After an unknown amount of time, the oppressive atmosphere in the room finally eased somewhat.
Dugu Bo looked at his granddaughter standing there in a daze, guilt flashing through his eyes as he softly said, "I'm sorry, Yan Yan. I should have told you all this sooner."
Hearing Dugu Bo's words, Dugu Yan finally snapped out of her stupor.
Seeing grandfather's aged appearance and how he was forcing himself to pull himself together just to comfort her, her heart was struck hard.
That was right. Grandfather was no better off than she was. The one who had died was her father, but he had also been grandfather's son.
She had been too young back then. What good would telling her have done? At the very least, grandfather had always granted her every request over the years, and he was her only remaining relative.
"Grandfather."
Dugu Yan threw herself into Dugu Bo's arms. Her soft sobs continued, then quickly grew louder until her crying filled the entire room.
It was good that she cried. Good that she let it out.
Dugu Bo had actually prepared himself for his granddaughter to resent him, but Dugu Yan's reaction was far better than he had expected.
Perhaps learning so much all at once had left Dugu Yan mentally exhausted and heartbroken. As she cried, she eventually fell asleep in Dugu Bo's arms.
Looking at his granddaughter's face covered in tears, Dugu Bo let out a soft sigh and carried her back to her room.
Afterward, he instructed the servants to prepare food in advance and keep it ready at all times. He himself simply sat outside Dugu Yan's door, staring blankly ahead with lifeless eyes, lost in thought.
It was not until two in the afternoon that Dugu Yan woke up.
Remembering what had