Billionaire's Long Journey of Chasing His Love-Chapter 421 - 369: Parents’ Selfish Desires (Second Update)
Joyina instantly had a bad feeling and looked at her old man warily.
"What’s with that expression?" The King of Beidi looked at his daughter with amusement.
The Queen of Beidi chuckled and tugged at the King’s sleeve. "Mianmian likes your white horse. Take her for a ride while I have a chat with Joyina."
The King of Beidi understood and carried Mianmian out the door.
Mianmian reached out and touched the King’s bushy beard, giggling as she said, "Grandpa, your beard is scratching Mianmian’s cheeks."
The King of Beidi laughed, "If Mianmian doesn’t like it, grandpa will shave it off."
Joyina blinked her eyes. The only indulgence her father had was keeping his beard, and yet he was willing to give it up for Mianmian!
The Queen of Beidi pulled her daughter to sit down, her tone dropping as she said, "When I took you away from Beidi, you were Mianmian’s age, also six. That day, when you brought Mianmian home, your father had tears swirling in his eyes. He said, ’This is heaven compensating me.’
Joyina clenched her mother’s hand. "Mom, what are you trying to say?"
"Your father and I want to keep Mianmian with us..."
Before her mother could finish, Joyina frowned. "Mom, I don’t agree! Mianmian is the only proof that Sister Su ever existed in this world. I want to raise her myself, for Sister Su."
The Queen of Beidi remained patient. She held her daughter’s hand and smiled as she said, "Hear me out first. You and Chenshuo can decide afterward."
Joyina turned to Mi Chenshuo. "You better not agree!"
Mi Chenshuo pressed his lips together, reached out to touch her head, and said, "Let Auntie finish first."
Joyina pouted and looked back at her mother.
The Queen of Beidi smiled faintly. "Joyina, you just turned eighteen. You’re still a child. Though you’ve matured a lot since you came back this time, I’ve specifically observed the way you interact with Mianmian these past few days. There’s no doubt you’re completely devoted to her. However, when the two of you are together, it feels like one big child playing with a smaller child. In the long run, it wouldn’t be the best environment for Mianmian to grow up."
Joyina pouted. "But Mi Chenshuo can help me!"
"Chenshuo has his own career. It’s already exhausting to bring you along, and now you want him to take care of another child?" The Queen of Beidi turned to Mi Chenshuo. "Chenshuo, I admit we have our selfish reasons, but we have no intention of keeping Mianmian away from you. We just want to help you raise her to be an even better person."
Mi Chenshuo gave a gentle smile. "Auntie, whether Mianmian stays here or goes back to Xiawu with us, I am grateful to you..."
Joyina suddenly stood up, clapping a hand over Mi Chenshuo’s mouth. "Mi Chenshuo, don’t speak! I’m afraid once you start talking, you’ll agree to give Mianmian to my mom."
With her hand still on Mi Chenshuo’s mouth, Joyina turned to her mother. "Mom, lay out all your selfish reasons. I want to hear them one by one."
The Queen of Beidi helplessly shook her head. "I just said you’d matured a bit, and not even a second later, you’ve reverted to your old self. Fine—let me tell you what your father and I have been thinking selfishly. We want to keep Mianmian not only to help take care of her but also because with her here, you’ll visit more often..."
The Queen of Beidi’s eyes reddened slightly, her voice choking. "You and I relied on each other for so many years. But now you’ve grown up and found someone you love. You don’t even come back to the palace anymore. Do you know how much your mother misses you?"
Joyina’s tears streamed down instantly.
Mi Chenshuo gently pulled her hand down and patted her shoulder, signaling her to comfort her mother.
Joyina moved closer, throwing her arms around her mother. "Mom, I miss you too, but I..."
"I understand, dear. Everyone goes through a phase when they’re young." The Queen of Beidi raised her hand to wipe her daughter’s tears. "There’s another selfish reason I have, and now that Chenshuo is here, I’m not afraid to say it—even if it might upset him. You know that saying, ’objects evoke memories of people.’ And Mianmian... she’s not just an object. She’s a child. Having her around, Chenshuo will inevitably think of Su Qing. Keeping Mianmian with you long-term might affect your future together."
Mi Chenshuo lowered his gaze and remained silent, but it was clear he had taken the Queen’s words to heart.
