[Xiao Xingchen pauses in his stride, brow raising and lips parting, but he quickly reaches and takes her by the hand.]

Is that so? That... that's wonderful! It's quite the accomplishment. [His laugh is warm.] A feat like that must have taken great dedication.

[Though he did not expect it, he truly is in awe, almost feeling as if he's been too informal in the face of someone who must have struggled hard to get to such a state. This wasn't what he expected earlier, but he's heard of such cases as well.]

It does explains something that I noticed...