Chapter 362: Meeting Granny Li Again?

Even though the Village Chief and the fellow villagers reacted with seriousness and gravity, Su Yan didn't take it to heart at all; after all, it was all fake.

"Yan Yan, we're telling you this, so don't be anxious. Granny Li has fallen ill."

"Ill? What kind of illness?"

Su Yan was being quite cooperative with everything in this illusion.

The Village Chief shook his head and took two heavy puffs from his tobacco pipe.

"You should go back and check on her first. Granny Li will surely be happy to see you return."

Su Yan understood his meaning immediately and subconsciously quickened her pace.

The Village Chief and the villagers were worried about her being alone, so they all followed her toward Granny Li's house.

When she saw those familiar wattle fences, a wave of nostalgia slowly spread through Su Yan's heart.

Thinking about it, although she hadn't been away from Daliushu Village for very long, she felt a sense of being worlds apart. She wondered if Granny Li and everyone else were doing well.

While she was lost in thought, the Village Chief had already pushed open the picket gate.

Su Yan followed behind him.

Upon reaching the doorway, the Village Chief gestured to her.

The door was left ajar; with a gentle push from Su Yan, it opened.

Before she could even see Granny Li, she heard the sound of coughing coming from inside.

Su Yan knew that Granny Li's health was poor and that she often coughed, but this was the first time she had heard her coughing so violently.

Her heart involuntarily tightened, and she lifted the heavy door curtain and stepped inside.

When she saw Granny Li lying on the *kang*, having become so thin that she was nothing but skin and bones, Su Yan couldn't help but feel a sense of suffocation, even though she knew it was fake.

She froze in place; she desperately wanted to go over, but found that she seemingly couldn't move.

At that moment, the Village Chief's voice rang out, "Granny Li, wake up quickly! Yan Yan is back."

When he said it the first time, Granny Li showed no reaction, so he had to increase his volume and repeat it closer to her ear.

Granny Li finally opened her eyes, her cloudy gaze slowly landing on Su Yan.

Su Yan's nose tingled, and tears nearly fell.

She remembered that when she left Daliushu Village, Granny Li was clearly still robust and strong.

*Don't cry. This illusion might be trying to disturb my emotions to achieve its goal.*

The more such moments occurred, the clearer her mind became. After reminding herself, all her emotions vanished without a trace.

It was all fake. Her teacher had said it very clearly: Granny Li was perfectly fine.

"Granny, I'm back."

At this moment, her voice was even somewhat indifferent.

Granny Li stared at her blankly at first, as if trying to determine if she was dreaming. Once she fully regained her senses, she excitedly propped herself up on the *kang*.

"Yan Yan, why are you back?"

Her aged voice trembled with excitement.

Su Yan took the opportunity to come to her side, allowing herself to be scrutinized.

"I came back to see you."

Granny Li reached out toward her with trembling hands.

After a moment's hesitation, Su Yan took them.

The realistic sensation caused her gaze to deepen slightly.

The people and things generated within an illusion should be nothingness; to be able to achieve such realistic gestures, expressions, and even tactile sensations was indeed not simple.

This illusion must be capable of peering into the deepest desires of a person's heart and presenting them in their most authentic state.

Seeing that Granny Li had regained her spirit, the Village Chief felt relieved and signaled the others to head back.

"Yan Yan, stay and keep Granny Li company. We'll head back first."

Soon, both the room and the courtyard fell silent, leaving only Su Yan and Granny Li.

"Granny, how did you get so seriously ill? Didn't you go to the hospital?" Su Yan appeared concerned, but in reality, she was observing everything in her surroundings.

With Su Yan's help, Granny Li shifted her body to lean against the quilted bolster beside her.

"You know this is just an old ailment of mine, it can't be cured. As for you, hurry and tell Granny, why did you come back so soon? How has life been out there?"

The Granny Li in the illusion showed the exact same concern for Su Yan as the real Granny Li.

Naturally, Su Yan couldn't truly chat with her in detail, so she replied perfunctorily, "Everything is fine. Father treats me very well, and I've even made friends out there."

Granny Li showed a gratified smile. "You used to be such a solitary child. Granny was worried you'd be the same after leaving the village, but now Granny is truly at ease... *cough, cough, cough*..."

As she spoke, she began to cough violently again, and this time, bloodstains actually appeared on the handkerchief she used to cover her mouth.

Su Yan's brow furrowed beneath her black veil; this performance was far too realistic.

"Granny, I won't be at ease if you're like this. I'll take you to the hospital right now."

As she spoke, she prepared to help Granny Li up.

Surely even a hospital in the county town couldn't be manifested?

As expected, Granny Li immediately refused, waving her hands repeatedly.

"Yan Yan, don't waste your energy. Granny's illness has accumulated over many years; I am satisfied just to have lived this long."

Su Yan continued to insist, "Granny, even if it's for my sake, please don't give up on yourself."

As long as she exposed the Granny Li before her, the illusion would naturally be broken.

Granny Li panted heavily, "Yan Yan, Granny still has something very important to tell you. Can you let Granny finish speaking first?"

Su Yan watched her struggling. Although she knew that whatever she said absolutely could not be believed, she could only continue to play along.

"Alright, Granny, go ahead. I'm listening."

Granny Li did not continue immediately, but instead leaned back and closed her eyes to adjust her condition.

Her current state was one where she was exhaling more than she was inhaling.

Su Yan was in no hurry, waiting calmly and coldly.

After about ten minutes, Granny Li finally opened her eyes again.

"Haven't you always wanted to know what exactly happened before you came to Daliushu Village? And also, the cause of your mother's death."

Originally, Su Yan was merely cooperating with this illusion, but Granny Li's words once again disturbed her state of mind.

Even though she knew clearly that what she said could not be true, Su Yan actually wanted to hear what she could say.

"Didn't you say before that you didn't know either?"

Granny Li gave a weak smile, her face carrying a hint of reluctance and hesitation. "I didn't tell you before because you were too young; there were things you shouldn't have had to bear at that age. But now that Granny doesn't have much time left, someone must let you know what truly happened back then."

Su Yan's gaze, hidden beneath the black veil, locked onto Granny Li's face. While waiting for her to continue, she also prepared herself mentally for anything.

After all, it was possible that she would say some nonsensical, horrifying past to affect her emotions.

(End of Chapter)