"YAN YAN, are you really going to leave today?" Bai Ye asked, holding Luo Yan's hand. His big eyes were already starting to be filled with tears, his expression was clearly saying 'don't leave'.
They were at the living room of the Bai household, saying their goodbyes. Because today was the day that the Luo family would go back to S City. Everyone was there, except for the head of the family – Bai Zhen.
Luo Yan bent down a little and put his hand on Bai Ye's cheek. "Yes, we need to because Ah Jin and I have school tomorrow. Dad and Brother also have to work. We also wanted to stay here more but we still have to fulfill our responsibilities. Xiao Ye understands, right?"
Bai Ye pouted but still nodded in agreement. "I understand."
Bai Ze, standing on the side, raised one of his brows. And here he thought this brat would definitely make a ruckus because Luo Yan would leave today. He was already expecting shouting and bouts of tears. But who would have thought that this kid would be so calm today?
"But Yan Yan, don't forget your promise, okay?" Bai Ye added.
Luo Yan smiled. "Of course, I won't forget to call you every Saturdays."
Ah, so that's why. Bai Ze thought. Luo Yan already made a compromise that's why the kid was not acting out. He put his hand on top of his little brother's head and ruffled his hair. "Try not to take too much of Xiao Yan's time. I know how you could ramble on and on about useless things."
Bai Ye frowned at his brother. "Brother, I don't ramble about useless things. How could you say that?"
"Brother Ze is right. You should only talk to Yan for about 10 minutes. That should be enough," Luo Jin said with a bit of teasing in his voice.
"Yes, I think that's very reasonable," Bai Ze agreed.
Bai Ye's eyes were filled again with tears when he heard what Luo Jin said. "What can I talk to Yan Yan for 10 minutes?" He rushed to Luo Yan and hugged his thigh. "Yan Yan, they're bullying me."
"Don't mind them," Luo Yan appeased. "Xiao Ye can talk to me for as long as you wanted. But if I have to cut the call short or if I'm unable to receive your call on certain Saturdays, you have to promise Brother Yan that you won't sulk or throw a tantrum. Okay?"
Bai Ye seemed to think about it and although looking very unwilling, he still nodded at the end. "Okay."
The adults who were watching this interaction all laughed and smiled.
"In just a short period of time, Xiao Yan already knows how to handle Xiao Ye," Bai Chen said. "A huge feat if you asked me."
"It just shows how sensitive Xiao Yan is to other people's emotions. He's very similar to Mei Hua in that way," Sun Xiulan said.
Luo Wei Tian couldn't agree more. And maybe that's why Luo Yan had them all wrap up in those little fingers of his. Not that any of them mind of course.
"By the way, is it really okay not to wait for Father-in-law to wake up?" he asked after a while.
They had to leave soon so they wouldn't be late for their flight. But leaving without saying goodbye to his father-in-law just didn't sit well with him.
"It's okay. It would just be harder for you to leave if Dad is present," Bai Chen said.
Luo Wei Tian understood what Bai Chen was saying. Considering how attach his father-in-law had been to Luo Yan, he might have a breakdown if he found out that they would be leaving today. Which might even affect his already weak body. And he didn't want that to happen.
"But it might have no difference when he woke up and find that Luo Yan was no longer here," he said.
"That might indeed happen. But it's even more probable that he had already forgotten that you were here," Bai Chen said with a tinge of sadness in his voice.
It's a normal occurrence for people with the same ailment. One day, they had a particularly clear mind, the next day, they had already forgotten the things that they did yesterday. Most people with relatives in that kind of situation would rather not deal with that. Because they not only needed to be patient and understanding, they also had to take a lot of variables into account. Like the patient's mental and physical health. They also had to support them emotionally.
Most people would just give up and send these patients to a nursing home. They thought that the money they spent was enough to fulfill their obligation. But Bai Chen never thought that way. Having this kind of ailment didn't mean that their identities were suddenly scrubbed off and they're no longer the people their families used to know. They're still them. What they needed most was their families' love and care. And for as long as Bai Chen was alive, that's what he would give to his father.
"Don't worry, if Dad suddenly missed Xiao Yan, I will show him the video that we shoot last night," Sun Xiulan said.
Ah yes, that video. Luo Wei Tian almost forgot about it. It was a video of Luo Yan just speaking straight to the camera and telling how he had to leave and study at S City. Anyone who would have watched it would think that his son was speaking directly to them. The video was obviously for his father-in-law.
After a while, it's finally time for them to go.
"Yan Yan, you have to come back again on your next vacation, okay?" Bai Ye said, hugging onto Luo Yan.
"Yes, I definitely will."
"Come now, Xiao Ye, stop clinging on your Brother Yan," Sun Xiulan said, lifting Bai Ye up. Then she smiled at Luo Yan. "But my kid is right. Make sure to come back for your next vacation."
Luo Yan smiled back. "Yes, I definitely will, Aunt."
After one last goodbye, the Luo family climbed inside a black mini-van. Just like when they arrived here, it was Bai Ze who drove them to the airport.
They arrived at the airport a little more than an hour before their scheduled flight. Which was just right. Because usually, boarding time was either 30 minutes or an hour before the scheduled flight.
"Ah Ze, you don't have to come with us to the waiting area," Luo Wei Tian said.
"It's alright, Uncle. I can help you bring your luggage."
"There's no need. Xiao Jin could carry them all," Luo Ren said.
Luo Jin who was just mentioned looked at the number of bags inside the trunk. "Brother, as far as I can remember I only have two hands."
"I know. That's why you have to carry two bags with one hand," Luo Ren said, not the least bit guilty, he even smiled at Luo Jin.
Luo Yan chuckled. "Brother, you're bullying Ah Jin again."
"What bullying? I'm just showing him my brotherly love," Luo Ren said, acting all mortified.
"Then I don't want your 'brotherly love'," Luo Jin said dryly.
Luo Yan was about to say something to also tease Luo Jin when a very familiar voice suddenly called his name.