Billionaire's Long Journey of Chasing His Love-Chapter 237 - 225 First Love (Second Update)

Huo Li saw Yi Luowa run in and tearfully said, "She’s dead, sob... I thought I wouldn’t feel sad, but I still can’t help it."

Yi Luowa immediately understood who "she" referred to and hugged Huo Li tightly. "Cry as much as you need. You’ve been forcing a smile these past few days, and even I felt awful for you. But why? How could she suddenly be gone?"

"The police just called—it was suicide."

Yi Luowa pressed her lips together. "Huo Li, what are we going to do? Are you going to handle it? If you want to, I’ll ask Second Uncle to call his connections over there and have them help take care of her funeral arrangements."

"No matter what, she’s still Huo Li’s mother, and her funeral must be handled properly." Yi Weiyang walked in, leaning on his cane. "Huo Li, I’ll take care of everything over there. No matter how heartbroken you are, you need to take care of your health."

Huo Li choked up and nodded. Based on her hatred toward her mother, she thought she’d immediately say not to bother. But now, the words caught in her throat, unable to come out.

Yi Weiyang quickly made the necessary calls, arranged everything, and then explained the details to Huo Li.

Huo Li’s emotions stabilized a bit, but Yi Luowa still didn’t dare leave her side and stayed close to her.

Tong Airui had known Yi Luowa for quite some time, but this was the first time he used the Yi family’s utensils. That evening, Tong Airui dined at the estate, and knowing his slight aversion to germs, Yi Luowa had Aunt Li prepare brand-new tableware and cups for him.

Tong Airui smiled, "Actually, just a new cup is enough."

"Everything’s been prepared for you already. We don’t want you feeling uncomfortable while eating," Yi Luowa said as she sat beside him.

Yi Weiyang glanced up at her. "Did Huo Li eat?"

"Yeah, she took a few bites and then claimed she was tired and wanted to sleep. I know she’s pretending—she just wants me to come out here to join you and Tong Airui for dinner. I’ll eat quickly and head back in to keep her company," Yi Luowa said, looking around for a moment. "Where are Uncle Li and Aunt Li? Why aren’t they at the table?"

Yi Weiyang shook his head, signaling for her not to pursue the topic further.

Yi Luowa glanced at Tong Airui.

Tong Airui asked hesitantly, "Is it because I’m here that they’re avoiding sitting at the table?"

"What do you think?" Yi Luowa replied with some irritation. The household already had few people, and with Tong Airui’s arrival, Uncle Li and Aunt Li had been scared off from joining dinner.

"I’ll go invite them to the table," Tong Airui stood up to leave.

Yi Weiyang quickly stopped him. "Let them take care of Huo Li first. After Luowa finishes eating, they can come and have their turn."

Yi Luowa puffed out her cheeks and picked up her bowl.

Tong Airui smiled apologetically, "Looks like I’ll have to visit less often. Otherwise, Uncle Li and Aunt Li might never get to eat with the family."

"Oh, nonsense!" Uncle Li walked in. "If you don’t come, Second Master will miss you. Today’s just a special day—that’s all. Next time, we’ll definitely join the table."

Tong Airui laughed, "Uncle Li, then it’s settled—next time, you’ll have to eat with us. Otherwise, Luowa will just keep glaring at me, and I won’t even be able to enjoy my meal."

"Alright! It’s a deal! You all take your time eating, and I’ll go check on that girl Huo Li." Uncle Li agreed wholeheartedly and turned to leave.

Tong Airui chuckled, his eyes dropping to the tableware. "Luowa, my mom prepared a hundred sets of tableware for you. She told me to ask whether to send them to the estate or to the Duke’s residence. I totally forgot to ask until now."

Yi Luowa looked at him suspiciously. "Why did she send me so many sets of tableware?"

"It’s a tradition in Xiawu culture. If a mother-in-law is satisfied with her future daughter-in-law, she gifts tableware. A hundred sets signify absolute approval!" Yi Weiyang laughed and explained, "I thought she might have forgotten, but it turns out she was prepared all along—and sent you so many!"

"Hehe, couldn’t be helped—I’m just universally loved!" Yi Luowa smugly wiggled her head. "Second Uncle, does our family lack tableware? How about sending them here instead?"

"Silly girl! Don’t you know the rules? Those are meant for you and Airui to use when you start your family. Airui is the eldest son, so there won’t be a separate household—it belongs at the Duke’s residence."

Yi Luowa pouted, "Oh."

Tong Airui smirked. Luckily, Second Uncle understood Xiawu traditions. Truthfully, he’d already responded to his mother on behalf of Yi Luowa. Bringing it up at the dinner table now was partly to distract Yi Luowa’s attention, and partly to delight Second Uncle.

Sure enough, the topic made Yi Luowa quickly forget about Uncle Li and Aunt Li not joining dinner because of Tong Airui’s presence.

"Airui..."

"Four-Airui!" Tong Airui scowled at her.

Yi Luowa, unfazed, offered a piece of fish to Second Uncle. "Airui, are you going back tonight?"

"If there’s nothing urgent, I might leave tomorrow morning," Yi Weiyang said, glancing at Tong Airui.

"No urgent matters. I’m officially on break this week—I’d only return for something major."

