Billionaire's Long Journey of Chasing His Love-Chapter 775 - 647: Which little girl bought this for you? (Second update)
This New Year, due to a novel way of celebrating and the unexpected appearance of Zi Yan and Sang Yu, the Aldridge family caused quite a stir. Everyone now knew the family had two adorable little ones.
Early the next morning, Queen Haotian called, "Luowa, the two kids interrupting your father-in-law’s speech wasn’t too upsetting, was it? Honestly, you should have kept a closer eye on them!"
Yi Luowa pouted, "I was busy trying to put Zi Xi to sleep. Who knew they’d sneak in there? Anyway, it’s fine—no real negative reactions. We’ve checked the comments online; everyone seems to enjoy seeing something more heartfelt instead of the usual cold, formal speeches."
Queen Haotian patted her chest. "Danton checked online too; he said everyone was completely smitten by the kids. Hardly anyone had anything negative to say. Still, I wanted to check in, just in case your father-in-law was upset."
Yi Luowa laughed, "Mom, don’t worry, Dad wasn’t angry at all. In fact, when I mentioned Zi Yan and Sang Yu, he even defended them."
"That’s good to hear. The high-speed rail is almost finished. In a few days, I’ll take the train over to see you."
Yi Luowa chuckled, "You’re so busy. How about I come visit you instead?"
Queen Haotian quickly interrupted, "Zi Yan and Sang Yu have kindergarten to attend—you stay put. I’ll come over."
"Alright then, I’ve missed you. Get here soon. By the way, Mom, how has An Yang been lately? Is he still skipping class?"
Queen Haotian sighed, "His academics are improving, but now I’m worrying about something else."
"What is it?"
"I’ll tell you when I get there."
"Mom, don’t leave me hanging! What’s going on? If you’re worried about call charges, I’ll call you back."
Queen Haotian laughed, "You brat!"
"Mooom~ Come on, spill it!"
"An Yang has been attached to Danton, always rushing to the study when he gets home. At first, I didn’t think much of it, but then one day, I walked in without knocking, and guess what I saw..."
Her mom purposely stopped mid-sentence. Yi Luowa anxiously gripped the phone, "What did you see?"
"Danton was lying on the sofa, and An Yang was sprawled across him doing his homework!" Queen Haotian rubbed her forehead. "I just... what if something happens?!"
"He’s just lying on him to do homework, isn’t he...? Wait, WHAT? An Yang sprawled on Danton doing homework, and he let him?"
"Didn’t look like he minded one bit."
"Geez, those two combined still aren’t older than you!"
Queen Haotian growled through gritted teeth, "Luowa Montbart—what do you mean by that? Do you think I’m ancient?"
Yi Luowa burst into laughter, "Mom, you’re not old at all. Remember when we went to the wedding in Beidi for my former classmate? People even said we looked like sisters."
Queen Haotian gave a cold harrumph, "Don’t try to sweet-talk me! Talk to Danton sometime—he needs to have some boundaries."
"Got it! I’ll give him a call when An Yang’s at school." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖
After a bit more chatting, they hung up. Yi Luowa smiled as she stepped out of her room.
Tong Aino also came out of his room at the same time, and they bumped into each other.
Yi Luowa smiled, "You’ve been looking more lively lately. Did something good happen? Come on, share with me."
"What good thing could happen to me?" Tong Aino straightened his tie with a smile.
Yi Luowa’s gaze fell on his tie. "Which young lady bought you that?"
Tong Aino laughed, "Connie bought it for me."
Yi Luowa narrowed her eyes slightly. "Definitely not Connie—this isn’t from Langshi."
"You’ve got sharp eyes!" Tong Aino chuckled, "An employee gave it to me. The company is holding a New Year gathering today, and wearing it makes them feel appreciated."
"Isn’t Connie going with you?"
"She’s not feeling well today." Tong Aino glanced at the time, "Sister-in-law, I need to head out."
"Alright, hurry back later." Yi Luowa watched him go downstairs before opening the door to his and Connie’s bedroom.
Connie lay curled up in bed. Hearing footsteps, she turned over, clutching her stomach. "Sister-in-law..."
Seeing her face twisted in pain, Yi Luowa immediately walked over. "Connie, what’s wrong?"
"It’s that time of the month, and this time the pain is inexplicably bad." Connie struggled to sit up.
Yi Luowa quickly pressed her back down. "Don’t get up. I’ll go make you some brown sugar water."
"Tong Aino said he told the servants to make me some. You don’t need to go downstairs."
