Jing He hardly knew how to respond. He simply let his husband-to-be hold his hand, smiling to himself. To hear Qiu Ling say such words … it naturally made him happy. He was looking forward to getting married and he looked forward to being married even more than that.

This was what he had wished for, for a long time. To be with Qiu Ling every day of his life, with their relationship open and aboveboard, official even, so nobody could easily speak against it. Living together and being able to accompany him every step of the way from now on … Yes, he wanted this more than anything. It was still difficult to believe that this was truly happening.

Jing He tightened his grasp on his fiance’s robe, wanting to express these feelings somehow. If he could let him know … Qiu Ling should like that. Unfortunately, he still didn’t know how. He didn’t want to make too big of a fuss about this, although then again, getting married was big, wasn’t it?

While Jing He worried by himself once again, Qiu Ling was already thinking about the comfortable aspects of life. “Say, my love, since we have talked about the flowers and have postponed that poem … what should we do now? Also, let’s not forget tomorrow. Time will seem as if it’s stretching into eternity if we don’t plan something nice until our wedding day arrives. At least I know that I can’t wait until that time easily.”

“I …” Jing He pulled himself out of his thoughts and bit his lower lip. This seemed to be a good opportunity. “I can’t either.” Yes, this easily expressed what he felt: a deep impatience to finally fulfill his dream of them being together. If possible, he wished it wouldn’t be as long until then anymore but this was the closest time that would work. He was well aware of that so only the uproar of feelings in his chest could be described and while it seemed like a whirlwind threatening to disturb everything in its wake, only this one sentence could be uttered. Hopefully, it would be enough.

Qiu Ling hummed, happy to get Jing He’s agreement. There wasn’t too much time left on this day and this discussion might take them some time to finish, so he wasn’t too concerned about the evening. Tomorrow though … “Is there nothing you’d love to do before getting married?”

Jing He looked at his fiance blankly. Something he’d love to do … before getting married? As in, something that should be done before marriage but wouldn’t be the same or even possible after the wedding ceremony?

He really felt stumped by this idea. Wasn’t it always the other way around? There were a lot of things that would only be appropriate in a later stage of your relationship but he had never thought of something being the other way around. Even now that Qiu Ling had asked so directly, he couldn’t think of anything.

“There … doesn’t seem to be anything?” He looked at him in confusion, still not sure what it could be. Was Qiu Ling thinking of something specific? Or had he just asked in general? But then, could he really think of several ideas? It seemed inconceivable …

Qiu Ling noticed Jing He’s odd look but only felt confused himself. Was that question so hard to answer? “Really nothing? We can do whatever you want. Well, I suppose there might be a few ideas that are off the table thanks to your father but … anything else, I am up for it, no matter what you wish for.”

“My father?” Jing He was only more confused when Qiu Ling brought him up. Of course, his father’s attitude meant that they couldn’t easily go outside but … something to do in public that was only right for people newly in love but not for married couples? Could it be … “Is it courting?” He really couldn’t think of anything else.

Qiu Ling looked back in a daze. “Courting?” He blankly repeated his beloved’s words, not sure if he had misheard.

Jing He faintly raised his brows. “Isn’t it?” This was really the only idea he could come up with …

Qiu Ling blinked and then nodded slowly. “Sure.” He really wasn’t sure why Jing He was asking for this but … well, he was an expert at this! Hadn’t he been courting him for literal years? He could come up with one more special day for him.

In fact, now that he thought about it, the idea was really growing on him. To get yet another chance to woo his beloved while already knowing that he was his and would marry him for sure? Oh, that was delightful! He could just focus on the fun of it without having to worry about the outcome. This task seemed made for him.

The longer he thought about it, the happier he became. Qiu Ling hummed with satisfaction and tightened his grasp on Jing He’s waist and hand. “Yes, just leave it to me! I’ll turn this into an unforgettable day!” Actually, if he was already at it, he should also plan something for the day after since he’d only have to leave for the flowers in the evening. There was still lots of time for a romantic get-together before then.

Ah, but one step after the other. He had to plan one of them first before he should even start to think about the second. He was really excited about this though. Just thinking of all the possibilities … Although then again, it would also be difficult to come up with something that would stand out after everything he had already done. It seemed he’d have to consider this carefully.

Qiu Ling felt hyped for this new opportunity to show off but he also understood that time was needed or else, it wouldn’t be special enough. As for when to take that time … “It’s already getting late and tomorrow might be an exciting day once again. How about going to sleep early tonight?” Of course, the sleeping would only apply to Jing He for the first part of the night at least. Meanwhile, he’d have to gather ideas and maybe prepare if there was anything specific needed to implement them.

Jing He looked at him in surprise. It was indeed getting later but he didn’t think it was that late yet. But then, it was true that today had at least felt like a long day and tomorrow might be similar, depending on what Qiu Ling came up with. Since this was the case, he should do as his husband-to-be said. “Well, then I’d better get ready.”

Qiu Ling nodded and slowly let go of Jing He, watching as he turned around and slowly left the study, walking into the bedroom again. Ah, this part … he still couldn’t quite get used to it.