[ He sighs under his breath, feeling oddly sad for his friend. Intensely so, even, much as he keeps a lid on that emotion and channels his determination to rouse up some hope in Jiang Cheng into the pink of his own ears. ]

You have a good voice, it is not to be merely tolerated. I have sat in silence for near days, [ also sad but focus on his point, ] and now I am noticing how much I like the light of the lamps when they are lit and the taste of food again, because Jiang-zongzhu is here talking with me.