CHAPTER 235: CHAPTER 223: TRIMMING NAILS (THIRD UPDATE)

Yi Luowa and Tong Airui returned home. The atmosphere was a little tense, but come on, this is Yi Luowa we’re talking about—her sweet little mouth worked wonders, and soon enough, she had the two angry men smiling again.

Tong Airui looked at his wife with concern. She wasn’t feeling great herself, yet she still had to cheer up her grandpa and dad.

"Nosy Brother~"

Yi Luowa turned her head and grinned. "Good timing—I’m just wrapping up."

The normally reserved factory supervisor jumped out and rushed over to Yi Luowa.

"Nail art damages nails. You look perfectly fine like this—don’t try to emulate other women’s trivial pursuits." Tong Airui firmly held her hand and snipped one nail off decisively.

Soon, they arrived. Just as Yi Luowa was about to step out of the car, Tong Airui stopped her abruptly. She looked at him, puzzled, and he gestured towards a car parked ahead.

"One more slip, and I’ll clip your skin!"

Yi Luowa smiled warmly. "I’m honored to help. You don’t need to thank me."

Yi Luowa pondered briefly. "Does Xiawu have hotpot?"

Yi Luowa was sprawled out on the bed and turned her head to glance at him. "What are you muttering about?"

Tong Yao rolled her eyes playfully. "Luowa’s been feeling unwell these past few days—her face is practically snow white! Honestly, you’re a piece of work. If you’d just stop meddling, Luowa would’ve been resting by now."

Tong Airui smiled knowingly. "If it succeeds, I’ll sign a major contract with PCW."

Tong Airui raised an eyebrow slightly. "I’ll do my best!"

Yi Luowa slumped back onto the pillow in defeat. "You work, I study—how am I supposed to stick with you?"

"Nosy Brother, doesn’t your face drive a ton of girls crazy?" Yi Luowa pouted sulkily.

As for what was placed in the drawer, Tong Airui only discovered it when he went searching for a nail clipper. A drawer packed full of ’tao-tao,’ courtesy of some "well-meaning" soul.

Yi Luowa cheerily pulled Connie aside and whispered, "How was it yesterday? Did Fifth Tong behave himself?"

Yi Luowa paused. "In the same company all day, and not one sighting? Where did he stick you?"

Long Che frowned in confusion. What did she mean, "doesn’t need it for now"?

After a moment of deliberation, Yi Luowa burst into laughter. "Nosy Brother, what do you think my future aunt will be like? I’m kind of looking forward to it—but Second Uncle doesn’t seem interested."

"Nosy Brother, if this works, order some parts from PCW—they deserve recognition too."

Connie pouted. "In the finance department; I was swamped."

Everyone understood the implied message: From now on, don’t bother them with household matters.

Yi Luowa shook her head helplessly. That girl—can’t she be assertive once in a while?

"Alright."

"When I need to get things done, everyone sabotages me. When I don’t need to, they give me this stuff!" Tong Airui grabbed the nail clipper and slammed the drawer shut.

Long Che pursed his lips defiantly. Not sure who’s being troublesome here—him or that old man surnamed Teng.

"But I was saving them for nail art! Cutting them short will make them ugly." Yi Luowa pouted as she tried to retract her hand.

The supervisor, noticeably emotional, said, "Engineer Yi, you’ve been a tremendous help. We’ve never seen a shock absorption system like this before—you’re incredible!"

"When the time is right, feelings will naturally arise." Tong Airui let go of her hand and moved to the other side of the bed to grab her other hand.

"Your stomach doesn’t hurt anymore?" Tong Airui squinted slightly.

Yi Luowa examined her freshly trimmed nails. "Not bad craftsmanship—just a tad short and ugly."

Yi Luowa stared at him without blinking. His side profile was sharp and well-defined, enough to make hearts skip beats.

"Nothing. Give me your kitty paw."

"Wahhh... You’re so annoying! I want to go back to the hospital!" Yi Luowa kicked the edge of the bed with her little feet.

"Why?" Yi Luowa eyed the nail clipper in his hand and quickly tucked her hand under her body.

Before drifting off, Yi Luowa mumbled, "Why hasn’t anyone knocked on the door today?"

Tong Airui gently wiped the dust off her face. "We’ll have the test driver handle it—you go wash up. I’m taking you to lunch."

The test driver quickly drove the car out for testing, with the factory supervisor riding along. Everyone waited nervously at a safe distance.

Yi Luowa let out a small grunt. "You’re fresher than any handsome boy. You should be worried about me."

Yi Luowa locked the final piece into place and wriggled out. "Admit it: it was the right call. I’ll drive it out for testing soon."

The factory supervisor pointed under a car, "Captain, Engineer Yi is beneath the car."

Once he finished trimming, the two continued chatting until ten o’clock, finally falling asleep wrapped in each other’s arms.

Long Che watched the couple go upstairs and lowered his voice to ask Tong Yao, "Did you put the stuff in their drawer?"

"Mm, talking this through is the right move."

Yi Luowa gave a bashful smile. "You’ve all worked with me all morning. Go eat—I’m leaving too."

