The words that the mystery man uttered failed to provide Shufen with any sense of safety; instead, they left her feeling completely detached. Words alone held no power over her anymore, as she had come to realize that her past experiences were shaped by her misplaced trust in those very words. Words alone failed to bring Shufen any sense of well-being; she craved validation instead. She yearned for reassurance and confirmation, something beyond mere verbal expressions.