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Xin Chun slowly shuffled his way outside to wash his hands.

By the time he made it to the doorway, Owen had unzipped as well. The powerful sound made Xin Chun's old face flush.

Seriously, he had seen it who knew how many times in his previous life, and they had even had plenty of zero-distance intimate contact—too many times to count. Why was he still so shy and embarrassed now?

Owen's was proportionate to his build. Not only was it impressive, but it was also extremely practical.

Xin Chun had been tossed around so much that he often could not straighten his aching waist or even get out of bed.

Thinking back on those explicit scenes, the heat in Xin Chun's face still would not fade even after he rinsed his hands with cold water.

By the time Owen came out to wash his hands too, his legs were fine, so he moved much faster than Xin Chun.

When Owen reached the sink, he saw Xin Chun's rosy cheeks and red ears, looking like a rabbit trying to cover its eyes with its two long ears. Owen lowered his gaze and turned on the faucet. The sound of rushing water filled the room. "Is it hot?"

It was summer, and the bathroom air conditioning was turned up high.

Xin Chun said, "I'm fine."

After washing his hands, he pulled out a tissue and dried them. Owen finished as well, then supported him as they walked out. "The injured palm didn't get wet, right?"

"No." Xin Chun raised his hand and gave it a little shake.

"Mm. What do you want for dinner tonight?"

With Xin Chun's hand injured, it was inconvenient for him to cook. Owen had brought breakfast when he picked him up, and they had eaten lunch outside.

Xin Chun said, "I want mushroom soup."

"You guide me. I'll make it," Owen said.

"But we clearly agreed before that I would make soup for you..."

"There will be chances once you've recovered."

"Okay." Xin Chun smiled. "Then I'll taste your cooking first."

At this point, Owen's cooking had not yet been polished, but well, wasn't this the perfect opportunity?

After drinking soup for two nights in a row, Owen had clearly improved greatly. On the third night, he even made a few other dishes.

And that day was gloomy and rainy again.

After dinner, Xin Chun glanced at the weather outside. "Jingu Town gets a lot of rain this season. Today's a rainstorm, and tomorrow it'll turn into moderate rain. The forecast says it'll keep raining for several days."

"Owen, why don't you stay over tonight? It's dark and rainy, and driving on the road is dangerous."

Owen nodded and agreed.

Xin Chun said, "It's still early. Want to watch a movie together?"

"What should we watch?"

"Anything is fine. You pick. I'll go get a blanket." Xin Chun hopped into the bedroom on one foot.

When he came back out, Owen had already picked a movie. It was a foreign film, and Xin Chun knew the plot at a glance. He had seen it before. It was an absurd comedy that included a romance between two men.

But when Owen asked him, Xin Chun shook his head. "I haven't seen this one. Let's watch it."

The sofa, blanket, snacks, and dog were all ready. Xin Chun discreetly glanced at Owen, and then at... his lover.

For now, though, he could only hold the dog. His lover's embrace would have to wait until later.

Xin Chun leaned against Handsome Star. The blanket was long, so he spread half of it over Owen's legs, leaving a gap between them.

Owen looked at the gap, wide enough to seat another person, then raised his eyes and caught sight of Xin Chun holding the Alaskan Malamute, rubbing its head and smacking two kisses onto it.

He said, "The movie's starting."

"Oh, okay." Xin Chun turned his attention to the movie, snacks in his arms.

After they had watched for a while, Owen went to pour him some water. When he returned, he naturally sat very close to Xin Chun, leaving a gap too small for even half a person to sit in.

"Thanks." Xin Chun took the water and had a sip.

Handsome Star was probably thirsty too. The dog had little interest in watching movies and jumped off the sofa to drink water.

Owen said then, "Starlight only ate a little dog food. Do you give him extra meals?"

Xin Chun said, "I feed him snacks occasionally. There are dental chews in the cabinet. If you want to feed him, just one is enough."

Owen got up, fetched a dental chew, and came back. Handsome Star followed close behind, his dog eyes full of longing.

Before they even reached the sofa, Owen seemed unable to deal with the Alaskan Malamute's pestering anymore and set the dental chew down on the carpet. Handsome Star immediately lay down and began gnawing it with relish.

You really are Dad's good son. Can't you tell this man is full of schemes?

If he had not already known Owen so well, Xin Chun would not have noticed the man's covert intentions either.

Owen sat back down on the sofa, his expression perfectly normal. His dark green eyes looked even more captivating in the darkness, as though they shimmered with another kind of color. They were beautiful.

Xin Chun stared for a while. Owen noticed and turned toward him. "What is it?"

Xin Chun's lips and eyes curved into a smile. "Your eyes are beautiful. Like green agate—no, even more beautiful than that."

After saying that, Xin Chun looked away as though he had merely offered a simple compliment, expecting no response as he continued watching the movie.

But Owen silently watched Xin Chun for two seconds, his gaze seeming to regard a rabbit lingering at the edge of a trap. Yet the rabbit kept hopping about and simply would not fall in.

Only then did he turn back.

When the movie ended, they discussed the plot.

Owen said, "Henry Aivel—Veer initially liked girls. When Henry gathered the courage to confess, Veer was surprised, but he did not find it difficult to accept."

Xin Chun said, "Maybe Veer was bisexual to begin with, but simply hadn't realized it himself. Henry's confession opened another door for him."

"Then if a man confessed to you, how would you react, Xin Chun?" Owen looked at him, seemingly asking out of simple curiosity.

Xin Chun turned sideways against the sofa, propping up his chin with one hand as he thought. "Mm... any hypothetical situation now wouldn't be realistic, but I'd probably reject him."

"Unless that man made my heart race, and I had a good impression of him—if I already liked him, then I would accept his confession, or..."