Billionaire's Long Journey of Chasing His Love-Chapter 347 - 310: Where is my daughter? (Third update)
"Should we get a doctor?" Yan Zi asked Tong Yao softly.
Tong Yao shot her a look, and Yan Zi quickly handed her the glass of water spiked with a sedative.
Tong Yao persuaded Ni Lu to drink it, and soon after, Ni Lu’s eyes drooped as she fell into a daze.
"I thought I was already worrying enough, but who knew Ni Lu would worry even more than me," Yan Zi sighed, helping Tong Yao lay Ni Lu down on the bed.
"Every family has its own set of struggles," Tong Yao said as she tucked Ni Lu in and then looked toward the three children standing outside. "Come in."
Tong Airui guided the stiff Yi Luowa into the room first, followed closely by Ai Ni.
Yi Luowa looked at Ni Lu lying on the bed, her eyes reddening slightly. "Aunt Ni Lu is so pitiful."
"I always thought it was Ni Lu and Jack spoiling Shiqing that turned her into this, but after hearing what she said just now, I finally understood. Shiqing... it’s not that they don’t manage her, it’s that they simply can’t," Tong Yao said as she climbed out of bed. "Ni’er, don’t worry about things here. Go help You Jia. I heard some guests will be arriving soon, and your Uncle Leng and Connie’s parents are also on their way."
Ai Ni pouted, "All this mess is ruining my mood. I’m not dealing with it anymore. I’m going to sleep after dinner."
Tong Yao shot her a displeased glance.
Yan Zi smiled and tugged on Tong Yao. "If Ni’er wants to sleep, let her sleep. That way, she’ll have the energy tomorrow to be a beautiful bride."
"Exactly!" Ai Ni laughed. "Aunt understands me the best."
"Ni’er, one of the makeup artists Aunt brought with her knows how to do massages. Let her give you one later so you can sleep more comfortably," Yan Zi said.
As Yan Zi spoke, Noah walked in from outside, worry written all over his face. He looked at his mother and then addressed Tong Yao, "Aunt, you all go have breakfast. I’ll stay and keep Mom company."
"How’s your sister?" Tong Yao asked.
Clouds of worry appeared on Noah’s young face. "She started acting up again as soon as she got to the hospital. Dad was so angry he hit her, and then she started threatening suicide again. Dad dragged her to the window and told her to jump, but she didn’t dare. That’s the only reason she’s behaving now."
"Have you eaten?" Yi Luowa tilted her head, looking at him.
"I haven’t eaten and can’t stomach anything. Fourth Sister-in-law, you all go eat," Noah said dejectedly as he sat by the bed.
Yi Luowa pressed her lips together. "Then you stay here with Auntie. I’ll bring you something to eat later."
"No need, Fourth Sister-in-law," Noah quickly said, standing up. "Our family has troubled you all enough. Once Mom wakes up, I’ll take her home. As for my brother and sister-in-law’s wedding, I’m afraid only Dad will be able to attend."
Ai Ni walked over, "No need to talk about being a burden. We’re family. Aunt Ni Lu is like this right now—if you take her home, we’ll only be more worried. Just leave her to recover here."
"Sister-in-law..." Noah hesitated.
"Listen to your sister-in-law. This way, we can spend more time with her," Tong Yao said kindly, patting Noah’s head. "We’ll go eat now, and we’ll have the servants bring some food over to you later."
Noah nodded slightly. With everything his family was dealing with, one drama after another, it was all too heavy for this seventeen-year-old boy.
Ai Ni led everyone to the dining room, where Long Che was talking to Bernard and Carlos. Seeing them approach, Long Che stopped speaking and looked at his son. "How much longer will it take?"
Tong Airui paused slightly, realizing that no matter what he did, nothing escaped his father’s watchful eye.
"It was taken at midnight. The soonest we’ll receive results is midday."
"Tell me the results as soon as you get them. Your Uncle Muta over there is waiting for updates, too," Long Che said, his gaze resting on Yi Luowa’s face.
Yi Luowa lowered her head, feeling uneasy. Her father’s look seemed to suggest the answers were written on her face. In truth, though, she was more anxious than anyone.
After breakfast, everyone busied themselves receiving guests. Tong Airui, knowing Yi Luowa was worried about Ni Lu, took her to Ni Lu’s quarters.
Ni Lu was still asleep, and Tong Airui dismissed Noah before staying behind with Yi Luowa to watch over Ni Lu.
Yi Luowa asked, worried, "Honey, if the truth turns out to be what you suspect, do you think Aunt Ni Lu can handle it?"
"With everything Shiqing has done, I imagine Aunt and her family are desperately hoping Shiqing isn’t one of their own," Tong Airui said, pulling her into his arms and lightly stroking her hair. "What I’m worried about is you. If the results deviate from your expectations, can you handle it?" 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
"I’ll accept whatever the outcome is," Yi Luowa said with a smile, lowering her head to play with Tong Airui’s long fingers.
