( He's quiet for a longer moment, the rush of his qi steady and earnest. The silence doesn't last long, not when his mind is a whirlwind. )

I should have guessed you weren't well. ( A sigh, his body swaying closer, heat at Zhou Zishu's back. ) I just thought everything new was because you'd had more time. Are you being more nice to me these days because you're dying? If that's the case don't think I won't beat you for it when you're well again. I can hold a grudge, Ah-Xu.