Yi Luowa sat down on the edge of the bed. "Did you catch a chill?"
"No, it just started hurting out of nowhere." Connie groaned softly.
"I’ll find Jin Qixin and have him take a look. You can’t keep hurting like this."
As Yi Luowa was speaking of Jin Qixin, he arrived.
In no time, the servants also brought up a hot water bottle and brown sugar water.
After much fussing, Connie finally felt some relief.
"You’re okay with Old Five going to the gathering alone?" Yi Luowa teased once she saw Connie was feeling better.
Connie pouted, "If someone fancies him, they can go ahead and take him—at least then I’d get some peace."
"Oh, how generous of you! But if someone really takes him away, won’t you end up crying?"
"Sister-in-law, you have no idea how much he exhausts me. Honestly, the only time I get a decent sleep is when it’s that time of the month."
"Haha... Old Five really has some stamina, huh?"
Connie glared at her, "You’re just enjoying my misery! But honestly, you don’t have it much better."
Yi Luowa blinked playfully, "I still think I’ve got it slightly easier."
"You’re lying through your teeth!"
"By the way, who bought that tie for Old Five? It’s quite stylish. Ask them where they got it—I’ll buy a few for your brother too." Yi Luowa grinned, steering the conversation elsewhere.
"Baili Zijin, Dad’s secretary’s younger cousin. I’ll ask her once I’m back at work."
"Haha... I remember now; she’s the one Dad forced you to hire after pulling strings."
"Our dad has good judgment. She’s very capable—took to the work quickly after joining."
"Dad wouldn’t bring on just anyone." Seeing that Connie was doing better, Yi Luowa stood up with a smile. "Rest up today. I’ll go check on the kids and arrange to have your breakfast brought up."
"I’ll come down to eat once I’m feeling better."
"Just relax. I’ll take care of it."
Yi Luowa left the room with a smile and soon had breakfast sent up to Connie.
Connie finished her meal and dozed off for a bit. Near noon, a ringing phone woke her.
Picking up the phone, Connie saw an unknown number. She hesitated briefly before answering.
"Hello?"
"Beep beep..." Busy signals echoed from the line.
Frowning slightly, Connie was about to put the phone down when a text notification popped up.
Curiously, Connie opened the message. After reading it, her heart skipped slightly. She then set the phone aside and went back to sleep.
That afternoon, Tong Aino returned home early, heading straight to the bedroom. "Honey, are you feeling better?"
Connie squinted at him, "Better. Why are you back so soon? Wasn’t there supposed to be evening activities?"
"I make the others feel awkward when I’m there." Tong Aino slipped his hand under the blanket, touching Connie’s stomach. "Your tummy still feels a bit cold—I’ll have Jin Qixin check you again. Did he see you earlier?"
"He did." Connie smiled faintly, her gaze drifting toward his right shoulder.
Tong Aino followed her gaze, only to spot a fresh smear of red lipstick on his light-gray suit!
His brows furrowed instantly. "Who did this?!"
Connie shot him a glare, "That’s what I’d like to ask you."
"I only danced the opening waltz with Baili Zijin."
"I know. I’ve already received photos from someone at the event." Connie pouted, "You were holding her so tight—what do you expect me to say?"
Tong Aino bristled, "Show me those photos! Let me see how tight I was holding her! I’m always careful with female colleagues."
Connie smacked his thigh lightly, "I know exactly who you are! Go change your clothes—the perfume is giving me a headache."
Tong Aino promptly peeled off his suit and tossed it aside. "Who’s sending you photos? What’s their problem?!"
"It was an unknown number; I ignored it."
Picking up Connie’s phone, Tong Aino scrolled through her call history, sizing up the unfamiliar number. "I don’t think I’ve seen this number either."
"Forget it—it’s probably a prank."
Tong Aino nodded, setting the phone aside. "I’m going to take a shower."
Entering the bathroom, he made a call to Xiao Yu’er, requesting he investigate the mysterious number.
Halfway through his shower, Xiao Yu’er called back. "Fifth Brother, that number doesn’t require an ID to purchase—it’s untraceable."
"Try checking who they’ve contacted; we might find a lead."
"The only call they made was to your wife."
Tong Aino kicked the foot basin. "Damn it—can’t even pin them down. Keep an eye on it for me."
"Sure. If they call again, I’ll track them."
Tong Aino hung up, his brow furrowed. Thankfully, Connie trusted him; if it weren’t for that, the photos and lipstick marks would be impossible to explain.
Connie had been listening at the door for a while. Hearing him shower, she quietly climbed back into bed.
