Page 16

He returned to the bar, while Owen headed toward the streetlamp.

Xin Chun stood there obediently. Seeing Owen gradually approach, he said, "Sorry, I didn't get your permission before... but at that moment, between you and Shao Kang, I only wanted to choose you."

Xin Chun seemed unaware of how much those words tugged at Owen's heartstrings. Yet his expression was perfectly serious, even solemn.

"I want to apologize to you, Owen."

Owen walked up to Xin Chun. The dim, yellow streetlamp cast shadows at their feet. He lowered his head to look at Xin Chun and said, "How are you going to apologize? If we're talking about this, I was at fault too."

Xin Chun's gaze flickered.

Owen said, "I pulled your arm down."

He reached out and took Xin Chun's wrist again. The handkerchief was still clenched in Xin Chun's upturned palm. Owen's fingertips brushed against Xin Chun's pulse, as if feeling its faint, intermittent beat.

Xin Chun said, "It wasn't your fault. A lot of people were making a fuss then."

Some of the bar's patrons had been shouting things like, "Don't block us!" "Pull off the handkerchief!" and "That doesn't count!"

"If we hadn't pulled off the handkerchief, we might have had to start over."

Owen paused. "That's what you thought."

"Of course." Xin Chun nodded. "But since you said you were at fault too, then we're even. Let's pretend this never happened. Neither of us should dwell on it, okay, Owen?"

Xin Chun pulled his wrist free from beneath Owen's fingertips.

He took out the handkerchief and folded it into a long, narrow strip, then said, "After we came to B City on business, I found a chance to have this handkerchief cleaned at a specialty shop. I'm returning it to you now, Owen."

The handkerchief was tied around Owen's wrist, but Owen did not feel as pleased as he should have.

"What are you thinking about, Owen?" Xin Chun leaned over to study his expression.

Owen lowered his wrist. "Nothing. Let's go back."

"Oh, okay."

After the machinery's air freight logistics had been arranged, Xin Chun and Owen were also preparing to return to Jingu Town.

But before they left, Ke Hang called. "Haha, Chun, I've got a surprise for you."

Xin Chun remained calm. "You're coming to Jingu Town too?"

Ke Hang's exaggerated shriek immediately came through the phone. "How did you know?!"

Xin Chun thought, Of course, I knew from my previous life's experience.

"I just guessed."

"Haha, then you guessed right. Aren't I doing my doctorate? The school has a research project that needs us to collect specimens in the forest. The location is the forest beside Jingu Town. What a coincidence." Ke Hang sounded very happy.

Xin Chun's gaze softened. "When's your flight?"

Ke Hang said, "Later than yours. We leave a day afterward. My advisor, three classmates, and I are going together. We've already booked a guesthouse over there."

"I'll find a car to pick you up. Jingu Town is pretty remote. Otherwise, you'll have to transfer to a bus after you land, and it'll be inconvenient with your luggage," Xin Chun said.

"No need, sorry for the trouble. There are a lot of us."

Xin Chun said, "It's not much trouble. The company has a car I can borrow, so it's very convenient. Besides, buses all have stops. You're unfamiliar with the place—what if you miss it?"

Xin Chun insisted, so Ke Hang stopped refusing. "Thanks."

"Why be polite with me?" Xin Chun said with a smile.

But after hanging up, Xin Chun suddenly remembered that he seemed to have pretended he couldn't drive...

So Owen drove an extended business van with Xin Chun to pick up Ke Hang and his group.

After loading the luggage, Ke Hang pulled Xin Chun aside and quietly asked, "Why is your boss driving? This vehicle must be specifically for your boss too, right? It can't be cheap."

Xin Chun said, "Oh, I told Owen before that I couldn't drive."

Ke Hang's eyes widened. "You lied to your boss, you—mmph."

Xin Chun swiftly covered Ke Hang's mouth and whispered, "Keep it a secret for me. Don't let it slip, or you'll see how I deal with you. Understand?"

Ke Hang nodded like a pecking chick. Got it, got it.

Only then did Xin Chun let go.

Covering his mouth, Ke Hang whispered, "But why did you lie to your boss?"

Xin Chun said, "It's a little complicated. There's no way to explain it briefly, so I won't."

Ke Hang said, "..."

Chun, you're brushing me off.

On the way back, the atmosphere in the car was far from dull. Ke Hang was naturally cheerful and talkative, and with him leading the conversation,

there was no shortage of topics.

Besides, Jingu Town had a long history. Though it was somewhat remote, it still retained many ancient, charming buildings, and the scenery was beautiful as well. Their timing was especially perfect.

Xin Chun said, "Jingu Town has an annual festival for drying oil-paper umbrellas. On that day, every household takes out the oil-paper umbrellas they've just made to dry and display."

"The entire street will be decorated. Ropes will be strung between the eaves, with many oil-paper umbrellas hanging from them. There will be umbrellas along both sides of the street too."

"If there's a light drizzle that day, it'll be even more atmospheric."

"There are shops in Jingu Town that sell qipaos. If you girls want to dress up and take pictures, you can buy or rent one. They aren't expensive."

The girls who had come along were thrilled. They had actually arrived in time for such an interesting festival, so naturally they could not miss it.

Their advisor was quite interested as well and agreed to give them the day off so everyone could relax and have some fun.

Xin Chun then turned to Owen and said, "Do you want to go take a look that day? It would be a pity to miss it. I'll let you experience it."

Owen said, "Okay."

This festival was unique to Jingu Town and was only held once a year. The residents of Jingu Town took it very seriously and began preparing early, working to make the most beautiful oil-paper umbrellas in town. There would even be voting then.

Ivy, Li Ze, and the others also learned about it after Xin Chun returned.