The world is still such a bright place

Chapter 32

Lan Xichen was sitting in the Jingshi, listening to Wei Wuxian talking nonstop for almost an hour already. Even though his brother could not see it, he had an indulgent and happy smile on his lips. He was overjoyed that Wei Wuxian had finally taken interest in something new and was even looking forward to discovering even more things. It seemed like reconciling with Jin Zixuan did him much good, now his every other story and comment somehow revolved around the Lanling Jin sect heir.

With a little bit of amusement, Lan Xichen thought: "It is understandable. Since Wuxian does not really experience many things himself, still refusing to mingle with others and only preferring that Nie Huisang and Jin Zixuan come see him in the Jingshi, he has only other persons' narrations to go about. I wonder if he is able to imagine what the others are experiencing... He had never tried those things himself but it looks like he would perhaps like to, he is very excited to know about the outside world.

That is such a great improvement. I would have never imagined that after what had happened during the first day of lectures, he would even agree to attend them again, much less open up this much. I am happy for him; he can finally start broadening his horizons.

Perhaps I should suggest to him to take part in even more activities? He has become very comfortable around both Nie Huisang and Jin Zixuan in these last few weeks; it was even faster with the Lanling Jin sect heir for whatever reason. Should I encourage him to maybe start going to the joint trainings? Or would that be too much this early on? He had always been too conscious about how others would react to him and that he could hurt them by accident..."

Lan Xichen stopped the train of his thoughts, deciding it would be for the best to wait just a little more before suggesting to his youngest brother to take another step. Although Wei Wuxian was doing exceptionally good, even better than in all the previous years he had been in the Cloud Recesses, he could still regress anytime. They never knew what could trigger him to recall his traumatizing past and spin over the edge. It did not help at all that they had only a vague idea about what went on in his life before he had been taken in, they had never been able to fully understand the whole extend of his trauma since he would not tell them.

Until now, he has yet to open up to them about it, not even Lan Wangji has ever heard anything about it. They had only the small things to go by, such as Wei Wuxian reacting violently to being approached by unknown people or being touched unexpectedly; they had learned those in a hard way. And Lan Xichen was sure that, unfortunately, there was much more they did not know about his youngest brother.

It was getting quite late by now and Wei Wuxian also seemed tired so the First Jade excused himself and wished his brother good night. He went back to his own quarters while thinking hard about what would be an acceptable and safe next step to suggest. He changed for bed but still could not come up with anything, there were just too many options, and each one of them could go wrong.

He still had nothing in the morning and even the whole day of contemplation and planning did not bring him anywhere near to any good solution.

Suddenly, he was stopped by a familiar voice greeting him. It was Jin Zixuan who came to find him. Lan Xichen turned towards him and asked politely: "Young Master Jin, what can I help you with?"

The Lanling Jin sect heir seemed unnaturally bothered as he was looking everywhere but into Lan Xichen's eyes. His speech was awkward as well: "Ah, Master Lan Xichen, I want... I mean... I already asked Nie Huisang but he did not know... That is, Wei Wuxian..."

The First Jade was completely confused now. He could not understand a word of what Jin Zixuan wanted to say. He however waited patiently for the Lanling Jin sect heir to continue, encouraging him with a smile and a small gesture of his hand.

Jin Zixuan took a deep breath, his cheeks somewhat blushing and asked again: "That is, Wei Wuxian..." His words faded into the silence and he lowered his head.

Lan Xichen decided to encourage him even more, it seemed like the disciple wanted to talk about Wei Wuxian. Luckily, since Jin Zixuan did not look panicked or distressed, only uncomfortable and perhaps a bit embarrassed, it could not have been that anything bad had happened to his brother. Lan Xichen was relieved.

He was also a little bit amused by how awkward the Lanling Jin sect heir was, it was clear that he wanted to become close to Wei Wuxian but did not exactly know how. Both teenagers had developed a kind of fascination with each other: Wei Wuxian now talked about Jin Zixuan most of the time and the Lanling Jin sect heir was going for visits in the Jingshi every other day if not even more often. Lan Xichen was curious where this whole thing would go.

The First Jade took pity on him and asked: "Yes, what is it, Young Master Jin? Are you perhaps looking for my brother?"

Jin Zixuan finally looked up and nodded eagerly. Lan Xichen smiled again, he could feel a sense of fondness from emerging deep within for this somewhat awkward guest disciple. Although the Lanling Jin sect heir had a hard time expressing his true feelings, it was clear to the First Jade that he was genuinely caring about his brother. And that was really all Lan Xichen cared about.

On the spur of a moment decision, he invited the other: "Wuxian is just having a training session with Wangji. If you would like to, you can accompany me to meet him. I was just on my way there."

Jin Zixuan's eyes widened and his face brightened when he nodded again, even more eagerly than the first time. Then, as if he had only now realized that he had yet to show any respect to Lan Xichen, the Lanling Jin sect heir bowed and expressed his gratitude for the first time, or at least the First Jade had never seen him bow to him before.

It seemed like not only Wei Wuxian was changing for the better, the same could have been said about the other teenager as well. It looked like their interaction was waking the best in both of them. And for that, Lan Xichen was even more happy.

He gestured to Jin Zixuan to follow him and headed towards the back mountains where Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji usually sparred behind the Jingshi. Only now did he started worrying how his brothers would take the Lanling Jin sect heir's presence during their training.

"I hope Wuxian will be alright with having Jin Zixuan watching... But he had gotten really comfortable with him so hopefully it would be alright. Although he only seldom does it, he sometimes joins the group trainings and can cope with the attention he is getting. It will probably not be too much different to him. I only hope that Jin Zixuan will not say anything insensitive to him; he is way too blunt sometimes... Although, he had also changed for the better since his first days here, he had even thanked me earlier, it will be fine, surely..."

Still worried but not regretting his decision just yet, Lan Xichen finally saw the Jingshi. He walked around it to the grassy field behind it and stayed there. He did not want to come too close to his sparring brothers.

However, as soon as he and Jin Zixuan emerged from behind the corner, Wei Wuxian stopped in the middle of an attack and turned toward them, a surprised expression on his face. There was also expectation mixed into it and Lan Xichen let out a relieved sigh. It looked like he had no reason to worry, his brother was happy to meet Jin Zixuan again.