Zichen is kind of annoying for not even trying to understand how Sitong must feel being in love with a straight man. Even he wanted to avoid Sitong just for being secretly liked by him even though he was never approached or hit on. No one wants to feel like a pariah.
It's really frustrating and I feel bad for Sitong. I guess Sitong read Zichen accurately from the beginning by assuming it was impossible.
So this chapter Zichen seemed a bit selfish, wanting Sitong to care for him when it costs Sitong so much already.