Nong Sanniang heard the voice. Her body stiffened, and with a sigh, she walked out of the field, still holding her hoe, and headed in a certain direction.
Nong Lie plopped down in the muddy ground. "It's happening again."
Lu Yin was curious. "What is?"
Nong Lie replied helplessly, "It's Big Face Tree. It's our turn to keep it company while it talks."
Lu Yin's eyes lit up as he remembered. Big Face Tree—the strange tree whose words hit like a heavy hammer. He had met it in the past, talked with it, and had also seen Bai Xian'er.
He had also met it when he was disguised as Long Qi. It had been the first to recognize him as Lu Xiao Xuan.
"Does Big Face Tree know a lot of things?" Lu Yin asked.
Nong Lie nodded. "A lot, but who can listen to it? Even Dad can't."
Lu Yin looked at Nong Ya. His expression was grim. He shook his head and continued hoeing the ground.
Lu Yin then looked at Nong Yi, who was leaning on his hoe. "Big Face Tree is old. Old people like to reminisce. It often talks about ancient events, most of which we already know. It just keeps repeating them, over and over." He looked at Lu Yin. "You can go talk to it too. You might hear something useful."
Lu Yin thought for a moment, then put away his hoe. "I'll go talk to it."
"Xue'er, take Lu Yin to it," Nong Ya said.
Nong Lie perked up. "Dad, let Lu Yin take my place!"
"In your dreams. Get back to farming."
"Yes, sir—"
Meanwhile, with Bai Xue leading the way, Lu Yin headed toward Big Face Tree.
"Long time no see," Lu Yin said.
Bai Xue brushed back her hair.