Far away in Laman, Tong Aino was gazing wistfully at the blue skies and white clouds within the palace. His heart was filled with regret, but what good is regret now? None at all!
In the distance, Connie was feeding the goldfish in the lotus pond with her mother. The two of them were chatting and laughing, not even sparing him a glance.
Today, Tong Aino had thickened his skin and come to the palace with his uncle. His uncle was conversing with Qiao Xi the Twelfth under the shade of the trees, their laughter occasionally drifting over. It felt as if everyone around him treated him like air.
Tong Aino thought to himself, being considered air would be a luxury—because air still contains oxygen, and people need oxygen to breathe. Whereas him? He was without even oxygen!