"What about Second Uncle? If I go to you, can I still come home every day?"

"I don’t want financial control!" Seeing Tong Aino’s impatient look from the car, Connie quickly bid farewell to Yi Luowa and hopped into the vehicle.

"That’s the perfect length."

Yi Luowa buried her head in the pillow, struggling for an answer.

"Fourth Brother’s alright, but you? You’re the real worry. First time at Shenying, and people were already gawking at you. When you start school, there’ll be plenty of handsome boys; I’m seriously concerned." Tong Airui began trimming her second nail, unfazed.

Tong Airui chuckled. "Are you worried you’ve gained skills but can’t help your second uncle out? Feeling guilty? Actually, he’s still young—only in his early forties. Now that he’s got back on his feet, he can accomplish plenty. Who knows, he might marry and start a family sometime. When that happens, help will appear naturally. If it comes to that, you can assist him during your free time."

"If you’re worried, just stick by my side constantly."

Yi Luowa climbed into the car, puffing her cheeks. "Nosy Brother, why doesn’t Fifth Tong talk like you? He’s so irritating."

Applause erupted across the factory.

"Because they know better." In the dark, Tong Airui ground his teeth silently.

"Letting you handle this was a mistake." Tong Airui braced his hands against the ground, gazing down at her.

Yi Luowa stared at her hand, pained. "You’re so nosy, man! Is there anything you *don’t* meddle in?"

"Can I check the results first and then eat?" Yi Luowa eagerly awaited the outcome.

"Connie can handle it. You just pretend you don’t see him." Tong Airui reached over to tousle her hair lovingly. "Since you’re not feeling well, just give instructions at the factory today."

Although Yi Luowa agreed, the moment Tong Airui dropped her off at the factory and headed to Shenying Headquarters, she threw his advice out the window, donned her work attire, and spent the entire morning tinkering with parts.

"It’s ’Fourth Brother,’ not ’Nosy Brother.’" Tong Airui corrected her pronunciation.

"We’re past the usual lunch hour here—I’ll take you out to eat. What do you want?" Tong Airui glanced at her.

With Tong Airui leading the way, Yi Luowa headed to the changing room. After switching out of her work clothes, they left the factory together.

"Engineer Yi, thank you so much!"

Yi Luowa chuckled. "Keep at it—Fifth Tong must be thinking of handing over the keys to the finances."

"Still, take care of yourself."

"I need to talk this over with Second Uncle," Yi Luowa replied dully.

Tong Airui shot her a sidelong glance before continuing to trim her nails and carefully smooth the edges afterward.

While they spoke, the car returned. Before the supervisor even stepped out, both he and the driver flashed dual thumbs-up.

Tong Airui frowned and walked over, noticing Yi Luowa lying under the vehicle, busy tinkering away. He crouched down and tapped her leg, displeased.

Yi Luowa glanced at her filthy workwear and nodded reluctantly.

Next morning, after breakfast, the two headed out alongside Tong Aino and Connie.

"It didn’t hurt, but now you’ve made me so mad it’s starting again!"

"You can intern with me. Just one year left—let’s both power through it."

"My Nosy Brother is the best!" Yi Luowa rested her head on his chest. "But the system needs my touch to align properly. I’m fine now—not the least bit uncomfortable today."

"Just one more part. Wait a bit longer." Yi Luowa avoided his hand and sped up.

"Though the factory is under Shenying, it operates differently. Eight-hour workdays—you’ll have plenty of free time otherwise. Also, you can wear your Shenying uniform while doing work fit for a white-collar job."

Connie wrinkled her nose. "Didn’t see him all day. Even if he was putting on a show, I wouldn’t have noticed."

Yi Luowa grinned, nodding enthusiastically. "Yup! Just feeling rebellious today!"

Tong Yao gave him an exasperated look. "I live with one question: You’re the father-in-law—why do you care about such things? Anyway, yes, I put it in. But your son doesn’t need it for now!"

"Your nails are too long. First, it’s unhygienic. Second, if you’re working tomorrow and they break, you’ll hurt yourself." Tong Airui scooted to sit on the edge of the bed and pulled out one of her hands.

At noon, Tong Airui came by to pick her up for lunch but couldn’t find her anywhere.

Tong Airui chuckled, instructing the driver, "To Hot Pot City."

The supervisor took a step forward and said to Tong Airui, "Captain, talents like her—do whatever it takes to keep her onboard."

Tong Airui relented, calling over a test driver. "Let him test it—no need for you to change clothes. It’d be a hassle."

Tong Airui smiled and waved her over. "Let’s go. The shock absorbers have arrived."

Tong Airui couldn’t help but laugh. "Hotpot in this heat?"

"That fast? Didn’t you rest all morning?" Tong Airui leaned down, trying to pull her out from under the car.

Finally, the storm clouds lifted for the day. Tong Airui pulled her upstairs, and as they went, he left a parting remark, "Luowa’s going to help me refine the car’s shock absorption issue. We won’t be coming back for the next few days; we’ll stay at the camp."

Yi Luowa followed his gaze, and her jaw dropped in surprise.