...mm. [ xie lian puts his hand to his chin, looking out into the distance again, too. their police officer... tsukasa is really too young to have to deal with all of these terrible things, isn't he? it's a shame. (in this moment, xie lian is barely older than him, but nonetheless.)

the idea of it being wei wuxian. he speaks carefully. ] ...I don't think Wei Wuxian would be involved in the kidnappings. On that, I think you're correct--it's against his character. I like to think he wouldn't involve innocent people, but...

[ but xie lian also knew wei wuxian before he left the family. his capabilities. his fury, when provoked, under the surface of that cheerful smile, his big heart. ] ...but vengeance against the people causing such suffering wouldn't be out of character for him at all. Leaving the family was so he could find peace away from all of this mess. If he was the traitor, then I haven't protected Xian Le enough for him to stay out of it.

[ even when people aren't in his family, he's failed them. wei wuxian left, and he's been dragged into this. baren left. he was dragged in too. every member of xian le who left to find a better life has the family wrapped around them like a shackle, because xie lian hasn't been strong enough. at this point, he's beginning to wear the guilt like a shackle of his own, after weeks and weeks of suffering and hurt. ]