Chapter 217: Tears Hidden in the Observatory, Jun Wu's Sorrow and Anger
As night fell, the wind from the observatory carried a chill, causing Sizhui's thin robe to sway slightly. He sat on the stone steps, his fingertips still tingling with the pain of pinching his palms. In the moment of guilt, he had subconsciously dug his nails into them, trying to suppress the pain. Now, a few faint red marks had been left on his palms.
"Are you planning to make everyone anxious by hiding here and crying?"
A familiar voice suddenly came from behind. Si Zhui turned around abruptly and saw Jun Wu standing at the entrance of the observatory. The corners of his black robe were blown up by the wind, but his eyes did not have the sternness of the past. Instead, they hid a bit of imperceptible tenderness.
Si Zhui hurriedly wiped his tears and tried to stand up, but because he had been squatting for too long, his legs gave out and he fell back down. Jun Wu walked over quickly and reached out to help him, but his eyes first fell on his clenched hands - the red marks on them were particularly conspicuous in the moonlight, like tiny thorns, pricking Jun Wu's heart.
"You kid, you've even learned to hurt yourself?" Jun Wu's voice instantly turned cold. He reached out and gently pried open his palm. When his fingertips touched the rough red mark, his tone softened. "Who taught you that? You torture yourself when you feel sad?"
Si Zhui couldn't help but shed tears again, and choked up as he said, "Grandfather... I know Daddy's injury was because of me... It's my fault. I always get into trouble and make Daddy suffer so much for me..."
He spoke in fragments about what he had heard from Lan Wangji, and when he mentioned Wei Wuxian's coma after the blood transfusion, his shoulders couldn't help but tremble. Jun Wu listened quietly, his face gradually darkening. He had known the price Wei Wuxian paid to save Si Zhui, but he had never imagined that this child would suddenly know the truth and take all the blame on himself.
"Silly child." Jun Wu sighed, sat down beside him, and reached out to ruffle his hair. "Your father didn't save you to make you blame yourself like this. He is your father, and protecting you is something he is willing to do, just like I protect your father and you."
"But I still feel bad..." Si Zhui leaned on Jun Wu's shoulder, his voice tinged with tears, "Daddy is still recovering from his injuries, but I can't do anything and always cause trouble for everyone..."
"Can't do anything?" Jun Wu tapped his forehead gently. "Be obedient and study the magic well. Don't let your father worry. That's how you help him. If you run out again like you did today and hurt yourself, your father will be even more distressed when he finds out."
He paused, his tone becoming more serious. "I know you feel guilty, but guilt shouldn't be resolved by hurting yourself. Your father suffered for you because he wanted you to live a good and happy life, not to live in self-blame."
Si Zhui nodded vigorously. The pain in his palms was still there, but the guilt in his heart seemed to have eased a little. Jun Wu looked at his red eyes, took out a small jade bottle from his sleeve, poured out a little transparent ointment, and gently applied it to his palms. "This is 'Healing Ointment'. It will be healed by tomorrow morning. If you dare to do this again, Grandfather will be really angry."
"I won't do that anymore." Si Zhui whispered, his fingertips gently touching the ointment on his palm, which was cool and very comfortable.
Jun Wu stood up and held his hand, "Let's go. Your father and Wangji are about to turn the Shangtian Palace upside down. If you don't go back, your father will probably come to look for you himself."
Si Zhui nodded, took Jun Wu's hand, and slowly walked down the observatory. The moonlight cast a long shadow on them. Si Zhui looked at Jun Wu's profile and suddenly felt that although his grandfather could be very strict at times, he always appeared when he needed him most, like a stable mountain, protecting him and the entire family.
He secretly swore in his heart that he would be obedient and learn magic skills well in the future, never get into trouble again, and never make his father and grandfather worry again - he wanted to grow up quickly and become someone who could protect his father and family, and repay everyone's kindness to him bit by bit.
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