Chapter 12

Thus, Xin Chun and Owen boarded the same boat.

Here was what happened: Ke Hang wanted to ride in the same boat as his buddy, but Owen pressed a hand to his shoulder and said, "This boat rocks. Your mentor is elderly—what if he gets seasick?"

"How about you ride with your mentor, so you can take care of him?"

Ke Hang was the team leader.

Ke Hang's mentor had not come over yet. With his hands behind his back, he was watching with fascination as someone painted an oil-paper umbrella on-site, experiencing Jingu Town's distinctive cultural display.

There were other students beside the mentor as well.

Ke Hang: He doesn't need to come along, does he?

Still, it would not be right to leave his mentor behind just like that. Owen had a point, so he would stay here for now.

"Then Chun'er..."

Xin Chun said, "I'll ride with Owen."

Ke Hang nodded.

Xin Chun and Owen boarded first, drifting slowly down the small river. The black-awning boat was covered in the middle, and they stood at opposite ends from the boatman.

Ripples spread gently alongside the boat, and the water reflected the houses lining both banks.

Owen stepped beneath the canopy, while Xin Chun sat a little farther outside.

His attention was caught by the fish that occasionally leaped from the river. He could not help leaning over the side of the boat, aiming his camera at the water as he waited for another fish to jump.

Because of his posture, Xin Chun's waist was stretched long and tilted to one side. The hem of his T-shirt rode up slightly, revealing fair, delicate skin.

Seeing the gap between Xin Chun's T-shirt and waistband widening with his movements, Owen reached out to tug his shirt back down. His fingertips inadvertently brushed the soft flesh at Xin Chun's waist.

Xin Chun twisted away instinctively and looked back, an uncontrollable smile curling at his lips. "That tickles."

Just as Owen was about to speak, a faint pattering sounded against the side of the boat, followed by more and more of it.

Xin Chun felt a hint of coolness on his face. It had begun to drizzle. Sitting outside the canopy, he reached out to catch the rainwater.

"Sure enough, it's raining. The Oil-Paper Umbrella Festival only feels complete with a little rain."

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Amid the misty drizzle, listening to raindrops strike the oil-paper umbrellas, eaves, and water was an incomparably comfortable and peaceful pleasure for Xin Chun.

Besides, this light rain was not enough to warrant an umbrella.

Xin Chun had Owen step out from beneath the canopy. "Let me take some pictures of you."

Photos looked better in the rain.

First, he took one of Owen gazing into the distance from the bow, then another with him holding an oil-paper umbrella. Xin Chun was in high spirits, clicking away at the shutter.

Handsome and naturally poised, Owen looked great in photos no matter how casually he posed. Even the boatman could not help praising him, slowing the boat to cooperate.

Owen said, "Sorry for the trouble, but could you take a few photos of us together?"

The boatman readily agreed. Passengers often asked him to help take pictures, and he was highly skilled with cameras. He had even taught himself how to capture candid shots.

"Just find your angles and strike your poses."

That was easy enough—standing side by side at the bow, looking at each other beneath an umbrella, or holding up peace signs and leaning their heads together...

For the last one, Xin Chun had Owen sit down while he stood slightly behind him, holding the umbrella.

Just as the boatman was about to take the picture, a swimming fish seemed to bump the bottom of the boat. The hull swayed slightly, and Xin Chun lost his balance, swaying with it.

Afraid he would fall, Owen reached out and caught him. Xin Chun spun around and landed in Owen's lap.

Owen's arm was steady and held him securely. Xin Chun still had the oil-paper umbrella in hand, his upper body leaning back slightly, as though he could not understand how, in the blink of an eye, he had ended up sitting on Owen's legs.

He looked up, staring at Owen in surprised bewilderment.

The boatman, who had also swayed with the boat, happened to press the shutter and capture that very scene.

"Are you all right?" Owen asked.

Xin Chun came back to himself, shook his head, and stood up from Owen's lap.

"Boatman, did you get it?"

"I got it, I got it. Here." The boatman smiled. "Your friend's arms are really strong. When he caught you, the boat barely even rocked."

The tips of Xin Chun's ears reddened, and he answered vaguely, "Mm, they are."

Xin Chun knew better than anyone just how much Owen's arms could bear. Even after holding him, Owen could still do other things...

Before long, the boat finally reached shore. The others had not returned yet, so the two sat in a resting area by the roadside and waited.

Xin Chun held the camera and browsed through the photos they had taken earlier until he reached the last one—the photo that had captured their little accident by chance.

Perhaps unexpected moments were the most beautiful.

The composition, their expressions, and their poses in that photo were all exceptionally striking. It was a feast for the eyes.

Xin Chun said, "When we get back, I'm going to print it and put it in my album. Do you want one too, Owen?"

"Mm. I really like the last photo."

Clearly, Owen had been looking along with Xin Chun while he flipped through the photos and had not missed it.

Xin Chun smiled at that. "Thank you for catching me, Owen. Being by your side makes me feel so safe."

Owen looked at Xin Chun, wanting to say something.

"Chun'er!"

A shout came from nearby. Ke Hang and his mentor had arrived by boat as well.

Ke Hang waved excitedly from the bow.

Xin Chun stood and waved back in Ke Hang's direction.

Owen remained seated where he was. He closed his eyes, pressed his tongue against his upper lip, and let out a soft breath.

This rabbit, already teetering at the edge of the trap—just a little more, just a little... He had to wait a little longer.

But it seemed he was about to lose patience.

Chapter 12

After a day of fun, Ke Hang still had a project to work on. He would be following his mentor into the forest to excavate specimens.

"Chun'er, can I borrow your Handsome Star for a day? I'll take him for a walk in the forest. Big dogs like this should get out and run around often, right? Otherwise, how stuffy would it be staying at home?" Ke Hang asked Xin Chun with a flattering smile.

Xin Chun said, "Sure."

Ke Hang was delighted. "That's great, Chun'er—but why did you agree so readily?"