"We’ve been caught! Retreat quickly before he cos over to deal with us." Tong Airui quickly shut down the computer, grabbed Yi Luowa, and bolted.
The others also scrambled to their feet, rushing out in a disorganized panic.
"Stop right there!" Who said Slowbro was slow? Even Tong Airui, the quickest to react, was caught red-handed this ti.
Tong Airui stopped and looked up at the entrance of the third floor.
Maizekai sauntered down leisurely, wrapped in a bath towel. "Ladies, have you seen enough? Do you need a clearer view?"
"We didn’t look!" Yi Luowa glanced at him. Truth be told, the brothers all had incredibly impressive physiques.
Tong Airui turned to shield Yi Luowa, glaring coldly at Maizekai. "Just a few pounds of flesh, huh? Could you stop embarrassing yourself?"
"Those few pounds of flesh, you all stared at for ages, didn’t you?" Maizekai swept a cold glance over everyone. "Fine, I’ll let you all have a good look today. But you’ll owe —get a plane; I’m heading back to Z Country."
Teng Aini chuckled. "Rare to see you get worked up. Alright, we’ll grant your wish. Put so clothes on, and a plane will be here soon to pick you up."
Maizekai snorted. "Putting on clothes will take one minute tops. Go arrange it. Next ti I find a hidden cara in my room, I swear I’ll strip down and give you all an eyeful—don’t co crying about getting an eye infection!"
"We’re not scared of infections—just afraid you’d refuse to strip!" Qiqi teased with a grin. "Hurry up and change! I’m worried on your behalf here—what if Shanshan and that guy hit it off? On such a late night, sparks could ignite, and then what?"
Maizekai’s eye twitched hard, and he sprinted upstairs.
Tong Airui chuckled and picked up his phone to arrange a plane for him.
After hanging up, Tong Airui rembered sothing and turned to look at Tong Aino. "Aino, did you tell him about the hospital matter?"
"At this critical juncture, how would he listen? Let’s wait until he sorts things out with Shanshan."
Connie tugged at his sleeve. "Why do you talk like that—’sorting things out with Shanshan’? It sounds so unpleasant."
"Fine, I’ll use a different word," Tong Aino replied with a grin.
Tong Airui shot him a look. "Take the proposal along; give him a bit of confidence to win Shanshan back."
Tong Aino imdiately nodded and hurried to his study.
Mi Chenshuo asked solemnly, "Will Old Seven co to Xiawu?"
"Hard to say, but I hope he does. If he cos, Aunt and Uncle can retire and move here. Our grand-uncle and grand-aunt will co too. That way, Mom won’t have to keep flying back and forth to Z Country."
"You seem to have forgotten soone," Mi Chenshuo said, smiling.
"Uncle Yehua? He’s a soldier, a nomad. He only visits a few tis a year. When he’s on leave, we’ll have him live here." Tong Airui rubbed his temples. "Maybe I’m oversimplifying things... But little by little, we’ll get there. I just can’t bear to see Mom growing older, still having to go back and forth."
Tong Yao stood at the bottom of the staircase. After hearing her son’s words, she felt touched, though she masked her emotions, stepping in with a smile. "I’m not old enough to be immobile yet. Still, thank you, my dear. By the way, I heard Kaikai yelling about heading back earlier—what happened?"
Teng Aini quickly summarized what had transpired.
Tong Yao’s face lit up. "What a silly boy—finally seeing the light."
Teng Aini pouted. "Though Old Seven’s finally coming around, you have to keep my aunt in check. Don’t let her ddle again."
"If Kaikai’s finally certain, I’ll definitely talk to her." Tong Yao chatted with the kids for a while until Maizekai rushed back downstairs.
"Impressive speed!" Yi Luowa gave him a thumbs-up with a laugh.
Maizekai strolled over, grinning. "When I need speed, I’m faster than anyone. Just because I was born a few hours later than them, I’ve been calling them big brother and sister for twenty-sothing years. This ti, I’ll make sure YOUR kids call MY son ’Big Brother!’"
"Better win her back first!" Tong Aino handed him a folder. "Review this on your way back."
"Got it; then I’m off." Maizekai smiled, hugging Tong Yao. "Aunt, sorry for troubling you these past few days. Once I’ve won Shanshan back, I’ll bring her here to see you."
"Silly boy, go quickly! We’re waiting for your good news," Tong Yao said, patting his shoulder with a smile.
Maizekai dashed off like the wind—this was the fastest he’d ever moved in his twenty-four years.
On the plane, Maizekai read through the proposal for establishing a comprehensive hospital in Xiawu. He didn’t have the bandwidth to think much about it now, but when he first looked at the docunt, gratitude filled his heart.
Blood is thicker than water. This is brotherhood—without a word from him, they knew why he had been hesitant to accept Shanshan.
After over five hours of flight, the plane finally landed at midnight. Maizekai didn’t waste a mont as he rushed straight to the hospital. Shanshan had hung up earlier, saying she’d be on the night shift.
The hallway looked the sa as before, yet tonight it seed endless. Maizekai wished he could fly straight into Shanshan’s office.
Closer! Closer still!
The person just ahead—wasn’t that Shanshan?
Shanshan saw him too, montarily stunned as he hurried toward her with such urgency.
Her montary hesitation was all it took—Maizekai was already in front of her. Without a word, he grabbed her hand and pulled her into her office.
"I need to go to the ICU!" Though joy filled Shanshan’s heart, her face remained calm as she looked at him.
Maizekai suddenly cupped her face and leaned in, pressing his lips against hers.
Shanshan’s eyes widened in shock—she never expected Maizekai to be so reckless.
Maizekai had a myriad of words he wanted to say, yet his lips couldn’t bear to part from hers. After an extended mont, he reluctantly moved his lips to her ear.
"Shanshan, let’s get married," he whispered, his voice as light as a dream.
"What did you say?" Shanshan froze entirely—this couldn’t be real, could it? Was he proposing?
"I said—I want—to marry—you!" Maizekai enunciated each word clearly.
Shanshan’s knees buckled almost entirely.
Maizekai caught her, pulling her into an embrace. "I ca back too quickly to get a ring. But tomorrow, I’ll get the ring and flowers ready. I’ll propose to you again in front of the entire hospital."
Shanshan felt overwheld with emotion—she wanted to cry. "Maizekai..."
Maizekai pressed a finger to her lips, gently whispering, "Shh—don’t say anything that might ruin this mont... Though, sothing needs addressing—where’s that guy? Did you send him away? If not, let handle it."
Shanshan buried her face in his chest, sobbing. "Maizekai, you’re my first and will be my last. Let all other n go to hell!"
Maizekai shook his head.
Shanshan looked at him in confusion.
Maizekai spoke solemnly, "We’ll pledge for at least two lifetis—next ti I et you, I’ll make sure I fall in love with you first."
Tears stread down Shanshan’s cheeks. "Since when did you beco so eloquent?"
Maizekai quickly wiped her tears, smiling. "I’ve been eloquent for ages—just never had the right mont since we t. My tiny reserve of talent went entirely unnoticed. Shanshan, can you forgive ?"
Shanshan pressed her lips together. "I never blad you."
"That’s good." Maizekai took her hand and started toward the door.
"Maizekai, where are you going?" Shanshan asked in puzzlent.
Maizekai glanced back. "I’m going to find that guy you had a blind date with. I’ll tell him you belong to —and he better get lost, as far as possible!"
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