Time should prove that Qiu Ling was right about Xiang Yu’s course of action and it wouldn’t even take long to do so. After getting rooms for the other four people, Qiu Ling and Jing Yi went to sleep, only for Qiu Ling to wake up to a very depressed-looking fallen god sitting at his table the next morning.

He raised his brows and decided not to wake his lover, instead just quietly getting dressed and sitting down opposite Xiang Yu. He poured the two of them a cup of tea before looking at him with a smile. “There you are. People were worried about where you had left to yesterday but I said you would reappear sooner or later. Seems like I was right.”

Xiang Yu raised his head, looking very much like a wilted flower coming back to life. “People were worried about me?”

Qiu Ling gave a hum, not mentioning the fact that they had mostly been worried about him going on a rampage and not his personal safety. Anyway, there was no need to rain on his parade. “Yes, your Master apparently followed you to your family’s estate but we didn’t know if she caught you. Anyway, it’s good that you’re here now. Did you know that my lover was having a gathering with all his friends in a mere six days?”

Xiang Yu blinked his eyes, not managing to catch up right away. A gathering with friends … was he being told about this because he counted as one?

His expression turned hopeful, making Qiu Ling smile. Really, he didn’t know what others were so worried about. Xiang Yu was the least threatening person he knew. Well, other than Jing He maybe.

Thinking of his lover, his expression turned nostalgic for a moment but he hurriedly caught himself. Anyway, it wouldn’t be long until he could see him again. He cleared his throat and then raised his brows. “Well, are you going to stay for that?”

Xiang Yu hurriedly nodded. Yesterday, after going to the Hua family, he had also tried his luck at the Jian Yi Sect but his martial siblings and the Elders had all freaked out. Thus, he went to the spirit beast tribe’s territory again, hoping to find Wu Ya but had to find out that he hadn’t returned yet. The spirit beasts also hadn’t seemed too eager to spend time with him.

In the end, he returned to the High Heavens to wait for a moment when it got dark in the mortal realm. When he went back again, it was almost morning and he tried to think of who else he could find. He couldn’t think of anyone at first, so he checked where Wu Ya actually was and found him in the guesthouse.

When he arrived, Wu Ya was fast asleep though and he didn’t have the heart to wake him. Thankfully, he noticed that Qiu Ling and Jing Yi weren’t far away, and right after coming in, the former woke up, so he simply sat down at the table in the side room to wait. Now, it seemed that he had made the right decision.

Qiu Ling smiled at him and leaned back, still not the least bit worried. “Actually, the days until then were supposed to be a romantic getaway for my lover and me but it’s alright to take you out with us occasionally. Don’t worry though: Some of our friends already arrived so you can just hang out with them in the meantime.”

Xiang Yu nodded obediently. He wouldn’t want to get in the way of a pair of lovers. That just wasn’t something you should do. Although … “Will your friends be alright with that?” Everyone else hadn’t seemed all that thrilled to see him.

Qiu Ling raised his brows. “Well, admittedly, people often are a bit scared of fallen gods so I can’t vouch that they won’t be a bit skeptical at first. But you know what? You can always convince people that they don’t need to. Just give them some time to get to know you and they certainly won’t worry. As a matter of fact …” He put down the teacup and leaned over the table, lowering his voice. “Aren’t you especially concerned with relationships?”

Xiang Yu pondered for a moment. He didn’t think he was especially concerned with them. Well … “Maybe a bit?”

“You see, this one friend of mine, he is very much in love with one of our other friends. I’ve tried to help him but it still remains to be seen if it’ll work out. You can take a look. If you find an opportunity to help, I’m sure he’d be ecstatic. If you can’t though, don’t sweat it. He’s really easy to get along with so he won’t make trouble either way.”

Xiang Yu nodded, grateful for the advice.

Qiu Ling leaned back and smiled brightly, then thought of what he had promised Shen An De and the others yesterday. “Right … after this gathering, Jing’er and I will return to the dragon realm. It’s actually time for our wedding. You can also come to that if you want to.”

Xiang Yu’s eyes lit up. “You’re getting married?”

Qiu Ling nodded. “Yes. It’s about time.” He smiled faintly and lowered his gaze, finally sighing deeply. “You know, it’s a bit complicated. I … I was engaged to Jing He originally but he went on a trial. Now, with Jing Yi as his mortal reincarnation, it’s a different relationship, yet also the same. It feels weird. I guess you get that feeling all too well.”

Xiang Yu nodded with a gloomy expression. “It’s as if everything from before suddenly isn’t real anymore. I went to see my Master and my family and even some friends but nobody seemed to want me around. I get it, I’m a fallen god now, but at the core, am I not still the same person?”

Qiu Ling smiled wryly. “I wish I knew the answer to that. Anyway, everyone can only live according to what they believe is right. Their perspective on that might also change. So maybe don’t give up hope just yet.

“For the time being though, just come with us. Anyway, everyone else might simply need time to digest the news that your mortal reincarnation has died. Also …” He paused and his expression turned a little mischievous. “I think you might like going to the dragon realm with us. There’s another very special surprise coming up there.”

Xiang Yu’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “What surprise?”

“Well, you remember Jinde and my father’s reincarnation?”

Xiang Yu nodded. Naturally, he would always remember Jinde. Not to mention that he was beautiful and a kind person, but he was also the person Xin Lan had liked before meeting him. How could he ever forget that?

“Well, they’re going to have a child.”

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