Qiu Ling closed his eyes and leaned closer to Jinde, hugging him back. He knew he shouldn’t think like this. Jinde definitely wasn’t doing so and, most likely, neither was Leng Jin Yu. These two sincerely considered him to be family and wanted to have him with them. Even if there were issues and even if new ones cropped up every step of the way, they would still want to try.

It was just … he knew how it was to be caught in the darkness. He had lived through that for so long, it was hard not to think about it. Jinde had managed to leave that time behind him completely. All the suffering was now in the past and he was looking forward to the future. If he cared for him, he shouldn’t destroy that. And if things didn’t get better but worse instead, who knew if that wouldn’t be the case?

Also, maybe this was how things should be. If Jing He didn’t manage to turn back into a trueborn god, then he would follow him so they could live together in the High Heavens. They could create a life of their own at that time. It would be alright. As for Jinde … at that time, he would return to being the dragon king just as he should and would have been all along if not for what Jian Heng had done.

Maybe this was fate. Maybe Jinde was simply meant to lead the dragon race. Anyway, he had done an excellent job the last time around, allowing the realm to flourish for thousands of years. And this time, he would even have his lover’s assistance, probably allowing him to do even better. For the dragons, wouldn’t that be great?

Jinde quietly hugged him, not knowing what Qiu Ling was thinking.

Leng Jin Yu who was still squatting next to the shell could see his expression though. Based on that, it wasn’t difficult to imagine that something was up. He thought of what Jinde had just said and felt like he had a rough idea. Unfortunately, he wasn’t sure what to do with this.

He turned around, gazing at the shell instead that contained his child. When it came to Xiang Ling, there was no doubt about the relationship they would have. With Qiu Ling though … it was hard to say.

The memories from his life as Chun Yin had been integrated but because this had happened later on when he had already been an ascended deity, the core of his being was still the person he had originally been. The rest was more like … suddenly waking up and recalling everything you had forgotten.

Seeing Qiu Ling now, there was always a certain pain. This was also his son but he had failed him and badly so. Along with this pain came the feeling that he had absolutely no right to call himself his father. It was awkward because he didn’t have the same identity any longer and, at the same time, he also didn’t seem to deserve that title. So, in this case, when he couldn’t really be considered his relative … what right did he have to speak?

He sighed, wondering if he should just bring this up to Jinde later on. But by then, Qiu Ling would have left the dragon realm. Who knew how long he would remain in the Nine Heavens at that time? It didn’t seem like he should risk that. No, it would be better to deal with this now. Their personal relationship notwithstanding, he was still Jinde’s husband and Jinde loved Qiu Ling just as if he was his own child. So … he could probably say something?

He turned back, looking at Qiu Ling’s expression again, and finally got up. No matter what, even as casual acquaintances, you shouldn’t ignore somebody’s pain. Since he had noticed, he owed it to Qiu Ling to say a few words at least. Walking over, he finally reached out and pulled both people into his arms.

Jinde simply smiled in response, one hand sneaking around to hug his husband’s waist and pull him even closer. This kind of moment, there hadn’t been too many of them. Now that they happened, he had to take advantage.

Qiu Ling’s eyes flew open and he stared blankly, not sure what to make of this. He didn’t want to impose and yet … he also longed for precisely this kind of familial warmth. If he could hold onto it just a little longer, he naturally wanted to do so.

Leng Jin Yu hesitated for a moment but then cleared his throat faintly. “What Jinde said.” Seriously, he couldn’t put it any better. He had a lot of things on his mind but when it came to telling Qiu Ling any of them, he didn’t even know where to start. In the end, it only seemed suitable to echo what Jinde had already said: That he shouldn’t be too anxious and that he should take care of himself well because that was the most important. Anyway, they would always stand behind him.

Qiu Ling froze. His relationship with Leng Jin Yu really couldn’t be described as close but … he still somewhat got what he meant. He closed his eyes again and finally nodded. “Of course.” He also wasn’t one to give up easily. If there was a chance to make all of this work, to have his beloved as his spouse but also live with the family he had managed to regain by some miracle, then he naturally wouldn’t refuse such luck. On the contrary, if he found a way to achieve both, he would naturally pursue it. He simply didn’t have much confidence right now.

Jinde finally chuckled and reached up, cupping both of their cheeks. “Well, it’s good we’re all on the same page. Now, I believe it’s time to go and win your in-laws over. Don’t let us keep you.”

Qiu Ling hesitated but then nodded. “Mn. I’ll contact you soon so you’ll know everything is alright.” He glanced at Leng Jin Yu as well, nodding faintly, and then set off to the Nine Heavens.

Yes, from now on, he had to work on another front. He could only hope that he would manage to do it well.