Yu Xi's heart clenched. He had listened enough. Of all the reactions he had anticipated when Jian Ci learned the truth he had never anticipated this. This brokenness. This unbearable sincerity.
It was too heartbreaking.
Yu Xi stepped forward, his hand reaching out, grabbing Jian Ci's arm firmly. Jian Ci flinched, thinking he didn't deserve even that touch, but Yu Xi wouldn't let go.
Jian Ci let him pull him up, his body trembling, his mind still drowning in guilt.
And then Yu Xi suddenly embraced him fiercely as though he was afraid Jian Ci would vanish if he loosened his grip even for a second.
Yu Xi's voice was a whisper against his ear, trembling but resolute. "You know everything I did… I did it because I wanted to, right?"
Jian Ci couldn't hold his tears back anymore. They spilled freely, soaking into Yu Xi's shoulder, warm and heavy. Yu Xi felt it, felt the weight of Jian Ci's grief pressing into him, and his own eyes grew teary in response.
