The world is still such a bright place

Chapter 69

Wei Wuxian was flying on his sword between Lan Zhan and Jin Zixuan and his thoughts were going in circles. Although Lan Xichen tried to sound happy and allowed him to go to the Koi Tower, Wei Wuxian could feel that his brother had in fact been worried. And he could not blame him since he was uncertain and anxious himself.

"What if I hear someone shout in the street and I will have a panic attack? Or if I bump into someone and I will think they want to beat me? I would cause a scene in the middle of the street... And I will also surely scare Zixuan and Lan Zhan... Did I rush my decision after all? Now I am no longer so certain that I will really be fine..."

It was however too late to reconsider now; they were already landing. Wei Wuxian stepped off his sword and Jin Zixuan immediately held his hand in silent support. He felt Lan Zhan come stand next to him and whisper: "It will be alright, Wei Ying."

Wei Wuxian was listening carefully to determine where exactly they have landed. Their surroundings were completely silent and he could also not feel anyone else around. Did they perhaps descend outside of the town? Or was it because it was this early in the morning and no one was outside yet? No, that could not be the reason, he clearly remembered that the town's people got up very early, earlier than it was right now. He was getting more and more worried and nervous by the second.

Jin Zixuan must have felt his inner turmoil as he explained immediately: "We are in the middle of the Jin sect living quarters. Someone should come meet us soon."

As if he had called them, Wei Wuxian sensed two presences approach rapidly. Overcome with what he knew was irrational fear of what would come, he stepped closer to the Lanling Jin sect heir and hid partially behind him. Jin Zixuan did not hug him this time, it would have been very inappropriate to do so in his own home before being officially engaged and they both knew it, but he at least held his hand more tightly.

The two presences stopped a few steps away from them and Wei Wuxian could hear rustling of fabric, they were probably bowing to the heir of their sect. Without prompting, he bowed in response, or at least he hoped he did. For the first time ever he strongly felt like he needed to see what was going on around him. That way, he would surely not be this on edge.

"Young Master Jin, welcome back. We did not expect you coming back this early. And with guests too. We will prepare accommodations immediately, please follow us."

"They must be servants," Wei Wuxian assumed from their polite words. Then he realized they did not even announce their arrival in advance and he felt ashamed of his eagerness, this was not how one came to introduce himself before an engagement. "Perhaps we should postpone the introduction after all, surely Zixuan's parents will be bothered that we came this abruptly..."

He did not get a chance to voice his worries as Jin Zixuan had already ordered: "Lead the way. We need to speak to my parents, go inform them. Until they are ready, we will wait in one of the guest rooms; and bring some refreshments, we come directly from a night hunt and we did not have any breakfast yet."

"Of course, Young Master Jin," came an immediately reply.

Jin Zixuan gently tugged at Wei Wuxian's hand and the Gusu Lan sect disciple let himself be led to the mentioned guest room. They walked for quite a while and Wei Wuxian realized that the Lanling Jin sect living quarters in the Koi Tower actually had to be huge. He could not have ever tell from the outside when he had been living on the streets surrounding the estate, but now when he was inside, the place seemed to extend miles and miles around.

Finally, they stopped and the servants informed them: "Young Masters, here is a room you can wait in. We will bring refreshments shortly. We will come inform you once Master and Madame will be ready to receive you." A pair of footsteps disappeared in the distance, leaving only an echo behind.

Jin Zixuan gently tugged at his hand again and Wei Wuxian followed him into the room. He was now extremely uneasy, being in an unfamiliar environment which could hide any possible dangers, he felt vulnerable and ill at ease. At least Jin Zixuan did not let go of his hand even when they sat down, it reassured him somewhat. Although it did not fully keep him from imagining the moment he would have to let go, he was not sure what he would do then.

Luckily, it did not seem like the Lanling Jin sect heir was going to leave him to fend for himself, at least not yet. Wei Wuxian knew that he would have to once they would go see his parents as it was extremely inappropriate, but for now, he was happy for the offered support.

He flinched slightly when he heard knocking on the door and calmed down again when it was announced that the food had arrived. He sat quietly through the preparation phase and until he heard the servants leave the room again. His nerves were running and his emotion were going along with them, he was not sure he would be able to manage for even a while longer.

He sat closer to Jin Zixuan again and confessed with a nervous laugh: "Zixuan, I am not sure I am ready for this after all. I am too nervous now..."

Jin Zixuan hugged him this time and then kissed him, shortly and chastely. "I am sure everything will be fine. But if you really do not want to go through with this, we can leave at any moment, just say so."

Wei Wuxian was emotional about the amount of love and support he was receiving from the other. Upon this reassurance, he managed to calm his racing heart at least a little bit and smiled at the other: "Thank you. I think I will try my best, but if it does not work, please do not be mad at me..." his voice died into the silence of the room.

"I could never be angry at you. I know you are already trying really hard. Let us eat something, perhaps it would help all of us to be able to take our minds off our worries for a bit. We will see more clearly with our stomachs full."

"Mn," came also from Lan Zhan's direction. Wei Wuxian knew his brother would support him no matter which decision he would take, no matter if he would be brave enough to step in front of the Lanling Jin sect heir's parent or not. And Jin Zixuan would as well. The knowledge gave him strength.

Wei Wuxian smiled in relief and nodded his thanks. They ate in silence, just as they did in the Cloud Recesses, with Jin Zixuan still holding his hands tightly. When they finished, the servants were back and informed them the Lanling Jin sect leader and his wife were ready to receive them. Wei Wuxian took a deep breath and stood up together with the others, the moment of truth was upon them.