"I don't want there to be any distance between us, because we are friends! Aren't we?"

"Yes..."

I compromised.

The so-called relationship between people is generated and maintained through the connection of a person or thing that acts as an intermediary.

However, the "bond" of the relationship between me and the dean - Raya's father has passed away long ago. Logically speaking, our relationship will be restored to nothing.

But the fact is: the dean treated me as kindly as before, as if the decades of blankness had never existed.

I don’t understand...

"By the way, why do you suddenly want to visit that old gentleman?"

The dean changed the topic.

"Well...I went to the cemetery a few days ago."

"Cemetery? Oh... You're here to see him, right?"

"Yes, you still remember."

"Unforgettable."

"Well...then I happened to see the name of Old Rub's wife on a tombstone..."

"That's it."

The dean nodded slightly and quickened his pace.

We walked through a spacious and bright corridor, and there was a chubby big cat lying on the guardrail basking in the sun, meowing "meow~~meow" from time to time, seeming to show off how comfortable it was.

"This is it."

Dean stopped.

"Thank you."

In front of you is a closed door.

Just standing outside, I can see that this room has excellent lighting. There is no doubt that it is a special arrangement by the dean.

"The old gentleman is the eldest in the hospital, so I asked him to live here, and the other elderly people also expressed their support."

As if aware of my thoughts, the dean explained.

"Hmm... So how is he doing?"

"Not very optimistic..."

The dean lowered his voice slightly:

"Recently, my mental decline has been very serious. I have developed symptoms of dementia and I don't want to eat. Alas... I always feel that the old gentleman seems to be troubled by something, but he is unwilling to see a doctor and doesn't know what to do.

OK..."

"That's it."

The dean’s guilty eyes were filled with helplessness.

"Just in case, I want to ask you a favor——"

I put my hand on the doorknob:

"No matter what I say to Old Rub later, please don't take offense. Also, please cooperate with me when the time comes."

"Hey? You..."

"Just trust me, I can't do anything bad."

I winked at the dean.

"Hehe...Okay."

"Thank you~~"

Seeing the dean smile and nod, I opened the door with confidence——

The fireplace was burning brightly, but the light in the room was still very dim. Under extremely low visibility, I saw a bed.

Sitting beside the bed was a young woman dressed as a caregiver. She stood up as soon as she saw us.

"Why don't you open the curtains?"

The dean scolded the nursing staff.

"The old gentleman won't let..."

The caregiver lowered her head, her tone aggrieved.

The dean sighed and asked the nursing staff to leave temporarily.

I stared at the old man on the bed - only his thin head was exposed outside the quilt, and his sunken eye sockets were facing the ceiling. He was motionless and seemed not to notice us at all.

I leaned down and got closer to him:

"Hey, Old Rube."

"..."

I controlled the surprise in my heart and didn't let it show out, but I couldn't connect the person in front of me with the strong, cheerful uncle in my memory.

"Hey, Old Rub, I'm a lonely old man, don't you recognize me?"

He finally reacted and slowly turned his face:

"Solitary...lonely..."

Well, I can’t explain clearly anymore.

"Okay, I understand what you mean. You can still think of me. That's good...I came to visit you. It's been a long time."

"Mr. Gu... Gu Lao..."

"It's me."

"Ugh...sheng...don't look..."

"Okay..."

I responded to what he said, even though I didn't understand it at all.

To be honest, he is so old that I don’t recognize him at all. I don’t even dare to touch him, for fear that if I pat his shoulder or touch his hand, he will turn into dust.< /p>

"Pen...pen...I...four closed..."

However, at some point, Old Rub's hand stretched out from under the sheets and grabbed me tightly like a vine. He kept mumbling something and looked extremely excited.

"Paper... pen... paper..."

"Well..."

I put my ear to his mouth.

"Sickness...sickness...sickness...cure..."

Ah...

This time I finally understand.

I hold his hand:

"Don't worry~~ You are not sick."

"Ugh...! Sick... no..."

"Well, I'm not sick."

"Solitary..."

"You are definitely not sick, you are just too old. Don't you even believe what I say? I have confirmed it with the dean, right?"

I looked towards the dean.

The dean was stunned for a moment, but immediately smiled and agreed with understanding:

"Ah...yes, you don't have any symptoms of illness. We made a mistake before. We are very sorry."

"Look."

I looked at Old Rube again.

After listening to our words, Old Rub let go of my hand. His face twitched and his mouth was half-opened - he smiled.

"That...that's good..."

Then he closed his eyes kindly.

"Thank you...thank you..."

"You're welcome~~ Just take care of yourself and take care of yourself. Don't forget, there's nothing wrong with your body. You're just aging, and you will continue to age in the future. That's all."

"Okay...Okay..."
To be continued...