Billionaire's Long Journey of Chasing His Love-Chapter 266 - 253: Extremely Handsome Man! (Three updates)

"Fifth Brother, if you had said this to me two days ago, I would have been moved to tears. But now, it’s too late. Because we are already over." Connie gave a self-deprecating smile. "Actually, it’s not even over, because we never even started. It was all just my wishful thinking. These past few days, I must’ve caused you a lot of trouble. I’m here to apologize to you."

"Connie, saying this is worse than killing me." Tong Aino pursed his lips tightly as he looked at Connie. After a long pause, he said, "What do you mean it was your wishful thinking? I was part of it, too, alright?! I admit, at the start, I didn’t have the depth of feelings you did, but now I’m in too deep. This isn’t something you can just end as you please."

Connie turned her head away, avoiding his gaze. In truth, as she said these words, her heart was bleeding. But if she didn’t make a clean break, her heart would only suffer deeper wounds.

"Connie..." Tong Aino reached out his hand, then pulled it back again. "Give me a chance, and give yourself a chance too, alright? There are some things I don’t even know how to say to you. In this family, I am not the most outstanding. I could never compare to my brother, who is respected and admired by everyone, even our family. But after I saw the way he humbled himself to take care of my sister-in-law, I felt like my opportunity had come. I made up my mind that the woman who becomes my wife in the future must be completely obedient and take care of me. And I’ll never lower myself the way my brother did to take care of a woman."

Connie glanced at him. So even someone as proud as Tong Aino had moments of insecurity! Thinking about it, he was rather pitiable. He and Tong Airui were twin brothers, and he had grown up in his elder brother’s shadow. Surely there must be a shadow cast over his heart because of it.

Tong Aino spoke in a low voice, "That’s how I thought, and that’s what I did. I always believed my way was right. But then you suddenly wanted to leave, and that woke me up immediately. These past two days, I haven’t been able to sleep. The moment I think about you leaving me, the pain is so intense I can barely breathe."

Connie bit her lower lip as she looked at him, thinking to herself: You think only you feel pain? I feel it too!

"Connie, do you know? My arrogance is just my protective shell. I curl up inside it, thinking I can protect myself completely. And yes, I did protect myself well, but in doing so, I hurt you.

My brother said that our lovers and family members are the ones closest to us, and we must let them see that they exist in our hearts. Now, I can’t deny it—my brother’s words were spot-on. He dissects things so clearly and does things so right. From now on, I want to treat you the same way he treats my sister-in-law—with all my heart and soul. Connie, I’ve said all this. Can you give me a chance?"

Connie turned around, showing him only her back. Choking with emotion, she said, "Fifth Brother, stop it. I have to go back. You should go change your clothes, or you’ll be late."

"Connie?!" Tong Aino looked at her in disbelief. After saying so much, she still wouldn’t forgive him.

"Today, I’ll accompany you as your partner and stay by your side," Connie said as she walked out first.

Tong Aino chased after her, shouting, "Connie, I don’t want just a partner. I want you to accompany me for a lifetime!"

Tong Airui came up the stairs and pulled Tong Aino aside, whispering, "Can’t you hear what she’s really saying? The fact that she’s willing to be your partner means she has already forgiven you a little. Give her some time."

"Really?" Tong Aino looked skeptically at his brother.

"Yes! Hurry and change your clothes. If you’re late again, Dad will blow his top." Tong Airui pushed him into his bedroom before heading back to his own room.

Downstairs, Yi Luowa was rubbing her foot while chatting playfully with Connie. Connie pouted, "I’m fine. You’d better take better care of your own foot."

Yi Luowa puffed out her cheeks and lightly pounded her foot. "I’ll chop it off later and carry it on my back."

Connie covered her mouth, laughing. "If you’re chopping it off, just leave it at home. Why carry it? It’s so heavy."

"Oh wow, you seem to be in a good mood, even joking with me." Yi Luowa smiled and turned to Duoduo, "Duoduo, don’t you think Connie smiles really beautifully?"

Duoduo, bouncing in Monica’s arms, pointed at Yi Luowa and said, "Yiyi pretty!"

"Kids never lie! Even they know who the most beautiful is." Connie laughed as she helped Yi Luowa adjust a strand of hair that had fallen out of place.

"Whoa! Who’s this!" Mai Zekai exclaimed from the side. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Everyone turned to look upstairs at his shout.

Tong Airui was dressed in a black uniform of the Sacred Eagle, looking dashing and heroic.

Yi Luowa’s eyes openly sparkled with admiration as he gracefully made his way downstairs.

Man, how can you be this handsome!

"Satisfied?" Tong Airui smiled as he approached, lightly pinching her cheek. "I hope I don’t embarrass you."

Yi Luowa swallowed hard, smiling. "Fourth Brother, embarrassed? Definitely not. But looking like this, how many girls are going to be fighting to become Mother’s next daughter-in-law?"

