“Mn …” Qiu Ling savored the moment a little longer and then hummed happily. “Can I take this as you being satisfied with my small poem?”

Jing He nodded, his gaze not leaving Qiu Ling’s face. How could he not be? Even though it seemed simple, the sentiments it expressed were deep and lovely for sure. Of course, he was happy hearing such words from his future husband.

Qiu Ling also looked at him. Jing He often didn’t say much so he was used to talking more but in all of these years, he also hadn’t looked at him much. Now, with Jing He’s gaze focused on him, he suddenly … also felt a bit self-conscious.

Could it be … his poem had been this great?! Oh, he’d love to believe that but it was much more likely that there was something off about it from the perspective of a god. He couldn’t tell what that might be though. Ah, well, Jing He had indicated he was happy with it so he should take it that way as well. In that case …

Qiu Ling’s gaze dashed from side to side while his thoughts circled around another idea. Looking at him so intently shortly before their wedding ceremony, on the day they had done all those important customs, after having kissed him on his own initiative … it seemed that this was an inviting gesture! Ah, even if it wasn’t, it couldn’t treat it as such.

Telling himself this, Qiu Ling put down the brush he had still been holding and pulled Jing He into his arms instead. “Well, I’m happy if you’re happy. In fact, it’s my greatest happiness.” He placed a soft kiss on Jing He’s forehead, his lips curving up. “Although … what about my poem? I remember you wanted to read me one?” He still hadn’t forgotten about that! “I’m alright with anything, you know?” In fact, even if Jing He read his poem back to him, he’d accept it happily. He just liked hearing his beloved’s voice.

Jing He froze. Well, he hadn’t forgotten about it either but he still wasn’t sure what to do. He didn’t want to read those poems written by Tian to his own fiance but he hadn’t been able to come up with a poem of his own this fast. It’d likely take him a lot more time to come up with something decent. He didn’t think Qiu Ling would want to wait until then.

Qiu Ling raised his brows when he felt his beloved tense. “Is it not alright?” He wasn’t sure why this was as much of an issue to Jing He as it seemed to be but … “If you don’t want to, you don’t have to. Anyway, it was a long day so you’re probably tired as well. We can talk about it another day. After all, there are a lot more to come.” He tilted his head and once again kissed his beloved, this time touching his cheek. Yes, he could wait. Just like with everything else, he could wait for such a moment.

Jing He hurriedly reached out and grasped Qiu Ling’s robe, afraid he’d pull back. “No, it’s …” He stopped, not sure how to explain himself. Wasn’t it too embarrassing to say that he felt one wasn’t right and that he wasn’t good enough for the other? For Qiu Ling, these might not be issues at all.

The person in question paused when his fiance reached out and looked at him quietly. It seemed that there was once again an issue Jing He was unsure about. Even after all this time and everything that had happened, he hadn’t completely overcome that. Well, there’d be more time for that later. For now, he should just give him the time to express himself.

Jing He felt somewhat put on the spot under Qiu Ling’s intent gaze. Even though it was a calm one that only spoke of his patience and not demanding at all, he felt the need to explain. “It feels … a bit wrong to read those.” This seemed easier to put into words and also seemed to have less potential to hurt Qiu Ling’s feelings. “It’s just because they’re not ours and having gone through what we did, it doesn’t seem quite right to me.”

Qiu Ling nodded and reached up to cover Jing He’s hand. “That makes sense. Then don’t read them. We don’t need to dwell on something that isn’t ours.”

Jing He sighed faintly. Thankfully, Qiu Ling didn’t mind. “Then … I should also write something myself.”

Qiu Ling looked at him quietly. His beloved’s eyelashes quivered, making him seem quite nervous. Clearly, even though he had said that he should, he didn’t feel comfortable with the idea. It truly was a pity but … he’d rather see Jing He happy than worried about this. Especially a few days before their wedding ceremony.

“Well … while I would love that, let’s maybe wait a little longer. Reaching perfection can take some time and I know you’d loathe to read your creation to me before you were ready. So maybe that’s something to think about after our wedding day. Not to mention that this way, it can be something special at the beginning of our life as a married couple.”

Jing He hastily lowered his head, his cheeks turning red. Their life as a married couple … it was indeed not far off and yes, things would certainly change when they reached that new stage. Writing a poem about that didn’t seem like a bad idea, although he still wasn’t sure if he’d be able to do his feelings for Qiu Ling justice. He certainly couldn’t casually pin down a few words like Qiu Ling had done earlier and make them feel so sincere and heartfelt. This was a gift he certainly didn’t possess.

Even though he was worried, Jing He forced himself to look up at Qiu Ling and make a promise. “Yes, I will write one after we are married.” It was alright to push it off today and for a few days afterward but Qiu Ling was looking forward to receiving this poem so he couldn’t just deny him. After all, this couldn’t even be considered a big ask. It was only right to do his best to fulfill this small wish of his.

Qiu Ling nodded and pulled up Jing He’s hand, pressing a kiss on his knuckles. “I am looking forward to it. I am sure it’ll be beautiful. But then, everything you do is beautiful to me.” He smiled, his gaze softening.

Yes, whatever his beloved did, he’d be excited about it. Although this poem was admittedly something special. After receiving it, he’d have to keep it well and find a special place to put it. Ah, at that time, they’d be married already so he should pull him to discuss and exchange a few more sweet words. Being married … he’d make sure that every day between them was special.