Hm. I suppose that's often the case, that the reality we grow into is less rosy than what we imagine in our youths.

[ hua cheng blinks slightly when rinne pushes himself up to look down at him, just for a moment before he processes what rinne has said. once he's understood, a grin spreads slowly over his face—not his usual cocky smirk, but a gentler, more genuine expression of happiness that very few ever get to see from him. ]

You have a kind heart, xiao mifeng. To find companionship even in a monster like me.

[ he's joking, mostly. ]

Even though this place is terrible, I'm also grateful to have met you.