Billionaire's Long Journey of Chasing His Love-Chapter 282 - 262 I Will Never Talk Back (Third Update)

Far away in Laman, Tong Aino was gazing wistfully at the blue skies and white clouds within the palace. His heart was filled with regret, but what good is regret now? None at all!

In the distance, Connie was feeding the goldfish in the lotus pond with her mother. The two of them were chatting and laughing, not even sparing him a glance.

Today, Tong Aino had thickened his skin and come to the palace with his uncle. His uncle was conversing with Qiao Xi the Twelfth under the shade of the trees, their laughter occasionally drifting over. It felt as if everyone around him treated him like air.

Tong Aino thought to himself, being considered air would be a luxury—because air still contains oxygen, and people need oxygen to breathe. Whereas him? He was without even oxygen!

Sigh... Tong Aino turned his head to glance at Connie. Ever since they returned to the palace, it was as if she had transformed into someone else—chattier, happier, her small face even glowing with a newfound radiance. Clearly, she had suffered quite a bit when she was by his side. Tong Aino irritably ruffled his hair, feeling even more like giving himself a slap or two.

"Connie, watch out!"

As Tong Aino was lost in thought, he suddenly heard Connie’s mother, Queen Marian, cry out loudly.

Tong Aino turned his head sharply and saw Connie stumble, losing her balance and falling headfirst into the lotus pond.

The sight scared the wits out of Tong Aino. The pond was at least three meters deep—if she fell in, would Connie even survive?

Cries of alarm filled the air. Amidst the commotion, Tong Aino dashed to the edge of the pond and with a "splash," jumped in without hesitation.

After falling into the water, Connie choked on several gulps. She didn’t know how to swim, and her frantic struggle to stay afloat only made her sink deeper, farther from the shore.

Tong Aino shouted loudly, "Connie, don’t be scared! I’m here! Don’t be afraid!"

Tears blurred Connie’s vision as she looked at him, slowly extending her hand toward him.

Tong Aino summoned every ounce of strength, swimming toward her and pulling her into his arms. "Don’t be afraid, it’s okay now! You’re safe!"

From the shore, Teng Qian anxiously shouted orders to the servants, "Hurry up and get them out! Don’t let them stay in the water too long! Aino is allergic to lotus flowers!"

Even Qiao Xi the Twelfth was stunned. Allergic, yet he still jumped in!

"Quick! Hurry!" he urged fervently.

Tong Aino didn’t care about himself at all. Holding Connie tightly, he swam toward the shore.

With loud splashes, two servants jumped into the water, intending to assist Tong Aino, but he pushed them away firmly. He didn’t want to entrust Connie’s survival to anyone else.

Connie pursed her lips tightly, her gaze fixed on him. She wasn’t upset at all by his action—she even felt grateful. Only in his arms did she feel safe.

By the time they reached the shore, Tong Aino’s body was already showing signs of discomfort, but he mustered his last ounce of strength to lift Connie onto the bank.

Qiao Xi the Twelfth and Teng Qian both pulled Connie up together with effort. Tong Aino, seeing that Connie was safe, quietly began to sink downward.

Noticing this, Connie leaned over the edge and yelled, "Fifth Brother! Fifth Brother, get up here! Fifth Brother... someone save him, hurry!"

The two servants who had gone into the water earlier worked together to lift the sinking Tong Aino to safety.

Connie clung tightly to Tong Aino’s hand as she noticed his face turning bright red. Crying, she said, "Fifth Brother, don’t scare me like this!"

"I’m fine." Tong Aino, now on the shore, felt unbearably itchy, but he endured it. Seeing Connie cry, he forced himself to stay composed and turned to Teng Qian, "Uncle, let’s go home."

Connie froze. Why was he in such a hurry to leave? Was he angry with her?

Marian helped Connie to her feet and said to Tong Aino, "I’ve already summoned a doctor. Let’s treat you here at the palace before you return home."

"Mom, what’s wrong with my Fifth Brother?" Connie asked her mother, puzzled.

Marian sighed helplessly, "Aino is allergic to lotus flowers, but he still risked his safety to jump in and save you. Connie, it’s not my place to say this, but if both of you care about each other so much, stop tormenting yourselves like this."

Connie broke free from her mother’s grasp and sprinted over to Tong Aino. Seeing that his face was already swollen, she clutched his arm and spoke through tears, "You’re so stupid!"

"I’m not stupid. I know I can’t live without you. Even if it costs my life, I’ll save you," Tong Aino replied, removing his drenched jacket and draping it over her shoulders. He pulled her tightly into his arms and whispered, "I could see the pink underwear under your clothes. Go back inside—don’t bother with me anymore."

Connie cried and laughed at the same time, raising her hand to give him a playful punch. "You’re like this and still joking! I’m obviously wearing white today..." Connie suddenly remembered something and raised her head abruptly. "Fifth Brother, are your eyes okay?"