CHAPTER 219: CHAPTER 209: BITE WITH SKILL (FIRST UPDATE)

"Mom, when did you get here?!" Yi Luowa immediately smiled as she saw them—the whole family was sitting together, except for the one busy with official work.

"After dropping off You Jia, Ni’er said she wasn’t feeling well and needed a change of scenery. I called Li Hua to ask if it would be convenient for Ni’er to come over, and next thing we knew, Li Hua sent someone to pick us all up!" Tong Yao said with a smile. "Didn’t expect to see you two here as well."

"Are you sure it’s just a minor injury?" Tong Airui frowned slightly.

Tong Yao waved her hands quickly. "Please don’t trouble yourself—we’re just staying briefly before heading back."

Tong Airui was about to get up, but Yi Luowa pulled him back. "It’s everyone’s first time here—it should be a feast! If Uncle Li underdoes it, he’ll be unhappy."

"I think our first child will be a daughter—a gorgeous girl who looks just like you," Tong Airui said, pulling up a light blanket to cover her as he sat beside the bed.

Jimo Shanshan approached, rolling up Yi Luowa’s pants leg for a look. "She should really go lie down for a while."

On the way back, Yi Luowa felt inexplicably uneasy. By the time she reached the mansion, she’d escalated to full-blown distress—she couldn’t sit still, nor could she lie down comfortably. Even when Tong Airui tried to talk to her, she seemed deaf to his words.

"No way. I’ve felt this way before—it’s just the kind of mood I got when I didn’t want to go to class. It’s called teenage angst!" Yi Luowa replied, turning her head toward him.

Tong Airui carried Yi Luowa upstairs. The moment she stepped into her room, her smile vanished. "What’s this supposed to be? You all said my room was pretty, but it’s like you think I’m still a kid!"

Realizing her unusual behavior, Tong Airui asked gently, "What’s wrong? Are you mad I didn’t let you stay over at the estate?"

Neither of them thought much of Huo Li’s call, unaware that she was struggling in an agonizing crisis at that very moment.

"Careful! Don’t bite it off!" Tong Airui patted her on the behind.

Yi Luowa rested for a while, joined the others for dinner in the estate, and returned to the Duke’s mansion afterward.

"No, but I can." Tong Airui tugged at her collar, peeking inside. "Let me see whose heart is worrying you."

"I don’t mind. After all, no matter where I go, I’m still a lone wolf," Ai Ni said, letting out a long sigh, her face full of despair.

"Hehe, you’re the best, Fourth Brother~" Yi Luowa said, leaning her face against his hand and playfully nuzzling it.

Yan Zi’s smile remained unyielding. "If you’re homesick, go stay there for a few days. Once you’ve had your fill, come over to our house for some fun. Lots of people there—it’s always lively."

Yi Luowa frowned, nodding. "Probably. They’re always so clumsy."

Yi Luowa, as though sensing something ominous, sprang upright and reached for the phone. It was a landline number from F Country!

Lan Ji shook her head. "No. I just feel like going home."

"Then you should come often. There’s not many people at home—a visit from you all would liven things up," Yi Luowa said with a grin. "How about staying overnight? Nobody leaves tonight."

Tong Airui walked over silently. He nudged Mi Chenxuan’s foot lightly with his own, prompting Mi Chenxuan to hurriedly stand up. Tong Airui sat Yi Luowa down in the spot Mi Chenxuan had been occupying before taking a seat next to her himself.

As he spoke, Tong Airui grabbed a footstool and carefully lifted Yi Luowa’s leg, resting it on top.

Yi Luowa pouted. "I don’t want her to look like me. I want her to look like you. Then, when you’re off on missions, I’ll stare at her and think of you."

Looking at her disgruntled expression, Tong Airui’s serious face finally softened into a smile. "I think it’s lovely!"

"Go back to your room—I don’t feel like talking to you anymore," Yi Luowa said with a huff, turning her back to him.

He repeated the question when she didn’t respond immediately. Only then did Yi Luowa snap out of it, gripping his arm tightly. "Fourth Brother, I suddenly feel so unsettled. Do you think something bad is about to happen?"

"Since Lan Ji wants to go, why don’t we all head back together? Your Uncle Wei Yang isn’t home yet, so staying might be inappropriate. Once Wei Yang returns, we can make plans to visit again," Tong Yao said with a smile, shooting her son an instructive glance. "Go and tell Uncle Li not to fuss; just make a few simple, homely dishes."

"You let me peek before, so what’s changed now?" Tong Airui joked, leaning closer.

"Seriously? You call me but end up hanging up. International calls are expensive, sure, but you don’t have to be this frugal!" Yi Luowa muttered to herself, redialing. "Why’s the phone turned off now?"

Tong Airui pinched her nose lightly, smiling. "Feel any better?"

"Then tomorrow we’ll visit a therapist," Tong Airui said, lying down beside her.

Lan Ji glanced over before dispassionately moving her gaze away.

"Yi Luowa, it’s Jast." Jast’s deep voice echoed from the other end.

Uncle Li rushed out. "Second floor, first room on the left after the stairs. Tong Airui Duke’s room is right next to yours... Where did everyone go?"

"Hmph!"

Sitting upright with a furrowed brow, Tong Airui strained to hear the nature of Jast’s late-night call.

Uncle Li had fresh tea brought out. "If Second Master were home and saw so many esteemed guests here, he’d surely be overjoyed!"

