CHAPTER 197: CHAPTER 188: TROUBLE, A FIGHT IS BREWING! (FIRST UPDATE)

"This isn’t a good idea, is it?" Connie hesitated before speaking.

"It’s nothing illegal. We’re just trying to figure out what Tong Aino’s real intentions are. If he doesn’t have you in his heart, we’ll stop wasting energy thinking about him!" Yi Luowa playfully patted Connie’s shoulder with Duoduo’s little hand.

Tong Yao bristled at this. "That kid! Long Che, you need to rein him in. Connie’s a princess from Raman, for goodness sake. How could he be so rude to her?"

You Jia held her hand tightly. "For you, it’s worth it. We’re almost over this hurdle anyway. Just hang on a little longer. Whatever Uncle Che says about me, promise me you won’t defend me—it’ll only make him more unhappy."

"What are you two whispering about? Tong Airui’s here. Mom sent me to call you down for dinner." Ai Ni pushed the door open and walked in.

The moment Tong Aino heard this, his eyes widened. "Your room’s been turned into storage. There’s no place for you to sleep!"

"Can’t figure it out," Maize Kaikai shrugged, turning to Connie. "If I can’t figure it out, I won’t bother thinking about it. No sense straining my brain. Let me take you for a walk—post-meal walks can add years to your life."

"Hey, Seventh Brother’s here!" Connie went straight to Maize Kaikai as she descended the stairs.

Tong Aino’s fists clenched. If his parents weren’t there, he’d have hit him.

"Not at all. Kaikai knows better than anyone else what’s going on." Ai Ni, unafraid of stirring the pot, encouraged Connie. After the three of them finalized their plan, they headed downstairs with Duoduo.

Duoduo twisted around to look at Ai Ni, his lips trembling as if he were about to cry.

You Jia quickly let go of her hand. "Uncle Che, I mean, maybe it’s better to let Fifth Brother figure things out on his own. If everyone keeps talking at him, it might backfire."

"Half a month. If you feel like you’re not done exploring, I can extend my leave," Maize Kaikai smiled while picking up his chopsticks. "Getting used to using these?"

Meanwhile, Yi Luowa’s eyes darted back and forth—first at Tong Aino’s blackened expression, then at Connie and Maize Kaikai, who were joyfully preparing to head out. She occasionally exchanged amused glances with Ai Ni.

"Isn’t that why I’m here? If he causes a scene, I’ll deal with him!"

Ai Ni nodded with a smile after listening. "Go for it!"

"Haha! Even Duoduo knows you’re a fool," Ai Ni teased, pinching Duoduo’s chubby cheeks. "Whenever he sees his aunt, he clings to her. If his fourth uncle were home right now, he’d be complaining incessantly!"

"Fool! Blub blub blub..." Duoduo puckered his lips and made bubbling noises.

"Grandma’s old room. From there, you can see the garden—not good!" Ai Ni said, grabbing You Jia’s hand and sprinting out. "Dad, Mom, hurry up—Fifth Brother might go after Seventh Brother!"

"Duoduo, be good, don’t cry. Auntie’s just teasing you." Yi Luowa smiled and patted his little bottom soothingly.

Connie smiled warmly and sat next to him. "Seventh Brother, did Shanshan’s leg get treated yet?"

Tong Yao slightly raised her brow. Her son was about to start trouble again. "No, we didn’t."

"Who are you calling a fool?!" Ai Ni glared at him.

"Yes, our habits back home are quite similar to those here," Connie said with a smile, aware that Tong Aino’s eyes had been fixated on her and Maize Kaikai the whole time. But she remained unfazed; Yi Luowa and Ai Ni’s advice resonated—test him. If he truly gets upset, that’s even better. He deserves a taste of his own medicine after all the criticism.

"Someone asked Connie for her number today, and Ai Ni got upset. On the way home, Ai Ni didn’t stop berating Connie. She was heartbroken—I saw she had already packed her suitcase when I went upstairs." Yi Luowa angrily reenacted Tong Aino’s scolding of Connie.

"It’s not him I’m worried about... It’s about hurting someone."

Ai Ni pouted but followed You Jia out of the dining room.

"Not on duty," Maize Kaikai replied after a pause. "My parents are working overnight, so I’ll be staying here tonight."

Tong Yao shook her head in resignation. "You Jia, just ignore him! He’s going through menopause."

"I know. He’s just annoyed and wants me gone. But..." Maize Kaikai adjusted his glasses and looked at Tong Aino. "Fifth Brother, why suddenly annoyed with me? Could it be I held Connie’s hand earlier? No, that can’t be it. Judging from your attitude toward Connie, you don’t seem interested in her."

.

Though Maize Kaikai clearly noticed Fifth Brother’s grim face, he completely ignored the mood and cheerfully said to Connie, "Connie, I didn’t have the time to accompany you in Imperial City, but once we’re in Xiawu, I’ll show you around properly."

As Connie and Maize Kaikai left, Tong Aino yanked off his napkin and stormed out.

Tong Aino glanced around, left and right. Why was everyone opposing him today?

Tong Yao watched them suspiciously and asked in a hushed tone, "Are you pulling off some kind of act here?"

You Jia hastily released Ai Ni’s hand and made way for him.

The moment he exited, Ai Ni and Yi Luowa finally burst into laughter.

"Sounds great. Thanks, Seventh Brother," Connie replied warmly. "How long are you off work this time?"

