Billionaire's Long Journey of Chasing His Love
Chapter 235 - 223: Trimming Nails (Third Update)

Chapter 235: Chapter 223: Trimming Nails (Third Update)

Yi Luowa and Tong Airui returned home. The atmosphere was a little tense, but come on, this is Yi Luowa we’re talking about—her sweet little mouth worked wonders, and soon enough, she had the two angry men smiling again.

Tong Airui looked at his wife with concern. She wasn’t feeling great herself, yet she still had to cheer up her grandpa and dad.

Finally, the storm clouds lifted for the day. Tong Airui pulled her upstairs, and as they went, he left a parting remark, "Luowa’s going to help me refine the car’s shock absorption issue. We won’t be coming back for the next few days; we’ll stay at the camp."

Everyone understood the implied message: From now on, don’t bother them with household matters.

Long Che watched the couple go upstairs and lowered his voice to ask Tong Yao, "Did you put the stuff in their drawer?"

Tong Yao gave him an exasperated look. "I live with one question: You’re the father-in-law—why do you care about such things? Anyway, yes, I put it in. But your son doesn’t need it for now!"

Long Che frowned in confusion. What did she mean, "doesn’t need it for now"?

Tong Yao rolled her eyes playfully. "Luowa’s been feeling unwell these past few days—her face is practically snow white! Honestly, you’re a piece of work. If you’d just stop meddling, Luowa would’ve been resting by now."

Long Che pursed his lips defiantly. Not sure who’s being troublesome here—him or that old man surnamed Teng.

As for what was placed in the drawer, Tong Airui only discovered it when he went searching for a nail clipper. A drawer packed full of ’tao-tao,’ courtesy of some "well-meaning" soul.

"When I need to get things done, everyone sabotages me. When I don’t need to, they give me this stuff!" Tong Airui grabbed the nail clipper and slammed the drawer shut.

Yi Luowa was sprawled out on the bed and turned her head to glance at him. "What are you muttering about?"

"Nothing. Give me your kitty paw."

"Why?" Yi Luowa eyed the nail clipper in his hand and quickly tucked her hand under her body.

"Your nails are too long. First, it’s unhygienic. Second, if you’re working tomorrow and they break, you’ll hurt yourself." Tong Airui scooted to sit on the edge of the bed and pulled out one of her hands.

"But I was saving them for nail art! Cutting them short will make them ugly." Yi Luowa pouted as she tried to retract her hand.

"Nail art damages nails. You look perfectly fine like this—don’t try to emulate other women’s trivial pursuits." Tong Airui firmly held her hand and snipped one nail off decisively.

Yi Luowa stared at her hand, pained. "You’re so nosy, man! Is there anything you *don’t* meddle in?"

"It’s ’Fourth Brother,’ not ’Nosy Brother.’" Tong Airui corrected her pronunciation.

"Nosy Brother~"

"One more slip, and I’ll clip your skin!"

"Wahhh... You’re so annoying! I want to go back to the hospital!" Yi Luowa kicked the edge of the bed with her little feet.

"Your stomach doesn’t hurt anymore?" Tong Airui squinted slightly.

"It didn’t hurt, but now you’ve made me so mad it’s starting again!"

Tong Airui shot her a sidelong glance before continuing to trim her nails and carefully smooth the edges afterward.

Yi Luowa stared at him without blinking. His side profile was sharp and well-defined, enough to make hearts skip beats.

"Nosy Brother, doesn’t your face drive a ton of girls crazy?" Yi Luowa pouted sulkily.

"Fourth Brother’s alright, but you? You’re the real worry. First time at Shenying, and people were already gawking at you. When you start school, there’ll be plenty of handsome boys; I’m seriously concerned." Tong Airui began trimming her second nail, unfazed.

Yi Luowa let out a small grunt. "You’re fresher than any handsome boy. You should be worried about me."

"If you’re worried, just stick by my side constantly."

Yi Luowa slumped back onto the pillow in defeat. "You work, I study—how am I supposed to stick with you?"

"You can intern with me. Just one year left—let’s both power through it."

"What about Second Uncle? If I go to you, can I still come home every day?"

"Though the factory is under Shenying, it operates differently. Eight-hour workdays—you’ll have plenty of free time otherwise. Also, you can wear your Shenying uniform while doing work fit for a white-collar job."

Yi Luowa buried her head in the pillow, struggling for an answer.

Tong Airui chuckled. "Are you worried you’ve gained skills but can’t help your second uncle out? Feeling guilty? Actually, he’s still young—only in his early forties. Now that he’s got back on his feet, he can accomplish plenty. Who knows, he might marry and start a family sometime. When that happens, help will appear naturally. If it comes to that, you can assist him during your free time."

"I need to talk this over with Second Uncle," Yi Luowa replied dully.

"Mm, talking this through is the right move."

After a moment of deliberation, Yi Luowa burst into laughter. "Nosy Brother, what do you think my future aunt will be like? I’m kind of looking forward to it—but Second Uncle doesn’t seem interested."

"When the time is right, feelings will naturally arise." Tong Airui let go of her hand and moved to the other side of the bed to grab her other hand.

