[ A mother who raised him in a brothel where he saw how she was treated, a father who was - well, Jin Guangshan - but he lets it go. They are talking at cross purposes now, it seems - Lan Xichen speaking broadly, discussing how his time in seclusion had made him think on Jin Guangyao as he related to the world he lived in, how the world shaped them all, and Wanyin gently pulling it back to what they are supposed to be talking about.

Jin Guangyao, and what it means that he is here. Still, he cannot help but end with, ]

When the world tells you something often enough, you believe it. When your parents tell you something often enough, you believe that, too.

[ He shakes his head after that, though he doesn't move away from Wanyin's to do so. ]

My opinion does not matter. My forgiveness - or lack there of - does not matter, because I am not the one who he has harmed. I do not wish to defend him or excuse him to those he has. But can you not understand - I have spent over two decades listening to those who spoke ill of him long before he had done anything to warrant it. I warred with myself constantly of when to defend him, when to stay silent, if it would embarrass or undermine him to speak, if it would make him feel alone if I did not. I still feel it now.

[ His hand rests tentatively over Wanyin's heart, feeling it beat. ]

The world has always been cruel. I have chosen to be kind anyway. I am well aware what that makes me.

[ Soft. Foolish. Naive. Easily manipulated. He'd stood by the choice for most of his life, but now... he is no longer sure. ]