Chapter 191 - BAI ZHENS TEARS (2/2)
”Is he alright?”
”Well, better than most days,” Bai Chen said. He was smiling but one could immediately see the visible sadness that enveloped him.
”That's good,” Luo Wei Tian could only say.
”Before we go to him,” Bai Chen turned to Luo Yan. ”Xiao Yan, whatever reaction your Grandpa shows, I hope you wouldn't be scared.”
”I won't, Uncle,” Luo Yan didn't hesitate to say. ”How could I be scared of Grandpa?”
Bai Chen smiled and patted his head gently. ”That's good.”
Bai Chen then led them towards the garden.
It was at the back of the villa. The place was filled with different kinds of flowers. There was also a relatively large koi pond. Near that pond was a pavilion. Inside it was an old man sitting on a wheelchair. A young man in white was standing not far but also not too close to the old man. Giving him the proper space he needed.
Luo Yan stared at the old man on the wheelchair. He was thin and his face was full of pleats. His hair was gray and even thinning. But most of all, his eyes almost looked empty. As if all the lights in them had already been extinguished.
No one would believe that this old man was once the powerful patriarch of the Bai family – Bai Zhen.
Somehow, seeing him like this, there was some kind of pang in Luo Yan's heart.
”Dad,” Bai Chen called when they walked near the pavilion. ”Look who's here.”
It seemed Bai Zhen still recognized his son's voice. Because he reacted and turned his head towards their direction.
”Father-in-law,” Luo Wei Tian respectfully greeted.
”Granpa,” Luo Ren and Luo Jin also followed suit.
Bai Zhen barely showed any reaction to them. But when Luo Yan stepped up, smiled, and greeted him, his whole body started to tremble. He slowly raised his hand, as if trying to reach him.
”H-Hua-er…” he called in a feeble voice.
Luo Yan unconsciously reached out to Bai Zhen – no, to his grandfather. Holding his hand firmly. He could feel the bones in his hand, showing just how thin he was. And for some reason, the feeling of this bone-like hand brought an unprecedented sadness into Luo Yan.
He knew that at this moment his grandfather was already mistaking him for his mother. But if it could bring some kind of temporary peace in him, then he wouldn't mind playing the part.
So, he smiled and said, ”Yes.”
His grandfather's eyes suddenly came to life and big drops of tears slowly fell from it like raindrops. ”Hua-er… Hua-er… you finally came home. I've been waiting… I've been waiting for so long…”
As he said those words, he gripped Luo Yan's hand tightly. As if confirming his existence.
The only thing Luo Yan could do was to engulf him in his arms and embraced those thin and trembling shoulders.