The Return of the God Level Assassin Chapter 1303: MOONLIGHT TALK WITH THE BROTHERS

The Bai mansion's dining room radiated warmth and brightness. Dishes crafted for the family meal crowded the expansive table. Luo Wei Tian sat close to Bai Chen. Sun Xiulan positioned herself next to her husband, ensuring all had ample food. Bai Ze and Bai Ye flanked their mother, as Luo Ren and Luo Jin claimed seats opposite him. Luo Yan occupied the table's far end, right beside the spot where his grandfather's empty chair normally stood.

That afternoon, once the family had settled, Luo Wei Tian escorted his two eldest sons to see his father-in-law. As a group, they climbed to his bedroom. The senior Mr. Bai sat upon his bed. Upon their arrival, he swiveled to face them. A fleeting spark of sharpness gleamed in his eyes. He instantly acknowledged Luo Wei Tian, speaking his name. He also directed smiles toward Luo Ren and Luo Jin.

Such a momentary lucidity served as a rare, unforeseen blessing, one that visited with growing infrequency these days. They remained briefly, clasping his hands while exchanging soft words. Soon after, his gaze wandered, indicating it was time to leave him in peace.

His unoccupied chair at the dinner table lingered as a subtle emblem of his absence. Nevertheless, the relatives encircling the table pushed back against the melancholy. They chatted and chuckled, sharing platters between them.

Silently, Luo Jin savored his meal. Bai Ze ribbed his younger sibling until Sun Xiulan shot him a sharp glance. Luo Wei Tian and Bai Chen conversed about commerce. Luo Ren questioned Luo Yan on his studies.

Once the meal concluded, the three Luo brothers ventured to the garden pavilion of the mansion. A refreshing chill infused the night breeze, laced with the delicate perfume of blossoms edging the stone walkways. They eased onto the pavilion benches, its airy walls offering a calm panorama of the moon poised overhead. This tranquil retreat, separated from the central home, proved ideal for private sibling reconnection.

"Is everything going okay at university?" Luo Ren inquired. Earlier at dinner, he'd touched on Luo Yan's classes. Now, he yearned for insights into the wider world, the escapades extending past routine academic tasks.

"It's fun," Luo Yan replied, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I've met some new people, made a few friends. The classes are interesting, and I actually have time to enjoy things outside of studying."

Luo Ren nodded, truly delighted by the update.

"I bet you spend most of your free time with that Shen Ji Yun," Luo Jin remarked. A touch of irritation colored his words, though the mischievous grin on his face largely masked it.

Luo Yan arched an eyebrow toward his younger brother. "Well, not all of it. But yeah, I do spend a lot of time with him. He is my boyfriend, after all."

The term made Luo Ren flinch slightly. Right, that fellow was now Luo Yan's official partner. He understood this and strove sincerely to embrace it, all for his brother's well-being. Still, it nagged at him. He felt confident Luo Jin shared the unease. Shen Ji Yun's gender wasn't the issue—that held no relevance. The concern arose purely because this man was the one courting their sibling. They'd likely react similarly to any potential match for Luo Yan.

"How about you two?" Luo Yan questioned, redirecting the focus. "What's going on with your love lives? I already know Ah Jin is in some kind of open relationship with Sister Yuqi. But what about you, Brother? How are things with you and Jiao Jiao?"

Had Luo Ren held a drink then, he might have spluttered. The inquiry about his own situation didn't jolt him, though. Luo Yan's comment on Luo Jin did. He swung his gaze to his youngest brother. A vivid scarlet spread from Luo Jin's neck to his ears. Even under the garden's soft illumination, the flush was glaringly obvious.

Luo Jin shot Luo Yan a fierce glare. "What the heck, Yan? Don't make it sound like me and Yuqi are in some kind of weird arrangement."

With mock purity, Luo Yan tilted his head. "But you guys are literally in some kind of open relationship."

Luo Ren recovered his speech at last. He faced Luo Jin. "What's this about an open relationship?"

"Okay, stop, both of you," Luo Jin snapped, his aggravation plain. "It's not an open relationship like that. It's not like we're excited about being with other people. It's just... we don't have an official label. Even though we both know we like each other."

Luo Ren shook his head deliberately, still absorbing the news. His nearly eighteen-year-old brother navigated a label-free, devoted-yet-unofficial bond. "I can't believe you're in such an... adult arrangement."

Luo Jin's cheeks flamed hotter from the observation.

"Are you envious, Brother?" Luo Yan teased, his tone airy and playful.

A quiet laugh rumbled from Luo Ren. "No. When I accepted my feelings for Yu Jiao, I already knew it would be years before we could actually be together. So, no. I'm not envious."

Leaning in slightly with real intrigue, Luo Yan pressed, "So how is that going for you?"

"If I'm being honest, it's hard sometimes," Luo Ren admitted softly. He glanced skyward at the moon briefly before going on. "There are a lot of things I want to do for her. Buy her things she likes, take her places, hold her hand. But I can't, because to her I'm just a friend. Still, just being in her life, getting to see her smile, hearing her talk about things she's passionate about, that alone makes me happy. So for now, while we can only be friends, I'll be there for her however I can."

With luck, a day would arrive when she'd welcome him into a far more lasting role by her side.