The cats have helped a great deal more than Xue Yang could've ever expected. There's just something about two soft, sweet little creatures who are always happy to see him. They don't know about all the bad he's done, they're just happy as long as they have company, cuddles and food.

"I took one home from you..." Xue Yang murmurs, the guilt in his voice palpable, "The least I can do is give you a new one." He nuzzles into Song Lan, pressing a kiss to his shoulder. "Yi City was the first place I felt at home in." But he had ruined that too.

"Have you always had that fear?" he asks, glancing up at his lover's face.