Tong Airui looked at her amused, "What are you, psychic? You can even tell I have won outside?"
"Yesterday, you were sneaking around with phone calls and texts behind my back. Don’t think I didn’t notice."
"Sis, why don’t you take my phone and see for yourself? There were only a few calls, I can even na them for you."
"I’m not looking. You’ve probably already deleted them."
"Why would I delete them! I can tell you every call I took. At 6:15, Yuan Hang called . Then soti later—I can’t rember the exact ti—Queen Haotian called. She got interrupted mid-call, waited ten minutes, and called again. After dinner, she sent a text. I went into the study to return her call. That’s it. If you don’t believe , go ahead and check my phone."
"Is she calling so much because she wants Danton to go back?"
"Yeah, but she’s worried Danton won’t listen and is hoping I can talk to him." Tong Airui reached up to muss her hair affectionately. "Are you reluctant to let Danton leave?"
Yi Luowa puffed out her cheeks without saying anything. She didn’t dare admit the truth, worried Tong Airui would get jealous.
"Whether you’re ready or not, it’s happening. Emperor Haotian is coming today. He plans to take Danton back."
Yi Luowa was startled. "I heard from Danton that Emperor Haotian hasn’t left the country in over ten years. Why’s he coming this ti?"
"For his kids. Parents will do anything for their children." Tong Airui glanced at the ti. "Wifey, it’s still early. How about we make up for the ’lesson’ we missed last night?"
Yi Luowa wriggled out of his arms in a flash. "At this hour, Sangyu and Ziyan should be waking up. I’ll go check on them."
Tong Airui watched her with a grin. "You’re such a hard woman to please. Last night, I saw you were tired and just wanted you to get more rest, so I didn’t touch you. But you, instead, accuse of having won outside. Now that I’m ready, you run away."
"Hehe..." Yi Luowa laughed as she got out of bed, yanked the blanket off Tong Airui, tossed it aside, and darted into the bathroom.
She was about to squeeze toothpaste onto her toothbrush when she noticed it was new. "Hubby, when did you replace my toothbrush?"
"I switched it out yesterday. Did you not brush your teeth last night?" Tong Airui opened the door and stepped in.
"I did. I just ca in all groggy. You’d already put toothpaste on it for , so I didn’t notice."
"Yesterday, I accidentally dropped your toothbrush and switched it out on the spot." Tong Airui took the toothbrush she handed him, and they brushed their teeth together while looking at their reflections in the mirror, their eyes crinkling with shared laughter.
"When does Emperor Haotian arrive?"
"Should be early."
"He won’t leave in a hurry, will he?"
"Why?"
"I ordered a few outfits for Danton from Langshi. They won’t be delivered until the afternoon."
Tong Airui’s face imdiately fell.
Seeing his change of expression in the mirror, Yi Luowa laughed. "What’s with that face? Are you upset because I spent money?"
"Do I look like soone who cares about money? I’m mad because you’re thinking about soone else, not !"
"What a petty guy. Don’t worry; I ordered for you too. Not just you—everyone in the family got sothing!"
"Now that’s more like it... But wait, why am I just ’one of the family’? Shouldn’t I be more than that?"
"You’re not even as important as them..." Yi Luowa noticed his face darkening further and burst out laughing. "Haha... Relax! I ordered three sets for you, and just one for them. Now tell , who do you think I value more?"
Tong Airui gave her a sideways glance, his face unreadable. "I have no idea."
Yi Luowa hugged his waist, laughing. "Oh, don’t be a child. Co on, don’t be mad anymore. I’ll give you *two* treats tonight."
"I want one now!"
"It’s still early! It’s so rare for everyone to have a peaceful morning and a proper breakfast together. Tonight, I promise tonight!" Yi Luowa quickly tidied herself up and darted out the door.
She had just reached the hallway when Danton ca running down the stairs. "Luowa, bad news—Dad’s here!"
"He’s here already?"
"He’s at the front gate! He must be here to drag back. What do I do? I’m not done having fun!"
Yi Luowa pursed her lips, smiling. "If you don’t want to go, then don’t. We’ll help you talk to him."
"You really an it? Okay, I’ll head down first!" Danton shouted as he dashed downstairs.
Yi Luowa called after him, "Watch your step!" and then returned to the bedroom.
Tong Airui saw her co back and gave a mischievous grin. "Changed your mind? Ready to give that treat now?"
Yi Luowa rolled her eyes and reached up to adjust his collar. "Emperor Haotian is here. Let’s go greet him."
Tong Airui’s mouth twitched slightly. "Here so early? He must be really impatient. Are our two little ones awake yet?"
