Unfortunately, no one appreciated his arrival; it was clear he was unwelcome. He was the cause of Shui Shui’s physical pain and had led Xiao Tu into a virtual illusion, trapping her with a soul-locking mark. Who would welcome such a person? Yet, he seemed indifferent to the varied looks he received, casually taking a seat next to Xiao Tu.
“Tu’er, long time no see. Have you missed me?” He ate strawberries from the plate without hesitation, staring at Xiao Tu as if to etch her image into his mind. Why did she sense a hint of reproach and longing in his words?
“Miss you? Yes, I’ve missed you, missed wondering why you’re still alive, why you haven’t lost an arm or a leg, it’s really not right. You’re still in one piece.” She told herself to stay calm, looking at his seductive face, she felt an urge to punch him, recalling her last visit to the brothel where he almost took advantage of her. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.
“Go back where you came from; you’re not welcome here. And please, put down your pig trotters, if you want strawberries, buy your own.” She snatched the plate of strawberries from the stone table, refusing to let him have any, hoping it would annoy him. Anyone who bullied Tu Tu was a bad person.
“Is this how you treat guests? Tu’er, I’m truly heartbroken, after all I’ve thought about you.” He feigned heartbreak, clutching his chest, lowering his head, revealing eyes filled with sorrow, pain, and relief. Ever since learning she had entered the palace, he couldn’t sleep or eat, sneaking into the palace several times to check on her. Seeing her safe and sound had finally eased his worried heart. Later, hearing of her husband “Bai Hua’s” death, he knew she would be devastated. Using half his magic to open the time mirror, he witnessed everything, seeing Xiao Tu almost turning into a demon, her heart breaking in madness…
Heaven knows how much he wanted to rush into the palace, take her away, not knowing what these myriad feelings for her were, only that he wanted to keep her by his side, to enjoy her sweetness, his desire to see her growing stronger.
