The girl saw the old man stop halfway through what he was saying again. She opened her mouth and couldn't help asking, "Grandpa, why is it that whenever you bring up things from our family's past, you always stop halfway and suddenly refuse to say anything more?"
The old man smiled bitterly. "You're still young. Knowing these things now wouldn't do you any good. When you're truly grown up and able to shoulder the burden, Grandpa will tell you everything."
"But it's too soon now. You're not ready to know these things yet."
Seeing that the old man wouldn't tell her, the girl could only sigh helplessly.
Just then, the old man suddenly asked, "By the way, Aying, did anything happen when you went out today?"
At his question, the girl's expression stiffened. She opened her mouth, hesitating to speak.
"Hmm?"
The old man was taken aback by her reaction, and his heart suddenly tightened. He immediately asked in a grave voice, "Aying, tell Grandpa. What happened to you today?"
"Did you run into those people again—the ones you said wanted to bully you?"
The girl lightly bit her lip. Under the old man's insistent gaze, she finally gave a small nod. "Yes."
But she quickly added, "Don't worry, Grandpa. I'm fine. I managed to shake them off again, so you don't need to worry."
At that, the old man's expression eased somewhat, but he soon frowned again. "No, Aying. For the next few days, try not to go out, just in case you run into those people again."
After a pause, he continued, "You can't count on being lucky enough to shake them off every time."
The girl opened her mouth and couldn't help saying, "But, Grandpa, if I don't go out to look for work, how will we