𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓━━━J. Cheng

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻

013—Qishan Wen Conference

One year just ended so fast. Although they didn't have the same class and didn't study in the same hall during the day, the three still shared a considerable amount of time together. Every week, the three would night hunt together. Although one would just watch on the sidelines while the other two would do all the work. Every day, they would go down the mountain to eat, Cloud Recesses' food really is so bland and is always all green. They simply spent the year just like that, there were no significant events that happened during the stay of other disciples in Gusu.

Even after a year, there was still no progress between the two. One could just guess how frustrated the young master of the Nie Sect is while watching them from the sidelines. He really wished that his good brother Wei was here, watching these two with him and suppressing their own anger and frustration. Too bad he wasn't here, so he could only suffer and complain loudly to [First Name] when they were alone.

After a year, they finally went back to their respective sects, and once again, [First Name] felt lonely. Spending time with the friends she made from the other sects was really fun, and now that they're gone, it was expected that she felt lonely. Even after a year, the other disciples still refuse to talk with her, they couldn't avoid interactions when it comes to important things though. But that's alright. [First Name] already gave up on them. Since they continued to give cold shoulders towards her, what can she do but do the same to them?

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While the two from Jiang Sect were talking to each other, Wei Wuxian caught sight of the Twin Jades of Lan. His eyes brightened and he didn't hesitate to run towards the older brother, leaving Jiang Cheng to follow him from behind. It's been a while since he saw the two, after all, he couldn't help but beam in delight, "Zewu-jun! It's been a while!" Lan Xichen turned and looked at the two, he did not look surprised at all and only gave a peaceful, kind smile. "Young Master Wei, hasn't it been a year? It's truly been a while." 

Lan Wangji was right behind him, the two were conversing with each other earlier but the moment he saw Wei Wuxian, he turned around and walked away immediately.

Jiang Cheng gave his own greetings and Lan Xichen nodded, "Mhm. I hope the two of you have been well since leaving Cloud Recesses." Wei Wuxian grinned at the retreating figure of Lan Wangji but he then teasingly elbowed Jiang Cheng, "We've been fine, this guy over here has been missing someone for months though." Hearing that, Jiang Cheng turned his head and looked at the other boy beside him with a bewildered expression, his cheeks slowly going red, "M-Missing...? Who is missing who? Stop talking nonsense, Wei Wuxian!"

The other person only watched the two as they exchanged words with a smile. Though when Wei Wuxian cornered Jiang Cheng with his words, Lan Xichen finally spoke up, "I'm glad that both of you are as energetic as before." Wei Wuxian beamed and Jiang Cheng sighed. 

Suddenly, after recalling something, Wei Wuxian raised his head and looked around curiously, "Ah right, Wangji-xiong and Zewu-jun are here but I don't see [First Name]? She didn't attend the conference? It's been a year since I saw her so I wanted to see her too, too bad." Jiang Cheng calmed down and also added with a hint of disappointment in his voice, "[First Name] is skilled at using bows and today's competition is about archery, isn't it?"

 He stared at the two who patiently waited for his answer. His expression grew more solemn and his eyes darkened, even his usual smile faltered a bit. He blinked and finally answered, "Ah... [First Name] got... She got caught up in an accident in her previous night hunt. She's heavily injured and currently resting in Cloud Recesses. She can't even get up from her bed in her condition right now. She was quite excited about the conference since she wanted to meet both of you as well but..." he shook his head. 

Jiang Cheng's eyes widened. "Can't get up... Is she that injured? During our night hunts, she never got wounded, or even got a scratch." Every week during his stay in Gusu, they would accompany each other in their night hunts. Even if he and Huaisang get injured, he had never seen [First Name] get hurt, she was even never even touched by the undead. 

Wei Wuxian was caught up in his own thoughts for a moment, and he came up with an alarming assumption. He slowly mumbled his own thoughts, "Or did someone intentionally harm her?"

The two looked at him, Jiang Cheng's expression showed his fear and worry, there was even a hint of anger that flashed in his eyes as he imagined [First Name], injured and immobile. Lan Xichen looked at him solemnly, "... It's best not to talk about it here, of all places. When we come home, I'll send your regards to her. She was seriously upset when she realized that she can't come to the conference, she really wanted to see both of you." [First Name]'s face full of pain and disappointment flashed on his mind and Lan Xichen couldn't help but frown.

The two went silent, feeling frustrated. They missed her, but what can they do? She's injured and bedridden. 

Wei Wuxian looked at him, wanting to ask further, "Since it's not good to talk about it here, then is it related to-" But his statement was cut off before he could even say the important words. Lan Xichen shook his head and looked at the young man, "Young Master Wei. For the sake of our sects, let's not talk about this anymore. This is Qishan."

That statement was enough, Lan Xichen confirmed his doubts with those words. Jiang Cheng clenched his hands and Wei Wuxian scowled, glaring at Wen Sect's flag that fluttered in the wind. Jiang Cheng pinched and glared at him, silently warning him with his eyes. "Wei Wuxian, let's go. We apologize for bothering you, Zewu-jun." 

Lan Xichen didn't smile again but his expression turned calmer. "It's fine, you didn't bother me. Please take care, Young Master Jiang, Young Master Wei." he turned around and looked for Lan Wangji soon after he gave his farewell. Only when Wei Wuxian confirmed that nobody was near enough around them that he started cursing, "It's definitely Wen Sect, isn't it? They have been silent for a few months, and now..." he clicked his tongue. Jiang Cheng looked at him, his eyes seemed to be clouded with a bit of darkness as he spoke, "Zewu-jun is right, say something inappropriate and you'll get yourself, and our sect in danger. Keep your mouth shut, at least until we go back to Lotus Pier."

Wei Wuxian looked at him and frowned, "But it's [First Name], Jiang Cheng. Didn't you hear what he said? She was injured to the point that she couldn't even get up. You know her, she's a tough person. But she's that heavily wounded, are you even worried about her?" Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes, he was slightly angered, he felt wronged by the boy's words and so he immediately said, "What made you think that I am not worried? She is... She'll be fine. You said it yourself, she's tough. A few weeks will be enough for her to recover. She..." his expression turned darker and his voice stopped. 

Wei Wuxian immediately noticed that his words were not quite right, but he didn't apologize. He only furrowed his eyebrows and turned in frustration. "Damn it... We can't even do anything about this..."

Jiang Cheng kept silent until the noises from the huge gong interrupted their silence. He looked in the direction where the sect leader of Wen was sitting for a moment, and then he shifted his gaze to the man who just pounded the gong. He forced himself to be calm and looked at Wei Wuxian, "Let's go. The conference is starting."

there's a gong but where's the shou?

Published: February 15, 2022