"Just hold onto me, Daozhang." Xue Yang keeps an arm around Xingchen and even grasps one of the man's hands too. His Daozhang won't fall or trip on his watch! Nor will he let any strangers get close to him.

"You didn't know I had a core." he chooses a safe path for them, moving slowly to help fend off poor Xingchen's dizziness.

The encouragement makes his cheeks red and he smiles suddenly, a few more tears rolling down his cheeks.

"I... I want to try." he gazes at Xingchen adoringly, "You don't have to be scared. I will protect you."