I Am

At that moment, someone stood in the wind, solemnly reciting something. Though Hesta could not understand a single word, the firelight illuminated the person's face, bringing her expression vividly to life. One after another, everyone rose to their feet and recited lines of varying lengths, some loud, some soft, against the wind and the fire.

Hesta did not ask what the words meant, because she could see that everyone around her was immersed in the solemn atmosphere. She did not want to disturb anyone's sacred moment.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd shifted. Hesta immediately noticed the change and turned to look. Not far away, Xiang Hanshan was whispering with Lin Jiao.

Xiang Hanshan said something, and Lin Jiao shook her head. Just then, Lin Jiao's gaze happened to meet Hesta's, and she immediately waved at her. It all happened so quickly that Xiang Hanshan had no time to stop her before Hesta had already risen and walked over.

"Could you go to the bathroom with Hanshan?" Lin Jiao asked. "It's too dark. She's scared to go alone."

"...I'm not scared!" Xiang Hanshan deliberately lowered her voice, sounding anxious. "I just don't remember where the bathroom is!"

"Mhm, mhm." Lin Jiao nodded, then looked at Hesta again. "Do you know where it is?"

"I do." Hesta stood up again. "Let's go."

Xiang Hanshan's expression changed slightly, but she still pressed her lips together and left with Hesta.

The two hurried along the paths between the single-story houses, heading toward the far edge of the farmstead. Hesta strode along at a rapid pace while Xiang Hanshan kept looking around, trying to confirm their direction.

"What are you looking at?" Hesta stopped. "This way."

"...Do you know the way?"

"Yeah," Hesta replied. "I came here once during the day."

Xiang Hanshan frowned. "Your