Who You Are Book 2

Chapter 9 - Empathy (Part Nine)

The sky had already darkened when she returned to the coffin home. Xue Yang was peeling apples at the table. Cutting all of the slices into rabbits, he seemed to be a wonderful mood. Anyone who saw him would think that this must be a lively youth. Nobody would be able to imagine what he had just done.

Hearing her entrance, Xiao XingChen came out with a plate of cabbage in his hand, "A-Qing, where did you go today? It's already so late."

Glancing at her, something suddenly flashed in Xue Yang's eyes, "What's wrong? Her eyes are so swollen."

Xiao XingChen hurried over, "What happened? Did someone bully you?"

Xue Yang, "Bully her? Who'd be able to bully her?"

Although he wore a broad smile, he was clearly growing suspicious. Suddenly, A-Qing threw the bamboo pole onto the ground, and started wailing.

She cried with both tears and a runny nose. Almost hiccuping, she flew into Xiao XingChen's arms, "Am I ugly? Am I ugly? Daozhang, you have to tell me. Am I really that ugly?"

Xiao XingChen stroked her head, "Of course not. A-Qing is such a pretty girl. Who said that you're ugly?"

Xue Yang commented with disdain, "You're so ugly. You're even uglier when you cry."

Xiao XingChen chided, "Don't say that."

A-Qing cried harder. She stomped her feet, "Well, Daozhang, it's not like you can see! What's the use if you say I'm pretty? You're definitely lying to me! He can see. He said I'm ugly, so I must really be that ugly! Both ugly and blind!"

From all the fuss, both of them naturally believed that some children called her "ugly-pants" or "white-eyed blind girl" when she was outside today, and was feeling frustrated.

...

"A person can only handle so much taunting and teasing before they break," Lan Xichen said.

"Believe me, being called son of a servant, I understand, so I am sorry to A-Qing if she was constantly being bullied for her appearance," Wuxian said.

"Thank you, and I am alright, I'm learning to calm down a bit. Daozhang has been teaching me meditation and ways of cultivating. He thought it would be something to do," A-Qing said.

"It is," Baoshan said, "if you need anything, let me know."

"Will do, Baoshan," Xingchen said.

...

Xue Yang dismissed, "You came back crying just because they said you're ugly? Where did your usual unreasonable rudeness go?"

A-Qing, "I'm not rude! Daozhang, do you have any money left?"

With a pause, Xiao XingChen replied in embarrassment, "Uh... I think so."

Xue Yang interrupted, "I can lend you some."

A-Qing spat, "You've been living and eating with us for so long, and you still call it 'lending' if we use some of your money! What a miser! You have no shame! Daozhang, I wanna buy pretty clothes and pretty jewelry. Can you come with me?"

Wei Wuxian thought to himself, 'So she wants to lead Xiao XingChen out of here. But if Xue Yang wants to follow, what should she do?'

Xiao XingChen, "Of course I can, but I won't be able to help you see if they suit you or not."

Xue Yang interrupted again, "I can help her."