Chapter 938: Dialogue

Chapter 938: Dialogue

The ancestral home’s décor remained as simple as ever. Though worn and old, it gave off a cozy vibe.

Inside were only Ruo’er and Xia Hanmo, sitting at a small table. The dining spread consisted of some home-cooked dishes—not luxurious, but they looked incredibly appetizing, making one’s mouth water.

There were three places set at the table, with Xia Hanmo sitting and one spot left empty in the middle.

Lin Nuo thought they were expecting some esteemed guest, but soon enough, they placed his portrait on the vacant chair and set the bowls and chopsticks as if he were truly dining there.

Moreover, the two of them even served food to the empty spot, speaking as if they were caring for him.

This left Lin Nuo quite astonished. Had they gone a bit mad?

Surely not.

“How long have they been like this?”

“I’m not sure exactly when it started. But every time I pass by here, I see this scene. Even though you’re no longer here, they still treat you as if you’re a family member who’s present,” Da Su said, admitting that she felt a bit guilty seeing such a thing. She didn’t have much to do with their family, just enough for Xia Hanmo to greet her when they met, while Ruo’er wouldn’t even acknowledge her.

But it was her task; she couldn’t just ignore Lin Nuo.

Ruo’er and Xia Hanmo laughed and chatted comfortably, as if they had gotten used to this life. Lin Nuo walked over and slowly sat down. Of course, his body couldn’t actually touch the chair, so he just mimicked the action of sitting.

It was a simple meal, but he could feel the atmosphere; being there brought him some peace.

Naturally, there was also a touch of sorrow.

Xiao Su, unaware of everything, found the situation simply too bizarre. What was this illusion?

Why was his portrait placed on the chair, as if he had passed away?

“What exactly is this? What happened? Can you tell me?”

Xiao Su asked Lin Nuo fruitlessly and had to turn to Da Su.

Of course, she didn’t expect much, considering they were rivals; even if there were hidden truths, Da Su likely wouldn’t share them.

“I told you, I am you. Everything you see right now has already happened. Of course, it’s not in your world. Instead, it’s…”

Da Su hesitated, ultimately not revealing the true story to Xiao Su, leaving her hanging.

Too much interference could lead to unforeseen consequences. By coming into this illusion, she had already altered the flow of events; it was best to let this life’s Su Kexin gradually uncover the answers and make her own decisions.

Yet, she sensed that this life might be painful for her, as her past self didn’t feel any longing for Lin Nuo, allowing her to act more decisively without a psychological burden.

But now, it would be difficult.

Could this be part of Lin Nuo’s plan? Given a rare second chance at life, did he harbor feelings of resentment towards her, perhaps seeking revenge through this method?

Who could say?

And if she directly told her past self, Lin Nuo wouldn’t acknowledge it, and she wouldn’t believe him either. It might lead to anger, stirring up turmoil in this illusion and even causing it to collapse.

Clearly, Lin Nuo didn’t intend to reveal the truth to her past self, so her words would be in vain.

“What do you mean… Why is this happening… I have no memory of such things… You said I don’t belong to this world? Where did I come from?”

Xiao Su pressed for answers desperately. But Da Su didn’t continue; there was no point.

“If Lin Nuo wants to answer these questions, you’ll find out.”

Da Su replied coolly, making Xiao Su truly annoyed. What was with this riddle game? Giving half the answer and leaving the rest!

“Hmph, fine! I’ll ask my senior martial brother!”

Xiao Su pouted, her childish demeanor starkly contrasting with Da Su’s maturity and composure.

But she couldn’t just ask Lin Nuo now. He was seated there, as if dining with them, patiently waiting until they finished their meal.

Once the meal concluded, Lin Nuo’s bowl remained full, piled high with the dishes they had set there.

Wasn’t that a waste of food?

No, for them, it held significant meaning. Plus, after lunch, they would feed the remaining food to the little cats and dogs outside, the ones they had been raising and who were very obedient.

They had grown accustomed to this life, finishing their meal before putting Lin Nuo’s portrait back, going on to tend to the potted plants and flowers in the backyard.

Lin Nuo stood up again, and the two girls waited quietly, observing this family as they wrapped up their meal, hardly making a sound.

Even if they did, they wouldn’t hear.

Lin Nuo followed Ruo’er and the others to the backyard, where he had previously planted a tree. Under their care, it was growing robustly, showing signs of becoming a towering tree.

Ruo’er pressed her ear against the large tree, as if by doing so she could hear Lin Nuo’s voice. Of course, that was pure wishful thinking; it was impossible.

Yet she persisted, day after day, hoping that someday it might come true.

Lin Nuo approached, mimicking Ruo’er’s actions by pressing his ear against the tree, despite not actually being able to touch it.

It was a childish act for him, but he did it anyway.

His mindset and behavior began to subtly shift; he couldn’t pinpoint when it all started, but that no longer mattered.

“Master, are you doing well now?”

In an instant, Lin Nuo heard a familiar female voice in his ear.

“Hmm?”

An illusion?

Lin Nuo froze. What was that voice?

Was it Ruo’er’s voice?

Seeing as Ruo’er was older, her voice surely wasn’t a loli’s voice; it had the sweet sound of a pure young woman.

What stuck most in his mind was her words when she freed him: “Because, you are my master.”

“Ruo’er.”

Lin Nuo tried to respond, and upon saying that, Ruo’er’s expression changed with surprise, as if she could hear him.

“Master?! Is that really you?”

Ruo’er exclaimed, and Lin Nuo was able to hear her.

Lin Nuo: “?!”

What was going on? Was the tree transmitting sounds?

Lin Nuo: “You? Can you hear me?”

Ruo’er: “I can hear you! Is it really you, Master?! Could your soul be residing in this tree?”

At that moment, Lin Nuo saw Ruo’er get excited. Obviously, he could only hear her voice by pressing his ear to the tree.

Lin Nuo suspected this might be Da Su’s interference, but Da Su’s face remained expressionless, making it hard to guess her thoughts, unlike Xiao Su, who wore her feelings plainly.

“Listen. I am not residing in this tree; I’m just communicating with you in a very strange way. Of course, I don’t know how long this will last,” Lin Nuo said.