...A-Yao. Will you tell me what happened with Da-ge?
[The teacup clatters as Jin Guangyao sets it back on the table.
His hand is trembling, and the colour has drained from his cheeks. Deny it, something old and insidious with its roots deeply embedded in his heart whispers. Don't tell him.
He opens his mouth, then closes it. He closes his eyes and swallows, hard, like he is summoning the courage required to walk up to the headsman's block.]
no subject
[The teacup clatters as Jin Guangyao sets it back on the table.
His hand is trembling, and the colour has drained from his cheeks. Deny it, something old and insidious with its roots deeply embedded in his heart whispers. Don't tell him.
He opens his mouth, then closes it. He closes his eyes and swallows, hard, like he is summoning the courage required to walk up to the headsman's block.]
I killed him.
[a ragged intake of breath,]
I had no choice.