xiao himself definitively agreeing that xiao really changed a lot after meeting traveler (9:44) is so heart-warming (╥﹏╥) i think xiao as a character is always reluctant to change, thinking the present peace is the best, staying away from mortals out of worry, even initially against "an era without the geo archon looking over liyue" and also against the citizens wanting to stand up for themselves and fighting osial on their own. but he is a man of action not words, and we know his perspective of citizens changed because he respected them by not interfering with the beisht attack. so seeing him just simply admitting - in words! - of his own change is so gently reassuring (づ ᴗ _ᴗ)づ