CHAPTER 163: CHAPTER 158 THIS OLD THING! (SECOND UPDATE)

Long Che noticed Tong Yao’s change in expression and quickly corrected himself, "No more anger, okay? Once we’ve visited Big Mouth, I’ll call Ni Lu."

Tong Yao shot him a glare.

Little Raindrop hooked her arm around Tong Yao’s and whispered, "Mom, let’s not stoop to Dad’s level. After visiting Uncle Big Mouth, you and Dad should head back. The hospital is full of gossip, it’s not convenient for you two to stay here."

"That old geezer! He’s still complaining to me about how your grand-uncle is no good, but honestly, he’s becoming more and more like him lately. A picky eater when it comes to sons-in-law—everything they do is wrong in his eyes."

"Mom, don’t stay upset," Monica joined in, smiling warmly. "My dad hasn’t said anything too bad. Even if he did say something, I wouldn’t take it to heart."

"He’s like this because of you all spoiling him!" Tong Yao shook her head helplessly.

Little Raindrop chuckled, "Grandma just said the other day that Dad’s spoiled because of you, Mom!"

Long Che watched the backs of his wife and children interacting and stormed over, grumbling, "Enough of this! Talking bad about me right in front of my face—are you planning a rebellion?"

"Rebellion? That’s nothing! We’re thinking of overthrowing you!" Tong Yao glanced back at him and laughed, "With the things you’ve done, how could you expect us not to talk about them?"

Seeing his wife’s cheerful expression return, Long Che smiled and caught up. "Our family values free speech—go ahead! Say whatever’s on your mind! I’m all ears."

"If you’d listened to me earlier, everything would be fine by now! Let’s visit Big Mouth first, then call Ni Lu. After that’s done, we can invite Luowa for dinner together."

"You’re the boss." Honestly, apart from the second suggestion, Long Che was pretty agreeable to everything else.

After visiting Big Mouth, Long Che called Ni Lu. Ni Lu explained that Shiqing’s wrist-cutting incident happened because the child accidentally sliced her wrist with a fruit knife.

Long Che found Ni Lu’s explanation quite satisfactory—it absolved him of any responsibility.

"Long Che, Shiqing was immature and caused you trouble. From now on, I’ll ensure she doesn’t interfere in any business you have with us," Ni Lu apologized sincerely.

"As long as she stays out of it, we can continue working together," Tong Yao nudged him from the side. Long Che glanced at his wife and continued, "Shiqing’s current state is ultimately your failure as a mother. You should reflect on that!"

"Sigh... I’ve been wondering myself how I raised a child like this."

Tong Yao saw that Long Che was on the verge of further criticizing Ni Lu, so she quickly snatched the phone from him, comforting Ni Lu for quite some time before finally hanging up.

"You’re always the good guy!" Long Che grumbled discontentedly.

Tong Yao ignored him and turned to Little Raindrop, saying, "It’s still early, let’s head to Luowa’s for a bit, I need to call your aunt."

Little Raindrop hesitated, "Mom, shouldn’t you check with Uncle Seven first?"

Tong Yao shook her head, exasperated, "Kaikai is such a slowpoke, he can’t give you a clear answer. I’ll check with your aunt first. If she’s onboard, she can discuss it with Kaikai."

Long Che pouted but extended his hand to grab hers. Together, they headed to Yi Luowa’s ward.

Yi Luowa was sitting on the couch panting heavily after tiring herself out carrying Duoduo. When she saw Long Che and Tong Yao walk in, she hurriedly stood up.

"Uncle, Auntie..."

"Child, why so formal? You’ve still got an injury on your leg—sit back down!" Tong Yao’s cheerful tone with her daughter-in-law transformed the moment she turned to her son. "Don’t you know Luowa is a patient? Why’d you let her carry Duoduo?"

Tong Airui leaned lazily against the headboard, "Mom, Luowa doesn’t let me touch Duoduo."

"Always with the excuses!" Tong Yao shook off Long Che’s hand and reached out to take Duoduo. The child whimpered and clung tightly to Yi Luowa’s neck.

"Auntie, I’ll keep playing with Duoduo for a bit. You and Uncle can sit down." Yi Luowa shifted position, smiling warmly.

After Monica helped her father- and mother-in-law sit down, she began coaxing her son, hoping to hold him. But this time, Duoduo waved his little hand and smacked his dad on the face.

Tong Airui chuckled, "Good! Hit him hard! If a child isn’t raised properly, it’s the father’s fault. Earlier, your son pulled my wife’s hair. Now it’s time for payback."

Monica’s mouth twitched as she grabbed both her son’s little hands, "Duoduo, don’t pull your auntie’s hair again, okay? You’re putting Dad in the line of fire here."

Yi Luowa laughed, "Don’t listen to Tong Airui’s nonsense. How much strength can a child have? It was just a gentle tug, it wouldn’t even hurt."

Tong Yao gazed at Yi Luowa, her laughter visible in her eyes and brows. Someone who loved children so much surely had a kind heart.

Tong Yao stood up and smiled at the group, "I’ll go make a call to your aunt. Luowa, pack up a bit, we’ll head out for dinner later."

"Got it!" Yi Luowa sweetly responded, "Auntie, go to the caregivers’ lounge; it’s quieter there."

Tong Yao smiled and nodded, then quickly made her way to the lounge. She pulled out her phone and conveyed Jimo Jiachen and Jimo Yixuan’s thoughts to Ning Mingxi, before asking, "Xixi, what do you think?"

"I don’t think it’s appropriate." Ning Mingxi’s voice sounded deep and somber on the other end of the call.

Tong Yao paused, "Why wouldn’t it be appropriate?"