Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 220 - 213: The Final Farewell_1

Chapter 220: Chapter 213: The Final Farewell_1

Luo Qishan looked at him, his eyes red and teeth gritted, staying silent for a long time. Finally, he held Luo’er’s small hand, turning around to leave the ward with him.

"Dad!" Luo’er turned to look at him, anxiety seeping through as he was led away by his grandfather.

"It’s okay, just follow Grandpa!" Luo Chuan squinted his eyes, a hint of smile presenting itself on his face.

When Luo Qishan entered the hospital corridor, two doctors in white coats had been waiting for a while. Seeing Luo Qishan appear, they opened their mouths in attempts to unburden their thoughts.

"Whatever you need to say, just go ahead!" Luo Qishan waved his hand, indicating that he was prepared for the worst.

"Chief, Luo Chuan’s medical report indicates he was indeed affected by the Magic Power Erosion from the Otherworld. The magic has invaded his organs, hence..." The doctor couldn’t help but stop speaking.

"Go on, I’m okay," said Luo Qishan, trying to maintain calm, despite his lips trembled continuously.

"We suggest - conservative treatment!" The doctor hesitated, conveying regretfully.

Luo Qishan understood the implication, Luo Chuan was beyond saving. Soldiers returned to Earth from the Otherworld were more or less afflicted by Magic Erosion Disease, yet almost none had fully recovered. The irreversible impact of magic erosion was serious; soldiers who stayed for even one or two months in the Otherworld faced severe consequences, yet Luo Chuan survived six years there.

His hands trembling, Luo Qishan leaned against the wall for support. Wang Xu, who was still a security guard, hurried over and supported him. Luo Qishan lowered his head, meeting Luo’er’s innocent gaze. His deep emerald eyes stood out, just like a beautiful emerald.

"The, the, the child is fine, right?" Luo Qishan extended his shaking hand to Luo’er’s head, his voice trembling as he asked.

"The child seems to be fine for now, but we still suggest a comprehensive checkup," the doctor recommended.

"No, no need," Luo Qishan slowly knelt down, pulling Luo’er into his arms, his emotional turmoil cracked and tears welled in his eyes, "It’s enough that he’s by my side, he’s not going anywhere."

The young Luo’er did not understand why his grandpa was crying. He wriggled free his hand, patting his grandpa’s white hair in an understanding manner. The gentle action overwhelmed Luo Qishan, triggering his suppressed emotions that made him sob while holding onto his grandson.

In the days that followed, Luo Qishan took Luo’er everywhere he went; whether he was in a meeting or at work, everyone would see a child with emerald eyes, pointed ears, and shoulder-length hair, playing contentedly by Luo Qishan’s side.

When it was impossible to accompany the child, Luo Qishan would entrust Luo’er to Wang Xu. At that time, Wang Xu wasn’t even twenty years old, his face was so young that it seemed water could pour out from the cheeks. He dared not take a step out of the room with Luo’er because the toddler was so adorable that everyone wanted to cozy up to him, especially the girls who could not resist Luo’er’s charm. Whenever Wang Xu appeared with Luo’er, they swarmed around in attempts to take Luo’er away from him.

The young Luo’er was not timid. He was close to Luo Qishan and got along with Wang Xu very well. When no one was around, he would quietly play by himself, not causing anyone any worry. The ease with Luo’er’s company made Wang Xu fond of him too, treating him like a younger brother, although it was unspoken.

What made Luo Qishan happiest every day, was meeting Luo’er. The sight of his innocent baby-like face washed away his fatigue instantly.

Luo Chuan was still in the hospital, and Luo Qishan took Luo’er to visit him every day. Even under conservative treatment, Luo Chuan’s face seemed increasingly rosy, making Luo Qishan believe that he was steadily recovering.

However, Magic Power Erosion was an incurable and irreversible disease. Despite Luo Qishan’s unfailing belief in Luo Chuan’s slow recovery, reality eventually manifested his deepest fears.

One day in mid-April, two years after Luo Chuan’s return to Earth, Luo Qishan took Luo’er to the hospital room as usual. Unexpectedly, Luo Chuan looked much more energetic, sitting on the bed, seemingly full of vitality as they arrived.

"Dad!" As soon as he entered the ward, Luo’er scurried over to him, arms outstretched for a hug.

"Luo’er, have you been listening to Grandpa?" Luo Chuan asked, his hand tenderly patting the little one’s head.

"Yes, it was Grandpa who let me in first!" Luo’er pointed at the door, sincerely answering.

"Slow down, Luo’er, Grandpa can’t follow you so quickly." Luo Qishan said as he walked in, looking troubled.

"Father!" Greeting Luo Qishan, Luo Chuan laughed.

"Looks like you’re getting discharged soon." Seeing his condition, Luo Qishan said joyfully.

Luo Chuan smiled slightly without saying anything, but a glimpse of sadness could be detected in his eyes.

"Luo’er, go out and play. Daddy needs to talk to Grandpa." Luo Chuan, his hand on Luo’er’s head, told him gently.