"What’s wrong?" Ai Ni asked, confused. "Having pretty women dine with you, and you’re still unhappy?"

"I think you’re the fool here—head tucked in but leaving your butt hanging out!" Ai Ni smirked and gave his tiny backside a playful pat.

You Jia shook his head.

Connie chuckled, "Seventh Brother, you do have a way with words."

You Jia instantly fell silent.

Ai Ni glanced up at her dad, and You Jia, seeing she was about to speak, quickly grabbed her. "We’re all done eating—let’s go talk outside."

Tong Aino was seething, holding his breath!

"Ahem!" Long Che cleared his throat and stepped into the hallway.

Seeing her son storm off, Tong Yao hurriedly called everyone to the dinner table.

Long Che raised a brow slightly. "This son of mine—nothing like me!"

Yi Luowa and Ai Ni exchanged a glance and almost burst out laughing. Connie had barely said two sentences to Maize Kaikai, and Tong Aino was already fuming. This was only the beginning!

Tong Yao’s lips twitched as she glanced at Long Che. "Aren’t you going to check on your idiotic son before he starts hitting Kaikai?"

You Jia smiled graciously and watched as Yi Luowa came out carrying Duoduo. He reached out to take Duoduo, who immediately pouted and uttered one word: "Fool!"

Tong Yao exchanged glances with Long Che, and the couple’s puzzled expressions fell on their second son’s face. What was going on here? Could it be that Connie was shifting her affections towards Kaikai now?

"Mhm!" Yi Luowa covered her mouth, giggling. "Today’s stand-in actor is surprisingly convincing."

Mi Chenshuo chuckled. He’d figured out the day’s drama perfectly. "Don’t listen to your Fifth Brother, old Seven. Your room’s still available."

You Jia chuckled and shook his head. "Let Uncle Che scold me all he wants—it doesn’t cost me anything. If I go stay at a hotel, I won’t get to see you. After tomorrow’s military parade, I’ll have to leave. Let me spend a little more time with you."

You Jia tugged at her hand under the table.

Long Che shook his head. "No matter how angry he gets, he wouldn’t hurt his own brother. Letting him stew for a bit isn’t bad. I always thought Connie meant nothing to him, but with just one meal, he’s exposed himself."

"Will Kaikai get hurt?" Connie asked apprehensively.

Ai Ni glanced at him.

Maize Kaikai patted the seat beside him leisurely. "Sit."

"Is that why, when we kept saying you and Ni’er wouldn’t work out, you clung to her even harder?" Long Che snorted with displeasure.

Connie mulled it over and timidly asked, "What if things escalate? How do we manage it?"

"Where did your Fifth Brother come from?" Yi Luowa asked in confusion.

Ai Ni chuckled. "Totally. If I didn’t know Seventh Brother well, I’d think he actually liked Connie! My Fifth Brother’s ridiculously caught up in it, though. He hasn’t even realized Seventh Brother’s just trying to provoke him."

Yi Luowa sat nearby observing, clearly pleased with herself. Tong Aino, let’s see how long you can keep this up!

"With you two around, I could eat two extra bowls," Tong Aino muttered through clenched teeth. When he looked away from his sister’s face, he saw Connie seated across from him, next to Maize Kaikai. His expression darkened immediately.

Maize Kaikai smirked slightly. "Not sure. I dropped her off at the vet and came straight over."

"Terrible food. If my brother were here, he’d flip the table," Tong Aino said, leaning slightly towards Maize Kaikai. "You on duty tonight?"

"Dad, Mom, Grandpa’s judgment wouldn’t have been wrong. If Connie weren’t good enough, he wouldn’t have introduced her to Fifth Brother. Connie clearly cares about him! Otherwise, with his attitude, she’d have run away long ago. After Old Seven’s stunt, I bet Fifth Brother can finally figure out his feelings. You two should nudge him a bit more—it’ll work out for sure!" Ai Ni puffed up her cheeks. "Honestly, my Fifth Brother’s such an idiot!"

Yi Luowa leaned close and whispered a few words in her ear, then asked, "What do you think?"

In the hall, Ai Ni whispered, "Staying at my house makes my dad give you attitude. Should I book you a hotel instead?"

Tong Aino was the first to enter the dining room, sitting in his usual spot. Normally, Tong Airui sat beside him, but this time Yi Luowa took the seat without hesitation. Ai Ni’s spot was next, but Connie’s arrival had shifted things; Ai Ni graciously gave her seat to Connie last time. However, today Ai Ni seemed to "forget" and boldly sat down.

A gust of wind swept past them from behind, and Yi Luowa froze. Before she could turn around, Tong Aino had already stormed out the door.

Long Che strode confidently between them without breaking pace.

"Blub blub... Fool!" Duoduo buried his face in Yi Luowa’s shoulder.

Without raising his head, Tong Aino could feel everyone’s eyes on him. He lifted his gaze, looked at each of them, and said, "Do I have an extravagant feast on my face? Hungry? Go eat!"

The meal was full of lively conversation and laughter—except for Tong Aino, who found every bite tasteless. "Did we change chefs today?"

Connie laughed and nodded. "Seventh Brother’s right."

Long Che looked over and frowned. "Speak up if you have something to say! Enough with the silent gestures!"

"You Jia..." Ai Ni pursed her lips apologetically. "I’m sorry you’ve had to put up with this."

Tong Yao shot to her feet, but Long Che pulled her back. "Let them sort it out!"