[ Jin Ling draws nearer, and Jiang Cheng does finally reach out, still afraid to be rebuffed but wanting to make peace with his nephew enough to chance it. ]

I'm listening now. I'm here.

[ Swallowing hard, he pulls Jin Ling in closer, pulls his nephew against him because it's what Jin Ling asked of him. To help him navigate this strange and inexplicable world. And in this place, all things seem to start right here, in closeness they would not partake in were they back home. ]

I don't know up from down lately myself, but we⁠— We'll figure it out. Please don't be angry with me. You're the last person I want to hurt, A-Ling.