Billionaire's Long Journey of Chasing His Love-Chapter 302 - 276: Must Not Destroy the Image (Four Updates)
Everyone crowded into the living room, and saw Joyina sitting there, eating desserts with a ring of cream around her little mouth. She was unwilling to wipe it off and instead stretched her tongue out to lick it.
Everyone laughed, but Yi Luowa almost burst into tears. She was the only one in the house who had seen Joyina’s tragic plight as a beggar.
Yi Luowa sniffled, picked up a napkin, and gently wiped the corner of her lips. "Yina, slow down. There’s plenty more."
Joyina noticed her reddened eyes and asked suspiciously, "Luowa sis, what’s wrong?"
"Nothing." Yi Luowa smiled and took a piece of dessert, handing it to her.
"Thanks." Joyina took the dessert and ate while saying, "Luowa sis, you wouldn’t believe it. Our department head might have been exploiting new employees. She made me print out documents at lunch and said I couldn’t eat until I was done. I worked my hardest but didn’t finish in time. At dinner, she made me go to the old company to pick up materials, and like that, I perfectly missed dinner again."
Mi Chenshuo furrowed his brow slightly. "Wasn’t dinner supplemented in the evening?"
Joyina pouted, "I was copying documents. She said we needed this for the meeting. I ended up copying thirty copies all at once and still fell behind."
Yi Luowa looked at her with concern. "Why not just stop doing it?"
Joyina quickly shook her head. "To stay closer to my idol, I must keep at it! Luowa sis, would you like some dessert? It’s so good! These desserts remind me of my days in Country F. One time, I was starving for two days, and Mom somehow found me a piece of dessert. I told her to eat it, but she insisted I eat it instead. In the end, she had a small bite, and I devoured the rest like a wolf.
When I returned to Beidi, I changed a lot of bad habits, but the way I eat dessert remained especially awful. I think only by eating it greedily does it taste the best."
Yi Luowa’s heart ached as she pulled her into an embrace. The room instantly fell silent.
Connie uneasily pinched her clothing hem, realizing she had laughed at the little one earlier, unaware of the bitter story behind her.
Long Che raised a brow. Earlier, she had startled him, but reflecting on it now, the child indeed had a pitiful past.
"Hehe... I won’t eat anymore. In front of my idol, I can’t ruin my image." Joyina set down the dessert and smiled sweetly, looking at Tong Yao. "It’s so late, I’m sorry for disturbing you all. Please go rest."
Tong Yao gave her a playful pat on the back of her hand. "Little one is quite obedient! You’ve had a long day. Let Luowa take you upstairs in a bit. We’ll head back to our rooms now."
"Goodnight!" Joyina stood up and exchanged goodnight wishes with everyone before watching them retreat into their rooms. She then softly asked Yi Luowa, "Luowa sis, can I take a few pieces of dessert to eat in my bedroom?"
Yi Luowa laughed and poked her forehead, picking up the plate of desserts. "Let’s go. Your room is on the third floor. It’s been cleaned up for you."
"Hehe... Luowa sis, you’re so kind!" Joyina happily bounced and followed Yi Luowa upstairs.
Tong Airui trailed behind them, shaking his head with an indulgent smile.
Yi Luowa took her into the bedroom, reminded her to brush her teeth after finishing the desserts, and only left when Joyina agreed.
However, this little one, tired after a full day and a full belly, fell asleep sprawled on the bed after finishing the last piece of dessert.
The next day, the little one came downstairs holding half her face.
"What happened?" Yi Luowa asked suspiciously.
Joyina pouted, "Toothache! I didn’t listen to you... Waaa..."
Yi Luowa glared at her mock-angrily. "I’ll go call the doctor."
Mi Chenshuo was just about to go out and quickly pulled out his phone to call Jin Qixin upon seeing her crying in pain.
Once Jin Qixin was informed, Mi Chenshuo headed for the door.
Joyina clutched her face and ran after him, "Idol, are you going to the office?"
Mi Chenshuo nodded.
"Can you take a leave for me with my supervisor? Otherwise, she’ll fire me." Joyina looked at him pitifully.
Mi Chenshuo raised a brow. "Who gets to fire whom isn’t up to her. You just go to the palace with peace of mind."
Watching Mi Chenshuo walk out without looking back, Joyina turned to Yi Luowa, "Luowa sis, does idol mean I won’t get fired?"
Yi Luowa’s mouth twitched slightly, nodding perfunctorily. "Eat first. Your attendant has already delivered your gown. After dinner, get changed; I’ll accompany you to the palace."
Joyina gleefully nodded. "Alright! Love you, Luowa sis! But don’t you have class today?"
