Chapter 1308: GRANDPA'S MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL (I)

LUO YAN quickened his steps as he carried a thick blanket toward the pavilion at the back garden. His grandfather and Bai Ye were both there. He and his little cousin had been sitting with their grandfather, keeping him company, when Luo Yan noticed the night air was colder than he had expected. His grandfather's hands had felt cool to the touch. So he had excused himself, hurried back inside to his grandfather's room, and grabbed the warmest blanket he could find. He also didn't forget to bring heat packs with him.

As he walked through the back garden, Luo Yan could see everyone busy setting up for their Mid-Autumn Festival dinner. Dishes were being carried out, the table was being arranged, and there was a comfortable hum of activity all around. He would have liked to help. But with his grandfather's nurse back in his hometown for the holiday, Luo Yan had volunteered to look after him instead. And Bai Ye was still too young to be useful in the kitchen, so Aunt Xiulan had told him to just keep Grandpa company. That left Luo Yan as the one to watch over both of them.

As he got closer to the pavilion, the sound of Bai Ye's voice reached him first. The little boy was talking animatedly about something, his words tumbling out fast. And their grandfather was responding, slow and gentle. Luo Yan smiled to himself and kept walking.

When he reached the pavilion, he carefully draped the thick blanket over his grandfather's lap. "Here, Grandpa," he said softly. He reached into his pocket and pulled out two heat packs, cracking them to activate them before tucking them gently under the blanket on either side of his grandfather. "Is the temperature just right?"

His grandfather looked at him with warm, tired eyes. A slow smile spread across the old man's face. "Yes, thank you, Xiao Yan."

Luo Yan still wasn't used to hearing his grandfather call him by his actual name instead of his mother's. Most days, the other thought he was talking to his own daughter. But this morning, when he had woken up, something was different. His mind was clear. He called Luo Yan by his name. He called everyone by their right names. Breakfast had been a happy, almost festive affair because of it.

It wasn't just their names. His grandfather remembered other things too. Stories from the past. Where things were kept in the house. The names of old friends. It was like seeing the man he must have been before the illness took hold. They had all expected it to fade by afternoon, the way these rare clear moments always did. But evening came, and his grandfather was still there. Still present. Still himself.

The family had originally planned to have dinner inside the mansion. They were worried Grandpa might get cold. But Grandpa had scolded Uncle for even suggesting it. What kind of Mid-Autumn Festival dinner was spent indoors, away from the moon? Luo Yan smiled a little, remembering the look on Uncle's face when Grandpa said that.

It was like he had seen a ghost. His uncle probably remembered the times when Grandpa would scold him like that. Luo Yan had even caught him turning away, wiping at his eyes when he thought no one was looking. After that, no one argued. The family moved the dinner to the garden.

"Grandpa, Yan Yan, I think they're done getting dinner ready!" Bai Ye announced, practically bouncing in his seat. His eyes were wide and bright, fixed on the busy scene near the house. It was obvious he could hardly wait to eat.

"Xiao Ye," their grandfather said, his expression turning stern. "What did I tell you? Address Xiao Yan properly. Call him 'brother.'"

Bai Ye didn't look upset at all. If anything, he seemed even more excited. "Yes, Grandpa!" he chirped happily.

Then Bai Ye turned to Luo Yan, his entire face lit up with a look that clearly said, 'Did you see that? Grandpa just scolded me!' Luo Yan almost laughed. The kid's reaction was the complete opposite of Uncle's earlier. Uncle had hidden his tears. Bai Ye was practically glowing. And yet, both of them showed the same happiness. Truly, father and son.

Luo Yan found the whole thing endearing. But it was also bittersweet. It was clear how much the Bai family had longed for this version of their grandfather. If he hadn't gotten sick all those years ago, this might have been how he always was.

He shook his head gently, pushing the sadness away before it could settle. He tried his best to smile. "Grandpa, let's go," he said and then added playfully, "I think Xiao Ye might drool if we don't eat soon."

His grandfather let out a hearty laugh and patted Luo Yan's hand. "Yes, let's go."

Bai Ye pouted dramatically. "Grandpa and Brother Yan Yan are bullying me."

Luo Yan chuckled and crouched down to Bai Ye's level. "Okay, okay, brother is sorry," he said softly in a placating tone. "Don't be mad, Xiao Ye."

"Hmph!" Bai Ye puffed out his cheeks, trying to look stern. "I'll forgive you if you give me a kiss."

Their grandfather shook his head with a helpless smile. "This kid. Just say you want to cling to your brother instead of putting on an act."

Bai Ye's face flushed. He pouted again, crossing his small arms. "I'm not listening to Grandpa anymore."

Bai Ye huffed and stomped off ahead, his tiny figure marching determinedly toward the garden where the rest of the family was gathered. Luo Yan straightened up and exchanged a look with his grandfather. The old man's eyes were warm, crinkling at the corners. And then both of them laughed.

Luo Yan then moved behind his grandfather's wheelchair and gently pushed it along the smooth stone path. The cool evening air brushed past them, carrying the scent of food as they headed toward the rest of the family, who were already seated at the table beneath the soft glow of the garden lights.

A small smile crossed Bai Zhen's face as he saw this.

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