Xue Yang grew up on the streets not in the comfort of a sect or under the care of a good teacher. He had no one to watch over him or guide his growth. There was no one that even showed him an ounce of interest. He did what he had to to learn and survive and grow. The fact he even lived this long is a miracle and only made so because of his strong will. So of course he never had anyone to tell him that he was loved.

He cares for Xingchen. He knows that much. If it is love, he can't be sure. Not yet anyway. Not until he can sort out what he is feeling and has time to process it. He won't say something that he isn't sure he feels with every fiber of his soul.

"How can it possibly be a long time? You didn't know it was me in Yi City and you haven't been here that long. How can you be sure what you are feeling?"

Perhaps what he really needs is someone to explain what it even is to have those kinds of feelings and how to know when they have formed.