Time crept by, each minute feeling eternal. Yi Luowa glanced at the clock every few minutes, finding the morning interminable. Had Tong Airui not been there to support her, she wasn’t sure if she could bear it.
Finally, at 11:30, Yuan Hang called. "Sir, I’ve got the results."
"Get to the point!" Tong Airui frowned.
"Shiqing is not Princess Ni Lu’s daughter."
Tong Airui clenched Yi Luowa’s hand tightly. "And my wife?"
"Young Mistress... Young Mistress isn’t Princess Ni Lu’s daughter either."
Tong Airui turned to look at Yi Luowa. The disappointment in her eyes briefly flickered before she shook her head, signaling that she was fine.
"I’ve also collected Yi Lingfei’s samples from Country H. We’ll have another report by this evening."
"That’s not urgent for now. Bring Shiqing’s report over immediately—everyone’s waiting for the results," Tong Airui said, hanging up hastily. He pulled Yi Luowa into his arms. "Honey, if you feel hurt, let it out. Don’t bottle it up. I’ll call the people downstairs shortly to speed up the search for your biological parents."
Yi Luowa pushed him away with puffed-out cheeks. "I’m not as frail as you think. Of course, there’s some disappointment, but whether we find them or not, it all depends on fate. Knowing the results actually makes me feel a lot lighter. Go share the news with Dad; everyone needs to figure out the next steps."
"And you?"
"I’ll stay here with Aunt Ni Lu. She’s been asleep for so long; I think she’s about to wake up."
"You sure you’re okay?" Having just faced an emotional rollercoaster, Tong Airui looked at her worriedly.
Yi Luowa smiled. "I’m the invincible Luowa. Nothing’s impossible for me."
With a smile, the "invincible Luowa" saw Tong Airui out, but the moment she turned around, her tears fell. Just when she’d caught a glimmer of hope, life had thrown a bucket of cold water over her.
Ni Lu stirred on the bed, showing signs of waking up. Yi Luowa quickly dried her tears and walked to the bedside.
Ni Lu furrowed her brows, as though trapped in a terrible dream she couldn’t escape.
"Get out! Get out!" Ni Lu reached out, striking out forcefully.
Yi Luowa held her hands tightly, tears still in her eyes. "Aunt, wake up!"
Slowly, Ni Lu opened her eyes and turned to look at Yi Luowa. "Luowa?"
"I’m here, Aunt."
"Why are you crying?" Ni Lu reached out to touch Yi Luowa’s face, but Yi Luowa lowered her head quickly.
Ni Lu managed to touch her soft cheeks and sighed heavily. "You kids are the same age, so why are you so sensible while that damn troublemaker is..."
"Aunt, things will get better. Everything will get better," Yi Luowa said, gripping Ni Lu’s hand tightly. Thinking of how her aunt had lost her daughter while she had lost her mother, the tears wouldn’t stop falling.
"Good girl, don’t cry. Aunt will be fine," Ni Lu struggled to sit up.
Yi Luowa hurried to help her. "Aunt, are you hungry? I’ll have the servants bring you some food."
"I can’t eat," Ni Lu said, rubbing her forehead and slowly standing up. "Tomorrow’s the big day for You Jia and Ni’er. As their aunt, I shouldn’t be lying here—it’s disgraceful."
Yi Luowa tried to stop her, worried. "Aunt, there’s nothing that needs your help. Your health is fragile; you should rest here."
"Even if there’s nothing to help with, I need to have a look. Staying in bed all the time will drive me mad. Luowa, go fetch me a shawl from the dressing room so I can go check—and I promise I’ll come back right away."
Yi Luowa hesitated for a moment but eventually turned to the dressing room. After searching for a while, she finally found a shawl in a cabinet. Yet when she returned, the room was empty.
Panic gripped Yi Luowa, and sweat soon dotted her forehead. Ni Lu, who seemed normal, could still have sudden episodes. If someone provoked her while she was alone, what could happen? What then?
Yi Luowa ran out the door, searching the courtyard but finding no one!
She rushed to the entrance and grabbed a servant. "Have you seen Princess Ni Lu?"
"Princess Ni Lu went to the queen’s quarters."
Yi Luowa followed her trail but still couldn’t find her. She reached the courtyard entrance just in time to hear Ni Lu’s anguished screams. "Shiqing isn’t my daughter! Then where is my daughter? Where have you hidden her?"
"Ni Lu, calm down!" Jack, in tears, held his wife tightly.
Ni Lu stared at Jack as though he were a stranger. "Where’s my daughter? Return my daughter! Give me back my daughter!"
"Mom, I’m here."
Every person in the courtyard turned to stare at the entrance.
