The romantic storylines involving Xiao typically follow a slow-burn trajectory. Unlike other characters who might express interest early on, Xiao requires a series of consistent, trust-building interactions. These storylines often revolve around themes of shared trauma, healing, and the discovery of a safe space within another person. As the player progresses, Xiao begins to drop his guard, revealing a poetic and fiercely protective nature that was previously obscured.

“Dear Diary, He drew a tiny cat in the margin of my physics notes. I wrote ‘cute’ — then scratched it out. Grandmother asked if he’s ‘the one’ because he brought her the right brand of ginseng. He isn’t. He’s just a contract. But last night, he said: ‘You know, in Korean, ‘xiao’ isn’t a word. But the feeling of small happiness — that’s ‘sojunghan.’ That’s you.’ I almost wrote his name here. I won’t. But I underlined it in my heart.”

You choose to keep him. He abdicates, becomes a wandering healer, and your first kiss happens under cherry blossoms where your village once stood.