"It’s just a minor injury—nothing serious. This’ll do," Yi Luowa shook her head, aware that leaving to rest with so many guests around would be impolite.

"Uncle Li, please have a seat too," Yi Luowa said cheerfully to him.

Yi Luowa pressed a trembling hand over her chest and took a deep breath. "Senior, what’s going on—calling so late?"

"So small yet so temperamental!" Tong Airui laughed, biting her ear lightly.

Lan Ji responded with a blank stare and only a curt acknowledgment.

"Huo Li had an accident—it’s severe..."

"They’re watching animals in the backyard," Yi Luowa replied, pouting.

Tong Airui chuckled, "Let’s stay. We’ll head back after dinner."

"Not really!" Yi Luowa sulked, withdrawing her paw.

Everyone got up and followed her out the door.

Yi Luowa reached her hand up to rub his cheek, her voice calling out toward the kitchen: "Uncle Li, where’s my room?"

Tong Airui set her down on the bed and chuckled. "You don’t stay here long-term, so don’t stress Uncle Li over this. If you dislike it, just leave it for the kids. They’ll probably love it."

"Hello, Pig, missing me already?"

"I’ll go keep them company," Uncle Li said as he hurried off.

"Anywhere but the face. Tomorrow I’m heading to camp—if people see any marks, they’ll say I’ve married a tigress."

Yi Luowa laughed, pressing her hands to her chest. "You just want to tease me—you’re shameless!"

"Try my arm, leg... or worst case, I’ll even offer up my rear."

Tong Airui’s gaze darkened slightly as he gently rubbed her head. "Yi Luowa, I’m sorry."

Wrinkling her nose, Yi Luowa glanced around. "But it’s a princess-themed room. What if we have a son instead?"

Yan Zi teased her with a laugh, "Is your family calling to remind you to return?"

Tong Airui quickly scooted closer. "Don’t be mad. If you’d like, why don’t you vent by hitting me a few times?"

"Not your rear!"

Tong Airui reached for the phone. "Maybe they accidentally pressed the keypad."

"Mom, stay," Yi Luowa pleaded, holding Tong Yao’s hand, not wanting everyone to leave.

"They’re here too. They’re out back with Big Brother and Little Brother, watching the animals," Tong Yao replied with a laugh. "This place is perfect for retirement."

Tong Yao looked at her son.

Tong Airui pulled out the phone and handed it to her. Seeing the caller ID, Yi Luowa quickly pressed the answer button.

"Oh no, I’ll stay standing. You talk with everyone; I’ll go make arrangements for dinner," Uncle Li responded with a laugh. "Does anyone have dietary restrictions?"

Looking toward his mother, Tong Airui tilted his head. "Yi Luowa is right. Let’s just follow our host’s lead. If anyone gets bored, they can go to the garden to see the flowers and animals."

"Beep beep... beep beep..." The phone on Yi Luowa’s bedside table rang once more.

"I’ll head back in a bit," Lan Ji spoke coolly.

Seeing Tong Yao nod in agreement, Yi Luowa smiled and asked, "Where are Grandpa and Grandma? Didn’t they come along? Should we go pick them up?"

"Forget it. I’ll go on fewer assignments in the future and spend more time at home with you—then I won’t have to say those words as much."

Once the others were gone, a serious-faced Tong Airui scooped up Yi Luowa. Yi Luowa pouted, "You were fine earlier. Why the sudden mood shift?"

"It’s not you I’m mad at. I’m mad at myself," Tong Airui replied, his brows furrowed deeply. He blamed himself for failing to protect her.

"I’m here with you. I just called Second Uncle—everything is fine. What bad thing could possibly happen?" Tong Airui touched her forehead. "No fever... Should I call the Seventh Brother to have a look at you?"

"You’re still going through puberty?" Tong Airui joked.

"Yi Luowa has caused you so much trouble already, and you’ve been nothing but patient, yet you find a simple meal at the estate inconvenient!" Uncle Li, known for his forthrightness, was somewhat displeased to hear that Tong Yao was planning to leave.

"Do that again and I’ll call Mom!" Yi Luowa playfully bit his chin.

She tilted her head back to look at him. "Why are you apologizing?"

Yi Luowa stuck out her tongue. She had noticed the fresh dressing on her wound earlier and realized Tong Airui must have checked her injury while she was asleep. Since he hadn’t made a fuss, she’d assumed the matter had passed. Who knew he’d bring it up now?

"Is this your sense of aesthetics, Tong Airui?" Yi Luowa huffed, puffing her cheeks. "I’m redecorating. At the very least, these cartoon murals need to go."

"Why don’t I take everyone to the backyard to see the animals?" Tong Yao suggested, standing up and inviting the guests.

"Can he treat emotional distress?"

"Beep beep... beep beep..." Suddenly, Yi Luowa’s phone buzzed from inside Tong Airui’s pocket.

"Let me vent a little. Biting you makes me feel better," Yi Luowa teased, wrapping her arms around his neck while searching for another spot to start.

"Hello?" Her voice quivered as she cautiously asked, "Who’s calling?"

"Rawr—!" Yi Luowa clawed at the air, mimicking a tiger’s roar.

"Beep beep... beep beep..." Busy signal interrupted their call.

Yi Luowa didn’t catch a single word Jast said after that. Her hand shook, and the phone slipped onto the bed.