"That hospital was too basic, just one delivery room. With only a curtain separating us, I was screaming on one side, and a woman on the other side was screaming too. I thought to myself, if other people can give birth here, so can I."
Yi Luowa froze. Could it be that the woman behind the curtain was her biological mother?
"Mom, your mory is really good. You rember things from so many years ago." Yi Luowa softened her tone, intending to gather more useful information.
"It was my first ti giving birth, with no one by my side, and the conditions were so difficult. I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life."
"Mom, you said no one was with you. Was there no one with the woman giving birth alongside you either?"
"She should’ve had soone with her. You and that child were born less than three minutes apart. I still rember the doctor complaining, saying ’How did you both end up giving birth at the sa ti? I can’t handle it,’ and calling in that woman’s family mber to help."
Couldn’t handle it! Called soone in to help! Could it really be, just as her mother-in-law had said, that in the chaos the babies were swapped?
"Luowa, if I go to Xiawu, do you think your father-in-law will let in?" Ni Lu suddenly changed the topic.
"Of course, why wouldn’t he? I’m your daughter, and he has no reason not to let you in."
Ni Lu pitifully grabbed Yi Luowa’s hand. "Can I co see you whenever I miss you?"
Yi Luowa’s eyes brimd with tears as she hugged Ni Lu tightly. "Of course you can! But your health isn’t great right now, so I’ll co see you more often instead."
"You need to focus on school. Coming back and forth isn’t convenient for you—it’s easier for to visit you. This poor health of mine is all thanks to that troubleso kid. Now that I’ve found you, I’ll get better soon!" Ni Lu glanced at the ti. "Hand my dicine. Once I take it, you can go rest."
"I’d like to stay with you a bit longer."
"You’ve been tired all day. Be a good girl and go back early so Rui’er doesn’t get anxious waiting. That boy’s just like his dad—he can’t be away from his wife for even a mont." Ni Lu laughed aloud after saying this. "Seeing how much he treasures you, I can rest easy. Long Che and Rui’er have fiery tempers, but only toward outsiders. When it cos to their wives, they couldn’t be more devoted."
Yi Luowa chuckled lightly and handed Ni Lu the dicine and water.
After taking her dicine, Ni Lu lay down and clasped Yi Luowa’s hand. "Rui’er doesn’t bully you, does he?"
Yi Luowa shook her head. "He treats very well."
"If he ever dares bully you, you tell . I’ll set him straight!"
Yi Luowa giggled. "With you as my backup, I’m afraid of no one!"
"Go on now. I’ll fall asleep soon." Ni Lu gently patted the back of her hand with a smile.
"I’ll stay with you until you fall asleep." Yi Luowa didn’t leave. Instead, she kicked off her shoes, lay down beside Ni Lu, and wrapped her arm around hers, smiling. "It feels so good to have a mom."
"Everyone says daughters are their moms’ little cotton-padded jackets, and I’ve only truly co to understand that in these past few days." Ni Lu yawned as she spoke. Before long, she was fast asleep.
Yi Luowa waited a little while, ensuring she was sound asleep, before quietly slipping on her shoes and leaving the room.
Kou’er approached her. "Fourth Master says he’s waiting for you with the Duke."
Yi Luowa nodded and followed Kou’er to where Long Che was.
In Long Che’s room, Carlos, Jack, and Bernard were all present. Yi Luowa greeted everyone and sat down next to Tong Airui.
Tong Airui held her hand and said solemnly, "Wife, news just ca from F Country. That hospital was burned to the ground in a fire nineteen years ago. One doctor and two nurses died in the blaze. The only clue has been severed."
Yi Luowa pressed her lips together. "Just now, while chatting with Aunt Ni Lu, I heard sothing: there was another mother in the delivery room. The two children were born less than three minutes apart. The doctor was so overwheld that she called in that person’s family mber to help."
Tong Airui held her hand tighter. "That ans it’s highly likely you and Aunt Ni Lu’s daughter were swapped in the delivery room."
Yi Luowa nodded. "If we can find that other mother, there’s a chance we can find Aunt Ni Lu’s daughter... and maybe even my biological mother. But the fire destroyed everything."
Jack rubbed his fingers together. "Once Ni Lu’s condition improves a bit, I’ll try asking her to see if there are any other helpful leads."
Yi Luowa looked at Jack. "Don’t push too hard. I only listened to what she said earlier—her emotions are still unstable, and she’s very sensitive. We can’t let her sense anything unusual."
"Alright." Jack nodded.
Bernard clapped Jack on the shoulder. "If it were , I wouldn’t even bother. Having a daughter like Luowa is a blessing in itself!"
Jack chuckled. "After tomorrow’s coronation, Luowa will officially be my daughter. She won’t even be able to deny it if she wanted to. I’m definitely blessed!"
Long Che raised an eyebrow slightly. "Son, looks like you’re taking after your old man. But it seems like the burden on your shoulders is even heavier than mine. Out of nowhere, you’ve gained an extra father-in-law."
Tong Yao gave him an exasperated look. "At a ti like this, can’t you say sothing serious?"
Long Che tugged at the corner of his mouth and gave her a sideways glance. "Fine, here’s sothing serious: this eting is adjourned!"
Tong Yao let out a long, frustrated sigh.
Long Che patted her hand and smiled. "Alright, don’t be mad. Let say sothing proper."
Long Che turned to Jack. "As for Shiqing and Yi Lingfei, I’ll leave them to you. I don’t think it’s a good idea to let those two won out. If they’re released, they’ll only harm others."
Jack nodded. "I never planned to let them walk out of here alive."
"The task of finding Luowa’s biological parents and your daughter will be led by Rui’er. You just need to assist him." Long Che paused. "By the way, have you inford Yi’s second son about recognizing Luowa as family?"
"We did. This morning, my brother-in-law, Jack, and I went to tell him personally," Carlos quickly interjected.
Long Che furrowed his brow slightly. "Yi’s second son is the only good one in that family. He’s raised Luowa so well—we mustn’t forget him. Make sure to treat him with extra respect in all matters."
Yi Luowa cast Long Che a grateful look. To be honest, her feelings for her second uncle were the deepest. She thought that even if one day she found her biological parents, her bond with them might not surpass her bond with him.
Long Che’s gaze turned cold as he looked at Carlos. "Carlos, tell that You Jia kid that I’ve rembered every word he said today. If he fails to deliver on even one promise, I’ll break his legs. And! If Ni’er makes any mistakes, send her back to as is. I’ll handle the repairs myself. If you so much as touch one part of her, don’t bla for being rciless."
Carlos’s mouth twitched slightly as he thought to himself, "Long Che, enough already! The Carpenter Royal Family only married one of your daughters, and you’ve already turned our entire family into your doormat."
But despite his thoughts, he didn’t dare say a word, so he just kept nodding repeatedly.
This attitude, Long Che liked!
Long Che smirked and tilted his head toward Tong Yao. "Wife, I’ve finished my formal business. Do you, my lady, have anything to add?"
Tong Yao scolded playfully, "Long Che, be serious! The kids are still here!"
Long Che glanced at Bernard and laughed. "Kid, it’s ti for you to go to sleep."
Bernard slamd his teacup on the table in frustration. "You’re so annoying! You even take advantage of !"
Long Che raised an eyebrow slightly.
Yi Luowa wanted to laugh but didn’t dare. She quickly turned her head away. Tong Airui pulled her up, and the two of them ran out together.
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