Despite himself, despite the fact that he and Lan Xichen are still near-strangers with only a single, month-long mutual connection between them, Shen Yuan can't help but internally sigh a little with platonic admiration at the elder cultivator's serenity. Lan Xichen's face is like a still mountain pool, calm and serene. Truly a model to aspire to. He waves off the compliment, responding, "It's truly been no trouble. This one enjoys answering questions, and I must return Lan-gongzi's kindness somehow."

He smiles hopefully. "Though this one cannot match the length of Lan-gongzi's friendship to Jin Guangyao, he hopes nonetheless that in time Lan-gongzi might consider this one someone to rely upon in adversity as well."