Doubt

'Hmm why can't she remember what happened to her in the past, if it's like her said that she died, I'll know because there are visible signs if the phoenix's lifespan reaches its limit. And it didn't show up at all the last time I saw her'.

'No, there's no way something must have gone wrong. But where did it go wrong? She had obviously drunk the memory dew drops and she should be able to remember the past life of the phoenix, then why didn't she remember it? Is it because she's been missing for centuries so the dew drop effect isn't as effective as it should be. No, that's not the case, even if she disappears for even more centuries, it won't affect the dew drop, she drinks'

Hai Zian thought hard, as deep, and as far as he thought but he didn't find the solution he was facing from the phoenix case. his brows furrowed deeply, his eyes fixed on Qing Yang's, his jaw clenched. The look was as if he was somewhere far away even though he was standing in front of Qing Yang.

'I must find out what's wrong, for the time being I shouldn't force her to remember any harder than this. The good thing that she remembers me and I'm so grateful for that. Now there's only one problem how do I convince her. Yeah, when I see her again, I'll see if she can act the same way she is now'.

Hai Zian concluded and planned what steps he should take the next time he met Qing Yang.

Meanwhile, Qing Yang saw Hai Zian standing still, transfixed, with a contoured face contemplating something worried, 'Is my answer troubling him. Yes, it's true that I left my previous life because of the cycle of life and death but he should also have known this because it was a law of nature. And I don't think there's anything wrong with my answer to his question.

Qing Yang hesitantly raised his right hand and placed it on Hai Zian's shoulder to get his attention. "Hai Zian, are you all right?" she asked worriedly. It's unbelievable, because after being separated for so long and now meeting again but even in different conditions and she is now not a phoenix, a legendary bird that everyone believes is a mythical creature. Still there is longing.

But in between the longing that she felt, she felt in her heart there was an awkwardness, there was an emptiness. If indeed she was living life together with Hai Zian that happily, but why didn't she feel that way right now. she feels foreign. And why did she always feel the restless and intimidating feeling she felt whenever she was with Hai Zian.

And impressed she wanted to be as far away from him as possible. If necessary, do not want to see him again. But why? In another side her heart felt she was happy to see him again but on the other hand she wanted to disappear from his sight like she had done before.

In his reverie he felt someone holding his shoulder. Hai Zian woke up from his daydream. Seeing Qing Yang's worried face, he realized that he had worried her, he smiled widely until his eyes narrowed, wanting to show that he was okay.

He raised his left hand, reached out and grabbed Qing Yang's wrist which was on his left shoulder. He brought it to his lips and kissed Qing Yang's fingers, wanting to relax her, as he usually did when he spent time with the phoenix.

Then his right-hand cupped Qing Yang's left cheek while still smiling at her. "You look tired, let's go back to the phoenix residence so you can rest" he said showing that he cares for her, and he wish to go back to his times with the phoenix.

Hai Zian lowered his right hand from Qing Yang's cheek is now flushed red, embarrassed. His left hand still gripped her wrist tightly. he turned and strode, walking the same path he had led her to the tree of life.

Qing Yang's gaze was disturbed again by the birds flying above her head just like when she came here. And she didn't get tired of watching the birds. even if she could, she would love to spend time playing with them. an idea flashed in her mind. she thought that even though she felt foreign, there was an indescribable closeness between herself and Hai Zian.

In her memory she and Hai Zian also often spent time with the birds in the backyard garden of the phoenix residence, and they can interact with the birds that come and perch on the branch tree and on the grounds of the phoenix residence. at that time, she was very happy to be able to interact with the birds. Likewise with Hai Zian 'Hmm he should still be able to interact with them because he is still alive until now and didn't die and then be reborn like me'.

So, she braved to ask him "Hai Zian, do you know what they were talking about?" she asked with her eyes still gazing happily at the birds flying above their heads.

At first Hai Zian didn't understand what the question meant as he walked a step ahead of Qing Yang. for that he turned his gaze to glance at Qing Yang. only then did he understand the meaning of the question.

He didn't answer Qing Yang's question right away because he hadn't been paying attention to the birds around. He sharpened his hearing. Listen to what the birds are talking about.

Soon his face softened and smiled broadly "Ah…. They say they are very happy to see you again, they want to play with you again. They said they would come to the backyard garden at the phoenix residence later. And say hello, see you later"

Hai Zian conveyed what the birds wanted to convey. A wide smiling appears on his face, 'Hmm at least now I can talk to her more by translating the birds' words and passing messages between them. then his face beaming with joy.

Hai Zian's footsteps were light. His heart was beyond happy. The hand that was holding Qing Yang's wrist was getting tighter and tighter. And this time he walked beside Qing Yang.

"Oh yeah… oh I can't wait to play with them." Qing Yang was overjoyed to hear what Hai Zian had to conveyed. She stepped lightly following Hai Zian's footsteps, unfortunately she just realized that her legs are short whereas Hai Zian's legs are longer than hers, one Hai Zian step, two steps for her feet. Then she had to run a bit to match Hai Zian's footsteps.

They walked the path, left the tree of life, left the forest back to the phoenix residence. she felt that she had just walked from and was about to reach the Phoenix residence by now but how come the sun was overhead. Amazed.

Arriving at the phoenix residence. Hai Zian immediately took her to her room to rest. Walking down the deserted corridor there were no people passing by. That's how it is, Phoenix prefers calm, for that she only allows a handful of servants to help her take care of her residence.

Soon they arrived in front of the phoenix bedroom. Hai Zian pushed the door open, stepped aside, letting Qing Yang step into her bedroom. Only then did he also enter. He led Qing Yang to the bed. Sitting her on the edge of the bed.

Strangely again, suddenly a heavy drowsiness attacked her. Her eyes were closed, as if she couldn't stand the drowsiness she was feeling. She struggled to open her eyes because she felt bad that Hai Zian was still in front of her.

Hai Zian smiled gently. In the past he often accompanied the phoenix to sleep with her face showing the same sleepiness after a day spent together. At the end of the day, he always the one who accompanied the phoenix, tugged her to sleep.

"Lie down," he asked in a soft voice as if speaking to a child who was ready to be put to sleep. After she lay down on the bed. Hai Zian pulled the blanket up, covering up to her shoulders, so she wouldn't feel cold and feel warm.

"Promise you'll wake me up when the birds come later" In between sleepiness and closing eyes she still had thought to ask Hai Zian to wake her up.

Hai Zian chuckled at this "Sure, I'll wake you up later" he replied making sure she didn't want her to fight her sleepiness any longer.