Jinde who had no idea what was going through Jing He’s mind raised his brows and then turned to look at Qiu Ling for help. He knew Jing He was more on the sensitive side but he had never thought himself to be that scary. Usually, shouldn’t this kind of joke help to relax the atmosphere?

Qiu Ling also looked from one person to the other, unsure what was going on. At most, Jinde had been a bit inappropriate just now but that shouldn’t prompt Jing He to feel guilty for anything.

In the end, Jinde simply clicked his tongue and gave his stepson a dissatisfied look for being unhelpful before turning back to Jing He. “There is nothing to apologize for. Don’t take what I just said seriously.” He hesitated for a moment but still reached over and cupped Jing He’s cheeks, making him tilt up his head so he could look at him.

“I know it’s scary. After I figured out that I was in love with Qiu Ling’s father, I was afraid when I went to see his mothers the next time and I knew those people beforehand. It just felt very different to suddenly see them after knowing that maybe they could be my in-laws one day, instead of simply the parents of a friend.

“I would tell you that there is no need to be worried but you won’t stop just because of that. It’s the situation that makes you feel that way and I know it’ll take time for us to get to know each other and get familiar so you can be comfortable around me. I do want you to know that I will never get between you and Qiu Ling though. Not just because it would be a stupid idea with him being a dragon and already having joined his soul with yours but also because I know how much he loves you and I can also see that you love him just as much. Having experienced what I did throughout my life, I would never stand in the way of that.”

Jing He stared at him and finally nodded gingerly. Jinde wasn’t actually scary. In fact, he seemed nice but just as he had said: It was difficult to get over who he was to Qiu Ling and how important his presence and opinion were to Qiu Ling.

Jinde smiled when the other person finally calmed down at least a little and he motioned over to the table. “Then let’s go and sit down. I believe we have some gifts to exchange and discuss a few more things for your wedding.” He let go and reached back, waiting for his husband to come over and take his hand.

Qiu Ling also stepped closer and gently pushed Jing He over, afraid that they would otherwise continue to stand behind the door. Clearly, his beloved wasn’t comfortable yet.

Everyone sat down around the table, with Qiang Yan joining Bai Fen on one side while Jinde and Leng Jin Yu took the opposite one and Jing He and Qiu Ling occupied the seats between them.

Today’s purpose was the gift exchange between the families of the future spouses which signified their acceptance of the one to wed their child and also the good relationship they hoped and intended to have with each other.

Leng Jin Yu had carried the box with him the whole way and now put it down in front of him, looking up at Qiang Yan who he was more familiar with.

Jinde also turned to the brother and sister pair opposite and inclined his head. “This is not a custom we have in the dragon realm so I hope that what we chose will be appropriate for the occasion. We’re happy to have Jing He join the family. And even though Qiu Ling certainly would have wished that this upcoming wedding had been held years ago, I am especially glad that my husband and I are able to be here to witness it.

“We never thought we’d get this chance but we have managed to get the family back together which wouldn’t have been possible without Jing He’s trial. Wedding aside, we are grateful to be given this chance.” He looked at Jing He again and smiled faintly. “Maybe all of this is indeed fate. Not just the relationship between the two of you but also this family coming together in precisely this way, with you in the middle of it. I hope … that with time, you will feel just as much a part of it as you feel that you are part of your mother’s family.”

Qiu Ling gave Jinde a pointed look, naturally noting that he only mentioned Jing He’s mother and completely ignored the Heavenly Emperor’s family.

Jing He also heard but didn’t dare to have much of an opinion on it. In a way, maybe saying it this way meant more. After all, he indeed felt closer to his mother even though he couldn’t say whether Jinde was aware of that. Thus, in the end, he simply inclined his head. “I am honored to be given the chance.”

Jinde nodded and then reached out, opening the box. “It’s a small token of our appreciation. We … wanted it to be tied to the dragon realm, considering the identities of both Qiu Ling and me, but also be something that might lend itself to practical use so we chose a few resources of our realm like the pearls from the Qishi Sea and gems from the mountains in the western regions.

“These make for beautiful jewelry or decorations but can also be ground down as ingredients for refinement or to make special weapons. We figured that this way, you could get the perfect use out of them that suits your needs and may also take future additions to the family into consideration.”

Saying the last part, he looked at Jing He’s whose face flushed in return. What future additions there would be, of course, he understood exactly. He just hadn’t thought it would be brought up today.