The two of them fell quiet. Chun Yin looked up to the sky that seemed to slowly turn brighter. It was still a bit of time until dawn that it wasn't much anymore. It seemed that soon, he would have to say his goodbyes.
He turned to look at Qiu Ling, smiling faintly. It was a pity he couldn't stay here longer but he was still happy. It had been good to see these two again. In fact, he was ready to leave. It would've been great if he had had this opportunity of saying his farewell back then but being able to see how his child had grown up and to know for sure that his lover had found somebody who he would spend the rest of his life with was also something that he was happy about.
At the very least, he knew that even so many years after his death, these two were doing well. They weren't alone, they hadn't gotten themselves into a bad situation. Despite the circumstances, things had turned out well. To be able to see this ... he really was lucky. It might not change anything for him but he was still happy about it.
He reached out and put his hand on Qiu Ling's shoulder. "I'm afraid there isn't much time left. Is there anything else that you want to know?"
Qiu Ling looked at him, his expression turning a little difficult. Saying goodbye ... he wasn't sure if he was ready yet. He would've liked to spend some more time with his father. If he had known that this would happen, he could have prepared. Maybe then, he would be able to think of something beforehand. He would know exactly what to say at this moment, to ask all the questions he might want his father's answers to. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. He could only try to come up with something now in the short-term so he wouldn't miss this opportunity. If he failed to think of something, he could only regret it later.
He pondered but failed to come up with anything. "Well ... It's not that easy. I guess there are a lot of things I would like your opinion on. But I guess there won't be enough time for it."
Chun Yin smiled. "I'm afraid it might have to be one last question."
Qiu Ling nodded. Furrowing his brows, he finally asked the one question that he felt his father's perspective on would be the most important. "If ... Jing He and I go on to have a child, what is the best advice you can give me?"
Chun Yin gazed at him for a moment and then leaned over, pulling Qiu Ling closer and into a hug. His voice sounded a little choked when he finally spoke out. "Make sure that you show them just how much you love them. There's nothing more important than that."
Qiu Ling lowered his head and hugged him back. He understood very well what his father wanted to say. Yes, this really was the most important to know for a child. "I promise I won't forget."
Chun Yin nodded and patted his back. Glancing at the horizon where the sky was indeed starting to turn bright, he sighed. "I guess our time's up."
Qiu Ling pulled back and then also looked toward the horizon. Right now, he really wished that he could stop time. He didn't know what to say and could only turn back to his father, looking at him. Unfortunately, this still wasn't his actual father, not like he remembered at least. Now, that really would have meant a lot to him. To see him like back then one more time, just once. Unfortunately, it was impossible.
There was a faint sound coming from the side and the two of them turned around at the same time, Chun Yin raising his brows.
"Jinde?"
Jinde looked a little sheepish. "I didn't want to interrupt the two of you. I just figured it might be time for you to leave. I hope that you wouldn't mind if I saw you off."
Chun Yin smiled, secretly happy. Even though he had lost this person and was about to lose him again, the fact that Jinde came to see him off showed that he still cared about him after all.
He already wanted to answer but then turned to Qiu Ling. He had given half his time to Jinde and half his time to Qiu Ling. While he would've liked to have both of them around when he left, he felt that this was also something he should let Qiu Ling have a say in. After all, Jinde had been there when he came back. Maybe Qiu Ling would like to be the only one to be there and share the moment with him when he left.
Qiu Ling looked from one person to the other and scoffed. "What are the two of you looking at me for? If you want to be there, why don't you come over? Is it going to do you any good to continue to stand there?"
Chun Yin's brows twitched and he almost wanted to scold him but Jinde just smiled and indeed came over.
"Thank you." He knew that this moment meant just as much to Qiu Ling as it meant to him. To be able to share it was really the best outcome.
Chun Yin got to his feet and Qiu Ling finally followed him, looking from one person to the other. He wasn't quite sure if he should really disturb them right now. If he imagined that this was Jing he and him, he would probably want to be alone with him. But even though he thought that, he couldn't help but want to be a little selfish.
He did not want to miss the last moment he would ever be able to have with his father. He just couldn't bring himself to give up on this.