The Return of the God Level Assassin Chapter 1308: GRANDPA'S MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL (I)

Luo Yan hastened his pace while holding a heavy blanket, making his way to the pavilion in the back garden. His grandfather and Bai Ye were waiting there. He and his young cousin had been seated beside their grandfather, offering companionship, until Luo Yan sensed the evening chill was more biting than anticipated. The old man's hands felt chilly against his skin. That's why he politely stepped away, dashed back into the house to his grandfather's bedroom, and fetched the thickest blanket he could locate. He made sure to include heat packs in his retrieval.

Walking along the back garden, Luo Yan observed the family bustling with preparations for the Mid-Autumn Festival meal. Plates of food were being transported, the dining setup was being organized, and a lively buzz of effort filled the air. He wished he could lend a hand. However, since his grandfather's caregiver had returned to her village for the celebration, Luo Yan had offered to tend to him. Bai Ye remained too small to assist in the kitchen, so Aunt Xiulan instructed him to simply stay with Grandpa. This responsibility fell to Luo Yan for both of them.

Approaching the pavilion, the cheerful chatter of Bai Ye caught Luo Yan's ear first. The young boy was chattering enthusiastically about an topic, his sentences spilling out rapidly. Their grandfather replied in a calm, affectionate manner. A smile tugged at Luo Yan's lips as he continued onward.

Upon arriving at the pavilion, Luo Yan tenderly placed the heavy blanket across his grandfather's knees. "Here you go, Grandpa," he murmured gently. From his pocket, he drew out two heat packs, snapping them to warm up before slipping them carefully beneath the blanket on both sides of the old man. "Does the warmth feel comfortable now?"

His grandfather gazed at him with kind, weary eyes. A gradual grin appeared on the elderly face. "Yes, thank you, Xiao Yan."

Luo Yan hadn't yet grown accustomed to his grandfather using his real name rather than his mother's. On many occasions, the elder mistook him for his daughter. Yet this morning, upon awakening, a change had occurred. His thoughts were sharp. He addressed Luo Yan correctly. Everyone received their proper names. The morning meal turned joyful, nearly like a party, thanks to that.

More than names came back to him. Remembrances of bygone tales surfaced. Locations of household items were recalled. Names of longtime companions returned. It resembled glimpsing the person he once was prior to the disease's grip. They'd all anticipated the clarity to wane by midday, as these occasional lucid spells typically did. Yet dusk arrived, and his grandfather remained sharp. Fully aware. Truly present.

The family had intended to dine within the estate's walls initially. Concerns over Grandpa catching a chill prompted that. But Grandpa had chided Uncle sharply for proposing it. How could a Mid-Autumn Festival feast occur inside, distant from the moonlight? Luo Yan's lips curved in amusement at the memory of Uncle's stunned expression.

It appeared as if he'd encountered a spirit. Uncle likely recalled those days when Grandpa reprimanded him so. Luo Yan even spotted him averting his gaze, brushing away tears when he believed no eyes were on him. Following that, objections ceased. The gathering shifted to the garden.

"Grandpa, Yan Yan, I believe dinner preparations are complete!" Bai Ye exclaimed, fidgeting eagerly in his chair. His gaze sparkled with anticipation, locked on the activity by the residence. Clearly, he was impatient to begin eating.

"Xiao Ye," their grandfather spoke, his features firming. "Remember what I said? Refer to Xiao Yan correctly. Use 'brother.'"

Bai Ye showed no sign of distress. Rather, his enthusiasm seemed to grow. "Yes, Grandpa!" he replied brightly.

Turning to Luo Yan, Bai Ye's expression beamed with unmistakable glee that shouted, 'See that? Grandpa scolded me!' Luo Yan nearly burst into laughter. The child's response contrasted entirely with Uncle's from before. Uncle concealed his emotions. Bai Ye radiated delight. Still, their joy mirrored each other perfectly. Father and son through and through.

Luo Yan deemed the scene charming. Yet it carried a touch of melancholy. The Bai family's deep yearning for this facet of their grandfather shone through. Without the illness striking years back, this could have been his everyday self.

Gently shaking his head, he banished the sorrow before it took root. He forced a grin. "Grandpa, shall we head over?" he suggested, then teased lightly, "I suspect Xiao Ye might start drooling if we delay the meal much longer."

His grandfather chuckled deeply and squeezed Luo Yan's hand. "Indeed, let's proceed."

Bai Ye sulked theatrically. "Grandpa and Brother Yan Yan are teasing me unfairly."

Luo Yan laughed softly and knelt to match Bai Ye's height. "Alright, alright, brother apologizes," he soothed in a conciliatory voice. "Please don't stay upset, Xiao Ye."

"Hmph!" Bai Ye inflated his cheeks, attempting a serious frown. "I'll accept your apology if you kiss me."

Their grandfather sighed with an amused shake of his head. "This child. Admit you just wish to hug your brother rather than staging a performance."

Bai Ye's cheeks reddened. He sulked once more, folding his little arms. "I won't heed Grandpa any longer."

Bai Ye snorted and trudged forward, his small form striding purposefully to the garden where the family assembled. Luo Yan rose and shared a glance with his grandfather. Warmth filled the old man's eyes, lines forming at the edges. Soon, laughter escaped them both.

Luo Yan positioned himself behind the wheelchair and steered it smoothly over the stone walkway. A gentle evening breeze swept by, bearing the aroma of dishes as they approached the family, now settled at the table under the tender illumination of the garden lamps.

A faint grin appeared on Bai Zhen's features upon witnessing the sight.