The old lady got straight to the point.
"Don't think about it."
"Your grandpa and grandma would never hurt you."
"Your grandpa and grandma have eaten more salt than you've eaten rice."
"Your grandpa and grandma couldn't be wrong."
"Chen Jing isn't someone you can associate with."
"Stop having anything to do with her."
"And..."
The old lady stared at Leilei, her gaze sharp. "Don't listen to anything she says."
"Stop looking for Big Leopard."
"Big Leopard is just your hallucination."
"You're not having hallucinations anymore."
"Don't let yourself step into the mire again."
"Leilei."
"Do you understand?"
Leilei slowly nodded.
"...I...I understand."
"Good girl."
The old lady patted Leilei's head.
"Listen to your grandpa and grandma."
"Your grandpa and grandma won't lie to you."
"Chen Jing..."
"She really isn't a good person."
"Mm."
The old man nodded.
"She seems to have an ulterior motive."
"Don't worry about what her motive is."
"Just stay away from her."
"If she keeps pestering you, tell your grandpa and grandma."
"Your grandpa and grandma will drive her away for you."
"Yes."
Grandma nodded.
"Don't see her again."
"Don't let her pester you."
Leilei pursed her lips.
"Grandma, Grandpa."
"I still find it hard to believe..."
"What's so hard to believe?"
The old lady curled her lip.
"She's influencing you little by little."
"Look at yourself."
"You already believe that you really saw Big Leopard."
"Does that make any sense?"
"After some more time..."
"Won't you really see Big Leopard again?"
Leilei opened and closed her mouth.
She...
didn't know.
But there was one thing Grandma was right about.
She had noticed it herself, too.
At some point, she had started believing that her former hallucination had been real...
Leilei felt a chill run through her limbs.