[ He said nothing for a long minute and then angrily scrubbed at his eyes again. ]

They should have told you. At least once you were old enough to understand.

I’m sick— I’m sick of how everyone keeps lying, or- or withholding the truth. As if that ever makes anything better! I’m sick of being told that I have to, to protect the happiness of someone who never protected mine!

[ His fingers clenched sharply. ]

But you’re not a Wen. You didn’t burn lotus pier, you didn’t fight in the sun shot campaign, and you didn’t kill my parents. Whatever their name means, it doesn’t mean you.

You- I- it doesn’t matter! You’re still Lan Sizhui!