For a brief moment, there's clarity and Jiang Cheng silently pleads, begs for forgiveness. He clutches the edge of a table with a white knuckled grip. Sweat beads at his brow and he is barely able to hear what Lan Xichen is saying because his eyes fall to the older man's lips and his mind fizzles out, focusing on how plus they are. He blinks when he hears the word leave and grits his teeth to keep from reaching and keeping him in the room.

"If you are staying out of duty, then leave."

His pride still stands in the way. He couldn't look at him if it was out of pity.