text; un: xiaoxingchen

[mingyues]

[ xiao xingchen is not someone who feels the urge to ask questions often. not of others, and even less so of strangers. for this, however, he'll make an exception, even if the words are hard to parse. ]

I have been thinking
The people that we are in this place, the people we become —
Is there a chance in this world for those who are destined to commit evil?
Or is it futile to expect that anything will change when we return to our worlds?

And if it is futile then... does anything we do here matter?

Comments

[mingyues]

You stabbed my nephew? [ there is something surprised about that revelation but then, aren't they all closely entwined in this place? that his nephew is here, and that so is jin ling's family and xue yang and - he wonders if there is an element of connection that makes this world choose the individuals it does.

he pauses to consider jin ling's words. ]

It is far easier to absolve you of that wrongdoing than myself of mine. You were manipulated by someone you loved, you are not responsible for that action but -

I assume you have apologised to him, right?

[inheritedpain]

Your— [ That got a furrowed, confused look from him. He hadn’t actually known that piece of information. But he stopped himself from saying so and stiffened, glaring at the ground. ]

... no. Not really. He doesn’t remember it. He doesn’t even remember me from back home, so what’s the point?

But I don’t see what’s so different. You were manipulated too.

[mingyues]

[ it is a small cultivation world out there! ]

I believe it matters, even if you do not apologise directly since he does not remember it. To do small gestures of kindness, to make amends. There is always a point to doing these things.

Yes. [ pause ] But I should have known better, I should -

[ so many 'should's and 'didn't's; xiao xingchen stops himself, falling silent to stare at jin ling. ]

Thank you. [ sincere. ] Young master Jin. I will keep your advice close to my heart, for I cannot deny the soundness of your words. It is making my heart believe them that is another matter.