Shen Yuan's mouth twists for a moment, lips pressed so tightly together that they nearly turn white. Why does Lan Xichen keep pressing him? Hasn't he already embarrassed himself enough?

Apparently not. Shen Yuan bows his head, sparing himself at least the burden of eye contact before saying lowly, "Does Lan-gongzi know what it's like, standing beside someone as magnificent as him and knowing that in another time and place, we could have been equals? But not here and now, when it would actually matter? Does he know how humiliating that is?"

Shen Yuan shakes his head, gaze drifting towards the open window as he admits, "I used to think that it would be enough to cultivate until I could defend myself, and no more. But lately all I can think about is how much I want to catch up to Lan-gongzi."