Huaisang stares down at the other's hand, the way his fingers press and the way that Huaisang almost relaxes his hand. He tries to control the tears but it's difficult and his breath shudders when he tries not to let it go. He moves closer to Xichen. It had been a long time since he could even allow himself to cry like this, to grieve not only Mingjue's death but the loss of Meng Yao who had been like family.

"Why did any of this have to happen?" it's a futile question but he chokes it out anyway. It's all so stupid. How couldn't Meng Yao have seen that he was loved why did he have to destroy everything?