Jing He might have felt his worries somewhat assuaged by Qiu Ling’s presence and everything he had said but that didn’t mean that he’d have an easy time falling asleep three nights before his wedding. On the contrary, with everything they had talked about, his mind was full of all the questions about the future he couldn’t answer yet.

It didn’t seem odd to him. Yes, maybe everything for the wedding ceremony had been prepared so well that nothing would go wrong, no matter his father’s stance, and maybe he didn’t really have to worry about his in-laws’ acceptance afterward because they were calm and collected people who wouldn’t easily judge someone. Maybe he would take easily to life in the dragon realm with all its own customs and sensibilities, despite how different it certainly was from the lives of the gods in the Nine Heavens. But no matter what, getting married and starting a new part of his life with another person — with the man he loved more than anything else — that was important and couldn’t be taken lightly. If he didn’t worry about it, then what else would he ever have to worry about?

Of course, all those outside matters were only a part of it. After all, what about their own relationship? They had known each other for about a decade before he went on his trial. The thousand years spent down there had certainly added to his understanding of Qiu Ling but as for the other way around … Oh, he admittedly felt more worried about that than he ever would have thought.

He stared at the ceiling in a daze, not sure what to do. The person you became during your trial wasn’t completely separated from you but, at the end of the day, you still weren’t the same person any longer. The years Qiu Ling had spent with him in the Nine Heavens now stood against a hundred times that period with his mortal self. Would he … have unrealistic expectations about their future?

He hadn’t thought about it too much before. After all, while some time had passed since the end of his trial, there had always been something more important. At most, he had worried about some of the more embarrassing things he had done or said, feeling afraid that Qiu Ling might judge him for those. But that hadn’t happened so even though he still felt a lump in his stomach whenever he remembered those times, he wasn’t usually anxious about them anymore.

As for the issues this could cause with Qiu Ling … to be honest, this might be the first time he thought of them. Maybe this had crossed his mind shortly in the past but he at least never dwelt on it. Now, in the quiet of the night, with their wedding ceremony only two more days away, the idea returned with force: Yes, what would happen after such a long trial when it was now them who spent their lives together?

The rustling of fabric came from the other side of the room, interrupting his thoughts. Jing He turned his head but it was already dark and he could at most make out Qiu Ling’s silhouette over there, although he wasn’t even sure of that.

Needless to say, Qiu Ling indeed wasn’t asleep. When being close to Jing He, he would inevitably pay more attention to him so he naturally also noticed that his beloved seemed unable to fall asleep. He wasn’t sure what to do or say though. If he spoke up … maybe that would make Jing He only feel more self-conscious and make it more difficult to sleep afterward? Ah, it somehow seemed to be possible …

Then again … how could he not inquire whether his beloved was doing well? Jing He’s well-being was of utmost importance just in general and to him specifically so, of course, he had to ask and help if he thought something was amiss!

He lightly cleared his throat, afraid to scare him in the darkness. “Too excited to sleep?” This seemed the most light-hearted approach to bring Jing He’s trouble sleeping up and shouldn’t cause any issues.

Jing He sighed faintly when he realized that he had been right and Qiu Ling was indeed still awake. As for why … “Am I keeping you up?” He had tried lying still but then, who knew if he hadn’t been unconsciously shifting, thus making Qiu Ling unable to find the peace to fall asleep himself?

“Not at all.” Qiu Ling’s eyes rolled around but he finally couldn’t help himself. “And if you did … I wouldn’t mind at all. The person you love is the best reason to stay awake for, isn’t it?”

Jing He felt himself blush in the darkness. He really should be used to it but … oh, it was probably that such words hit differently at night when everything around them was dark and quiet and there was only each other’s faint breathing and those soothing words.

He didn’t know how to react and could only stay quiet but his heart beat faster in response. This was how things would soon be every night … Would his heart even be able to take it? Or maybe he would indeed finally get used to Qiu Ling’s words of sweetness and not react as much. Although then again … that hardly seemed possible.

Qiu Ling could see a lot more than Jing He in the darkness but not getting any response and not seeing Jing He move, he couldn’t help but wonder if he had gone too far again. Or maybe his beloved was really bothered by something. Oh, that definitely couldn’t be allowed!

Qiu Ling quietly reassured himself that he definitely didn’t have any nefarious thoughts and then got up just as quietly, sneaking over to Jing He’s bedside and sitting down again. Mn, he was just making sure that he was alright. Really. This absolutely wasn’t a front to crawl into his bed. No, no, he still had that little patience to wait another three days for that!

Jing He flinched, not having heard him.

Qiu Ling quickly caught his hand, inwardly chastising himself for being too quiet. Even though he hadn’t wanted to disturb the quiet atmosphere, he certainly hadn’t wanted to disturb Jing He either! He lightly cleared his throat, hoping that making a sound now would reassure his beloved. “What’s the matter? Still worried?”

Jing He indeed calmed down, even if it wasn’t because Qiu Ling spoke. No, he had just been too surprised at first but he would never feel afraid because of Qiu Ling. Thus, after realizing that his husband-to-be had simply come over to inquire about him, he naturally didn’t feel anxious. Instead, he thought about how to answer Qiu Ling.

It was a kind of worry, yes, but it wasn’t the same as those previous thoughts that circled in his mind and he didn’t want Qiu Ling to misunderstand and believe that all his words had been for naught. “It’s not the wedding. It’s … I couldn’t help but wonder just now: Do you ever think that the way we lived together during the trial could have a negative effect?”

Qiu Ling stared at him in the darkness, not even sure where to begin answering this. A negative effect … what was that supposed to be in this case? But no matter what … “I don’t think so, no. What has you worried about it? Maybe you’ll feel better after speaking about it.”