There is a brief moment of joy; that sounds like Jin Guangyao, finding some small kindness to reach out to another. Most of the time, Xichen expected it was genuine.

Feels like we understand each other better than anyone else does...

Shen Yuan's next words lance through his heart.

Xichen had once felt very much the same, but now... now he felt as though he understood nothing, and had lost almost everything.

Almost. But Jin Guangyao was alive.

It's enough, he reminds himself not for the first time.

"Shen-gongzi should rest. We can talk more tomorrow."

He manages a smile. It's a weak thing, but sincere.

"I will stay."