Billionaire's Long Journey of Chasing His Love-Chapter 523 - 449: Come with Me (Third Update)

There’s no wall in the world that doesn’t leak air. The case of the dismemberment eventually still got out, and the rumors became increasingly exaggerated. By the time night fell, there was nobody on the streets of the capital.

Long Che and Muta gave speeches on television to stabilize public sentiment, but it seemed to have little effect.

It wasn’t until the third day after the crime that Long Che returned.

On the fourth day, Tong Yao also came back. Stepping through the door, she tossed out four simple words: "No leads whatsoever." Then, dragging her weary body, she ascended the stairs. Days and nights of continuous work had taken a toll on her physically.

On the fifth day, after the relocation of the Divine Eagle team was complete, the first thing that Tong Airui did upon returning to the capital was to deploy his team to assist police in 24-hour patrols through streets and alleys.

Seeing this overwhelming display of presence, the citizens gradually began to feel at ease.

At the same time, Wanzhou Film Studios launched its talent recruitment campaign, injecting a bit of vitality back into the imperial city.

Just as things started to return to normal in Xiawu, news arrived from both Z Country and Soya: they, too, had experienced cases of dismembered corpses.

The leaders of the police forces in those two countries were both students of Tong Yao. They quickly called their teacher, hoping to gain some insights.

Tong Yao helplessly shared the results of investigations in Xiawu: the criminals were incredibly cruel, highly skilled in counter-surveillance, and had left no valuable clues behind. In fact, to this day, half of the body parts still remained unidentified.

In no time at all, it was already October. The investigation had hit a dead end. While Tong Yao used to occasionally visit the police station in her free time, these days she was preoccupied with organizing her youngest son’s wedding and had no choice but to put the case aside for now.

The wedding of Tong Aino was originally planned to take place at the Aldridge Tower. However, under Muta’s insistence, Tong Aino and Connie eventually held a grand wedding at the royal palace that captured the world’s attention.

Because their uncle’s wedding was held at the palace, Ziyan and Sangyu were required to attend. This was the first public appearance of the two little ones since their birth, and their presence nearly stole the spotlight from the bride and groom.

As everyone described it, the cuteness was simply heart-melting.

The two increasingly adorable little ones, seeing so many people for the first time, weren’t frightened at all. A slight tease would make them giggle, and the funniest thing was that as soon as one began to laugh, the other would follow suit.

At first, Yi Luowa and Tong Airui held them. Later, after Long Che had finished his tasks, he and Tong Yao held the babies instead.

Hearing everyone praise his grandson and granddaughter, Uncle Che couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear.

Seeing there was no baby in Yi Luowa’s arms anymore, Duoduo scurried over.

As Yi Luowa had just picked him up, he asked in his childishly sweet voice, "Grandma said Grandpa and Grandma won’t like me anymore now that they have little brother and sister. Is that true?"

"Don’t listen to your grandmother’s nonsense!" Yan Zi, not waiting for Yi Luowa’s response, indignantly cut in, "Where is your grandma? Take Grandma there."

"Grandma’s holding baby sister over there!" Duoduo casually pointed, then clung tightly to Yi Luowa, clearly unwilling to get down.

Yan Zi saw Alice flaunting John’s daughter nearby, and prepared to walk over in a huff.

Mi Xiaotian grabbed her arm. "Don’t bother. That’s just her nature. What reasoning can you expect to accomplish with her?"

Yan Zi frowned and said, "Sister-in-law treats Duoduo and Ayake so well; what gives her the right to teach the child such nonsense?"

"Children have their own balance scales in their hearts; they know very well who treats them well and who doesn’t. Today is Nuo’er and Connie’s wedding. All the guests here are major figures. Please pay attention to appearances!"

Yan Zi glanced at Mi Xiaotian, then held Duoduo’s small hand and asked, "Duoduo, who treats you the best?"

"Fourth Auntie!" Duoduo answered confidently from Yi Luowa’s arms.

"Hahaha..." Yan Zi burst out laughing.

Not long after, Dabao, Erbao, and Ayake came running over as well.

"Fourth Auntie, my mom is asking you to go over and take a rest."

"Auntie, my mom is asking for you too, saying you should rest for a while."

Yi Luowa looked at the three of them and smiled, "Where are they?"

"In the side hall," Erbao replied, counting on his fingers, "Qiqige, Xiaoyudian, Joyina, Teng Aini, Jimo Shanshan, Luo You, Kasha, Dean, Heidi..."

Before Erbao could finish, Dabao raised his hand and delivered a light smack. "Is it appropriate for you to casually call our moms and aunties by their names?!"

Erbao rubbed his head pitifully, looking to Yi Luowa for support.