"I haven’t checked, but they should be up by now. Let’s get him inside first before worrying about them." Yi Luowa glanced at her white knee-length sweater. "Do I look okay like this? Will it seem impolite?"
"You’re beautiful in anything." Tong Airui smiled, taking her hand. "Let’s go."
The two quickly headed downstairs. Just as they reached the foyer, Long Che and Emperor Haotian walked in side-by-side.
At first glance, Emperor Haotian’s eyes lit up as he saw Yi Luowa. This child—not only did she resemble his wife in appearance, but even her deanor was strikingly similar.
To be honest, seeing Nancy for the first ti had moved him, but it was nothing compared to the emotions stirred by eting Yi Luowa. He felt his blood boiling—an inexplicable sense of connection only blood ties could explain.
Yi Luowa noticed Emperor Haotian’s overly enthusiastic gaze and smiled politely. "Emperor Haotian, hello! Did my appearance shock you? I’m so sorry."
With a hearty laugh, Emperor Haotian exclaid, "Haha... This child has quite the sense of humor! You didn’t shock —I’m just amazed. How can two people in this world look so alike?"
Yi Luowa couldn’t help but notice his thick beard. Northern n really seed to favor them. She’d heard that back in the day, even Joyina’s father had one, but Grandpa had shaved it off because Mianmian didn’t like how scratchy it felt.
Long Che smiled and invited Emperor Haotian to sit. Upon hearing there was an esteed guest, the family mbers quickly gathered in the living room to greet him.
Looking at such a large, lively family, Emperor Haotian smiled at Long Che and said, "You’re truly blessed to have such a big, happy family all together."
Long Che chuckled and replied, "When Danton gets married soday, you’ll have this too."
Emperor Haotian glanced at his son, then let his gaze settle back on Yi Luowa. He couldn’t look at his daughter enough; every glance filled him with joy.
Tong Airui cleared his throat lightly, snapping Emperor Haotian out of his trance. Realizing he’d been staring, he quickly averted his eyes.
Tong Airui raised an eyebrow slightly. "Wifey, Mom’s probably still busy with the kids. Why don’t you go help her out and bring them down together?"
"Alright." Yi Luowa was feeling a bit uncomfortable under Emperor Haotian’s intense gaze and gladly took the opportunity to escape upstairs.
Danton quickly followed after her. "Luowa, I’ll go with you."
Watching his son dart upstairs, Emperor Haotian’s eyes welled up. "Long Che, I really don’t know how to thank you all enough. Without you, Danton wouldn’t have recovered so quickly. Lo—"
Afraid he might say too much, Tong Airui quickly interjected with a smile. "You’re too kind! Anyone in our position would’ve done the sa."
Emperor Haotian chuckled helplessly. Had Tong Airui not spoken up, he’d almost blurted out "Luowa."
Long Che gave him a look and whispered, "Calm down. She’s not going anywhere."
Emperor Haotian nodded fervently, but his composure was easily shaken again when Sangyu and Ziyan were brought down by Tong Yao and Yi Luowa. Seeing them stirred his emotions, and if not for Tong Airui’s cautionary glances, he might’ve rushed over imdiately.
Tong Yao warmly greeted Emperor Haotian, and this ti their greeting was noticeably more familiar and comfortable compared to their previous encounters.
Just as Tong Yao finished greeting him, she noticed sothing off with Sangyu. The child kept burrowing deeper into her embrace.
anwhile, Ziyan, in his mom’s arms, kept wriggling around, his goal apparently being Emperor Haotian.
Yi Luowa was montarily stunned.
Emperor Haotian, however, laughed. "Ziyan, do you want Grandpa to hold you?"
Tong Airui’s mouth twitched hard. His son’s expression clearly wasn’t about being held—it looked more like he’d discovered sothing fun. What could possibly be fun about Emperor Haotian? Tong Airui shot him a curious glance. Aside from the beard, there didn’t seem to be anything noteworthy.
Long Che chuckled and said, "Luowa, let Emperor Haotian hold Ziyan. Let’s see what he’s up to."
Yi Luowa hesitated briefly before passing Ziyan to Emperor Haotian. Unexpectedly, Ziyan wasn’t shy at all. He exchanged glances with Emperor Haotian for barely a second before imdiately reaching out to grab his beard.
I’ll pull, and I’ll pull hard!
With his little lips pursed, Ziyan started yanking away at the proverbial lion’s mane.
Yi Luowa was taken aback and quickly reached out to get Ziyan back, but Emperor Haotian bead and said, "Leave him be. If he likes my beard, let him play with it."
"Waaaa—" While Ziyan was happily playing, Sangyu suddenly burst into tears. The loudness of the cry startled everyone in the room.
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