Fang remained silent and withdrawn for the rest of evening. He hardly ate any dinner, despite the urging from Ren.
Ren apologised profusely once again after dinner, when he went to wish Fang a good night.
"It's the truth, Master Ren," Fang said finally. "I did seduce rich men for money and I am dirty. There really is no need for you to apologise."
Ren was horrified. All the progress they'd made...the brightness, the confidence that Fang had gained...could it all be destroyed by Wade in a single evening?! Fang had finally been calling him Ren...
"No," Ren said firmly. "You know that's not the truth. If it was, would you have suffered so much?"
Fang remained silent and hung his head.
Ren knelt before him and peered up at his hidden face. "Fang... please look at me," he said earnestly. "Please."
The teenager's face was eerily blank and his eyes were frighteningly dull.
