“don’t think someone overly perfect,” xie lian replied. “if it’s just watching a shadow from afar and never having to interact, then whatever. but once you’re acquainted and you grow close, one day you’ll end up finding that this person was not what you had imagined, maybe even the complete opposite. when that happens, you’ll be very disappointed.”

hua cheng disagreed, “you never know. i don't care if anyone else is disappointed. but to some, the very existence of a certain person in this world is in itself, hope.”

although he didn’t specify who “some” were, and who “a certain person” was, his tone plain and casual like it was an offhand comment, xie lian’s heart lifted; he felt light, even.

( *& art by @ h̲i̲n̲a̲s̲t̲r̲o̲n̲d̲ on twitter. )