"Oh!" Luo’er nodded, turned and ran out of the room. As he stepped out, the nurses nearby revealed themselves, holding various toys and snacks to tempt him.

Staring at their attraction, Luo’er dribbled. He raised his head, looking at Wang Xu expectantly.

"Ladies, please spare our Luo’er!" A young Wang Xu, faced with such a situation, panicked. Joining his hands together, he begged desperately.

"Come on, we’re just playing with him, we’re not going to eat him," one of the nurses gave him a flirtatious look.

"But, my mission is to..." Wang Xu said with a gloomy face, his grievances unspoken.

"Over here, little Luo’er, do you remember your sister?" The nurses waved snacks in their hands to draw his attention. Luo’er finally could no longer resist the temptation and ran towards them.

"Luo’er, don’t..." Wang Xu was so anxious he was about to cry, and he quickly followed.

"What’s going on?" Hearing the laughter from outside the door, Luo Qishan was also affected and turned his head to ask with a smile.

"Father, I might not make it through today!" Luo Chuan’s voice was very low, but it hit Luo Qishan like a bolt from the blue.

"What nonsense are you talking about, don’t scare me like this!" Luo Qishan’s eyes widened, and he abruptly stood up.

"Today, I might meet my end." Luo Chuan said gently.

"No, it’s impossible, you’re perfectly fine." Luo Qishan began to babble.

"It’s just a brief revival, Father, I know I’m not going to make it, will you let me finish?" The look on Luo Chuan’s face was still calm.

"No, no, I’ll call the doctor!" Luo Qishan stood up hurriedly and scrambled for the call button but he had forgotten he could just press the bell.

"Father, if you walk out that door, you may never see me again. Can you let me finish?" Luo Chuan raised his voice slightly, but he was panting.

"What do you want to say?" Luo Qishan turned around mechanically, his hands shaking uncontrollably.

"When Luo’er grows up, please send him back to Otherworld. His mother is still waiting for him there. Tell her I couldn’t keep my promise. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!!!" After saying this long monologue, Luo Chuan closed his mouth and gasped for breath.

"No, it’s not like this, Luo’er, no, Luo Chuan, I..." Luo Qishan stuttered, grabbing his hair, unable to utter a word.

"Dad, I’m sorry, I failed to fulfill my duty as a son. I’m sorry!" Luo Chuan said, and slowly lay down, closing his eyes gradually.

"Luo Chuan?" Luo Qishan stood where he was, gently calling out. He didn’t dare to believe all this, and he didn’t even dare to walk over to check for himself.

At his words, Luo Chuan’s eyes sprang open, but then slowly closed again. He tried to keep his eyes open, but his gaze gradually blurred, and finally, his eyes slowly lost their spark, growing dim.

"Luo Chuan?" Luo Qishan swallowed, slowly squatted down, then crawled on the floor towards the bed. He didn’t dare to walk over; he was afraid he would faint at any moment.

Crawling to the edge of the bed, looking at Luo Chuan’s dim gaze, Luo Qishan shakily reached out, grabbed his wrist. His pulse had already stopped, and his hand began to slowly go cold. All this indicated a result that Luo Qishan dared not believe: Luo Chuan was gone.

"Luo Chuan, Luo Chuan, my son..." Luo Qishan kneeled in front of the bed, holding Luo Chuan’s hand tightly, and finally, he broke down in tears.

Years ago, when he heard that Luo Chuan had died on the battlefield, he had fainted. It took him six years to get over the pain of losing his son. But life is full of twists and turns, just as he had accepted his son’s death, he brought a child to his side. However, before he could enjoy the joys of family, Luo Chuan left him again, leaving behind a six-year-old child.

There’s nothing more painful in this world than giving someone hope, and then destroying it with your own hands. Luo Qishan didn’t know what he had done wrong to deserve such punishment.

Hearing Luo Qishan’s heartrending cries, Luo’er bounced into the sickroom. He didn’t understand why grandpa was kneeling in front of the bed crying. He ran to the edge of the bed, placed a piece of snack on Luo Chuan’s slowly stiffening hand, and said innocently, "Daddy, try this!"

Seeing Luo Chuan’s dimmed eyes, and then looking at the innocent Luo’er, Wang Xu stood dumbly at the doorway, unable to stop herself from covering her mouth and shedding tears.

"Luo’er, Luo’er..." Luo Qishan hugged him tightly, crying on his shoulder.

"Grandpa, don’t cry, I got something for you too!" Luo’er said hurriedly, holding up a small toy.

"Luo’er, your daddy is gone, your daddy is gone..." Luo Qishan told him the painful truth.

"Daddy’s gone?" The young Luo’er didn’t understand what it meant to leave.

"Daddy’s gone, now you only have grandpa!" Luo Qishan said, crying.

"No, grandpa," Luo’er wrestled uncomfortably and said loudly, "I still have Mommy, grandpa, I still have Mommy!"

"Yes, Luo’er, you do have Mommy, but, grandpa only has you now." Luo Qishan said, hugging Luo’er even tighter.