Back To the Past

Chapter Twenty

Wei Wuxian was confused.

He had been absolutely certain that when the Wen disciple came to fetch him, it was to bring him before the sect leader. Yet here he was, sitting across from Wen Ruohan's eldest son, who was calmly pouring him wine.

"Young Master Wei, please help yourself to some snacks," Wen Xu said smoothly, gesturing to the lavish spread on the table. "I assure you, they're excellent. The Wen sect takes pride in its fine cuisine."

Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Are you saying only your sect makes the best dishes? Clearly, you haven't stepped out of your comfort zone."

Wen Xu sighed, rolling his eyes. "That's not what I meant."

Wei Wuxian stared at Wen Xu, his expression unreadable as he refused to touch anything on the table. He knew better than to trust him. And, more importantly, he hated this particular Wen with a passion for what he had done to his Hanguang Jun.

Dirty bastard, Wei Wuxian thought, his fists clenching under the table. Since you like breaking legs I'll make sure to break both of yours.

"Stop this ridiculous hospitality of yours and get to the point," Wei Wuxian said, his tone sharp. "Unlike you, I have better things to do—like returning to my bed."

"Why the hurry, hm?" Wen Xu smiled, leaning back in his chair with infuriating ease. "We have all night."

Wei Wuxian gritted his teeth, irritation simmering beneath his calm façade. They were alone in the grand hall now; the weird guards had vanished when Wen Xu arrived. The silence felt heavy, the vastness of the space amplifying the tension.

Tapping his fingers against the table, Wei Wuxian's thoughts spiralled. His narrowed eyes fixated on Wen Xu, watching him sip his wine with an air of smugness. The chaos Wen Xu had caused came rushing back to him, and although they had never properly met before, Wei Wuxian loathed him.

A dangerous thought crept into his mind. What were the chances of getting caught if Wen Xu left this world tonight? The resentment bubbling beneath his calm expression threatened to overflow.

After all, who would know? he mused. If something happened to him here, I could just deny it. Pretend to be innocent. I'd say I left after our little chat. Who would believe the words of a few Wen disciples over a respected sect's young master?

Wen Xu tilted his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "You seem lost in thought, Young Master Wei. Anything you'd like to share before I tell you why I've brought you here?"

Wei Wuxian's lips curled into a grin, sharp and mocking. "Oh, nothing important. Just wondering how long this stupid conversation of ours is going to drag on." 

"Is that so, then I shouldn't drag on this conversation any further." Wen Xu puts his cup down, and his eyes meet Wei Wuxian's gaze. "Join the Wen clan."

                                                            ∘₊✧─𓂃 ࣪˖ ୨♡୧ ˖࣪𓂃─✧₊∘

Jiang Cheng gave Lan Wangji a stern look. 

"Wei Wuxian?"

"He's not here..." Jiang Cheng sighs, stepping aside to let Lan Wangji in. "One of the Wen rats told him Wen Ruohan wants to see him."

"Why?"

Lan Wangji's brows draw tight, darkening with warning. This doesn't sit right with him.

Jiang Cheng slumps into the chair, letting out a harsh, bitter sigh. The weight of Lan Wangji's simmering anger presses heavily in the room. He grabs a cup of tea and downs it in one hard gulp before scoffing like he tastes poison. "If I'd known, there's no way I'd let him go alone. I tried to come, but that stubborn bastard refused and said he could handle it himself and left."