The world is still such a bright place

Chapter 24

Jin Zixuan was completely smitten by Wei Wuxian's smile. He had never seen anything this bright, not in the Koi Tower and certainly not in the Cloud Recesses where disciples tended to be more serious aside for a few guest disciples, and even then, they still tried to keep up a decorum. And to think that it was his offer of peace that made it happen, he was over the moon with happiness.

He was glad that Wei Wuxian was ready to turn a new page, gone would be the days of cold war between them. When he received a nod of the Gusu Lan sect disciple's head as answer to his question about him attending the lectures tomorrow, he was satisfied. He was already looking forward to tomorrow. He would finally be able to talk freely with someone.

Since his reputation of a sect heir was far and wide known, he always had problems with making any real friends. They all just gathered around him because of his status and no one wanted to see him for who he was, to fully acknowledge him. For some reason, he was convinced that Wei Wuxian would, after the misunderstanding which had happened between them; they have both been wrong and had much to correct in their relationship.

Once he said his goodbyes, he did not want to impose on Wei Wuxian too much since he was still only recovering, he headed immediately to his room. His head was full of the smile he had just received. He was completely captivated by it and wanted to burn it into his memory.

Once in his room, he had all but forgotten about his scheduled meeting with Su Minshan until the said disciple came looking for him. Jin Zixuan could still not believe that a Gusu Lan sect disciple would slander their own sect heir this much, lying openly about his attitude.

Now that he knew that Wei Wuxian had only been sick and that was why he was often missing both lectures and trainings, as well as any other group activities and social gatherings, he did not know why he had believed the lies even for a second. Someone who smiled this sweetly and brightly could not have been as arrogant and unapproachable as Su Minshan painted him to be.

So he gave the Gusu Lan sect disciple a piece of his mind and send him away, telling him not to associate with him again. He did not mind at all that Su Minshan looked betrayed and shouted at him that he had thought better of him. He did not want to have anything in common with that particular Gusu Lan sect disciple anymore.

Once everything was cleared, he remembered tomorrow's test which Lan Qiren promised him to do. He only sighed and started studying, albeit reluctantly and while being distracted by the image of a smiling Wei Wuxian which was flooding his mind constantly. He had only himself to blame for not studying previously, now he had to catch up to everyone so he would not get another punishment and would be able to spend some time with Wei Wuxian.

He got up later than usual in the morning despite promising himself in the evening that he would be the first one in the lecture hall so he would be able to greet Wei Wuxian. The studying had exhausted him and even after a whole night's sleep, he still felt tired. The only thing which helped him get out of the bed was the memory of Wei Wuxian smiling, it immediately made him smile to himself in return.

After a breakfast which Wei Wuxian as always skipped, Jin Zixuan hurried to the lecture hall only to find out that everyone was already there and he was one of the last ones to arrive; apparently he took too much time getting ready and eating, the lecture was already almost starting. Now he was actually happy for his front row seat which was close to Wei Wuxian, he could just casually head there without looking suspicious to the other disciples.

He wanted to go directly towards Wei Wuxian but Lan Wangji's cold glare froze him on the spot. It seemed like the Second Jade was still guarding his brother fiercely despite their yesterday's new-found understanding. Jin Zixuan wanted to start complaining, but it was not the right time to do so as Lan Qiren was already entering the lecture hall.

Instead of asking Lan Wangji to let him interact with Wei Wuxian, he only sat down quickly and whispered in the direction of the Gusu Lan sect disciple: "Morning, Wei Wuxian." He did not dare to speak too loudly in fear of angering Lan Qiren, that is why he was not completely certain if the other had even heard him. He was relieved when Wei Wuxian nodded his head in his direction in response to his greeting.

Jin Zixuan successfully completed his questions session and was glad that Lan Qiren did not ask him to stay after the lectures nor do any copying again. Once the lectures were finished for the day, he got up with the intention of going to finally talk with Wei Wuxian. Although he did not yet pick any topic, he was sure the other would not mind.

However, once again, he was stopped in place by Lan Wangji's stare. It was more than clear that the Second Jade did not want him anywhere near Wei Wuxian. Jin Zixuan was angry at him but did not was to lose Wei Wuxian's favour because of being harsh with his brother so he kept his mouth shut. He was thinking how he should convince the Second Jade that he meant no harm.

Before he could say anything at all, Lan Wangji turned to his brother and said: "Wei Ying, let us go. Your regular check-up is today."

Jin Zixuan could not say anything to that, he did not want to make Wei Wuxian late for his medical visit. Not when the Gusu Lan sect disciple was apparently still not feeling well and needed Lan Wangi's help to stand up and exit the room. Jin Zixuan felt strangely disappointed that he did not have an opportunity to talk with him, but his health was more important. He could just try again tomorrow.

However, for the next two days, he could not find another opportunity. Either a disciple requested his presence to settle a petty fight between the disciples of his sect or Wei Wuxian had been escorted away by his brother before he had time to actually really talk to him, they have only ever exchanged greetings.

Jin Zixuan was already long over the point where just casually talking to Wei Wuxian would have been easy. With each passing day, it became more and more awkward to try and interact with him, it was almost as if they were going back to their previous cold war; and Wei Wuxian never spoke to him first which did not help in the slightest. Jin Zixuan was slowly loosing hope that they would be able to mend their relationship and become friends like he had wanted.

At the end of the third day, after he had been called away from the lectures to meet with his father who was passing by, he was really getting desperate. He did not know what he should do to start any conversation with Wei Wuxian. It would be easy if there were no disciples present but that would not happen in the lecture hall. He needed something else.

He could just ask Wei Wuxian to come talk to him somewhere else but he was afraid it would be dangerous for him because of his poor health. That only left the Jingshi where the Gusu Lan sect disciple was at home and would be close to anything he would need if he suddenly felt sick again. That was however easier said than done. He found out that asking Wei Wuxian to be invited into his personal quarters was no easy deed, not when Lan Wangji with his cold and watchful eyes was always around.

In the end, he decided to resolve to his last option. He knew only one other person beside Wei Wuxian's family who was close to him. He would ask Nie Huisang to tell him how to get to talk to Wei Wuxian in private. His decision made, he immediately set off to find the said Qinghe Nie disciple.