You didn't need to do all of this just to ask a question.

[ Because Xiao would have answered. He would agree to come to tea for the sake of spending time with Rex Lapis. Xiao would also agree to tea even if he knows that the Archon had questions. There's nothing he would hide from Zhongli.

The mention of affections has him looking down at the cup. His grip becomes a little tighter. ]

There... Was no claiming anything. I think he's always had them, from the day I met him.