Billionaire's Long Journey of Chasing His Love-Chapter 333 - 300: That’s About it (Second Update)

Chapter 333: Chapter 300: That’s About it (Second Update)

When Tong Yao came downstairs, Tong Airui had already left, and Madam Jing Ya and Prince Charles were accompanying Joyina for breakfast.

Joyina looked at Tong Yao with a bright smile. "Good morning, Auntie."

"Good morning." Despite the fact that this child kept Shuoshuo for several days, Tong Yao couldn’t bring herself to dislike her. Besides, she hadn’t done anything to hurt Shuoshuo. When she saw him earlier, not only was he looking fairer but also plumper.

"She said she’s going out looking for an apartment soon," Madam Jing Ya said to Tong Yao with a smile.

Tong Yao laughed and sat down. "You didn’t bring anyone with you this time, and living alone might not be very safe."

Joyina chuckled nonchalantly, "Auntie, I’ve been through all kinds of hardships before. This small matter won’t trouble me. However, I might not find a suitable place immediately. Could I stay here for a few days?"

"Of course, you’re welcome to stay as long as you like."

Joyina shook her head. "Auntie, I won’t stay here permanently. I can’t let my dad look down on me. He said I’d come crying back in less than a month, so I just want to prove to him that even without the ’princess halo,’ I can still stand on my own feet."

Tong Yao smiled at her. "Such a tiny person, yet so ambitious. Here’s the plan: since you don’t want to stay at home, I’ll prepare an apartment near the company for you. You can move in there."

Joyina pouted. "Auntie, will it be expensive? I didn’t bring much money with me."

Tong Yao laughed and said, "It’s a family property; how could I charge you rent for that? Just relax and settle in."

Standing outside, Long Che furrowed his brow slightly. He had promised the King of Beidi he wouldn’t offer Joyina any help, believing it was the only way she’d return home quickly. But now his wife was offering a place for her to stay—how would she ever go back?

Joyina looked at Tong Yao with gratitude. "Thank you, Auntie. I’ll give you two-thirds of my salary every month; the remaining amount is enough for my food expenses."

"No..."

"Honey, Joyina has a kind heart. Just take it and save it for her. In case she needs it someday, you can return it to her." Long Che quickly entered the room, interrupting Tong Yao. This way, if the King of Beidi asked him, he could at least explain.

Joyina eagerly nodded. "Auntie, let’s do what Uncle suggested."

With housing sorted, Joyina let out a deep breath of relief. After this, all she needed to do was work hard; she refused to believe she couldn’t support herself.

But the little girl had underestimated reality. When Mi Chenshuo and Yan Zi came downstairs, she was almost driven mad by Mi Chenshuo.

Mi Chenshuo announced that the monthly salary for a personal assistant was only 2,500 Xia Witch Coins. Joyina spent ages counting on her fingers and realized that after paying rent, there wouldn’t be enough left for food.

"If you think it’s not enough, you don’t have to take the job," Mi Chenshuo raised his eyebrows slightly, still holding onto the frustration caused by her and her dad over the past few days.

"I’ll take it! Who said I wouldn’t?" Joyina agreed resolutely, firmly believing that there’s always a way out. She had survived so many major calamities; how could she possibly starve now as a grown woman?

Yan Zi glanced at her. The little girl was quite pretty and clever, but since she had kept her son in Beidi for so many days, Yan Zi still felt somewhat annoyed. The conditions her son proposed might have been harsh, but they coincided perfectly with her intentions.

Joyina began her new position proudly. After working for several consecutive days, all she ever did was serve tea, deliver water, print documents, and even handle cleaning tasks. She hadn’t seen a single celebrity. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"This is supposed to be a personal assistant? This is a nanny job!" Exhausted after a day of work, Joyina lay alone on her bed and yelled at the ceiling light, "If you want to force me away, I’m not leaving! I refuse to give in!"

Yi Luowa learned about Joyina’s situation from Mi Chenshuo, who recounted the story to Tong Airui with a rather smug expression.

Yi Luowa’s lips twitched slightly. "Third Brother, that’s enough. She’s just a young girl; don’t push her too far."

"You haven’t seen how she tormented me in Beidi," Mi Chenshuo began complaining. "I accompanied her on outings for seven days, running errands like a servant—buying this and buying that. If they were valuable things, fine, but it was all childish trinkets, some costing just a few cents! The worst part? She even had me buy menstrual pads. Want to guess why she asked me to buy them?"

