𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓━━━J. Cheng

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆-𝗧𝘄𝗼

022—Jealousy, I

Right after [First Name] and Jiang Cheng regrouped with the others, they met the angered Wen Chao, fuming with anger towards the two. His arms are crossed as he holds his sword, pointing at the two. "Running off to the forest all by yourself, both of you are really indecent! Just what were you two doing there, all alone? Well? Why don't you tell everyone?"

After hearing his baseless accusing, Jiang Cheng opened his mouth but [First Name] cut him off before he could utter a single word from his lips.

[First Name] let out a chuckle with a flirtatious tone as she narrowed her eyes at him, "... Ah. Young Master Wen, why don't you take a guess?" Hearing her shameless answer of not even denying his accusations, his face went even redder as he stammered his words.

"Y-You–"

With her hand hidden inside her wide sleeve, she placed her pure white sleeve on top of her lips as she spoke, "Well, I didn't expect that we would get caught." she shyly looked at the angered man and whispered teasingly, "Young Master Wen..."

She stepped forward, wanting to approach the young master but the Wen practitioners walked in front of him and pointed their swords at her with a threatening glare. [First Name] obviously expected this. She smiled and she raised her hands, "Don't worry, I won't do anything. See? I'm a completely harmless girl, I just want to say something."

Since the disciples' swords had been taken away and any dangerous items had been frisked and also taken, Wen Chao ignored all the danger she could probably bring to him and waved his hand, dismissing his guards. "Fine, let her be!"

The practitioners showed hesitation in his orders. After all, they were not really Wen Chao's men. They were Wen Ruohan's. Their order was to protect the young master no matter what. If they let something happen to him... Then the consequences would be... But as they looked at the foolishly glaring young master, they finally decided to follow his orders instead. If they piss this man off, the result will just be the same...

[First Name] smiled happily as she approached the young master, completely ignoring the glaring mistress behind him. She leaned closer to him and whispered coquettishly, "Mhm. Young Master Wen, later why don't we..."

She whispered some sweet words and Wen Chao couldn't help himself from laughing. "Hah... Hahahaha! Yes, yes!" Hearing that, [First Name] smiled brightly, "Hehe, thank you!" Wen Chao waved his hand and excused her. He completely forgot why he got angry in the first place... When [First Name] turned her back to Wen Chao, that smile disappeared and a look of disgust replaced it. Only the disciples saw her expression but they didn't say anything.

As she went back to Lan Wangji's side, she stuck out her tongue and groaned, "Eugh... I spoke those dirty words... I feel like throwing up..." Her dear cousin looked at her, feeling a bit dumbfounded by her words. "[First Name]... Why did you say those words...?

Hearing his question, she froze and then averted her gaze awkwardly. "... Jiang Cheng only separated us from the others since he wanted to see my wound. He passed me some spiritual energy to help me. That's all." She lowered her head while fidgeting with her fingers to calm her nerves a little bit as she continued, "... I don't want to get him in trouble. I'm so sorry, Wangji-xiong. I hope that you didn't misunderstand."

But despite explaining everything, his expression didn't change, and got stern instead. "What did you say to him?"

"..."

Without saying anything, the two continued to walk. Seeing that she's showing no signs of telling him, Lan Wangji's eyebrows furrowed, and continued speaking instead. "You didn't have to say that." [First Name] was glad that he didn't question anymore and replied instantly,

"I had to. I needed to divert his attention from Jiang Cheng to me. Otherwise, young Master Wen would surely torment him the whole time we're here in Qishan."

Finally, Lan Wangji stopped walking and stared at her with his ice-cold gaze. He squeezed his hand underneath his sleeves and told her quietly with a determined voice, "... I'll protect you."

This made [First Name] stop walking as well and face her cousin with a surprised expression. But the surprise turned into joy gradually. She grinned and grabbed the other's arm and pulled him gently, the two started walking again. "You're injured and I can protect myself. I still have [Sword Name], you know?" The scabbard is gone, but that is not important. It was an empty vessel after all.

Anytime she wants, as long as she pays the price, she can call forth her sword. But the reason why Lan Wangji highly disapproved of her use of it was because of the said price. He narrowed his eyes and looked at her before saying again in a low voice, "Don't use [Sword Name]. I'll take care of everything."

Having someone to rely on is really...

[First Name] ended up laughing lightly at her cousin's words. She took those words seriously but still, she is happy. She raised her head and smiled at him, "Wangji-xiong, if I don't use [Sword Name] to protect myself, then when should I? It is my sword and my life. Should I just leave it to gather dust in a corner? Why not make use of it so that it can be useful?"

The weapon that symbolizes her life, leaving it as it is as an ornamental decoration? Although she doesn't really like how that sounds, she had to do it for her entire life. It was for her sake after all.

However, a weapon is still a weapon. Whether ornamental or not. It's bound to be used someday.

Lan Wangji thought about it for a moment, his expression slightly changed into that of a frown as he mumbled, "... You can use it. But only when truly necessary." After hearing him finally agree, [First Name] smiled brightly as she nodded her head, "I know that. I had long promised the elders not to use it for unnecessary things." Yet inside her head...

'I showed it to Wanyin without any reason though.' she inwardly laughed as she recalled the memory from that time.

Seeing her expression made Lan Wangji doubt her even more. But he didn't take back his words and simply reminded her sternly, "Don't leave my side anymore. Don't get yourself in trouble."

"I know, I know. I won't bring trouble to Lan Sect or to you."

"... Remember uncle's words."

'Wangji-xiong is talking quite a lot today. I wonder if it's because of Wuxian earlier?'

"... Mhm."

u... uwu.

Published: July 15, 2022