The earnestness practically overflowing from An Ning's eyes gave Jiang Xia a sudden impulse to embrace her.
But he didn't feel he had the right just yet.
Jiang Xia met her serious gaze, his tone just as solemn. "Thank you, An Ning."
An Ning said no more. She knew Jiang Xia understood what she meant.
For a moment, neither of them spoke, but the atmosphere wasn't awkward.
Jiang Xia took a deep breath, as if he had just made a momentous decision.
"Do you want to know why I did all this?"
An Ning didn't answer his question directly. Instead, she said, "Jiang Xia, you're my most important friend. If you want to talk, I'll listen. If you don't, then don't say a word. No one is asking you to tear open your wounds again."
Tears welled in Jiang Xia's eyes, glittering like shattered stars in the lamplight.
His pale, wounded face and the broken look in the proud young man's eyes made An Ning's heart ache for him.
"Jiang Xia—"
"I want to tell you."
