"I've been thinking about this these past few days, too..."
Zuo Xiaoduo took Zuo Changlu's hand and pleaded, "Dad, Sister Nian Nian and I are grown up now. We can actually handle a lot of things ourselves. Whether it's resources or weapons, we've got everything sorted out... From now on, could you stop asking Uncle Nan, Uncle Wu, and the others to come... please?"
Zuo Changlu's gaze grew even deeper and more unfathomable. "Why?" he asked quietly.
"I know... you and Mom had very serious difficulties that forced you to live in seclusion here in Phoenix City. But since you've already spent so many peaceful years here, I don't want you to face danger again. Even less do I want anyone else to know about your existence, including old friends like Uncle Nan. Only a secret you alone know is truly a secret!"
"I just want you and Mom to be safe and sound."
Zuo Xiaoduo said earnestly, "Your son's grown up now. I can make money. I believe I'm capable of looking after this family... You and Mom should just focus on recovering from your injuries... okay?"
"Recovering from our injuries?" Zuo Changlu frowned, keenly picking up on those words.
"Whether you're recovering from injuries or living in seclusion, Sister Nian Nian and I both hope... You've already lived in seclusion for so many years, so don't let outsiders find out... Uncle Wu and Uncle Nan have already been here, and there's nothing we can do about that. But from now on, we don't want you taking risks again."
Zuo Xiaoduo spoke earnestly, almost pleadingly.
For a long, long time, Zuo Changlu said nothing.
With his age and experience, he naturally understood his son's intentions completely.
Although Zuo Xiaoduo's guesses had strayed very, very far from the truth, at