It is a pleasant surprise, that the only sound that fills the Hanshi is the scrape of chopsticks against his bowl. Xichen sets his bowl down when he is finished, feeling a bit lighter than he had a short time before.

Physically heavier, yes, but it is a task that he has accomplished. One that he would not have, if not for Jiang Wanyin.

The other's mans words floor him. Xichen is sure that he cannot keep the shock from his face this time, that he is giving himself away in a way that he has only shown two others and those men are gone from this world. One at the hands of another.

"I---" and what can he say to that? It is the truth, he knows it. If there is anyone in this world that understand what is it like to be so wholly betrayed by a man one calls a brother, even if they all know now that that was not the case, it is Jiang Wanyin.

"You are right, Wanyin," he looks up at the other man finally, bridging the space that has formed between them. Perhaps it is not his place to be so familiar, but then again, are they not bound in this loss? "I wish we did not share this burden but, you are right, it is one only you and I understand. I am afraid that I do not know how to navigate it."