Ren Ke understood and couldn't control her laughter, laughing until she crouched down, bending her once straight back.
She covered her face, and her laughter eventually turned into low sobs.
"That was for Lin Wu," she said, "she was too thorny at that time, offended the guards watching over us, and one in particular made things difficult for her, giving her only thin clothes. Her hands and feet were all frozen red."
Back then, they didn't even have hot water to clean themselves properly.
Covered in dirt.
To be alive was already fortunate enough.
Fan stared at Ren Ke without moving.
After a while, he also squatted down, his bloodstained hand reaching out but only stopping above Ren Ke's head. He stared blankly at her for a moment, then closed his eyes.
"...Now I understand."
"We can start over," he said slowly.
Ren Ke's sobbing gradually subsided.
After a moment, she said, "That's impossible."
The man asked, "Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"... then I'm sorry."