Jing He nodded, naturally agreeing as well. Any future that saw Qiu Ling and him as a couple was a good one in his eyes but, of course, he hoped for the best. If they could be happily married, with both his parents agreeing, and even having the one child he could give Qiu Ling, then he would be ecstatic. If there wasn’t constant danger or some kind of complication in their relationship, it would be for the best.

Yes, while he might be doubtful whether such a future was realistic, he still sincerely wished for it to arrive. The sooner it did, the better. In light of that, he felt very motivated to shake off the identity of a fallen god. He simply didn’t know how long it would take.

While the two of them were talking, the sky outside had slowly brightened. Now, the sun had finally passed the horizon and a new day began.

Qiu Ling glanced outside, not pursuing the previous topic any longer, and sighed. “It’s already the end of the night. Usually, I’d wake up around this time and go to your father’s study to start on my work for that day or whatever else there is to do.”

“All alone?” Jing He was well aware that his father wasn’t much of a morning person. He certainly wouldn’t start his work when daylight broke.

Qiu Ling hesitated and finally smiled wryly. “Well … I am usually alone for a bit if you don’t count a guard or two but your uncle or mother tend to join me quite fast. Your uncle especially isn’t the type to sleep in.”

Jing He nodded. “I figured he wouldn’t be.” He hadn’t gone out much in the past and he definitely didn’t have a habit of bothering others early in the morning so he actually couldn’t say when his mother or uncle tended to get up. Still, knowing their personalities, this really didn’t surprise him.

“I suppose that means I should leave now.” After all, he definitely didn’t want to see his parents or his uncle. Actually, he wouldn’t have wanted Qiu Ling to see him this way either but … he hadn’t thought at all at that moment so it simply happened. When he realized what he had done, it had already been too late so he gave in and stayed. Anyway, it was hard to leave while in Qiu Ling’s arms. He had missed him so much after all.

Qiu Ling looked at him and sighed. He felt reluctant but he knew that Jing He was right. “I suppose you’ll get better earlier if you stay up there. Do you … want me to tell your mother and uncle that I’ve seen you or do you want me to keep this to myself?” He knew Jing He felt self-conscious about his current situation. There was a decent chance he wouldn’t be happy if others knew too much. That should be the case even if the other person was related to him.

Jing He indeed hesitated but finally shook his head. “I don’t mind either way. I suppose … they might be happy knowing that I am alright. I … don’t really want to see them like this but just letting them know should be alright.”

Qiu Ling nodded. “Alright, then I will do that.” He hugged Jing He tightly one more time before letting go and sitting up again. “Will I see you again before … you know?”

Jing He hesitated. Tonight had been his impulsiveness. He wasn’t sure if he was supposed to come here or not and he wasn’t sure if Tian would forbid him from coming back. “I don’t know.” In the end, this was the only thing he could say.

Qiu Ling gave a hum. “That’s alright. I would be happy if I could but I can live with it if I don’t as long as I know that it will be better for you. Just … focus on whatever is best for you for the time being. I will wait for you, I promise. I …” He looked at the letters he had put aside before, picked them up, and handed them to Jing He. “Take these with you and read them if you miss me. I will continue to write them and put them on the desk at night. Even if you can’t come to see me, maybe you can take them to not feel as alone. If you don’t, I’ll just keep them for later.”

Jing He nodded, put the letters away, and got to his feet. “Then I … I will leave now.” It hurt to have to go. He’d have much rather stayed but he also knew that it was impossible.

Qiu Ling looked at him and slowly got to his feet. “Then … farewell. We’ll see each other again in the future for sure.”

Jing He nodded heavily. He couldn’t bring himself to open the portal straight away and instead rushed into Qiu Ling’s arms again, wrapping his arms around his waist and holding onto him tightly. He did not want to leave. He wanted to stay with him more than anything else. He … he couldn’t be without him!

Qiu Ling lowered his head and hugged him back, closing his eyes. “I will wait for you, no matter how long it takes. Whether it’s days or weeks or … even years. I spent a decade waiting for you to agree to marry me. I can wait a lot longer than that.”

Jing He nodded again but he didn’t feel good. He didn’t want to wait. He just wanted to be with him. If he could have had a ceremony with him today, he would have said yes. Having to leave him and not knowing when they would see each other again … it truly broke his heart. But that made him wish even more that he could solve the issue of his current condition as fast as possible because only this would allow them to be together forever.