Qiu Ling felt torn for a while but finally, his desire to have Jing He be comfortable with everything prevailed over the temptation of finalizing this wedding with the second ceremony. Anyway, Jing He wasn’t like Jinde who could thicken his skin and just have a wedding day whenever he felt like it. No, they would only have one so it should be the most perfect experience.

Making up his mind, Qiu Ling gently combed through Jing He’s hair and changed the topic. “Let’s not mention that for now. How do you feel? Being in the dragon realm now … meeting so many people, are you alright?” Jing He liked to be by himself so today’s ceremony and all the congratulations and gifts being presented were a stark contrast to what he was used to. He might not have dared to say it out loud while out there but it was possible that he was somewhat uncomfortable.

Jing He heard his concern but hurriedly shook his head. “I am, yes. You don’t have to worry. It was … indeed a lot but I didn’t feel like it was too much. Everyone came to celebrate us and our union. Isn’t that beautiful?”

Qiu Ling hummed and leaned closer until their foreheads touched. “How could anything involving you not be beautiful?”

Jing He blushed again while he inevitably thought back to Jinde’s words: You’ll see that he will stick to you without a moment’s rest.

It seemed that his father-in-law had not exaggerated. Qiu Ling indeed seemed like he never wanted to let go again and even wished that he could tie them tightly together so nothing could ever come between them. Since the moment he entered the room and approached him, he hadn’t ever stepped away or let go, pulling him into his arms or onto his lap, brushing through his hair with his fingers, or touching his face … His gentleness seemed to know no bounds and was freely overflowing now that they were alone.

Of course, the other part of what his father-in-law had said wasn’t an issue at all: I hope you won’t find him annoying yourself when the time comes. Obviously, he didn’t feel that any of this was annoying. On the contrary, he was happy. After all, he felt the same. There was no place where he’d rather be than in Qiu Ling’s arms. If he could always remain right beside him, he would have nothing left to wish for.

Jing He’s eyelids fluttered. He wished he could express this feeling to Qiu Ling but he didn’t even know where to start. Contrary to his husband, love words wouldn’t go over his lips as easily. Even thinking of the right way to say what was in his heart was difficult for him. In the end, he could only reach up to hold Qiu Ling’s shoulder and call out hesitantly. “Husband …”

Qiu Ling … well, Qiu Ling felt ecstatic. Whatever sweet words Jing He could come up with, he’d listen to all of them but, admittedly, addressing him as ‘husband’ had to make the top of things he wanted to hear from him.

He hummed happily and pulled Jing He closer, tilting his head to kiss his cheek again. “I love hearing you say that, my love.” In fact, should he reconsider how he addressed Jing He as well? Surely, he would also like to be called husband to celebrate their wedding and the marriage that would follow. He was just very used to calling him this way instead …

Jing He didn’t even think about the way Qiu Ling called him. He was simply happy that Qiu Ling found pleasure in this new title. With the start going this well and being wrapped in Qiu Ling’s warmth, he felt somewhat emboldened. “I love you.”

Qiu Ling immediately dropped his previous thought and looked at Jing He, his heart racing. His beloved … was astoundingly straightforward after gathering his courage. “I love you, too.” He continued to look at him and tilted his head, feeling that this wasn’t enough. “I love you … very, very much.”

“Me too.” Jing He lowered his head, unable to bear that intense gaze any longer. His heart fluttered with happiness though. He had said what he wanted to say. Even though his attempt might be somewhat clumsy and couldn’t match up to the flowery words that Qiu Ling could easily utter on the spur of the moment, they were still his true feelings, the ones he had usually held back because he was so focused on what was right and proper and what other people might think.

Thinking of Qiu Ling’s gaze just now … he had been stupid to worry so much. His husband obviously liked hearing these things. Why had he hesitated to say them in the past? He should have learned to mention his feelings much earlier, then Qiu Ling wouldn’t have suffered as much in this relationship.

He hesitated again but recalling Qiu Ling’s pleased expression just now, he pushed himself a little further. “Father-in-law told me more about the dragons just now. It’s just a little but it was very interesting. He also … mentioned traveling and said it would be good for us … as a couple and also … for you as king of the dragon race. I … I would really like to go.” He raised his gaze and looked at Qiu Ling carefully, still a little unsure if what he was saying was good. “I just … I have hardly ever left home but there is the opportunity now and … I would like to experience this with you. To spend more time together …” He licked his lips, his cheeks burning. “I would like that very much.”

Qiu Ling nodded almost mechanically, not knowing from where this sudden outpour of emotions was hitting him. Still … if he could always have this, he’d be as happy as a peach. Ah, he already was so maybe it was more like a whole basket of peaches. Anyway, his heart was dripping with sweetness right now.