"After today, no one will be thinking about me anymore," Tong Airui chuckled. He knelt down and gently placed her foot into a shoe. "Just bear with it for now. I’ve prepared another pair of shoes for you; you can change into them after the banquet."

It wasn’t until he picked up her other foot that Yi Luowa snapped out of her daze. She hurriedly said, "I can put it on myself! Don’t kneel like this; it’ll crease your pants."

"If he wants to do it, let him do it. Otherwise, he’ll feel uncomfortable all over," Mai Zekai joked as he approached, patting Tong Airui’s uniform. "Fourth Brother, let me borrow this to wear later. I’ll take a few pictures for social media. Maybe I’ll fool my mom into finding me a wife."

"By the time you find one, I’ll be nothing but old bones," Ning Mingxi scoffed at him.

Tong Airui laughed. "I have a few more sets. You all can grab one later."

"Got it!" Mai Zekai grinned cheekily.

"This new uniform looks great!" Long Che remarked with a warm smile as he looked at his just-upright son.

"It was just finished. The rest of the Sacred Eagle unit will get theirs within a month," Tong Airui responded with a smile before turning to Ai Ni. "Did you bring everything?"

Ai Ni patted her handbag with a smile. "Not a single thing missing."

"Dad, is it time to leave?"

Long Che glanced at his son and smiled as he nodded. "Everyone’s here. Let’s head out."

Mai Zekai quickly did a headcount, realizing only Tong Aino was missing. He was about to head upstairs to call him when Tong Aino hurriedly descended. He had purposefully dressed in a white tailcoat today, designed to match Connie so everyone would immediately see they were a pair.

Mai Zekai looped his arm with his mother’s, grinning. "Mom, everyone comes in pairs. Today, I’ll be your knight."

Ning Mingxi chuckled as she lightly patted her son’s hand before placing hers in the crook of his arm.

Yan Zi glanced at her son standing alone.

Mi Chenshuo smiled faintly. "No need for that look, Mom. I brought a date. She’s waiting at the palace gates."

Yan Zi brightened with a smile. "Who did you bring?"

"A newly signed young actress. I’m just giving her a chance to show her face. It’s really that simple—don’t overthink it." Mi Chenshuo smiled with a sly tilt of his lips.

Yan Zi clicked her tongue but still dragged Mi Xiaotian out the door first.

Tong Aino glanced at Connie. Connie pressed her lips together before following Yan Zi out the door as well.

Yi Luowa gestured towards Tong Aino with her mouth. Tong Aino got the hint and quickly followed.

As everyone filed out, Yi Luowa’s eyes lingered on the high heels worn by the women. Both grandmothers and their mother wore low-heeled shoes, yet they still walked so gracefully and elegantly.

Yi Luowa sighed aloud.

Tong Airui ruffled her head with a smile. "Don’t worry. I’ll be your crutch."

Yi Luowa pouted and slid her hand into his elbow. "Fourth Brother, you look absolutely dashing today!"

"And my little fairy looks stunning!"

"Hehe... thanks for the compliment!" She grinned, but a moment later, her expression turned fierce as she warned him, "Not a single step away from me! Inside the palace, don’t you dare talk to any woman who tries to flirt with you! Otherwise, when we get back, I’ll cut you to pieces!"

Walking ahead of them, Long Che shook with laughter, his shoulders bobbing. Tong Yao joined in, playfully tapping him before laughing as well.

Yi Luowa stuck her tongue out in embarrassment, muttering, "I’m done for. Dad and Mom heard what I just said."

Tong Airui looked at her, amused. "So what if they heard?"

"Shh! Stop talking!" Yi Luowa scolded him coquettishly, giving him a glare.

The motorcade made a grand procession to the palace. As everyone exited, Yi Luowa held onto Tong Airui’s arm and gazed up at the imposing grandeur of the Xiawu Palace.

"Fourth Brother, my legs feel a little weak."

"Shall I carry you in?" Tong Airui teased with a smile.

Yi Luowa secretly pinched his arm. "I’m already nervous to death, and you’re still joking."

"Don’t worry. I’ve got you." Tong Airui patted the back of her hand reassuringly with a smile.

"Prime Minister Long Che Audric and his wife, Mrs. Tong Yao, have arrived—" The protocol officer at the gates announced in a booming voice.

Under flashing lights, Long Che and Tong Yao stepped gracefully into the palace, smiling warmly.

"Duke Airy Audric and his companion, Miss Yi Luowa, have arrived—"

Yi Luowa didn’t expect her name to be called so soon. She quickly adjusted her nerves, maintaining a smile as she walked arm-in-arm with Tong Airui toward the palace gates.

Every camera turned to focus on them, capturing this couple whose beauty left an indelible impression at first glance.

The guests still waiting outside the palace watched them, murmurs spreading—some offering blessings, some envying, and some openly jealous.