Billionaire's Long Journey of Chasing His Love-Chapter 734 - 617: Big Shot (Second Update)

"Alright, I might as well not have said anything!" Tong Aino laughed, raising his head to knock on his own forehead. "Mom, before there was Ziheng, I sometimes just couldn’t understand, but after he came into my life, I finally grasped the feelings of being a parent. Parents pour their hearts and souls into their children, and the love they give is genuine, regardless of who it’s for."

"Good that you understand now. You always say your father and I favor your brother, but your brother has given you everything that a firstborn son should have. Be content with that!"

"Haha, are you talking about Zhuoyuan?"

"That’s the foundation of the Aldrich family!"

"My brother and sister-in-law don’t care one bit about a small Zhuoyuan. If this were ancient times, they’d be the kind of figures who’d unify the world."

"That’s exactly right. If your sister-in-law wanted to, she could sit on the Haotian throne right now. But she doesn’t care about that position; what she cares about is family and relationships."

"She’s truly a rare kind of remarkable woman." Tong Aino smiled while looking at his mom. "Having a daughter-in-law like her, doesn’t it make you especially proud?"

"All of you make me proud!" Tong Yao chuckled as she patted her son’s cheek. "The next generation will have to depend on you all to nurture them. I hope the younger ones outshine all of you."

"Not Ziheng. My brother’s three kids—the ones Grandpa mentioned—are the real dragons and phoenixes among people!"

Tong Yao immediately glared at her son. "Who says Ziheng can’t? Don’t say things that lack ambition. Every single one of my grandchildren is a dragon or phoenix among people!"

The mother and son were chatting heart-to-heart in the living room, while in the study, the father and son duo were discussing with a map of the Western Ocean spread out in front of them.

"Dad, after listening to you, I feel like everything’s coming together now. I’m good at leading troops in battles, but dealing with pirates—that’s your expertise!"

"Then let’s go ahead with the arrangement we’ve discussed."

"Okay!"

Tong Airui put away the map and made a call to the navy commander, laying out the plan based on his discussions with his father.

Long Che sat nearby, listening with amusement. As his son finished the call, he smiled and remarked, "Looks like I’m not completely past my prime—I’m still somewhat useful."

Tong Airui laughed. "Dad, who says you’re past your prime? You’re in your prime right now!"

Long Che chuckled. "Everything’s arranged now. Go take a rest—you don’t want to wear your body down."

"Alright, thanks, Dad. I’ll be heading out then." Tong Airui nodded to his father before opening the door to leave.

Tong Aino heard the sound of footsteps and suddenly sat up. Seeing that it was his brother, he lay back down on his mother’s lap again. "I thought Dad was coming for me—you almost scared me to death!"

"Just so you know, Dad will be out soon." Tong Airui took a few steps toward his bedroom, thought briefly, then turned back. "Aino, how’s the commercial circle project in Haotian going?"

"All of us have reached an agreement. Once the weather warms up there, we’ll start construction and aim to wrap up this major project within a year."

"That fast?"

"Time is money. We’ve already expanded the construction team from ten crews to twenty. Uncle went even further—next year he’s not taking on any other projects. He’ll redirect the entire construction company to focus on Haotian."

Tong Airui chuckled. "Uncle’s doing it for your sister-in-law. When Haotian prospers, your sister-in-law can truly relax."

"And I’m doing it for you!" Tong Aino tilted his head to peer up at the "giant" standing before him. "When my sister-in-law is happy, only then can you truly find peace."

Tong Airui reached out and pulled him to his feet, then turned and went back to his bedroom.

Tong Aino blinked exaggeratedly, "Mom—why is Brother like that? He didn’t even say thank you. I was being so sentimental, I nearly shed tears..."

"He’s already shown his gratitude through actions!" A large hand reached behind him and firmly landed on his shoulder.

"Dad! When did you come out? You didn’t make a sound!"

Long Che looked stern and gave a faint snort. "I came out while you and your brother were chatting. If he hadn’t picked you up, I would’ve done it myself. That big head of yours—pick any other place to lie down, but lying on your mom’s lap? She’s worn out, isn’t she?"

Tong Aino pouted. "I don’t even feel like debating with you about this. Sure, Mom’s your wife, but she’s also my mom! I’ve never fought Ziheng for her attention—unlike you, constantly eyeing me like a thief."

Tong Yao chuckled. "Your dad’s been like this all his life. Will arguing ever change him? Get upstairs now!"

"My life is so miserable!" Tong Aino grumbled and shuffled upstairs.

Tong Yao shook her head helplessly at Long Che. "Now look—it’s just the two of us again!"

"Good—they’ve all left. Now I can discuss something with you." Long Che walked around from behind the sofa.

Tong Yao looked at him suspiciously. "Discuss what?"

"The kids." Long Che reached out to pull Tong Yao to her feet. "Let’s talk upstairs."

Tong Yao hesitated briefly and knit her brows. She already knew what he wanted to say.

