Those words don't feel entirely in play, when he considers his Bonded with a fond look. Maybe it had been the right thing then, to leave Xichen be for a while. Even if there were still, perhaps, some issues elsewhere in his life, judging from Lan Xichen's continued rejection of his old robes, Jin Guangyao appreciates the sentiment here more than anyone would know to look at him - not only from the sweetness of Lan Xichen's thought by itself, but in contrast to thoughts of a time, only a few short months ago, when he questioned and doubted how much remained between them.

Settling beside Xichen, he sets his hand lightly on the other man's arm, breaking the illusion of their little amusement. He looks up at him, smiling. "I'm glad you came back to me unharmed. But I think I'd prefer the company of an old friend for dinner tonight, over that of anyone else."