Seeing Belle’s stunned expression, both the Tusita Palace boy and the celestial maiden froze in surprise.
“Miss Belle... wh-what’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing.” Belle forced a smile, lowered her head, and pressed her lips together. “Let’s go meet her first.”
“Go meet her first? That’s not necessary. You should settle in first; meeting her can wait. Besides, she’s the one who wants to see you—having her come over herself wouldn’t be out of line.” The Tusita Palace boy glanced at the celestial maiden and added, “You’re not like us; you don’t need to accommodate her so much.”
“No.” Belle shook her head, took a deep breath, and smiled. “I want to see her.”
Seeing Belle’s smile, the celestial maiden was momentarily taken aback.
After a brief hesitation, she looked at the Tusita Palace boy and said softly, “Since Miss Belle wants to meet her... maybe we should let them meet first.”
The Tusita Palace boy could only nod.
With the two of them, Belle walked toward the stone pavilion. Though it was only fifty zhang away, it felt as if she’d been walking for ages. Every step was weak and sour.
It was a feeling she had never experienced before.
Was that really Birdie?
If it was, why was she here?
She remembered Monkey’s warnings to keep her distance from Lord Lao, and recalled what Lord Lao had said to her by the sea: “I hope you won’t blame me in the future.”
Her heart pounded so hard she could barely breathe.
No matter what, when she saw the girl in the stone pavilion—who looked no older than ten—she still forced a polite smile.
In that moment, she undoubtedly hated herself. Even as her heart bled, why did she have to force a smile?
“You’re the new one?” Birdie craned her neck to ask when she saw Belle.
“Yes, my name is Belle.” As she spoke, Belle bowed respectfully.
“No need for that.” Birdie stood up and said.
Belle slowly straightened, nervously asking, “Are you... the Canary?”
“You can tell?” Birdie asked with a warm smile.
That smile was as warm as spring sunlight.
There was no doubt anymore.
Belle felt as if the wind was smiling, the branches were smiling, the whole world was smiling with her—as if in celebration. Yet she herself was left out.
Her breathing grew rapid.
She reached up and pressed her hand to her chest.
“What’s wrong?” Birdie tilted her head and asked.
“It’s nothing.” Belle managed a weak smile. “I... I’m just not feeling well.”
She lied.
Her hand, pressed to her chest, unconsciously gripped her clothes tighter.
Perhaps from the day she was born until now, she had never hated herself so much.
She lowered her head, unable to hide the pain in her expression.
This pain was real, coming from her heart.
She knew that one day Birdie would return to Monkey’s side. She always thought that when that day came, she would sincerely rejoice for Monkey, then quietly continue following behind him as she did now.
But she was wrong. She couldn’t do it. Her heart gave her the honest answer.
“The old gentleman knows everything, but... but why did he still let me meet her here?”
Belle couldn’t understand.
She parted her lips, wanting to say something, but found herself unable to utter a single word. All she could do was bow and turn away.
The Tusita Palace boy hurried after her.
Watching Belle’s hurried, retreating figure, Birdie was left puzzled.
“What’s wrong with her? Is she sick? Oh, and she just called herself ‘I’ instead of ‘this maid’ like you do.”
“Because she’s not a maid—she’s a guest here.”
“A guest? The old man’s guest?”
“Mm.”
“Then should I bring her some elixirs to check on her?” Birdie wondered aloud.
...
The Tusita Palace boy rushed into the room. Belle quickly bowed her head and wiped the tears from her eyes with a handkerchief.
“Miss Belle, what’s wrong?” The Tusita Palace boy crouched down and looked up at her.
Belle quickly turned her face away. “I’m fine... just not feeling well.”
“Should I fetch some elixirs for you? Don’t hold back—if nothing else, we have plenty of elixirs here. And Master already said, even if you want a Golden Elixir, you can have it.”