He could imagine what must have been going through his friend's head. It was supposed to be a quick stop, just grab his mother's body and make a run for Dongying. It wasn't supposed to end as it had. He knew why it happened as it did.

There was no other way it could have happened. But guilt twisted in his gut, he knew that Minshan would have happily given his life for him, but the reality of watching his friend die like that... He couldn't stop the tears that poured from him once more. It was for nothing, that sacrifice. Just another person who died for the crime of loving him, believing in him. A-Su, Mo Xuanyu, all died for the same reason. He would carry their deaths on him.

"Minshan." his voice was cracking with emotion. "I know. I know and I'm so sorry." he was happy to see him now but his death broke him.

"Looks like our fates are not yet done with one another, my dear friend. I'll be here for you with whatever you need, please don't worry." he squeezed his hand a bit tighter, trying to stem his tears but failing.

"This has been happening a lot since I got here, all I can do is to just allow it to happen. I think it comes from a lifetime of holding back." he just pressed his forehead against his friend's shoulder.

"You are really here, right?"