JUST IF

IN THE WRONG WAY

' A young cultivator now becomes blind as he donates his eyes to his friend, who dares to never meet again after that moment on leaving the man hopeless. His journey now depends on his skills and hearing ability. His sword became his biggest soldier. Whether it's good or evil, he couldn't guess. But deep in his heart, he's longing for someone to look after but..... his heart is so kind that people take advantage of him '

" A-Qing ! Look at this. Is this beautiful ? "

" Uhmm...Very beautiful. Where did you find it ?

" That vendor " He pointed at the vendor they passed through earlier. " For you "

" Thank you, mister ! " A-Qing happily takes the hair stick from Xiao Xingchen's hand.

Xiao Xingchen just smiled at the small girl who once stole money from others to make a living and then crossed paths with him. That girl has grown up already but still Xiao Xingchen looks at her as a younger sister he once had.

His mind wandered to the White Snow Pavilion, the place he left after giving his eyes to Song Lan because of pity and did not return for the time being. Just thinking of it makes his heart heavy again....With all these issues, how could he possibly go back to the place again ?

" Mister ? "

A call from A-Qing took him back to the earth. Looking at the girl beside him, he smiled again and asked why.

" We're at the grocery stall already. You said you wanted to buy potatoes and make roasted potatoes for me "

" Hmm... Sorry, I didn't realize it. " He chuckled then proceeded to buy the food he needed for them.

______________________________

They arrived at their place, a house at the end of Yi City. It was peaceful like any other day. As soon as they entered, A-Qing closed the door and lit up the lantern around the house as safety measurements.

Xiao Xingchen started to make a bonfire to roast the potato like he promised to A-Qing. Despite having a deficiency in terms of the sense of sight, Xiao Xingchen can still do the work without assistance. A-Qing several times wanted to try to help him but he felt no need to be helped.

Instead he told A-Qing to sweep the yard while she waited for him to cook the potatoes. A whining could be heard from the girl as she went to the back to get the broom. Even though she is unseemly forced to sweep the yard, she does it wholeheartedly and carefully.

Smoke began to billow in the yard as Xiao Xingchen turned the potato around and colored the sky with a greyish color.

" A-Qing, do you want to know how I got blind ? " Xingchen asked still looking at the fire in front of him. That makes A-Qing fully turn her attention towards him.

" I have a childhood friend that I just met after 15 years. His name is Song Zichen, courtesy name, Song Lan. When I recognized him, I was really happy but.... I'm not sure if he recognizes me or not. And guess what ?? " Xiao Xingchen took a glance at the listening girl sitting at the corner of the bonfire before continuing.

" My hunch was right...He didn't even recognize me. We became friends because we were assigned to catch a criminal together. The criminal was Xue Yang, a Wen Clan henchmen. " Xingchen stared at the fire for a while then smiled alone.

" During our days trying to catch that criminal Xue Yang, we only depend on each other and Song Lan is like a big brother to me. He always prioritizes me first over himself and of course....I felt appreciated by him. As a first born itself, I've always prioritized my siblings so....this was the first . " He smirked thinking all the moment he had with Song Lan. The potato was almost cooked and already turned black.

" One day, we found Xue Yang storytelling for some kids on the street. I refused to believe that he was the same guy Song Lan has told me about. Specifically, I've never met Xue Yang face to face and only Song Lan has met him..................... The moment my eyes locked on him, he didn't look like any criminal I've encountered before. Instead, he looks like a child who's missing something in its life, his eyes look cold but helpless but I didn't dare to say it loud. Zichen already rushed towards Xue Yang without warning. "

Xiao Xingchen stopped as the potato was cooked already. After it cooled down a bit, he gave one to A-Qing and one for himself. The potato tastes very sweet and delicious.

" Mister...please continue. I want to hear more ! " A-Qing said while her mouth was still chewing the roasted potato with dazzling eyes looking at Xiao Xingchen.

" But maybe the luck ran out again, Xue Yang escaped again. This time he ran to the forest leading to the Nightless City of QishanWen Clan. Both of us couldn't do anything about it as the forest was very dark and damp. We went separate ways after that...........As I was walking with to White Snow Pavilion, I suddenly see a spark sign from Zichen. In an instant, I panicked and went hurriedly to the drink place where we used to met. " A-Qing gasped, fully into the story.

" There it was.....Zichen's eyes were covered by a piece of cloth. I asked him what happened and he told me that he met Xue Yang. They were fighting and Xue Yang pulled his dirty trick... throwing a tear powder straight to his face. When I heard him saying that, I felt really pity and guilty for him so I offered him my eyes so he could take revenge on Xue Yang. It's also a way for me to pay back what he had done to me throughout our journey. "
A-Qing become quiet. If she were Xiao Xingchen, she must be not as kind as Xingchen was. She idolizes the kind and sweet cultivator, who's willing to give his eyes just for his friend to get revenge.

" Zichen was against that idea at first but I managed to talk him out about this......... And now, here I was. " A-Qing nodded agreely.

" As you can see that I'm.....Wait a minute, I forget you were blind too " Xiao Xingchen jokes but instead of a laugh from A-Qing, he get a smack in the back instead.

He clearly overreacted and moaned in pained like the smack was really hurt but it's just he want to teased the girl more. The girl reminded him so much of his younger sister back in the White Snow Pavilion. What was she doing now, he guessed.

" And....what happened to Xue Yang ? " A-Qing break his wandered mind. " If you meet him, what would you do ? "

That question left unanswered by Xiao Xingchen as he, himself didn't think about it either. A silence fill them after.