"If you’re on break, why don’t you stay for a couple of days?"

Second Uncle’s suggestion suited Tong Airui perfectly, and he readily agreed.

After dinner, Yi Luowa went to Huo Li’s room, staying with her until ten o’clock. At that point, Huo Li checked the time and said, "Go upstairs and sleep."

Yi Luowa shook her head. "I’ll sleep with you tonight."

Huo Li panicked and clutched her blanket tightly. "For heaven’s sake, you’d better go. I don’t need any new injuries to go with my old ones from being kicked by you."

"Stop exaggerating!" Yi Luowa glared at her. "Fine, if not, I’ll sleep on the couch."

"Silly girl, the world has this marvelous thing called a cellphone. If anything happens, I’ll call you first. Now go upstairs and sleep."

"You have to promise to call me then!"

"Yes, yes, I will."

Yi Luowa reluctantly lingered for a little while before finally leaving the room under Huo Li’s repeated urgings. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Yi Weiyang sat in the living room and saw her come out. In a low voice, he asked, "Is Huo Li asleep?"

"Not really. She kicked me out, afraid I’d hit her in my sleep," Yi Luowa replied as she walked over. "Second Uncle, let me help you to your bedroom and take your prosthetic off."

"I can handle it myself—you go rest." Yi Weiyang stood up. "One more week, and I’ll be rid of the cane. Then I’ll show you what it means to move like lightning."

Yi Luowa laughed and supported him. "Alright, I’m looking forward to it."

"Getting back on my feet—Connie deserves credit for this! I’ve arranged for her to get a limited-edition sports car as a gift; I’ll have it delivered in a few days."

Yi Luowa laughed, "Looks like all we know how to do is gift sports cars, huh?"

Yi Weiyang laughed as they entered the bedroom. Even though Second Uncle insisted he didn’t need her help, Yi Luowa still assisted him in removing his prosthetic before going upstairs. She couldn’t shake the feeling that her days of taking care of Second Uncle were numbered. That thought made her nose sting as she pushed her bedroom door open.

Inside the massive pink princess room, sprawled on an absurdly oversized bed, was a man!

Yi Luowa cautiously scanned her surroundings, and when she found no one else, she quickly closed the door and whispered, "How dare you openly sleep in my room?"

"I’m not being open about it—I snuck in secretly," Tong Airui replied with a grin, patting the spot next to him. "It’s so late. Why did you only just come back? Hurry up and get some sleep."

Yi Luowa frowned and walked over. "Go sleep in your own room. If my Second Uncle finds out, you’ll be dead."

"I’m not leaving. This is my first time on a princess bed; it’s ridiculously comfy—I’m not stupid enough to give it up!" Tong Airui casually reached for her.

Yi Luowa took a step back. "Fine, then you enjoy yourself; I’ll go sleep in your room."

"Wherever you go, I follow. If you don’t care about Second Uncle seeing us, then by all means, go!" Tong Airui said, stretching lazily.

Yi Luowa’s mouth twitched. He was obviously planning to stay.

"Fine, I’ll leave around two or three in the morning—I promise they won’t see me. Is that agreeable?" Tong Airui pleaded, adding, "Wife, I can’t even keep my eyes open anymore. Can’t you pity me a little?"

Frustrated, Yi Luowa climbed into bed. "You’re clingier than Duoduo!"

"And I love clinging to you. What are you going to do about it?" Tong Airui said with a grin, pulling her into his embrace. "No one sleeps better than me—with my wife in my arms."

The Fourth Master had effectively wormed his way in, but he stayed true to his word. To ensure he’d get to sleep on the enormous princess bed the next night, he sneaked back to his room by three in the morning.

Yi Luowa and Tong Airui stayed at the estate for three days. During that time, Huo Li gradually recovered her spirits. However, with the new school term beginning, Yi Luowa had no choice but to leave the estate and return to the Duke’s residence.

On the first day of school, Tong Airui personally drove her to the school gate. Only after watching her enter did he leave.

"Have you arranged everything as planned?" Tong Airui asked seriously in the car.

Dapeng nodded. "I’ve assigned ten workers around the campus. Three of her classmates are our people as well, plus Kou’er will be by her side around the clock. There won’t be any issues."

"Make sure nothing happens to her again!"

"I’ll call them later to reinforce the instructions."

Tong Airui leaned against the backrest and asked, "Are you sure you can handle everything alone? Should I reassign Xiaoluzi to help you?"

"I can manage it. Xiaoluzi and Chen Xuan just started at Shen Ying—it wouldn’t be appropriate to pull them back now. Let them gain more experience."

"Alright, but if it becomes too much for you, let me know."

"Understood." Dapeng furrowed his brow. "By the way, any updates on Third Master?"

Tong Airui raised his eyes to Dapeng. "What about Third Master’s first love?"

"When he was dating her back then, you were abroad in F Country. You probably only heard about it later. Aunt forcibly separated them. After they broke up, the girl disappeared before graduating, and Third Master was in a slump for a long time. Just recently, she reappeared. I suspect his odd behavior might be linked to her."

"She reappeared?" Tong Airui exclaimed in surprise.

"There’s this trending TV series—catch an episode sometime. She plays the lead role."

"What’s it called?"