Tong Airui shot him a disdainful look, thinking the question was too lowbrow.

But his wife chuckled, "She used them as a wallet."

Tong Airui smiled wryly, "What an unusual habit she has."

Yi Luowa sighed, "She was probably scared of theft or robbery when she was younger."

Mi Chenshuo’s eyes shifted slightly. He continued, "That King of Beidi isn’t a saint either. He’s terrified of Joyina causing trouble for him, so he agrees to anything in front of her. Then behind her back, he pressures me—saying if I don’t agree to take Joyina away, he’ll cancel all our business benefits in Beidi. We’ve only just started developing the market there. Without those benefits, we’re done!"

Yi Luowa comforted him, "Third Brother, calm down. You’re back safe and sound, aren’t you? I heard from Dad that the King of Beidi added several more perks for our family’s company."

"He’s afraid Uncle would push back. Also, he said Joyina saved you years ago, so he feels indebted. But most importantly, he wants us to pressure her into leaving. I figured out that, in their home, Joyina’s the real troublemaker. No one dares to mess with her. Her dad spoils her even more than Great-uncle does with Ai Ni. This time, Uncle called him while Joyina caused chaos on their end, so the King of Beidi finally gave up and let her go."

Tong Airui chuckled, "So, this Joyina really knows how to adjust to her circumstances. She’s the tyrant at home, yet she can endure your torment here without breaking."

Mi Chenshuo scoffed, "She’s just here to see celebrities and shooting locations. I’m determined not to let her have it easy. Let’s see how long she can hold out!"

Yi Luowa shook her head in disapproval, "If it were me, I’d indulge her. Once she’s had her fun, she might leave."

Mi Chenshuo turned to Tong Airui, "Is what Luowa said feasible?"

Tong Airui shook his head, "I don’t know her personality well enough to judge. You could give it a shot, though."

"I overheard her asking about the payroll date the other day. I figure her money’s running out. I’ll see how long she can manage. If she still doesn’t leave, I’ll try Luowa’s suggestion."

Yi Luowa lowered her gaze slightly, feeling a pang of sadness. A princess, reduced to this—tormented by these so-called "villains."

At this point, if she wanted to step in and help Joyina, she’d end up opposing the entire family. However, while she herself couldn’t act, someone else could.

Yi Luowa formulated a plan and secretly called Huo Li that night.

Huo Li listened with a furrowed brow, then exploded in indignation, "Your family is way too heartless! Tomorrow, I’m going to see Joyina."

"Hey! Don’t lump the whole family into this! My husband and I haven’t said or done anything."

"Oh? Aren’t you two the saints here! Fine, fine!" Huo Li chuckled playfully. "Leave Joyina to me. I’ll get her some food and leave her some extra money."

"I still have two cards of hers here; take them with you as well. As a child, she barely survived day by day, and now she’s grown up, yet she still has to endure hunger and hardship. Just thinking about it makes my heart ache."

"Got it!" Huo Li agreed readily. Yet when she visited Joyina the next day, the girl only accepted the food and refused the money and cards.

"Is the money too little?" Huo Li asked, displeased.

"I promised my dad I’d support myself. If I take money from you or Sister Luowa, he’ll look down on me. I’ve already found a part-time job and start tonight. If I’m lucky, I could earn a few hundred bucks in one evening."

Joyina looked at Huo Li with excitement. "Huo Li, once I have some money, I’ll treat you and Sister Luowa to a big feast."

Huo Li gazed at her with pity, "Joyina, what kind of job did you take? Is it safe?"

Joyina nodded cheerfully, "It’s safe, don’t worry!"

Still uneasy, Huo Li pressed, "Where’s this part-time job? I want to check out the environment."

"Singing at a bar every night from nine to midnight. I’ll be back in time for work the next morning."

Huo Li instantly became furious, "Joyina, have you forgotten who you are? Is that the kind of place you should be working at?"

Joyina pouted, "What status do I even have? I’ve done everything before. Singing in a bar is the most dignified job I’ve ever had."

"I have to tell Luowa..." Huo Li angrily grabbed her phone.

"Huo Li, even if you tell Sister Luowa, I’ll still stick to this job. I must support myself with my own hands. If I can drop my ’princess’ status, you all shouldn’t see me that way either, okay?"

Outside the door, Mi Chenshuo paused as he was about to knock. Listening to Joyina’s words, he retracted his hand. This girl really did have some grit.