"For the princess, I had to take leave." Yi Luowa smiled and pulled her to sit down. "Wait for the doctor to check your teeth before you eat."
Joyina nodded and mischievously nudged her, "I’ve always known you don’t like school. Bet you hope for more chances like this!"
"Who says I don’t like school? I’m a diligent student now, ruined only by you!" Yi Luowa shot her a glance.
"Hehe, pretending to be a good student!" Joyina grinned mischievously.
"..." Yi Luowa was momentarily speechless in exasperation.
Joyina tilted her head and asked, "Where’s your husband?"
"He left long ago. Unlike you, such a lucky one who sleeps until past eight." Yi Luowa said with a huff.
"I call this sweet relief after bitterness. Though it wasn’t quite sweet relief; all the years back in the palace nearly drove me crazy. My dad found me ten-plus teachers for intense tutoring. Now, just looking at books gives me a headache."
"You wasted so many years; it’s only fair to catch up," Yi Luowa said as footsteps sounded from the hallway. She turned to see Jin Qixin arrive and quickly beckoned him to check on Joyina.
Jin Qixin finished the check-up, reassured them there was no major issue, left some medication, and departed.
After breakfast and taking the medication, Tong Yao and Yi Luowa escorted Joyina to the palace.
Once at the palace, Yi Luowa discovered there was someone who was even better than her at pretending.
Joyina had transformed upon entering the palace. Her demeanor was more royal than Connie’s, resembling that of a true princess.
Queen Royce adored her immensely, continuously lamenting that Joyina’s age was too far from Bert’s; otherwise, she’d have wanted a Beidi alliance through marriage.
Joyina smiled politely and simply said, "Thank you for the generous regard."
Yi Luowa dared not laugh. She nearly had an internal injury throughout the lavish meal at the palace.
After lunch at the palace, Tong Yao bid farewell and left with the two of them. Once outside, Joyina reverted to her old self and insisted on going to the office.
Yi Luowa spent half the day trying to dissuade her but failed. In the end, Tong Yao spoke up, "If she enjoys it, let her go."
Yi Luowa looked at Joyina helplessly. "Fine, then go to work. I’ll be upstairs visiting Connie. Last time, we didn’t take enough pictures at the revolving restaurant, so this time, I’ll take extra."
Joyina’s interest was piqued instantly. Her blue eyes lit up as she asked, "The rotating restaurant at the very top of the skyscraper?"
"Yes."
"I’ve heard the veteran employees mention it. But apparently, workplace policies strictly forbid employees from going upstairs during work hours. I haven’t had the chance to see it. Why not take me along?"
"Aren’t you going to the office?"
"I can play a bit and then head over. Hehe..." Joyina said playfully as she clung to Yi Luowa’s arm.
Yi Luowa pursed her lips with a smile. She wouldn’t fail her third brother’s assignment.
Yi Luowa tricked Joyina into playing for three days straight. She skipped visiting Second Uncle’s place and didn’t go to the factory over the weekend.
On the weekend, Yi Luowa and Connie took Joyina out to explore and only returned home after dark.
Seeing no one downstairs, the three went upstairs and retired to their own rooms.
In her bedroom, Tong Airui looked at his young wife sternly. While he had been busy these past few days, she had been even busier.
"You still know how to come home? I was almost ready to send people across the city to find you."
"Of course! Because you’re here at home, I’m like a kite. No matter how high or far I fly, the moment you tug the string, I’ll obediently return." Yi Luowa said lightheartedly as she sat beside him with a deferent attitude.
Tong Airui kept a stern face and huffed.
Yi Luowa chuckled, "Look at Aino. He doesn’t even get angry at Connie. You used to be so much more magnanimous than him. Since when did you become petty?"
Tong Aino shot her a sidelong glance, "You didn’t see it! When he found out that you three were having dinner outside earlier, he nearly flipped the table."
"Then my hubby is still the best!" Yi Luowa grinned and kissed him on the cheek. "Sweetheart, my legs are killing me from all the walking. I’m going to soak in the tub for a while."
Tong Airui watched her move to leave, his tone sharp. "Did I say you could go?"
Yi Luowa froze in place. He wasn’t done yet? Looks like she’d have to teach him a lesson!
Just as Yi Luowa was about to lash out, she was suddenly scooped up.
Tong Airui scolded, "You said your legs were killing you. Why are you still walking on your own?"
Yi Luowa beamed at him. "Hubby, you’re the best~"
"Luowa sis... Waaa... I want to go home! I want to go back right away..." As Yi Luowa reached the room and forgot to close the door, Joyina ran in crying.
Yi Luowa quickly jumped out of Tong Airui’s arms. "What happened?"
