[How utterly the same and yet completely different at the same time. Mingjue had never been able to see this part of Huaisang last time, the part that was so mature. Far from the bratty little brother he constantly complained about prior.

This was probably the first time Mingjue was truly acknowledging how long the passage of time between them had been since his passing. Guangyao had been very much the same despite the years, his actions were familiar, even if he did become quite a bit more outright (all the better in his opinion)

But Huaisang showed his age in his actions. He really was no longer the sulking child he once acted as.

Perhaps Mingjue just had to accept that.]

Of all the things to use such manuals for.

[Mingjue let out a passive sigh, rolling his eyes in an all too familiar way.]

How long have you been here? You walk about like you know the local well enough, and many people seem to acknowledge you here.