CHAPTER 225: CHAPTER 214: PRETENTIOUS! (THIRD UPDATE)

"Such empty words!" Tong Airui lowered his eyes, looking at the little troublemaker snuggling into his arms.

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Yi Luowa clung tightly to his neck and said earnestly, "Doesn’t matter if you miss me or not. I miss you!"

Tong Airui held her hand with a chuckle and turned to Yi Weiyang. "Second uncle, I’ll bring Luowa back a bit later."

Before Tong Airui could respond, Yi Luowa had already dashed into the store.

"Have I ever picked on you?" Tong Airui glanced at her sideways, kicked the door open with his foot, and carried her inside.

Yi Luowa pointed at her eyes. "This one, and this one—both of them!"

"Finally wrapped up this stretch. Without Yuan Hang around, it’s been a bit of an adjustment," Tong Airui said, pulling her to sit down. "How was your first day at school?"

Yi Luowa made a face at her second uncle. "I know what you’re really saying: Hurry and leave. Don’t ever come back. You’ve got Huo Li here keeping you company anyway."

Yi Luowa pursed her lips. "I’ll let you have them."

"Then I take it back!" Yi Luowa huffed and pulled out her own card, winking at the sales clerk. "Sister! Look how cute I am—you’ve got to sell me those figurines!"

"But Shiqing is Shiqing, and Auntie Ni Lu is Auntie Ni Lu. Isn’t it a bit unfair to treat them the same?"

Watching her stomp out, Yi Weiyang shook his head helplessly. "My only worry is that she’ll behave the same way at her in-laws’ place. She’s great in every other way—just refuses to grow up."

"Go on. If it gets too late, just have her stay at your place. No need to run around at night—it’s not safe." Yi Weiyang waved a hand, smiling.

Yi Luowa hopped out of the car first and said to Tong Airui, "Fourth brother, since you don’t like shopping, I’ll go by myself."

The other voice belonged to a middle-aged woman dressed in a fiery red knee-length dress with voluminous chestnut-colored curls, radiating an air of elegance.

The woman tilted her head, smiling at Yi Luowa’s conflicted expression. "You look so clever. Why don’t you come up with a solution?"

"Then why are you upset with me?"

Yi Weiyang couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation. "Your legs, ah, only start hurting when you see Airui!"

"Then it must be me treating you poorly?" Tong Airui asked with a wounded expression.

Yi Weiyang laughed, giving his leg a light punch. "You just have to tough it out. Being able to stand again gives you such a great perspective. For that feeling alone, I’ll keep going."

Yi Luowa pouted and stared at him intently without blinking.

Yi Luowa stuck out her lip. "My fourth brother told me to ask! As if I want to bring stuff for you guys. Hmph~ I’m off. Don’t miss me! If I sneeze, I’ll come back and give you both a hard time."

Yi Luowa grinned and walked over. The craftsmanship and quality were impeccable. But most importantly, the little figurines were adorable, complete with dimples etched into their cheeks.

"Hahaha... So that’s what you were thinking!" The woman laughed, placing her card on the counter. "I’m just straightforward like that. You said I could have them, so I took it seriously."

"Little girl, are you sure? If so, I’ll go ahead and buy them," the woman said, pulling out a bank card. This little girl was quite amusing—so reluctant, yet so quick to give in. She had expected to argue for it, but this was unexpectedly easy.

"What dad decides, if mom can’t override him, then none of us can." Tong Airui ruffled her hair. "Old Seven and Shanshan are leaving soon. Do you have time to see them off? If not, I’ll talk to them—they’ll understand."

"I... I swore to you, I wouldn’t compete for second uncle’s attention. I’m leaving now!" With that, Yi Luowa walked out, only to rush back a moment later. "You two, want anything to eat? I’ll bring it back for you."

Tong Airui glanced at her—still staring. He glanced again—still staring!

Tong Airui brushed her forehead with his own and laughed. "You’re a child yourself, yet you’re calling others kids!"

"Auntie... Or, uh, sister," Yi Luowa said with an awkward grin. "You’ve got your eye on this pair too?"

Huo Li nodded firmly. "Second uncle, I will. Don’t worry about me. I’ll live a life worth living!"

"I wasn’t mad at second uncle!" Yi Luowa pouted once more. "He’s so good to me. How could I be so ungrateful as to get mad at him?"

Yi Luowa laughed and nodded, then noticed Kou’er still standing nearby. She smiled and said, "Don’t corrupt the child. Let’s go inside."

The woman smiled. "Well, what do you suggest?"

Huo Li laughed. "I’ve tried to keep my presence to a minimum, yet you’re still dragging me into the chaos?"

This jade shop clearly had a long history. Yi Luowa looked around, searching for the perfect gift for Maizekai and Jimo Shanshan.

Yi Luowa tilted her head at him. "Doesn’t that make you someone who picks on buds just about to bloom?"

"Go for it, second uncle!" Yi Luowa clung to Tong Airui for a bit longer before jumping down on her own. "Fourth brother, are you less busy today?"

Tong Airui laughed and pulled her hand down. "You must’ve gotten upset with second uncle and now you’re taking it out on me! Alright, my bad. From now on, whatever you say goes."

"A little rich girl, through and through!" Tong Airui laughed, naming a jade shop. Dapeng quickly drove them there.

