"You've been here for quite a while."
"Talking to it..."
The staff member shot a quick glance at the red-eyed python.
"And you've said quite a lot."
"That's enough."
Though it had all been a false alarm...
The staff member's heart was still racing.
He felt almost suffocated, as if he couldn't catch his breath.
The red-eyed python...
For now, he didn't want to be so close to it.
He wanted to get out of there.
The old woman smiled wryly.
Yes.
She had promised.
"...All right."
Grandma Xu nodded.
She didn't want to go back on her word.
And she didn't want to put the staff member in a difficult position.
Grandma Xu looked at the red-eyed python.
"Qian Qian."
"I'm going out."
After talking for a while, Grandma Xu could speak to the red-eyed python quite naturally like this.
After all, they'd been talking through a glass window for decades.
Well.
It was mostly her doing the talking.
Grandma Xu smiled faintly.
Qian Qian was always silent.
"Grandma!"
The staff member urged her from a short distance away.
Grandma Xu reached out.
She extended her hand toward the red-eyed python's head.
The red-eyed python tilted its head slightly.
It looked at Grandma Xu, seeming unsure what she was going to do.
Grandma Xu's lips curved into a smile.
She gently rested her hand on the red-eyed python's head.
Then she softly stroked it.
"Grandma—"
The staff member's voice cut off.
Not just the staff member—everyone froze.
Their eyes widened.
W-what...
Grandma Xu... had patted the red-eyed python's head?!
"Qian Qian."
Grandma Xu's eyes shone.
"Take good care of yourself."
"Remember to eat on time every day."
"If you feel unwell, tell the staff right away..."
"Qian Qian."
Grandma Xu's voice