Yi Luowa gently blew on his head with a smile. "Your brother is right; we shouldn’t call elders directly by their names. However, your brother was wrong to hit you. He should have spoken to you nicely instead."

Dabao, now a bit embarrassed, rubbed his little brother’s head apologetically.

"Alright, let’s go. I’ll bring you along to see them." Yi Luowa said as she turned to look at Yan Zi, "Auntie, are you coming too?"

Yan Zi laughed and shook her head. "It’s mostly the young folks. I’ll stay here and help your mother keep an eye on things."

Yi Luowa glanced at Tong Airui, who was chatting with guests not far away, then at the two children still being admired by everyone, and smiled faintly. "Alright then, I’ll go over for a bit and come back soon."

Yi Luowa brought the four kids to the side hall. Before they even entered, they were greeted by peals of laughter.

Teng Aini, holding her belly, laughed, "Stop making me laugh! If I laugh any more, I’ll throw up again."

Xiaoyudian looked at her sister sympathetically, "Your pregnancy symptoms are just like Mom’s. The first three months were fine, but after that, the nausea kicked in. Mom had it so bad she threw up right up until delivery. I hope it won’t be the same for you!"

Qiqige sighed loudly, "Oh, let’s hope not!"

Sitting on a nearby sofa, Huo Li lowered her head, glanced at her own belly, and smiled without a word. As she raised her head, she spotted Yi Luowa entering with the kids.

"Come over here and have a seat," Huo Li patted the spot next to her on the sofa.

"Duoduo, you’re big enough now not to need your aunt to carry you. Come down!" Xiaoyudian scolded playfully, glancing at Duoduo.

Yi Luowa, cradling Duoduo, sat down next to Huo Li with a smile. "Sister, Duoduo’s not heavy. Holding him isn’t tiring at all."

"You’re just spoiling him!" Xiaoyudian pouted, "After carrying Ziyan for so long and now holding Duoduo, it’s a wonder you’re not exhausted yet!"

Duoduo pouted and buried his head in Yi Luowa’s arms.

Teng Aini saw his reaction and laughed, "Thank goodness your Uncle Four isn’t here. If he saw, he’d pull you out of her arms in a second. That spot is his exclusive territory."

Yi Luowa scolded jokingly, "Aini, don’t talk nonsense in front of the kids!"

Teng Aini stifled a laugh, "They’re too young to understand, don’t worry, haha..."

Yi Luowa chuckled, "Aini, since you’ve returned, why not stay for a few more days?"

Teng Aini smiled, "I was planning to stay until the baby is born. Will you all welcome me?"

"With open arms!" You Xian applauded enthusiastically.

"Sigh... I’m just saying that. Before I came, I had to have a long talk with my family. They finally gave me one month. After that, I have to go back."

Joyina curled her lips, "And if you don’t leave, what will they do? Tie you up and drag you back? Come on, Aini, stay a bit longer. We’ll all take care of you and make sure you and the baby are well-nourished."

"I’m just afraid you’ll all get sick of me before long," Teng Aini replied with a helpless smile, "I’m nauseous all the time; I’m sick of myself already."

As they chatted, Connie was brought in by Qing’er.

The moment Connie stepped through the door, she plopped onto the sofa. "You all are incredible, abandoning me out there alone. I’m absolutely exhausted."

Xiaoyudian laughed, "Your two sisters-in-law and your bridesmaids were all there to shield you. We couldn’t really help much, so we came here to hide away. Come, let me give you a massage."

"Trying to be considerate now, aren’t you a bit late?" Connie teased, holding Xiaoyudian’s outstretched hands with a laugh. "No wonder my sister-in-law hates wedding ceremonies. This is exhausting."

"Life only offers this chance once. You wouldn’t want to leave any regrets. When Luo’er’s kids are older, if she doesn’t want to have a ceremony, we’ll throw one for her." Xiaoyudian glanced towards Yi Luowa as she spoke.

Yi Luowa pursed her lips into a smile but didn’t say anything.

Around two in the afternoon, the banquet finally ended. The family escorted Tong Aino and Connie to the airport before returning to the Duke’s Residence.

Just as everyone was settling down to rest, the butler rushed in with a panicked expression.

Long Che’s face darkened slightly. "Uncle Huang, what’s wrong?"

The butler quickly approached and whispered a few words into Long Che’s ear.

Long Che’s brow furrowed slightly, "Take it to the basement. I’ll go take a look."

He gave Tong Airui a glance, signaling to his son, "Come with me."

Tong Airui nodded and followed his father out the door in quick steps.

"Mom, has something happened?" Teng Aini asked worriedly, looking at her mother.

"Whatever it is, with your father and brother here, it won’t be a problem," Tong Yao said with a smile as she stood up, "Everyone, go rest."