"Xiao Qin just said no one could listen in on this room, so I can speak freely too."
Wen Shu sat obediently beside Xu Lanzhi, a little puzzled. "Grandmother, what do you want to say?"
Xu Lanzhi gently patted Wen Shu's hand. A trace of worry actually showed in her clouded eyes.
"Shu, I know you've always had a mind of your own."
"Whether it's your studies or your life, you've never needed me to worry about you or tell you much."
"Then again, a blind old woman like me doesn't seem to be much help to you, apart from making trouble."
"Grandmother, don't say that. Without you, I really wouldn't know how to keep living..."
Xu Lanzhi shook her head. "Even without me, you'd adjust sooner or later. Child, you must understand that time dulls everything. At my age, I've endured far more pain than you could imagine, but haven't I still lived on just fine?"
"Grandmother..."
"All right, let's leave those distant things aside and come back to the present."
"You must have made your plans before deciding to follow Qin Siyang to Area No. 7 for school."
Wen Shu pressed her lips together without answering, and Xu Lanzhi had no intention of pressing her.
"I won't ask about your plans. You've always had plenty of plans of your own. I know that, but I've never asked you about them."
"In this world, those Sequence Abilities and such are frighteningly powerful. I'm afraid that if I know too much, someone might use a Sequence Ability to muddle my head one day, make me say something I shouldn't, and let your secrets slip."
"You're the only person I still worry about. If I caused you trouble, I'd probably regret it until I died."
Wen Shu's heart jolted at those