[At this point, Hu Tao wondered if she should have said anything at all. She didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable and yet, here she was. He was clearly upset and was struggling to hold back his own emotions. As guilty as she may feel for asking, she could wallow in it.

Instead?]

I see. He sounds like a very close friend if he was willing to do that for you. Hopefully one day you will be able to cross paths once more. In another life or even here too.

[She said with a pause] It must have been very difficult for you, hasn't it?