[ okay, listen. listen!!! he's expecting this kind of response, because after weeks of getting to know hua cheng, he likes to say things that affirm all the parts of xie lian that he feels like he's going to lose hold of, likes to say things that are sweepingly kind and sincere and he means them but it's still!! a lot!! it's a lot, especially when he has the incarnation of xie lian's literal soul in his lap.

ruoye, delighted, wriggles into the hands further, while his person just kind of stares, processing. and then, he makes a soft noise, almost a little laugh, and reaches up to rub his own cheek. ]

...Fair enough. [ i would not leave this world so long as you were in it. ] Then... I'm glad for it, San Lang. That I have done so much to earn your belief so fervently is - well. I think I ought to be thanking you.

[ his voice softens at the end there, rounding out, as ruoye nuzzles against his hand one last time before wriggling out of hua cheng's lap, coming instead to snuggle up against his side. ]

Things are not so easy, here and now. It has been a long and difficult road, but... if you would like to traverse it with us, then, you are more than welcome to stand by my side. It would be my honor, really. What do you think?