Yi Luowa examined her freshly trimmed nails. "Not bad craftsmanship—just a tad short and ugly."

"That’s the perfect length."

Once he finished trimming, the two continued chatting until ten o’clock, finally falling asleep wrapped in each other’s arms.

Before drifting off, Yi Luowa mumbled, "Why hasn’t anyone knocked on the door today?"

"Because they know better." In the dark, Tong Airui ground his teeth silently.

Next morning, after breakfast, the two headed out alongside Tong Aino and Connie.

Yi Luowa cheerily pulled Connie aside and whispered, "How was it yesterday? Did Fifth Tong behave himself?" f r\eeNovelFire.c(o)(m)

Connie wrinkled her nose. "Didn’t see him all day. Even if he was putting on a show, I wouldn’t have noticed."

Yi Luowa paused. "In the same company all day, and not one sighting? Where did he stick you?"

Connie pouted. "In the finance department; I was swamped."

Yi Luowa chuckled. "Keep at it—Fifth Tong must be thinking of handing over the keys to the finances."

"I don’t want financial control!" Seeing Tong Aino’s impatient look from the car, Connie quickly bid farewell to Yi Luowa and hopped into the vehicle.

Yi Luowa shook her head helplessly. That girl—can’t she be assertive once in a while?

Tong Airui smiled and waved her over. "Let’s go. The shock absorbers have arrived."

Yi Luowa climbed into the car, puffing her cheeks. "Nosy Brother, why doesn’t Fifth Tong talk like you? He’s so irritating."

"Connie can handle it. You just pretend you don’t see him." Tong Airui reached over to tousle her hair lovingly. "Since you’re not feeling well, just give instructions at the factory today."

"My Nosy Brother is the best!" Yi Luowa rested her head on his chest. "But the system needs my touch to align properly. I’m fine now—not the least bit uncomfortable today."

"Still, take care of yourself."

"Alright."

Although Yi Luowa agreed, the moment Tong Airui dropped her off at the factory and headed to Shenying Headquarters, she threw his advice out the window, donned her work attire, and spent the entire morning tinkering with parts.

At noon, Tong Airui came by to pick her up for lunch but couldn’t find her anywhere.

The factory supervisor pointed under a car, "Captain, Engineer Yi is beneath the car."

Tong Airui frowned and walked over, noticing Yi Luowa lying under the vehicle, busy tinkering away. He crouched down and tapped her leg, displeased.

Yi Luowa turned her head and grinned. "Good timing—I’m just wrapping up."

"That fast? Didn’t you rest all morning?" Tong Airui leaned down, trying to pull her out from under the car.

"Just one more part. Wait a bit longer." Yi Luowa avoided his hand and sped up.

"Letting you handle this was a mistake." Tong Airui braced his hands against the ground, gazing down at her.

Yi Luowa locked the final piece into place and wriggled out. "Admit it: it was the right call. I’ll drive it out for testing soon."

Tong Airui gently wiped the dust off her face. "We’ll have the test driver handle it—you go wash up. I’m taking you to lunch."

"Can I check the results first and then eat?" Yi Luowa eagerly awaited the outcome.

Tong Airui relented, calling over a test driver. "Let him test it—no need for you to change clothes. It’d be a hassle."

Yi Luowa glanced at her filthy workwear and nodded reluctantly.

The test driver quickly drove the car out for testing, with the factory supervisor riding along. Everyone waited nervously at a safe distance.

"Nosy Brother, if this works, order some parts from PCW—they deserve recognition too."

Tong Airui smiled knowingly. "If it succeeds, I’ll sign a major contract with PCW."

While they spoke, the car returned. Before the supervisor even stepped out, both he and the driver flashed dual thumbs-up.

Applause erupted across the factory.

The normally reserved factory supervisor jumped out and rushed over to Yi Luowa.

"Engineer Yi, thank you so much!"

Yi Luowa smiled warmly. "I’m honored to help. You don’t need to thank me."

The supervisor, noticeably emotional, said, "Engineer Yi, you’ve been a tremendous help. We’ve never seen a shock absorption system like this before—you’re incredible!"

Yi Luowa gave a bashful smile. "You’ve all worked with me all morning. Go eat—I’m leaving too."

The supervisor took a step forward and said to Tong Airui, "Captain, talents like her—do whatever it takes to keep her onboard."

Tong Airui raised an eyebrow slightly. "I’ll do my best!"

With Tong Airui leading the way, Yi Luowa headed to the changing room. After switching out of her work clothes, they left the factory together.

"We’re past the usual lunch hour here—I’ll take you out to eat. What do you want?" Tong Airui glanced at her.

Yi Luowa pondered briefly. "Does Xiawu have hotpot?"

Tong Airui couldn’t help but laugh. "Hotpot in this heat?"

Yi Luowa grinned, nodding enthusiastically. "Yup! Just feeling rebellious today!"

Tong Airui chuckled, instructing the driver, "To Hot Pot City."

Soon, they arrived. Just as Yi Luowa was about to step out of the car, Tong Airui stopped her abruptly. She looked at him, puzzled, and he gestured towards a car parked ahead.

Yi Luowa followed his gaze, and her jaw dropped in surprise.