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When Zhang Nu saw the tension rise between Zhao Yang and Liu Hai, he wasn’t too worried. He knew both of them were good at heart. After spending some time together, they’d come to understand each other’s nature, and by then, any misunderstandings would naturally fade.
“All right, all right. Both of you, calm down,” Zhang Nu said. “We need to leave this place as soon as possible. If we linger any longer, I’m worried the villagers will notice something.”
Zhao Yang nodded at his words but raised a hand to stop them. “You can’t take me away just yet. There’s someone I have to see first.”
“Only after I’ve seen them can we leave.”
Liu Hai groaned in frustration, “Why are you dragging this out? Don’t you know your villagers don’t let outsiders leave? If you go visit someone now, aren’t you just trying to trap us here?”
Zhao Yang’s face darkened. He found Liu Hai’s accusations excessive. When had he ever acted like he didn’t want to leave? If it weren’t for that person, he wouldn’t even risk returning to see them.
“I want to visit my grandmother. She’s the one who encouraged me to leave in the first place. She doesn’t want me trapped in this place forever.”
“She told me that before I go, I must see her one last time—and bring my friends along. If I went to see her alone, others would start getting suspicious.”
Zhang Nu nodded solemnly. “You’re right.”
“But... are you sure your grandmother will still support you leaving with us?” he asked. “What if she tries to stop you, too? Then what?”
Zhao Yang fell silent. If even his grandmother turned against him, he truly wouldn’t know what to believe anymore. All his life, she had been the one person supporting him. If even she had changed... then there really would be no one left in this world he could rely on. But no matter what, he had to go. He didn’t want to be a frog trapped in a well. He refused to be caged here for the rest of his life.
“If even my grandmother disagrees... then we’ll leave after seeing her. I won’t wait here any longer. If you won’t take me with you, I’ll find my own way out someday.” His eyes burned with determination, as if the outside world was calling to him with irresistible force.
Seeing that, Zhang Nu and the others understood his resolve. Few people they’d met had such unwavering clarity about what they wanted.
“Very well,” Zhang Nu said. “With someone as focused as you joining us, we’re honored.”
“Let’s go meet your grandmother. I’m curious to see what kind of remarkable woman raised someone like you.”
Zhang Nu smiled as he said this, sounding genuinely impressed—though in truth, he hadn’t met the old woman yet. Still, Zhao Yang grinned broadly at his words.
“You’ll like her, I promise,” he said cheerfully. Zhang Nu and the others laughed when they heard Zhao Yang’s words.
Soon, Zhao Yang brought Zhang Nu and the others to his grandmother’s home.
Strangely enough, she didn’t live with the rest of his family. Instead, she lived on the outskirts of the village, right at its edge. Zhang Nu and the others found this odd. It reminded them of the very first village they had passed through.
“Zhao Yang,” Zhang Nu asked. “Why does your grandmother live all the way out here? Isn’t it inconvenient for an old lady? What if something happened to her?”
Zhao Yang shook his head. “We tried to bring her home, but she insisted on living here. She just... prefers this spot. Maybe because my grandfather used to live here.”
Zhang Nu nodded thoughtfully. “I see... so it’s love that keeps her here.”
Zhao Yang nodded back. In his eyes, his grandmother was a deeply sentimental and incredible person. Not only had she lived safely on the village’s edge all these years, but she was also well-respected by everyone in the village.
“Grandma,” Zhao Yang called out as he entered the yard. “My friends are here to meet you. I’m planning to leave with them.”
The old woman, upon hearing his voice, immediately burst into a hearty laugh.
Ed: Sorry for the delay. Life has been busy T-T