He chuckles, looking down for a moment at the concern that Lan Wangji seems to hold for him. They barely knew each other and yet here he was, trying to make him feel better. It was nice.

"That's what I tell myself, but sometimes you can't make the world listen to reality." Wu Xie reaches up intending to pat him on the shoulder before remembering that touches were not welcomed so much. Smile turning rueful, he changed direction to rub the back of his neck instead.

"Doctors said that I have six months tops, though someone with better hearing says it's three months before I choke on my own blood."