It hurts. It hurts because Xichen wants to believe just like he always believed him, and he can't. He'd tried so hard to get away... red line blossoming on young Jin Rulan's throat.

Xichen's eyes close for a moment, then he shakes his head.

"I suppose... that doesn't really matter, anyway. I should not have asked. Instead...

"You might not have an answer ready. But can you - can you do something new, here?" He's struggling to find the words. He's not sure he'll be understood, this one time.

But it's so hard to give up on hope for others.