"I have something I want to say to you..."
Upon hearing the Third Elder's words, Ah Lian found it difficult to control herself, her gaze falling upon his eyes. She was eager to hear what he had to say, yet terrified of what it might be. In the end, she shook her head, signaling for him to stop. No matter what he said, the time for it had long passed.
But the Third Elder seemed not to see her expression, continuing on his own. "Ah Lian, I was too cowardly back then. I shouldn't have... I should have... I should have been like him..." He couldn't go on, resting his tightly clenched fists on his knees. He looked deeply pained. He was a man with one foot in the grave, yet in the end, he still couldn't muster that kind of courage.
A few seconds later, when Ah Lian spoke three simple words, the Third Elder nearly collapsed.
She said to him, "Yes, a little."
