Qiu Ling only felt that Jing He was very cute like this. After getting married, they should definitely do this more often!

He lowered his hands to Jing He’s shoulders and lightly brushed them with his thumb, eying the distance to the edge of the bed. While his beloved had agreed, he wasn’t moving so tucking him in wasn’t possible at all. It looked more as if he’d have to pick him up, put him on the bed himself, and then he could start thinking about the tucking in part.

Not that he minded! No way. He’d love every moment of it but their current situation was somewhat tense. With the wedding only a little bit away, it was very easy to overthink every word and every gesture. Especially so for Jing He who had a knack for overthinking in the first place. Thus, as a conscientious husband-to-be, he ought to be careful with what he did and not let his beloved misunderstand.

Qiu Ling carefully considered and then reached further down, taking Jing He’s hands into his. Holding them, he felt that this was a good way to comfort his beloved and also urge him to move without having to directly move him himself.

Thinking like this, he turned and sat down, lightly pulling Jing He’s hands so he’d sit down next to him.

Jing He felt that Qiu Ling might have something to say to him so he indeed sat down on the edge of the bed with him and even raised his head to look at him again, waiting quietly.

Qiu Ling requited his gaze and suddenly felt that it was rather awkward to just look at each other like this. It would be nice to exchange a few heartfelt words or … well, he’d love to use the opportunity to exchange a lingering kiss but that was definitely out of the question. With that not being an option, he could only reluctantly think about what to say instead.

Oh, he had already mentioned tomorrow several times so it didn’t seem quite right. The wedding … well, it was still another two days before the final night and both of them felt impatient enough already so reminding his beloved was somewhat mean. He really didn’t want him to toss and turn while thinking of the big occasion ahead. Rather than that, wouldn’t it be better to celebrate what they had already achieved?

He lowered his gaze to their hands, lightly brushing the back of Jing He’s with his thumb. “Today … it meant a lot to me.” As he finished speaking, he looked back up, his expression solemn. “Finally having the chance to do these customs with you, having both your mother and uncle but also my family in attendance …” He shook his head. “I didn’t think it’d be possible and I am overjoyed that it finally happened.”

Jing He nodded. Not to mention Qiu Ling’s father who had died early on, Qiu Ling had also believed Jinde to be dead before he went on his trial. While they hadn’t talked about him much, it had always been obvious that this person meant a lot to him. To have regained this family now … he couldn’t even begin to imagine how much it had to mean to Qiu Ling.

“I am glad that there was such an opportunity. To get married … whether it is the actual ceremony or the customs preceding it, such occasions should be shared with those we love.” He understood this all too well. After all, his own father who was very much alive and even close by had made it impossible for him to celebrate with his whole family. No matter how much he tried to focus on the good of getting married, this would always be a regret to him.

Qiu Ling could understand what he meant when Jing He’s expression fell somewhat. He squeezed his hands and finally leaned in, after all, his lips touching his beloved’s forehead. “I know you would have wished for your father to share in this as well. I am sorry that he won’t. Maybe he’ll come around after everything is official. While he won’t have had a part in the celebration, at least he’ll give us his blessing and be a part of your life again without issues. I sure wouldn’t mind that.”

Jing He nodded but he still felt doubtful. His father was simply too stubborn. Especially after they had planned all of this behind his back and followed through against his disagreement, he might dig in his heels and refuse to acknowledge their relationship even more than before. If this was the case … he’d have to accept it. After all, he had already made his decision and he wouldn’t go back on it.

Jing He forced himself not to think about this any longer and instead focused on Qiu Ling’s family. “After the wedding, we will have a lot more to do with your family. Also, your advisers will be around all the time.” He felt a bit self-conscious about both, although the former was more worrisome to him.

Qiu Ling nodded. “Yes. Everyone lives in the same building, after all. I suppose that’ll take some getting used to for you.” He wasn’t worried too much where it concerned the others. His advisers had enough tasks to keep them busy and while the same couldn’t be said for his family members, that would change soon enough since they were planning to add to the family soon enough.

Also, time constraints aside, Jinde had already joked around with Jing He once and had certainly realized that it didn’t work all that well. He shouldn’t try again to ‘comfort’ him that way. No, he knew how to read a room, and seeing as he respected their relationship, he’d give them the time they needed for Jing He to become comfortable in his new environment before trying to get closer again. He was very trustworthy in that regard.

Well, even though he was well aware of that, he knew Jing He was worried. “Jinde is easy to please. As long as we’re in love and treat each other sincerely, he’ll be happy. Apart from that, I am sure you’ll find many topics to bond over. I remember his herb garden from when he was young and that workroom full of books. There should be some overlap there.” Also, at his age, Jinde tended to treat everyone like children no matter their actual age and he loved children. The more helpless Jing He looked in front of him, the easier he’d probably melt Jinde’s heart and make him want to indulge him. He sure remembered how things had been when he was young, after all.

Qiu Ling chuckled to himself and then had to clear his throat to regain some of the solemnity from before. “I’ll tell you some stories about the time when I was young in the next two days. You’ll also feel like there is nothing to worry about afterward. Jinde is ridiculously easy to get along with.” Unless you made him angry, of course, then he could be terrifying. But in that regard, Jing He had nothing to worry about even more so. No, if there was anyone who should worry about Jinde’s temper, then it was Jing He’s father for daring to treat these ‘juniors’ in such a way … Ah, but he didn’t mind either. That guy deserved to be told off for standing in the way of their beautiful relationship.