The Queen continued her momentum. "Chenshuo, I know you’re a loyal, thoughtful man, mature enough to control your emotions. But Joyina is still young. Right now, she’s just started this relationship with you and sees you as perfect—everything you do is right. However, as time goes on and the initial excitement fades, it’s inevitable she might have other thoughts. If you two end up arguing over Mianmian then, it won’t be worth it. Don’t you agree with me?"
Mi Chenshuo nodded firmly. "Auntie, you’re right."
The Queen of Beidi pulled Joyina to sit beside her. "Now let me tell you about your father’s selfish reasons. Every time he sees Mianmian, he’s reminded of you as a child. He missed out on almost all of your childhood, and it’s his greatest regret. He wants to make up for that with Mianmian. He said if you leave her here, he’d officially bestow upon her the title of Princess Mianyi. He wants to pamper her to no end! But, he also said that the decision is ultimately up to Chenshuo. Regardless of whether she stays or goes, she’ll still be a princess because Mianmian is simply too adorable."
Joyina thought about it for a long time before leaning into her mother’s arms and saying, "Mom, now that you’ve explained everything, I’m not sure what to say."
"There’s no rush. Let Chenshuo think it through." The Queen of Beidi softly poked her daughter on the forehead. "As for you, your opinions are welcome—but we may not necessarily follow them."
"Mom~" Joyina pouted in protest.
Mi Chenshuo looked up at the Queen of Beidi. "Auntie, can I give you an answer tomorrow?"
The Queen smiled lovingly. "There’s no hurry."
Later that evening, Mi Chenshuo made a call to Tong Airui.
After listening to everything, Tong Airui chuckled. "Third Brother, I think you already know the answer."
"Yes, but I’d like to hear your thoughts."
In a steady tone, Tong Airui replied, "The Queen of Beidi’s reasoning is flawless. Her so-called selfishness is entirely for your and Joyina’s sake. Here’s what I see: the Queen and King only have two kids, and you already took one away. Now those two are just staring at each other day by day, bored out of their minds. It’s honestly kind of pitiful. Why not leave Mianmian in Beidi for now and come visit a few times yourself with Joyina?"
Mi Chenshuo smiled. "After hearing you out, I don’t think I even need to consult with my parents and aunt anymore."
"Even if you asked them, they’d probably share this same opinion." Tong Airui stood by his balcony, glancing down to see several cars pulling in slowly. Laughing, he said, "Old Fifth just got scolded by Uncle and sent back. When are you coming home?"
"If Mianmian stays in Beidi, I’d like to stay here a few more days to spend time with her. I’ll come back for Uncle and Huo Li’s wedding."
"Alright. Oh, Third Brother, even though you’ve made up your mind, don’t forget to ask for Joyina and Mianmian’s views."
"I won’t act too unilaterally."
Mi Chenshuo, feeling a weight lifted, ended the call and glanced down at Joyina, still curled up in his arms. "You heard all that?"
Joyina pouted. "I heard. After listening to my mom and Tong Airui, I suddenly feel like I’m so selfish. I was so focused on my happiness that I didn’t think about my parents’ feelings."
"You’re realizing it now, and that’s what matters." Mi Chenshuo ruffled her hair. "It’s also tied to your age—you’re still young. When you’re a bit older, you’ll cherish family ties even more. And don’t think you don’t care about them at all. There have been many nights when I’ve heard you calling out for your mom in your sleep."
Joyina sniffled. "Let’s go check on Mianmian."
Mi Chenshuo smiled and nodded.
Before they could step outside, Mianmian’s laughter rang in from outside.
"Grandpa, so high! Mianmian’s scared!"
"Grandpa is holding you. You don’t have to be afraid. Hold onto Grandpa’s head. Let’s drive off."
"Haha... Grandpa, slow down! Haha..."
Joyina pushed a door slightly ajar and peeked out.
At that moment, Mianmian was sitting astride the King of Beidi’s shoulders. The grandfather and granddaughter were running wildly around the hall.
"I’ve never even sat on my dad’s shoulders." Joyina glanced at Mi Chenshuo enviously. "Look, my dad really shaved his beard for Mianmian."
Mi Chenshuo smiled helplessly. "Don’t be jealous. Look at the smiles on your parents’ faces. Those smiles come from the heart, and it’s something we can’t give them—but Mianmian can."
Joyina grinned and peeked through the door again.
"Mianmian, do you like it here in Beidi?" The King of Beidi asked with a laugh.
"I like it."
"Then would Mianmian like to stay here with Grandpa and Grandma?" The King of Beidi stopped running and tilted his head to look up at Mianmian.
