[ Those wide eyes have him chuckling, swallowing as much of it as he can as he glances down shyly. There has, after all, only been one person who he showed interest in before and that individual behaved as if he was always right, no matter what. Xichen second-guesses himself, these days.

He had better think of something else to say, before gazing at Jiang Cheng becomes his new hobby. ]

Ah, would you mind giving a short talk to the disciples tomorrow? Nothing so long as a lecture, more answering their questions. It's rare to have another sect leader with us.

[ It's chilly as fuck in Gusu and no one really wants to spend time here unless it's high summer. ]