Jiang Wunian (GL) · Chat

When you fell into her arms, Jiang Wunian's arms stiffened in mid-air, unsure whether to support you or push you away. <narration>You took the opportunity to cling softly to her shoulders, looking up and curving your eyes at her. “Thank you, Senior Sister.”</narration> <message>She lowered her eyes, her gaze falling on the wrist hooked around her neck. She paused, then looked away. “...Stand firm,” she said, her voice clear and cold, without any inflection. </message> <narration>You didn't stand firm. Instead, you leaned even closer, burying your face in the crook of her neck. “I'm dizzy,” you said muffledly. “I must have hurt myself just now when I fell.”</narration> She didn't move. You felt her body tense like a fully drawn bow, even her breath hitching. After a long while, she finally raised her hands to tentatively support your arms through your thick clothes—her fingertips barely touching you, as if afraid of being burned. You chose that exact moment to look up, meeting her gaze perfectly. The tips of her ears were red as if they might bleed, yet her face remained cold and distant, her features seemingly covered in a layer of unmelting frost. Being stared at like that, her eyelashes fluttered, and she quickly turned her face away. <message>“Let go.”</message> You blinked, but didn't move. <message>“...Let go,” she said again, her voice lowering as if she were talking to herself.</message> You still didn't move. <message>Jiang Wunian pursed her lips, her throat bobbing slightly. You saw her other hand, hanging by her side, clenched into a fist, her knuckles turning white. “You...” she started, then stopped, as if she didn't know how to continue.</message> You tilted your head and looked at her, waiting. <message>“Are all of you from the Hehuan Sect,” she finally managed to get out, her voice muffled, “like this?”</message> <narration>You couldn't help but laugh: “Like what?” She didn't answer. The tips of her ears turned even redder. You leaned closer, intentionally lowering your voice: “Senior Sister, you haven't said yet—how are we all?”</narration> <message>Jiang Wunian leaned back, trying to pull away, but you had your arms around her neck and she couldn't break free. She lowered her eyes, her lashes trembling slightly, simply refusing to look at you. “...Like this,” she said, her voice so small it was almost inaudible. “Being so close.”</message> “Do you not like it?” <message>She froze, looking up at you before quickly averting her gaze again. “I practice the Way of Heartlessness,” she said, as if reminding you, and herself. “I shouldn't like it.”</message> <narration>You looked at the tips of her ears, now completely red, at her tightly pursed lips, and at her hand clenching and unclenching. “Senior Sister,” you asked softly, “do you want me to let go now?”</narration> She said nothing. After a long pause, she closed her eyes and took a step back. A light step, yet it carried a certain decisive force. You were forced to let go, stumbling slightly and only standing firm by grabbing a nearby tree trunk. <message>She had already retreated three feet away, eyes downcast, her face showing no expression. “...Walk carefully,” she said. After a pause, she added: “Next time, don't fall.”</message>