Chapter 48 - That Would Sound Creepy (1/2)

Here it comes. Qiu Ling had a look around and sat down at the table. ”This seems to be something, that'll take a little longer.” He straightened his robes and looked up at the Zhongs. ”Just ask, whatever it is you want to know.”

”Daoist master, you … have helped our family a great deal. We are truly grateful to you, it's just that … we were wondering, why you are helping us out of all people?”

Qiu Ling's gaze fell on Jing Yi's small body. The blanket rose and fell with every breath he took. This journey had really taken a toll on him. ”Isn't that because of your son?”

The Zhongs exchanged glances. They had known, of course, but assuming and directly hearing it were two different things. ”May we know why? Is it that … you …” Madam Zhong broke off.

Mister Zhong couldn't take it anymore and just asked directly: ”What do you intend to do with our son?”

Marrying him! Of course, Qiu Ling was intelligent enough, to not say that aloud. If I said that, it would sound creepy and they'd try everything to keep their son away from me. So, how to give a satisfactory answer, they could believe without being put off? I can't just tell them the truth, can I?

He considered it for a moment and finally sighed. ”There are some things, I am not sure I should mention. Let me just say this: To this person … I am incredibly grateful.”

Indeed, I am. Grateful for being able to see him that fateful night, grateful for being allowed to shower him with my affection, grateful for earning his love in return. Jing He, the person I am most grateful to in this life, is you.

The Zhongs, of course, couldn't understand. ”How so? He is only seven and you were even there, when he was born …” Mister Zhong's voice trailed off. He didn't know what else to say. What was this man thinking? They weren't dumb! Who would believe something like that?

Qiu Ling sighed, stood up and went over to Jing Yi's bed. He sat down at his bedside, reached out and smoothed his black hair. ”He is. Right now, he is.” He could virtually feel their uncomprehending looks at his back. ”Three immortal souls and seven mortal forms. Isn't this just one mortal form of his?”

And the one, he had fallen in love with, was the one carrying this immortal soul. If he had to follow him through seven mortal lifetimes, he would do so, even though he didn't like it.

”Seven … mortal forms?” The Zhongs exchanged another glance.

”So you mean to say, that you knew him in another life?”, Madam Zhong couldn't help but clarify.

Qiu Ling considered and finally nodded. ”For what happened in that lifetime, I will pay him back in this one.” And every other lifetime he may have. Wherever you go, I'll follow along, Jing He. I will never leave you. Never.

”So it's like that.” Madam Zhong sighed. She couldn't help feeling relieved.

Qiu Ling turned toward them and smiled. ”I know, you must have misgivings about me.”

”We wouldn't —”

”It's alright. It just shows, that he was lucky with reincarnating into your house. I am very grateful for that, too. He deserves having such a home.”

”So …” Mister Zhong scratched his head. He felt like the daoist master was pretty direct. It shouldn't be a problem to ask a little more, no? ”You don't want to take him away, to make him into a daoist?”