On the whole, Lan Wangji would say the same for himself. After a lifetime of cordial but distant relations with nearly everyone but his own family, he is perpetually and repeatedly surprised at the number of people here whose company he enjoys and who, even more surprisingly, seem to enjoy his. Then again, there are a few obvious and glaring exceptions.

He gives Nina a gently prompting look. She doesn't need to tell him about those false starts, but she may if she is comfortable doing so.