𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓━━━J. Cheng

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗶𝘅

006—Water Ghouls

With a bow and lots of arrows behind her, [First Name] straightened up her robes. She took a step forward and was about to step out of the border of Lan Sect's area when she stopped after hearing Lan Xichen's voice behind her. "[First Name], are you going out?" she responded to his soft and gentle voice with a modest nod as soon as she turned to face him, Lan Wangji was following right behind him.

"I was a bit occupied for a few days so I couldn't pay you a visit, are you fine now?" he continued to ask, a soothing smile on his thin lips. "Perfectly fine. It was only a light cold so it vanished after a few hours of rest. I'm about to go hunting with the..." She hesitated for a moment and created a short awkward silence. "... With the others." [First Name] continued. Lan Xichen noticed the uneasy movements of her fingers, wanting to ask about that but [First Name] continued speaking.

Glancing at the other brother, she lowered her head a bit. "And, uh... Wangji-xiong, thank you for letting me stay in your room. Sincere thanks."

Lan Wangji subtly replied with a nod, "Mn, take care of yourself."

After that short exchange between the two, [First Name] then faced Lan Xichen with eyes filled with curiosity. "By the way, where are you two..." However, before she could even complete her question, two pairs of footsteps came from behind and a loud, easy-going voice from a familiar boy interrupted her. "Zewu-Jun! We're here, we're here!" [First Name] didn't have the need to turn around to look at the boy to recognize him, just by the voice she already knew. She didn't have much reaction at first but the voice that soon followed left her stiff and frozen in place, not uttering a single word.

"Wei Wuxian, lower your voice." it's been a few weeks since that coincidental meeting in the Gusu Lan's hallway. They spoke few words only but she was never able to forget the voice that belonged to this young master of Yunmeng Jiang Sect.

Suddenly, [First Name] felt a thump in her chest. She could only raise her hand and place it near her heart and feel it. The redness on her face was visible only to the two Lan brothers she was facing. Lan Xichen stared at her face, dumbfounded for a moment before raising his head and dragging his gaze to Jiang Cheng, who, staring at her back, seemingly surprised by her unexpected presence.

[First Name] finally collected herself, tugging on the hem of her white outer robe. "... Xichen-xiong, Wangji-xiong, I'll get going now..." Her voice was low but enough to be heard by the other two boys behind her. [First Name] felt an unknown pressure. In front of her were the two people she respected greatly. The other two behind her saw her losing face in front of them a few days back. She was hoping that they wouldn't remember her but her hope was crushed when Wei Wuxian finally noticed her and spoke up first. "[First Name]... Ah, Lan [First Name]!" he muttered her name and the second time he said it, he seemed to finally remember who she was.

"Oh, oh. I thought you were coming with us since you were with Zewu-jun and Lan Zhan." [First Name]'s brows furrowed slightly and shook her head silently, stopping herself from turning around.

Lan Xichen who caught the discomfort on [First Name]'s face looked at the two, "[First Name] is about to go hunting in a different area so she won't be able to join us." he paused a bit, looking at Jiang Cheng and then [First Name] next. After a short hesitation, he decided to continue, a gentle smile on his thin lips. "We're going to exterminate water ghouls in Caiyi Town. If you want, you can go with us after you finish your own hunt."

She finally raised her head and wanted to ask something but she pressed her lips together and stopped herself first. And then, she slowly opened her lips again and said softly, "Why are you inviting me...?" Lan Xichen glanced at Jiang Cheng, but he was caught by the man himself and was startled a bit, he still gave a reply to [First Name] though. "You used to exterminate water ghouls with us before so... No, never mind. You can come if you want to, we'd be really grateful if you'll lend us your help."