Chapter 12

Thus, Xin Chun and Owen boarded the same boat.

Here was what happened: Ke Hang wanted to share a boat with his buddy, but Owen pressed a hand to his shoulder and said, "This boat rocks. Your mentor is older—what if he gets seasick?"

"How about you stay on the same boat as your mentor? It'll be easier for you to look after him."

Ke Hang was the group leader.

Ke Hang's mentor had not come over yet. With his hands behind his back, he watched someone paint an oil-paper umbrella on-site with a fascinated expression, experiencing Jingu Town's special cultural display.

There were also other students beside the mentor.

He doesn't need me, does he?

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

"Then Chun..."

Xin Chun said, "I'll take the same boat as Owen."

Ke Hang nodded.

Xin Chun and Owen boarded first, drifting slowly down the little river. The center of the black-canopied boat was covered, and they stood at opposite ends from the boatman.

Ripples spread gently along the boat's sides, while the water reflected the buildings on both banks.

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

His attention was drawn to 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 and waiting for the instant a fish jumped again.

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

Seeing the gap between Xin Chun's shirt and waistband being tugged wider with his movements, Owen reached out to pull his shirt down for him. His fingertips accidentally brushed the soft flesh at his waist.

Xin Chun twisted away instinctively and looked back, an irrepressible smile curving his lips. "That tickles."

Owen was just about to speak when a faint pattering sound came from above the side of the boat. Then, the sound gradually increased.

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

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

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

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

Xin Chun had Owen step out from under the canopy. "I'll 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 he took another of him holding an oil-paper umbrella. Xin Chun got more and more excited, clicking the shutter again and again.

Owen was handsome and had great poise. Even a casual pose looked good on camera. Even the boatman could not help praising him and cooperatively slowed the boat down.

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

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

"You two just find a good angle and strike a pose."

That was easy. They stood side by side at the bow, looked at each other beneath the umbrella, or tilted their heads together while making V-signs...

For the last photo, 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 probably bumped the bottom of the boat. The hull swayed slightly, and Xin Chun lost his balance and swayed with it.

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

Owen's arm was steady and caught him firmly. Xin Chun still held the oil-paper umbrella in his hand, his upper body leaning back slightly as though he did 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 scene.

"Are you okay?" Owen asked.

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

"Boatman, did you get it?"

"I did, I did. Here." The boatman smiled. "Your friend has strong arms. When he caught you, the boat barely even rocked."

Xin Chun's ears turned red, and he answered vaguely, "Mm, he does."

No one knew better than him just how much Owen's arms could handle. Even after holding him, Owen could still do other things...

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

Xin Chun held the camera and looked through the photos they had taken earlier, until he reached the final picture—the one that had captured their little accident by chance.

Perhaps unexpected moments were the most beautiful.

Whether it was the composition, their expressions, or their poses, this photo was exceptionally striking and pleasing to the eye.

Xin Chun said, "When we get back, I'll get it printed 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 him while Xin Chun flipped through the photos, so he had not missed it.

Xin Chun smiled at that. "Thank you for catching me, Owen. Being beside you makes me feel really safe."

Owen looked at Xin Chun, wanting to say something.

"Chun!"

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 up 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 more... He had to wait a little longer.

But it seemed he was almost unable to hold back.

Chapter 12

After spending the day having fun, Ke Hang still had a project to work on. He was going into the forest with his mentor to dig for specimens.

"Chun, can I borrow your Handsome Star for a day? I'll take him into the forest for a walk. Big dogs like him should get out and run around often, right? Otherwise, he'll get so bored at home," Ke Hang said to Xin Chun with a flattering smile.

Xin Chun said, "Sure."

Ke Hang was delighted. "That's great, Chun! But why did you agree so readily?"