Once the elderly couple made their way upstairs and shut the door, Tong Yao turned to him directly and said, "Keep it short and simple. Just tell me your conclusion."

"You already know what I want to say?"

"You want to talk about the baby Yi Luowa’s carrying."

"Then I’ll tell you my thoughts: Let Randy and Zhi Lan raise the child."

Tong Yao stared at him silently.

Long Che patted her shoulder. "You’re reluctant, aren’t you? Dear, we spend every day surrounded by children and grandchildren, but Randy and Zhi Lan—that’s just the two of them now. It’s far too lonely. Just thinking about it makes my heart ache for them."

Tong Yao burst into laughter. "Long Che, this might be the one brilliant thing you’ve done in your entire life!"

"So, you agree?"

"You already decided—I couldn’t disagree if I wanted to."

"Then it’s settled. Airui said it’s not about completely giving the child to them, just letting them raise her for now. If Danton returns someday, they can bring the younger one back. When Yi Luowa’s in-laws come, you should raise this topic upfront so they don’t feel too awkward to bring it up themselves."

Tong Yao’s gaze darkened slightly. "Long Che, do you think Danton will come back?"

Long Che pressed his lips tightly. "It’s not entirely hopeless."

"Sigh... Let’s hope he does. Otherwise, this little grandson of ours might truly have to shoulder his mama and uncle’s burdens in the future."

Long Che furrowed his brow faintly. "As long as we’re here, we won’t let him endure that." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Tong Yao looked at him with some confusion.

Long Che smiled faintly. "If we make Haotian prosperous and strong, then no matter who sits in power in the future, it’ll never be exhausting."

"Long Che, you and Airui have done so much for Haotian—have you ever thought about how this impacts Muta?"

"I’ve talked with Muta—he supports me. He even mentioned that my actions promote neighborly harmony, killing two birds with one stone. I also told him that if he ever feels even slight resentment, then I’ll resign, so we don’t damage the brotherly bond between us."

"Muta would never agree to that. Moving forward, while giving Haotian prosperity, you and your son also need to think more about Xiamu. That’s how you maintain balance."

"I’ll handle that, and Randy and Zhi Lan are doing their part too. They’ve already offered Xiamu plenty of favorable terms. As Haotian prospers, Xiamu will gain significant benefits in turn."

Tong Yao breathed a long sigh of relief. "Then I’m at ease. Honestly, I do admire Zhi Lan and Randy. They’re both visionaries and never haggle over short-term gains."

"Yi Luowa takes after them."

"I remember you used to say that Yi Luowa’s broad-mindedness couldn’t have been cultivated in a small household; it must run in her blood."

Long Che shrugged helplessly. "I did say that, but I never expected her to be Randy’s child. Being in-laws with him isn’t easy, and being son-in-law to your daughter’s husband is even tougher."

"The hardest role belongs to Yi Luowa. Now, I only hope that things keep improving for them, so Airui and Yi Luowa can genuinely unburden themselves."

Long Che raised a brow slightly. "That day will come. Haotian’s chaos wasn’t caused by Randy’s lack of leadership—it’s his overly compassionate heart. Now that every obstacle has been removed, with Zhi Lan’s unwavering support, Haotian will undoubtedly flourish."

"Ding dong, ding dong..." The doorbell rang incessantly.

Tong Yao quickly opened the room door.

"Sister-in-law, Sister-in-law..." Yan Zi clutched her chest, panting heavily.

"What’s the matter?"

Yan Zi finally caught her breath. "Youyou’s stomach suddenly started hurting. There are still ten days left until her due date..."

"Don’t panic! Quick, head to the hospital." Tong Yao grabbed a coat from the rack and helped Yan Zi rush downstairs.

Long Che followed after them. "For a first-time birth, it won’t be too quick. You two slow down—you don’t want to fall and hurt yourselves with those old bones and joints."

Tong Yao waved dismissively. "Got it—stop worrying about us!"

Downstairs, Youyou clutched her belly, groaning while leaning into Yi Luowa’s embrace. "Sis, I’m scared!"

"Don’t be—it’s alright. I’ll stay with you." Yi Luowa gently brushed the stray hairs from Youyou’s forehead. "Your fourth brother is getting the car ready. We’ll head to the hospital shortly."

Youyou looked around anxiously. "Where’s Joyina?"

"I’m here!" Joyina dragged two suitcases out of the bedroom. "I’ll accompany you when you give birth."

"Don’t cause more trouble!" Yan Zi chuckled helplessly, taking one of the suitcases from Joyina. "Which one is Youyou’s?"

"The pink one." Joyina pouted. "Mom, Youyou and I are going to have ’twins.’"

Yan Zi shouted, "Where’s Shuoshuo!?"

"He’s calling the seventh uncle right now, arranging personnel for the hospital."

"What about your dad?"

"Dad’s calling Aunt Ni Lu."

"Mom, stop yelling—the more you yell, the more it hurts... I can’t take it; I need to go to the bathroom." Youyou struggled to stand.