Xichen's breath hisses out of his lungs at that last part, and he narrows his eyes in warning at Meng Yao. Jin Rulan might not remember Jin Rusong, but Xichen does. He remembers how Jin Guangyao at the time doted over his son. And he remembers that did not stop him from ending the boy's life, and in a way to further his plans, to destroy his enemies.
But he doesn't say it.
He does not want Meng Yao to despair, again.
Instead, he breathes out softly.
"It may take a while for this to be remembered but... a person's worth is not dependent on how useful that person is. And it should not be." Another breath. "And nor is one's redemption. Making good choices because they are good. Not for anyone's good opinion, nor for a goal that justifies what goes towards it."
He wishes he could praise the young Sect Leader Jin. Though it has been brought by pain, he has grown much in the recent weeks. But this is not the time - he will remember, later. But right now, he needs to be... reliable, so that the boy won't be hurt again, more for him being able to see now and not acting on it.
"Everyone makes mistakes, Meng Yao." He keeps his voice steady, though that is not easy at all. His own mistakes are a mountain, though he does know that they are fewer than Meng Yao's. Other than helping to make all of Meng Yao's possible. "Try to avoid them when you can, but when they happen..." His eyes move to the boy, then back to the man. "It may be difficult to own up to them. And it might be difficult for us to hear. But they are not made better if you conceal them. So please. Let somebody know. Let somebody help, rather than trying to bury them."
no subject
But he doesn't say it.
He does not want Meng Yao to despair, again.
Instead, he breathes out softly.
"It may take a while for this to be remembered but... a person's worth is not dependent on how useful that person is. And it should not be." Another breath. "And nor is one's redemption. Making good choices because they are good. Not for anyone's good opinion, nor for a goal that justifies what goes towards it."
He wishes he could praise the young Sect Leader Jin. Though it has been brought by pain, he has grown much in the recent weeks. But this is not the time - he will remember, later. But right now, he needs to be... reliable, so that the boy won't be hurt again, more for him being able to see now and not acting on it.
"Everyone makes mistakes, Meng Yao." He keeps his voice steady, though that is not easy at all. His own mistakes are a mountain, though he does know that they are fewer than Meng Yao's. Other than helping to make all of Meng Yao's possible. "Try to avoid them when you can, but when they happen..." His eyes move to the boy, then back to the man. "It may be difficult to own up to them. And it might be difficult for us to hear. But they are not made better if you conceal them. So please. Let somebody know. Let somebody help, rather than trying to bury them."
Beat.
"What... is counseling?"