[Some details will inevitably be revealed, but others might be kept secret. Xue Yang and Song Lan have no desire to see Xingchen grieving or broken. If they can protect him from the future - for a little while - isn't that preferable?

His chest is warm and he feels his heart beating stronger when his sentiment is returned. He gives Xingchen's hand a warm squeeze, lacing their fingers together.]

You needn't miss me any longer. [Zichen slows his steps to speak from his heart.] I never lost hope that we would be reunited. I carried on for all this time, trusting that I would see you again. I don't want to be parted from you.

[Everything hurts when there is an empty space at his side. Xingchen is part of him and they are akin in their mistakes and their naivete. By blaming Xingchen so harshly, Zichen was passing judgement on himself too.

And that path leads to nowhere Zichen wishes to be.]