Page 21

"Because I'm going with you," Xin Chun said.

Ke Hang looked puzzled.

Xin Chun explained, "We're going to dig up soil and compare its elemental composition when we get back. The recent work project has reached its second phase, and the medicinal herbs brought back from B City need to be matched."

The forest soil contained a diverse range of elements.

Owen and Li Ze went along as well. Everything went smoothly while gathering samples, but on the way back, Xin Chun failed to keep hold of Handsome Star's leash for a moment. The dog chased after a bug and ran off, only to step into a mud pit.

At the time, Xin Chun had wanted to pin his dog son to the ground and give him a beating.

After all, bathing a large dog was a real hassle.

Fortunately, it was still summer. The water in Jingu Town was clear and clean, so bathing the dog by the river was

much

easier. Unlike in winter, when it was more troublesome and had to be done indoors; every bath ended up looking like a water fight, leaving the place a complete mess.

Li Ze took the collected soil back to the studio first.

The river was not far from Xin Chun's home, so Owen held the dog's leash and waited for him to go back and get what they needed.

It was already nearing dusk. The setting sun had painted half the sky, and Xin Chun approached with his back to the evening glow, as though his entire body had been outlined in soft, warm gold.

"Woof, woof."

Handsome Star bounced toward Xin Chun, acting cute, only for Xin Chun to press down on the dog's head and say with distaste, "Dirty dog. Time for a bath."

Xin Chun had brought a small bucket, and it was convenient to fetch water from the riverbank. With Owen helping, it did not take long for the mud on Handsome Star's body to be washed away.

Although Xin Chun and Owen's clothes inevitably got soaked by splashing water during the process, they thankfully finished before night fully fell.

"Come stay at my place tonight, Owen. How about we pick up the photos together tomorrow?" Xin Chun said.

The photos had been sent off for developing and could be picked up the next day.

Owen naturally agreed to the suggestion.

The two of them walked the dog home, the atmosphere quiet and harmonious.

After getting home, Xin Chun found Owen a change of clothes. They were both sweaty and sticky; they would definitely feel uncomfortable without washing up.

Xin Chun had Owen take a shower first while he poured some dog food for Handsome Star.

By the time Owen came out of the shower, Xin Chun had already taken off his dirty, wet clothes. Wearing only a pair of loose shorts, he sat cross-legged on the carpet and brushed Handsome Star's fur, leaving his chest completely exposed and showing off the beautiful lines of his back.

From his shoulders downward, his waist was slim. His legs were folded together, his knees tinged pink, and his round toes occasionally wriggled, revealing that their owner was in a fairly good mood.

The temperature in the room was not low, at least not cool yet.

Thus, Xin Chun had begun to sweat again while brushing the dog. Beads of sweat ran down from his forehead, and there were traces of sweat in the hollow of his collarbones and across his chest, glinting faintly under the lights.

The hand Owen used to towel-dry his hair gradually came to a stop. His gaze could not help lingering on the bead of sweat that fell to Xin Chun's collarbone, and he swallowed softly.

As though noticing Owen's gaze, Xin Chun looked up and smiled. "You're done showering?"

"Mm." Owen's voice was low.

He walked over and bent down. His fingers swept over Xin Chun's forehead, trailed down his cheek, and finally wiped away the bead of sweat at his collarbone. "You're all sweaty. Go take a shower."

"Mm, okay."

Xin Chun used Owen's arm to help himself stand. The brush was covered in dog fur, so Owen took it from him. "I'll clean up. Go on."

After Xin Chun went to shower, Owen poured himself a glass of cold water to ease his thirst. The Alaskan Malamute circled at his feet, and Owen went to get him a chew stick.

Not long after, Xin Chun finished showering, changed into pajamas, and slipped under the covers. Leaning against the pillow, he patted it and said, "Are we almost done reading this poetry book?"

"Mm, there are only two poems left."

"Then should we go browse the bookstore tomorrow too?"

"Okay." Owen ruffled his hair, his tone gentle.

After a night passed, Xin Chun and Owen went to pick up the photos the next day. They bought two photo albums along the way and browsed the bookstore, with Owen choosing the Y Language books.

When they returned, Xin Chun received a call from Ke Hang. Their sample collection work in the forest was finished, and they would likely leave Jingu Town in another two days. Before leaving, they wanted everyone to get together once.

However, they had trouble deciding on a location. After all, they were unfamiliar with Jingu Town, so Ke Hang had called to ask Xin Chun.

Summer and barbecue were a perfect match, so Xin Chun suggested having a barbecue at a farmhouse restaurant.

At that moment, Owen said, "They can come to my place. I rented a villa in Jingu Town, and it has everything needed for a barbecue."

"Your friends and their classmates helped out to some extent when we went into the forest to dig up soil. A farmhouse restaurant isn't cheap, and it's not nearby either. It would be better to come to my place. We only need to buy the ingredients and vegetables."

Hearing that, Xin Chun put the call on speaker and told Ke Hang.

Ke Hang could not help saying, "Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?"

"Not at all. It's no trouble."

Since Owen had made his position clear, Ke Hang stopped refusing. After thanking him, he ended the call with Xin Chun.

The more people there were at a gathering, the livelier it would be. Besides, they would be barbecuing and having fun themselves, so Ivy, Li Ze, and Miko came too.

The villa Owen had rented not only had a barbecue grill, but even a small karaoke setup. Once it was brought out into the yard, they had one more thing to play with.

Wearing only a T-shirt and shorts, Xin Chun carried a case of beer inside with Ke Hang. There were already two cases of beer on the ground.

Xin Chun could not help asking, "Can we finish that much beer?"

"How could we not?" Ke Hang said. "You're underestimating their drinking capacity. Let me tell you a secret: we built up our tolerance at gatherings with our advisor. Even the girls can drink."

"Forget about them—Chun'er, can't you drink too?"

"I haven't had a drink in a long time," Xin Chun said.

"Don't tell me your tolerance has dropped?"

"It should still be okay."

"Haha, I remember back in college, when our dorm went out drinking together," Ke Hang said. "You'd have just a little and your face would turn red, then you played the pig to eat the tiger and drank every one of them under the table."