[ Could people justify, all in all, leaving Meng Yao to deal with all of this alone? With as much mercy as he hasn't afforded, yes. Can Xichen not offer what little he can give?

He knows he is not enough to make up for what has been lost. He never was. But if the man was left alone, would he not grow bitter all over again? Would the second chance not seem worse than a mockery?

Once upon a time, Xichen used to believe that the bitterness could not prevail. Once upon a time, he had no idea that it already had.

And even so, he would have offered comfort. ]

Anytime, Meng Yao.

Sizhui... reached out to me. We will do our best to make sure he is not alone, either. Thinking of him is kind.

[ A part of him still notes down, that Meng Yao talked of Sizhui specifically, rather than the entire group of juniors. It may have been because Sizhui was Jin Rulan's roommate. It may have been because Jin Rulan has spoken specifically of him. It may have been something else entirely. A part of his mind, the part that feels the worst about being manipulated, is aware that there may be many reasons.

The rest of him points out that it is still kind. ]

Was he supposed to visit?