take it to heart. Instead, she grabbed Yi Luowa’s hand earnestly. "Luowa, you’re around Shiqing’s age. Help me figure her out. Lately, she’s been a completely different person. While she’s become more obedient, she’s also developed an extravagant spending habit. I’m worried sick over her!"