Wen Ning's expression softens. He lifts a hand to give the boy a single, gentle pat on the head. He doesn't want to patronize him, of course, so he won't do much more than that. He's not sure his heart is going to be able to handle two Sizhuis here. It might just explode.

"I can imagine..." If this version of his cousin hadn't grown up with the Lans, that means he didn't have other kids his age to grow up with. That, unfortunately, is a downside to being able to stay with his family. If the other option is the death of said family, however, he can't say he'd call it an even trade. "Did you ever meet the other juniors?" Even if he hadn't, they should still be there. Maybe at some point they could still become friends.