CHAPTER 1888: CHAPTER 1881: GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON REUNION

He lowered his head and was silent for a moment, sniffed hard, and then looked up with red eyes, saying, "I, I’ll go see him."

"Suit yourself."

Although Luoya held some resentment, seeing Luo’er so upset, she couldn’t bring herself to stay angry.

"Wait, wait a second..."

Seeing Luoya turn to leave, Luo’er suddenly grabbed her arm and asked worriedly, "Will he, will he be mad at me?"

"Why would he be angry with you?" Luoya asked with her head tilted.

"After all, I..."

"This is business, not personal; it’s not something you could refuse." Luoya consoled him.

"Alright," Luo’er nodded, his gaze wandering as he said, "then I’ll go see him. You, you come with me..."

"Sigh," Luoya rolled her eyes at him, let out a deep sigh, and said helplessly, "Then let’s go."

"We also..."

Tangmo was about to speak when Baiyue tugged at her arm. When she looked back, she saw Baiyue staring at her, frowning slightly, and then shaking her head.

The Luo’er siblings didn’t notice their actions, walking ahead. Baiyue leaned close to Tangmo and whispered, "Let’s stay behind and let them have some family time alone."

Tangmo looked at her, then turned to look at the Luo’er siblings, sighed lightly, and muttered in a voice only she could hear, "When can we become a family..."

Boarding the unmanned vehicle, the Luo’er siblings headed to First People’s Hospital in Shenghua District. During his absence, Shenghua Academy had evolved from a simple academy into a district that should be regarded as a municipality in terms of administrative level.

The First People’s Hospital was originally an affiliate hospital of Shenghua Academy, also part of the infrastructure originating from the Origin Project. With the opening of the Otherworld Gate, especially in dealing with the last biochemical outbreak, this hospital transformed into the largest hospital in Shenghua District.

The unmanned car, guided by the intelligent traffic hub, quickly sped along the predetermined route to the hospital.

At this stage, the unmanned vehicles in Shenghua District couldn’t yet use magnetic levitation throughout their entire journey like the Omnidirectional Elevators within Shenghua Academy. Hence, they still relied on traditional electric-powered wheeled vehicles.

Thanks to the efficient planning of the intelligent hub, the unmanned vehicle swiftly moved through the busy streets as if no one else were there and soon arrived at the entrance of the First People’s Hospital.

As the siblings got out of the car, a middle-aged burly man in a black suit and sunglasses approached them proactively. He seemed to have anticipated the siblings’ identity and their purpose. When he reached them, the man gave a standard military salute.

Luo’er likewise returned the salute and sincerely said, "I’d like to see Grandpa."

"I know; this way, please, follow me." The burly man nodded, indicating and speaking as he led.

The siblings followed the burly man into the hospital. As soon as they entered, they were surrounded by several men in suits, and under their escort, took the elevator and walked through the corridor.

It should be said that since the beginning of the Lipei construction, subhumans were no longer a secret, and it was common to see Otherworld people in Shenghua District.

However, despite the routine nature, the security personnel still protected the Luo’er siblings very tightly. It was clear that the higher-ups were particularly concerned about the siblings, especially Luo’er.

Following the burly men, the siblings soon arrived at a high-end ward. Security personnel were still present outside. After a brief exchange, the security allowed the siblings into the ward while stopping Tangmo and Baiyue when they tried to follow.

"From the Office!" Tangmo showed her credentials.

"To go in or not still depends on the atmosphere." After a glance at the door, the security advised her.

"Sister Moumou, let’s wait outside," Baiyue tugged on her sleeve and said.

"I know."

Tangmo rolled her eyes and glared at the security personnel with displeasure.

Luo’er entered the room. The large ward contained only one bed, where an elderly man lay. Various sophisticated monitors surrounded the bed, and a doctor was recording data while instructing the nurse on something.

He seemed to notice someone entering, the doctor looked up and immediately saw Luoya, his eyes narrowing at the sight: "It’s little Luoya, here to see your grandpa again?"

"Yes..."

Luoya nodded somewhat shyly.

"And who is this?"

The doctor seemed to notice Luo’er beside her, appearing puzzled.