"You’ve already sent off several sports cars. What’s there to feel bad about? Besides, they helped you because of me. Any favor owed is mine to repay, not yours." Tong Airui, itching for some alone time, was reluctant to waste it on shopping.

Suppressing his laughter, Dapeng nodded. "Where to?"

"But my legs hurt," Yi Luowa turned her head toward her second uncle.

A pair of emerald-green jade figurines!

Yi Luowa puffed up indignantly and grabbed her backpack. "Fourth brother, did you hear that? Do I even have a place in this family anymore? Mr. Yi Weiyang has officially started to dislike me!"

"I’m not sure. Maybe we can ask the clerk if there’s another pair?" Yi Luowa turned to look at the sales assistant.

Tong Airui nodded. "If you’ve decided, we’ll go there. But, do you even know jade?"

"Pretty good. I could leave the hospital anytime now."

"Tong Airui, you don’t love me anymore! You weren’t like this before," Yi Luowa accused dramatically.

Before Yi Luowa could respond, her second uncle beat her to it. "She’s only here to irritate me. Useless for anything else. You might as well take her away."

"Miss, I’ll take this pair. Please wrap them up."

Seeing she was actually going through with it, Yi Luowa pouted. "Of course I’m not sure. I was thinking, if I showed such generosity, you’d match it and say: ’Never mind, I’ll let you have them.’ But no, you’re really not holding back!"

"Find a jade shop. Gifts from there will make a good impression," Yi Luowa suggested, consulting Tong Airui.

Tong Airui kicked the back of his seat in mock anger. "As my driver, the first rule is ’hear no car gossip!’"

Tong Airui glanced at her. "How’s your recovery the past few days?"

"Mm." Huo Li lowered her gaze and softly responded.

The clerk shook her head apologetically. "Miss, this jade piece is one-of-a-kind, crafted by a master. There’s only one."

Yi Luowa’s voice overlapped with that of another customer. They both looked at each other in surprise.

Yi Luowa pouted and held out her hand to Tong Airui. "Alright then. Take my hand and lead me away!"

Yi Weiyang sighed and gently patted her hand. "Child, this world is fair. When it closes one door, it opens another. And that door will be even wider. Listen to your uncle—forget the past and start fresh. You’re still young. The best days are ahead of you."

"Seriously? You’re going to someone else’s place for food and then bring takeout back home? Is that even okay?" Huo Li gave her an exasperated look.

Huo Li, lying on the bed, watched the two and couldn’t help but smile.

Yi Luowa blinked innocently. "You’re good to me too."

"Fine, fine! I’ll go with you, alright?" Tong Airui pressed a finger to her pouting lips. "You’re impossible!"

Tong Airui couldn’t help but laugh. "Which eye of yours saw that I don’t love you?"

Tong Airui smiled. "Second uncle, it’s fine. She weighs less than my sniper rifle anyway."

Tong Airui turned to Yi Weiyang. "Second uncle, the prosthesis adjustment phase must be tough. Don’t push it too hard. Take your time."

Tong Airui laughed and stood up. "Second uncle’s teasing you! Don’t act like a child."

"Too strict. Not fun at all," Yi Luowa sighed. "Oh, by the way, fourth brother, mom said Auntie Ni Lu came, but dad won’t let her go to the Duke’s mansion and even stopped mom from visiting Auntie Ni Lu."

"Miss, how much for this pair of jade figurines?"

Yi Weiyang, seeing the two of them come in like this, was both amused and annoyed. "Airui’s been working hard all day. As soon as he gets back, you’re clinging to him. Come down already!"

Tong Airui mimicked her gesture, pointing to his own eyes. "This one, and this one—both of them saw it!"

"Nope! Just buy the most expensive ones. That’s never wrong," Yi Luowa said, laughing cheekily.

"Don’t rush to get discharged," Tong Airui said, clearly disagreeing. "Make sure you fully recover so you don’t leave any lasting problems."

Tong Airui chuckled as he lifted her up. "Haven’t had me carry you these past few days. Feeling a bit unused to it?"

"Sister, I’ve fallen for them too. What should we do?" Yi Luowa scrunched her little face in mock distress.

"They’ve done so much for me. It’d be rude of me not to show some gratitude," Yi Luowa said, pouting.

The woman looked at the lively young girl in front of her with unconcealed amusement, her eyes lighting up with admiration. Smiling, she said, "Yes, I’ve been eyeing them for a while. Only this pair seems presentable as a gift."

"Which eye of yours saw me upset?" Yi Luowa squinted her eyes playfully, a hint of danger in her gaze.

"Yes, yes! Dapeng, just focus on the outside noise," Yi Luowa joined in, laughing.

"Then just go along with what dad says." Tong Airui smiled. Their dad sure was reliable—if it were him, he’d do the same.

"Second uncle, don’t worry. She knows how to adapt. She only acts like this in front of us." Huo Li’s eyes suddenly dimmed. "Same with me. Only in front of you and Luowa am I truly myself."

"Pfft—" Dapeng, who was driving, burst out laughing.

While the two in the hospital room were discussing future plans, the duo in the car was talking about the present. Yi Luowa said she wanted to buy gifts for Shanshan and Old Seven before they left, but Tong Airui argued it wasn’t necessary.

Tong Airui arrived to find Yi Luowa trying to charm the sales clerk. He shook his head helplessly, walked up, and picked up the woman’s bank card. "My wife is already pulling out all the stops here. Could you really bear it?"