“Zhao Yang, you’ve finally found your own friends. Now that you can leave with them, Grandma is truly happy,” the old woman said with a warm smile. “I no longer have to worry about your safety or your dreams.”
Hearing her words, Zhao Yang nodded and slowly crouched down in front of his grandmother.
“Grandma, I’m going to leave with them now. If anything happens, please be sure to go find my parents,” he said softly. “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely come back to this village. I’m just going to take a look at the world outside.”
Grandma nodded slowly. “It’s good for you to go out and see the world, to gain experience and broaden your horizons. Only those who leave and return understand just how precious this life truly is.”
“Make sure you get along with these friends of yours. Remember not to act spoiled or be temperamental. Don’t behave like you do at home.”
Zhao Yang nodded again. At that moment, his grandmother turned her gaze toward Zhang Nu and the others.
“You’re taking Zhao Yang out into the world. Please, be patient with him. He’s lived here his entire life and has never ventured out. It’s only natural that he won’t understand a lot of things. Teach him well—he’s a good child at heart.”
Zhang Nu nodded and, just like Zhao Yang, crouched in front of the old woman.
“Grandma, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Zhao Yang,” he said sincerely. “We’re friends. On this journey, we won’t abandon or give up on each other. No matter what happens to him, we’ll pull him back.”
Grandma nodded with approval. “Good, good. That’s good. As long as you treat him well, he won’t disappoint you.”
Zhang Nu nodded again. He could tell that this grandmother was truly kind and understanding. She respected the will of her loved ones and never forced her opinions on others.
“Grandma, don’t worry. We won’t be disappointed in Zhao Yang. We’ll definitely treat him well.”
Hearing his words, the old woman nodded once more and gently closed her eyes, a serene smile spreading across her face.
“If you’re planning to leave, then go quickly. If you wait too long, you may not be able to leave at all.”
Zhang Nu and the others had wanted to stay with her a little longer, but after hearing those words, they were about to protest—only for Zhao Yang to stop them.
When Zhao Yang heard his grandmother say that, he knew she wasn’t lying. If they didn’t leave now, they might really never be able to.
“Grandma, then we’ll head out now,” he said. “You take good care of yourself. I’ll come visit you again when I return from the outside world.”
Grandma nodded once more, and Zhao Yang led Zhang Nu and the others away in a hurry.
Zhang Nu and the others didn’t understand why Zhao Yang was so anxious. Shouldn’t he have stayed and spent more time with his grandmother?
“Zhao Yang, why are you in such a rush to leave?” Zhang Nu asked. “Shouldn’t you spend more time with your grandmother? Who knows when you’ll get to see her again?”
Hearing Zhang Nu’s confusion, Zhao Yang replied calmly. “Didn’t Grandma already say it? If we don’t leave now, we won’t be able to leave at all. We have to listen to her—whatever Grandma says always comes true.”
Zhang Nu and the others were stunned. Could she really be that powerful? Was she truly able to predict the future?
“No way… Grandma’s really that amazing?”
Seeing Zhang Nu’s skeptical reaction, Zhao Yang chuckled. He understood their disbelief—he hadn’t believed it either at first. But after many experiences, he realized that everything his grandmother said would come true. From that point on, he dared not doubt her anymore. Anything she said, he would follow.
“I’m serious. If you don’t believe me, you’ll see next time we come back. Everything Grandma says will come true.”
Zhang Nu and the others nodded. They sincerely hoped they would have the chance to witness that for themselves.
“Well then, if we’re lucky enough to return, we’ll be sure to stay longer and see just how amazing your grandma really is.”
Zhao Yang nodded with a smile. At that moment, none of them knew—once they stepped out of this place, the chance to return would become a distant luxury.