The world is still such a bright place

Chapter 61

Jiang Cheng had been grumpy when his sister dragged him to apologize to Wei Wuxian. He was still feeling bitter after being punished and he was not ready to talk to the Gusu Lan sect disciple who had caused the whole commotion this soon. But Jiang Yanli had looked at him in the way only she could and she had told him, her voice gentle but stern, that he had to apologize for attacking Wei Wuxian.

So here he was, sitting in the Jingshi without even being offered the most basic courtesy in the form of being served a cup of tea, apologizing to the Gusu Lan sect disciple who was not looking at him at all. In reality, it actually seemed like Wei Wuxian was not even considering looking at him or accepting his words. He must have felt that Jiang Cheng did not really mean them. But still, it was rude.

He was growing more and more irritated by the second. He was trying his best here to appease his sister but Wei Wuxian was not really helping. And then it was just too much and he could not bear to stay silent anymore: "Will you look at me when I am talking to you?"

It came out angrier than he wanted to but perhaps it was for the better since it made the Gusu Lan sect disciple lift his head.

"Finally," though Jiang Cheng with relief, "now I will be able to talk to him normally and say what sister wanted me to." He tried to look Wei Wuxian in the eyes only to find out that the Gusu Lan sect disciple was not looking at him at all. In reality, his eyes were closed, surely in an attempt to spite him or mock him.

Jiang Cheng grew even angrier. He was ready to start shouting when Jiang Yanli put her hand on his forearm and reprimanded him while apologizing to Wei Wuxian with the same breath. Now it really had become too much. It did not help that Jin Zixuan had been glaring at him the whole time, ever since he had stepped into the room and holding the Gusu Lan sect disciple's hand very ostentatiously.

Jiang Cheng was boiling with anger. However, right at that moment, Wei Wuxian said something which completely threw the Yunmeng Jiang sect heir off his game, so much so in fact that he had immediately forgot all his anger and could only blankly stare at him in utter disbelief.

"Actually, I cannot see." There was a short pause before Wei Wuxian added with an extremely apologetic tone: "Sorry for any inconvenience."

Jiang Cheng's mind had a hard time to process what he had just heard. He could not believe it was true, not right away anyway. Wei Wuxian must have been only pretending, playing a prank on him and his sister. It could not be that he was actually blind. If he was, he would have surely not been able to hide it this perfectly. And why was the Gusu Lan sect heir looking this nervous and sorry? It really was bugging him.

"Then again, he has been behaving quite strangely... I have never seen him lift his head and look at anyone, and he had also been walking kind of funnily. As if he was overly cautious now that I think about it. The only time I have seen him without anyone around was when he was showing me the way in the back mountains. I had been too angry at that moment to really pay it much mind, he was walking too slowly, even for someone from the Gusu Lan sect who is forbidden to run or rush..."

The understanding hit him like a horse at full speed and a soft "Oh" left his mouth. He was still too baffled to be able to say anything more.

"So it really is true? He cannot see at all? I wonder how he manages in his daily life, I cannot imagine it at all... And how does he fare with a sword? I have never seen him during trainings, does that mean he is a cultivator in name only and cannot use it? I have so many questions. Now I am actually curious about him... And I feel bad for thinking all those things about him, I should probably apologize in earnest now."

Since it was now Jiang Cheng's own will, he actually tried this time. But he failed miserably: "I see. I did not know." He was completely clueless; he did not know how to continue. The discovery was just too sudden and too big for him to digest this quickly.

Bless his sister for stepping in once again and calming the Gusu Lan sect heir immediately: "Young Master Wei, please do not apologize. It is not your fault; we should have noticed sooner. Although my brother here is not good with words, I am sure he wants to apologize for how roughly he was treating you. You are not inconveniencing us in any way, it is us who had failed to accommodate you properly."

Jiang Cheng saw how Wei Wuxian immediately perked up and gave them both a bright smile, shaking his head, probably to let them know that he did not mind and that they should not apologize anymore. That was good because the Yunmeng Jiang sect heir was not sure he would be able to anyway. He had never been one to admit his mistakes aloud, only silently being sorry for them.

He then watched his sister, Jin Zixuan and Wei Wuxian chat happily about everything and nothing, just looking comfortable and getting to know each other. The only thing he could not understand at all was how the Gusu Lan sect heir was able to smile and laugh this freely and brightly when his fate had been so harsh to him. It was however possible that he was just overthinking things again, Wei Wuxian could have seen it differently. He seemed perfectly fine.

Jiang Cheng only took part in the conversation with a few sentences, he still was trying to cope with how to approach Wei Wuxian. When the time came for them to go back to their own rooms since the curfew was approaching, they gave their goodbyes and were ready to leave. They were stopped in between the door by the Gusu Lan sect disciple's unsure and somewhat pleading voice: "Jiang Yanli, Jiang Cheng, will you come again?"

He nodded, it was fun talking with Wei Wuxian. Then, remembering that the other could not see his gesture, he hummed his agreement grumpily, embarrassed that he had forgotten about the other's condition so quickly.

Jiang Yanli was a bit clearer with her words: "Of course, Young Master Wei. We will come visit again. If you want to, we can also meet after lectures and agree on some activity you will enjoy. The weather is getting warmer; it would be a shame to not spend some time outside. Until then, take care of yourself."

She was smiling even though she knew the Gusu Lan sect heir would not see her, but her intentions and emotions were clearly readable from her tone. Wei Wuxian brightened immediately again and thanked them enthusiastically. Jiang Cheng was already thinking about what they could do; he would have to make sure the activity would be acceptable for the other.