Chapter 412 – A Worldview Overturned
Xu Jinning’s words sounded utterly absurd at first.
After all, if someone claimed to be from the future, anyone would think that person was either crazy or had something seriously wrong with them.
But Grandpa Xie believed Xu Jinning.
First, because of the trust he had in her as his future granddaughter-in-law, and second, because he had read that article.
When he first read it, he had a strange feeling, as if the author was recounting her own experiences.
Every detail about the future was so vividly described.
Every historical change was portrayed with such realism that it didn’t need her firm declaration; just describing it made it seem like she had genuinely lived through it.
Each time he read that article, Grandpa Xie felt the same way.
Now, listening to Xu Jinning’s words, Grandpa Xie realized that his intuition had been correct.
It turned out that those were indeed events that Xu Jinning had personally experienced.
Because she had lived through it, she knew what the future of the country would be like, and she knew what events would occur in the future, so…
Just as Grandpa Xie was thinking this, Xu Jinning’s next words shattered his assumptions.
“Grandpa, have you ever read a novel or a storybook?”
Grandpa Xie was puzzled by Xu Jinning’s question, but before he could ponder it further, he heard her say, “The world we are living in right now is a book, or rather, a novel…”
Grandpa Xie’s eyes widened slightly, and his grip on the cane tightened.
Even though he had been shocked by her earlier claim of being from the future, this statement left him even more astounded.
He was so taken aback that he couldn’t even speak.
It took him a moment to find his voice again.
“Girl Ning, did you just say that this world is a book, a novel?” Grandpa Xie could hear the slight distortion in his own voice.
“Yes,” she replied.
Xu Jinning’s explanation completely overturned Grandpa Xie’s worldview and beliefs. For the first time, a look of struggle appeared in his usually composed, calm, and wise eyes.
After Xu Jinning finished speaking, silence filled the study.
Grandpa Xie was deep in thought, seemingly unable to respond to Xu Jinning and Xie Ting’an right away.
Xu Jinning felt a bit anxious.
Xie Ting’an held her hand, offering her some comfort.
They exchanged a glance but remained silent.
They both understood how Grandpa Xie was feeling at that moment.
It wasn’t just Grandpa Xie; anyone who suddenly heard something that completely shattered their worldview would find it absurd, unbelievable, and might even question whether they were still in the real world. They might start doubting everything and everyone around them.
For those with a fragile mental state, it could even lead to madness.
After all, if this world was truly a book, then everyone in it was merely a character.
Anyone who had read a book knew that if characters existed, there were main characters, supporting characters, and even expendable ones. Since it was a book, everything was written by the author. It wasn’t just the supporting characters— even the protagonists were, in reality, just figures under the author’s control.
To put it nicely, the author gave them thoughts and beliefs, but the truth was, every one of them was controlled by the author.
They might not even have their own thoughts, and their fates were predetermined by the author.
This gave people a sense of helplessness.
Yes, it was the helplessness of knowing that no matter how hard one tried, there was no way to change their fate, leaving them to rise and fall within a predetermined destiny until they reached the inevitable conclusion.
A feeling of powerlessness!
That’s exactly what it was—a powerlessness that no matter what one did, they couldn’t change a thing!
Such a realization could drive someone to despair and even madness.
If someone with an unsteady mind suddenly learned the truth about this world, they could indeed collapse under the weight of that revelation.
Grandpa Xie’s reaction was already quite commendable.
However, Xie Ting’an and Xu Jinning both understood that they needed to give him time to accept and process everything.
Fortunately, Grandpa Xie was wise and had a firm resolve. After a moment, he managed to collect himself.
“Girl Ning, you’re saying that this world is now developing naturally? It’s no longer under anyone’s control?” Grandpa Xie asked.
“Yes,” Xu Jinning replied.
Her response allowed Grandpa Xie to let out a long sigh of relief.
It was a good thing that no one was in control anymore. This way, everyone could take charge of their own fate, and the life they lived would truly belong to them.
“Then, the current issue is stopping those people, Shen Huai and Lin Wangshu, from disrupting the normal order of this world, correct?” Grandpa Xie continued.
He had a general understanding of what Xu Jinning had explained about the so-called protagonists and their fate. He also knew what these so-called protagonists were trying to achieve.
What Shen Huai and Lin Wangshu wanted to do was something he did not wish to see.
Although this world had originated from a book, now that everyone had broken free from control, there was no reason to return to a life of being controlled.
He also agreed with Xu Jinning’s suggestion to go to Hong Kong to meet Lin Wangshu and bring her back.
Indeed, bringing Lin Wangshu back was the safest course of action.
Of course, Xu Jinning’s safety was also of utmost importance.
Even though she didn’t say it, Grandpa Xie knew that Xu Jinning was crucial to this world.
It was because of her presence that this world gradually returned to normal, allowing everyone to break free from control, take charge of their own destinies, and have their own thoughts.
Therefore, Xu Jinning’s existence and safety were of utmost importance.
She absolutely could not be allowed to come to any harm.
“You both should leave for now and let me think about what to do next,” Grandpa Xie said.
Xie Ting’an and Xu Jinning exchanged a glance before leaving the room.
They waited in the living room on the first floor, uncertain of how much time had passed until Grandpa Xie finally called them back into the study.
When they entered, Grandpa Xie seemed to have regained his composure, returning to the wise, calm, and collected elder he had always been.
“Girl Ning, everything you told me today stays within these walls. Once you step out of the Xie family’s door, don’t speak of it to anyone, as if this conversation never happened. I will act as though I never heard it and won’t mention it to anyone either.”
“As for your plan to go to Hong Kong, I support it. I will send people to protect you, both openly and in secret.”
In the end, Grandpa Xie made these two decisions.
His first decision brought a sense of relief to Xu Jinning. She had been prepared for Grandpa Xie to report this matter to higher authorities, ready to hand over everything.
But unexpectedly, Grandpa Xie chose to keep it all hidden.
She wasn’t sure what his exact reasoning was, but she knew it stemmed from a deep sense of care and protection for her.
