Back in the Yun Zou Sect, Qiu Ling had finally gotten his hands on the robe and jade pendant. He had even acquired a basic cultivation manual that was originally meant for those disciples that had high aptitudes and became part of the inner sect when they arrived. He knew his Jing He already had that manual from his Master but he figured that having a second one couldn't do any damage so he just grabbed it when Yuchi Bing Xia said that new disciples normally got them. If he didn't need it, he could still throw it away.
With his spoils in hand, Qiu Ling flew back to the house where Jing Yi lived. He didn't care that it had already become dark by now. His beloved would certainly wait for him!
Indeed. When Qiu Ling knocked on the door, it was immediately opened. Jing Yi didn't look too happy though. Qiu Ling's smile faltered but he didn't stay downcast for long. He had managed to get his beloved into the inner sect! Jing Yi would certainly forgive him now!
"My love, I got your things for you!" He put everything down on the table and turned to Jing Yi with an expression asking for praise.
Jing Yi only rubbed his brow. He didn't even know where to begin. He had always known that Qiu Ling was a little … strange in some regards but why had he never noticed that he was actually this troublesome? "Didn't we talk about what you should call me already?"
Qiu Ling blinked, stepped forward and grabbed Jing Yi's hands. With a very earnest expression, he looked into his eyes and smiled. "My love!"
Jing Yi frowned but a certain someone shamelessly reached out and rubbed at the spot between his brows.
"Why are you frowning, my love? If you don't feel well, just say so! I will do everything I can to make you more comfortable!"
"How about —"
"A cup of tea? Very well!" Qiu Ling let go of him, poured a cup of tea and stuffed it into his hands.
Jing Yi looked at it with a troubled expression. "That wasn't what I wanted to say and you know that fully well."
Qiu Ling tilted his head. He might know but he definitely wouldn't admit it! As long as he didn't admit to it he could pester Jing Yi and with time, his beloved would certainly remember all their happy times and relent. And then … he would beat that Yu Jin or whatever up and finally marry his Jing He!
Jing Yi sighed and gave up. He also knew that Qiu Ling was quite unorthodox in regard to these things. If it made him feel less terrible, then there probably wasn't any harm in allowing him to continue like this. Tian would understand it. For now, it was more important to solve the issue at hand.
"Qiu Ling, about me becoming a disciple of the inner sect …"
Qiu Ling nodded. "Mn! Everything is done already. You can just start wearing the robe and that jade tomorrow."
"No, I can't."
Qiu Ling blinked and looked at the things he had brought over. "Can't? But I did get the right size. You haven't grown by much in the last few years. Alright, I can understand if you don't like them. The fabric is really … ugh. And that jade looks so cheap. How about I get you something of better quality that looks better?" Qiu Ling's eyes sparkled at the prospect of doing something for his beloved. Ah, wasn't this another chance he had gotten?! Heaven was so nice to him!
Jing Yi just frowned. "That's not it. I meant that I can't just become a disciple of the inner sect. They did this because of you not because I earned this status. And as long as that is the case I can't wear this robe and jade. So, please, bring them back and tell the Sect Master that I'm sorry he was bothered because of this."
Qiu Ling also frowned. "How could that be? This had nothing to do with me! I just went and talked to them. It's all because of your own effort! Look, didn't they say you'd become an inner sect disciple when we solve that mission? I merely reminded them and then they gave me your things. They probably forgot about it because it had been so long. So you can't just give it back. You wouldn't want to reject the reward of your hard work, would you?"
Jing Yi observed Qiu Ling's downcast expression. If he looked at him like this, he could almost believe that his words were true. "But the mission turned out completely different than expected. There was no conspiracy of the evil sects. It was just two women who ran away from their sects because of love and … well, their family. We only needed a few weeks to figure that out! The sect would hardly let me become an inner sect disciple because of that, would it?"
Qiu Ling blinked. "Ah? But they said so! And, well, before that you also cultivated to that stage they wanted. Maybe they finally realized that you've done enough."
Jing Yi's expression softened when he saw Qiu Ling argue on his behalf like that. It seemed he truly believed what he said. Even if the Sect Master had only let him become an inner sect disciple because Qiu Ling asked, it wasn't Qiu Ling's fault either. He shouldn't make things difficult for him.
"Maybe you're right. Thank you."
Qiu Ling beamed and stepped forward again, grabbing Jing Yi's hands once more. "How about giving me a kiss as a reward?" He pursed his lips in preparation and bent down just in case his beloved really agreed or even wavered. He couldn't let that opportunity slip by!
Jing Yi stared at the familiar face with that silly expression and his heart squeezed painfully. Qiu Ling was a great man. Even if he was a bit silly sometimes, he would always take the time to listen and do whatever he thought necessary to help him. He was charming and gentle and faithful and he didn't deserve to be treated this way at all.
Jing Yi cupped Qiu Ling's face and tiptoed, carefully kissing his cheek. "I'm sorry. I truly am but in this life, I can't be with you. It's impossible."
It's a pity.