The bald explanation catches her off guard--that's what he wanted?

"But..." She blinks and sets her jaw. She doesn't want to whimper--it feels better to be angry. "I didn't do anything to you. I tried to help you. So why?"

It feels strangely unfair, like her parents fighting, like Wei dying. She's sick of it.

She recalls something else too, and now both of her hands ball into fists. "And you made me lose the book list, too! That could get even more people killed if somebody finds it!"