Chapter 783 - His Chance to Shine Brighter

Jing Yi didn't ask any further when Qiu Ling didn't continue to explain either. The two of them sat in front of the bamboo hut for a while until Qiu Ling gave a smile and got up, pulling Jing Yi to his feet as well.

"It's getting late. Let's go and sleep for now. I can still show you how to fly another day. Since you're back and we won't be leaving the Yun Zou Sect any time soon, we're not in a hurry."

Jing Yi nodded. "You're right. Then let's go to sleep." He stepped closer and held Qiu Ling's hand, following him into the building like that. Ah, maybe they didn't have as much of a history as Jing He and Qiu Ling had but right now, he was the one spending time with Qiu Ling. That gave him all the advantage he needed.

Maybe he was egoistic for thinking like that but even if he wasn't as important, as beautiful, understanding or knowledgeable as Jing He, he still didn't want to give up on Qiu Ling. No, this person was his lover and this life was his life. He would try to keep both of them for as long as he could even if that was a problem for Jing He.

Jing Yi waited for Qiu Ling to close the door behind them and then took off his outer robe, his gaze kept ahead as if he didn't notice that Qiu Ling was looking at him. He folded the robe and hung it over the chair at the table, walking to the bed and sitting down at the edge before he turned to Qiu Ling. He smiled sweetly and then motioned at Qiu Ling's robe. "Didn't we want to go to sleep? Why aren't you getting ready then?"

Qiu Ling froze and his gaze darted about. This … Well, it wasn't like he had never slept next to Jing Yi like this but right now, it seemed different. Maybe it was because they had just talked about Jing He or because he had thought about him so much in the last few days but it somehow felt strange to see Jing Yi take off his outer robe this readily. Jing He certainly never would've done that.

Ah, just thinking back to the last night they had spent together in the Nine Heavens before Jing He descended for his trial, he felt that things were vastly different now. Back then, Jing He hadn't been as open. Even though he had already promised to marry him as well and they had just waited for him to start on his trial and then return, he had obviously not been prepared to spend the night with Qiu Ling like this. No, he was still way too much bound by the customs of his race. A man that wasn't his husband couldn't be allowed to see him like this or sleep next to him like that. It would've been unthinkable.

With Jing Yi though … It wasn't too strange. Even before they became an official couple, they had traveled together for a year where they would often spend the night outside without any clearly defined spot to sleep on. Whether it was lying next to a campfire together or sleeping on a bed, they might be just as close. The only difference was in how they perceived the place. So this wasn't too strange.

Qiu Ling nodded — half to Jing Yi and half to himself — and took off his outer robe, folding it and putting it on the chair next to Jing Yi's. Then he approached the bed and sat down next to him, his gaze moving to Jing Yi's hands. "It feels as if it has been a long time since we were here even though not that much has actually passed."

Jing Yi nodded. "That's true. Well, even if not much time has passed, a lot has changed already. I'm glad we made up. Previously, it was all my fault. If I can make it up to you somehow …"

Qiu Ling shook his head. "It was my fault as well. I didn't explain previously. I also lied to you about a lot of things because of Jing He's trial. If I told you truly who I am from the very beginning, then you wouldn't have misunderstood those memories that much."

Jing Yi nodded. "I'm still happy. If I had known from the beginning, I might have struggled more and we might not be together now. Even though we were separated for a long time, it is still much better to be together now. That's the most important. That we're together." He reached over and grabbed Qiu Ling's hand, giving him a bright smile.

Qiu Ling smiled in return, relief spreading through him. It seemed that Jing Yi had really taken it well. Ah, he had worried for nothing. Jing Yi was able to understand and that even though he was a mortal that didn't know much about the gods and those trials.

In that case, Jing He who had known from the very beginning that this trial would happen should have even less of an issue with whatever happened now. His letting Jing Yi live should be the right decision. Well, he couldn't make any other anyway but now he was sure that Jing He would understand. He would realize it was so he could do the trial he was supposed to do.

Qiu Ling squeezed Jing Yi's hand and then motioned back at the bed. "Let's lie down then."

Jing Yi gave a murmur and lay down, shifting to the inner side of the bed to make space for Qiu Ling. He watched his lover lie down and then snuggled up against his chest. "I'm happy we're together again."

Qiu Ling rubbed his back in response, lowering his head until their foreheads touched. "I would never let you stay in the demon realm."

Jing Yi's lips curled up. "I know. I was sure that you would come and get me. I never doubted it. I trust you." He couldn't help but think back to Xiang Yu's words at that time. Hadn't that guy said that Jing He had loved Qiu Ling but not trusted him? That maybe … maybe this was his chance to shine brighter than Jing He for once. He would certainly love it if that could be true.