"Oh, I am..."

"You must be Luo’er," the nurse couldn’t help but exclaim, delightedly pointing at Luo’er and saying, "I’ve heard the Head Nurse mention you, that little Elf, I even have a photo."

"Uh..."

Every time he heard such words, Luo’er felt embarrassed.

"Lower your voice, don’t disturb the Chief." The doctor gave her a glance, scolding in a low voice.

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry, just got a bit excited." The nurse said with a panicked expression, visibly ill at ease.

"Are you here to see your grandpa?" the doctor asked the siblings.

"Yes."

Luo’er nodded.

"Unfortunately, the old Chief just fell asleep, so you might..."

Before the doctor finished speaking, they heard an aged voice from the bed: "Who’s here?"

Hearing this voice, the doctor helplessly shrugged and turned to the nurse with a glare. The nurse, equally innocent, shrugged back, not daring to speak.

"Grandpa, it’s me." Luoya stepped forward, approached the bed, and said gently.

"Oh, it’s Little Ya, has Luo’er... come back?" Luo Qishan weakly inquired.

"He..."

Luoya bit her lip, looked up at Luo’er, and didn’t answer immediately.

"What happened? Did something happen to him?"

This pause from Luoya startled Luo Qishan, causing his voice to rise significantly with agitation.

"No, it’s not that, he, he’s back..." Luoya hurriedly reassured.

"Where, where is he?" as he spoke, Luo Qishan struggled to sit up.

"Grandpa, don’t get excited."

Luoya heard the surrounding instruments starting to beep and quickly pressed him down, gently comforting him.

Luo’er, like a Ghost, walked to the front of Luo Qishan, staring down at him. Luo Qishan’s aged eyes glistened with tears upon seeing Luo’er.

Before Luo Qishan could speak, Luo’er knelt with a thud beside his sickbed, sobbing, with his head lowered, "I’m sorry, your unfilial grandson has returned home..."

Luo Qishan looked at Luo’er, tears streaming down his face, yet a relieved expression appeared: "It’s good, it’s really good that you’re back, you’re back..."

"Grandpa..."

Luo’er reached out to hold Luo Qishan’s bony hand, feeling his gradually weakening life, feeling as though his heart was being cut with a knife.

Dazed, he seemed to return to that moment of life and death separation again.

"Luo’er, your father is gone, your father is gone..."

"Luo’er, your father is gone, now you only have grandpa..."

"No, grandpa, I still have mom, grandpa, I still have mom..."

"Yes, yes, Luo’er still has mom, but grandpa only has Luo’er..."

...

"I already found mom, I still have many family members, but, but... I can’t be without grandpa..."

Luo’er could no longer hold back his emotions, placing his forehead on Luo Qishan’s aged hand, weeping uncontrollably.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry, I have always, always been so willful, always, always self-righteously... doing whatever I wanted to do, yet..."

Luo’er cried and pleaded.

"You haven’t done anything wrong," Luo Qishan slowly closed his eyes, his voice trembling as he said, "As the grandson of Luo Qishan, you were born to achieve great things. Your grandpa sent away your father, and now finally doesn’t have to send you away... It’s Luo’er’s turn..."

"I can’t bear to leave..."

Luo’er’s tears soaked the bedsheet.

"Luo’er," Luo Qishan said with a smile, "You’re already an adult; you should have understood the phrase ’Life and death have fate.’ Grandpa did not fail your father, so this life has no regrets..."

Pausing for a moment, he continued: "To encounter great difficulties yet enjoy family happiness, I’ve truly been fulfilled this life. If I were to be greedy, I’d just lament that you haven’t started a family yet..."

"I..."

"Don’t worry about it, grandpa understands your situation,"

Luo Qishan closed his eyes, smiling.

He suddenly stopped speaking, remaining silent, before slowly opening his mouth to call out, "Luo’er."

"I’m here..."

Luo’er lifted his head to look at him.

Luo Qishan took a deep breath, opened his eyes, and with a gentle gaze looked at him: "From the moment I first saw you, I never considered you an outsider. You have always been my Luo Qishan’s true grandson; this has never changed. Whether you’re an Elf or an Earthling."