Qiu Ling didn’t dare to get distracted for more than a moment. Right now, the atmosphere was good. Even though he had needed to carry Jing He over here, it didn’t seem to have disturbed his beloved’s mood. Of course, the crux of the matter was to continue immediately so this quick change of place wouldn’t make too much of a difference and cause his beloved to get into his head again.

With Jing He not sitting on his lap any longer, their bodies touched less than before but this was the most suitable way to continue in Qiu Ling’s eyes. He leaned forward, his hands both grasping Jing He’s slender waist and picking up where he had left off before. Meanwhile, his lips found their way back to meet Jing He’s as if they had never been interrupted.

Jing He was indeed somewhat shaken by the sudden change but with Qiu Ling cradling him in his arms on the way over and never stopping to kiss him for more than a moment or two, that feeling vanished as fast as it had come. Sitting securely again, he only realized the difference because the gap between them seemed larger than before. The previous warmth that had enveloped him had reduced and he missed it dearly. He wanted nothing more than to slip back into his husband’s arms where he felt his love just as Qiu Ling had said earlier.

Maybe it was the situation but with Qiu Ling’s eager behavior, Jing He also felt more at ease. He reached out toward his husband and touched his chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath his fingertips. The rhythmic sound made him feel closer again and he hummed faintly, content.

The sound made Qiu Ling shudder in the best of ways. He tilted his head to look at Jing He, his fingers itching to finally take off that belt. He rubbed his fingers against his thumb, talking himself out of his first instinct. Things were going well, there was no need to rush right now.

“My love …” He reached up and cupped Jing He’s face again, making him look up and gently planting another kiss on his lips. “Are you happy?” This was the most important.

Jing He nodded and reached up as well, covering Qiu Ling’s hand. “I will always be happy with you.”

“Then …” Qiu Ling looked at that hand and then back into Jing He’s eyes. He didn’t know if he should say anything or just slowly proceed and let things happen. Which way would Jing He prefer? He honestly couldn’t tell. This was new and he didn’t believe that Jing He had a clear idea of what was to come. Maybe being asked would make him nervous or maybe being prepared in that way would help.

After hesitating for a while, Qiu Ling simply smiled. He was starting to overthink matters just as much as Jing He. But then, this was important as well so putting some more thought into it should be expected.

He inched closer and picked up where he had started, changing the words he had originally wanted to say. “Then I will stick to your side from now on so you’ll never have to be unhappy. I love to see your smile.”

The smile in question turned another degree sweeter and Jing He once again lowered his gaze, unable to look into his husband’s eyes. His cheeks which had blushed faintly turned an even deeper shade of red, making the person opposite him hum faintly with some expectation.

His Jing He was always beautiful but this kind of bashful expression was something special, something only he got to see. He would be lying if he said that he didn’t care about that at all. It definitely fueled his imagination and he finally didn’t want to wait any longer.

He kissed Jing He’s cheek and then reached down, carefully starting to undo his husband’s belt. He tried to keep his hands steady despite his excitement and only moved slowly so Jing He wouldn’t pay too much attention and get worried. After the knots were undone, he reached up, grasping Jing He’s neck and deepening their kiss.

Now was the moment that would decide how this worked out. He had to be slow and steady. As long as he appeared calm, he was sure that it would help Jing He to feel the same way. After all, his beloved trusted him so much. Seeing him confident in what was happening, there shouldn’t be any issues.

He slowly leaned in while his other arm carefully peeled away Jing He’s belt and then snaked around his waist, holding him tightly.

Maybe it was because they were so close or maybe his attention was focused on their kiss but Jing He didn’t even notice. When his husband leaned closer, he only used the opportunity to hold him more tightly, his hands moving up and once again landing on those brought shoulders.

Qiu Ling used the opportunity to let go of his neck and instead tried to untie his own belt. With just one hand, it didn’t go as smoothly as he had hoped though. Somewhat frustrated, he extended a claw, intending to simply cut the rope. In the end, he silently retracted his claw though. No, he couldn’t do this. He wasn’t wearing just any robe but his wedding attire. This was meant to be cherished as much as the memory of this day. Cutting was unacceptable.

He could only let go of Jing He’s waist and then hasten his movements to get rid of the belt that was in the way before returning to what he had been doing. This time, he leaned in even further though, making his beloved lean back until he came to lie on the bed.

As soon as Jing He’s back touched the mattress, his eyes opened and he took a shaky breath as he looked up at his husband. Only now did he realize that they seemed about to get to the final ceremony of this day.