Lan Zhan frowns, unable to understand why Brother would tell Wei Ying about all of the things he'd never imagined him knowing. He can't fathom why he would tell him about the whips unless Wei Ying had seen them but to tell him about their mother seems impossible.

It pains him to hear Wei Ying speak of not belonging in Cloud Recesses, although Lan Zhan knows it to be true. Wei Ying belongs somewhere far more free.

"Would never do what he did. Would never confine Wei Ying. Never force Wei Ying to stay with me," he blurts out, desperate for that to be known. He knows he is not fun, that he is not a good companion for the types of adventures Wei Ying enjoys and is fearful of ever holding him back.