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"Perhaps you'll say we can get to know each other slowly after getting together, but conflicts caused by incompatible personalities can't be made up for. I don't want to be left with regrets and end up unable to even be friends with you."

"Give us both a little more time, okay, Owen?"

The towel lay on the counter, and Xin Chun's hands had dried.

Owen said, "Actually, this is already much better than the answer I expected, because you didn't reject me getting closer to you."

Xin Chun smiled at that. "You're hard to refuse, Owen."

"Is that so? I'm honored."

The two had come to the studio together that morning. They spoke and worked as usual, but whenever Li Ze happened to glance over, he felt that the atmosphere between the boss and Mr. Xin had somehow changed.

Li Ze secretly said to Ivy, "Sister Ivy, have you noticed the boss and Mr. Xin? They're... how should I put it?"

Li Ze was trying to think of an adjective. Subtle? Strange?

Ivy said, "Mm, I noticed."

Li Ze froze. "N-Noticed what?" He had not even said anything yet.

Ivy said, "You're not particularly slow either. Maybe you'll find out soon enough."

Find out what?

Li Ze scratched his head in confusion.

Ke Hang was leaving Jingu Town that day. Xin Chun went to see him off, with Owen driving.

At their parting, Ke Hang remarked, "Chun, your alcohol tolerance really has gotten worse. Maybe next time, I'll be able to drink you under the table, haha."

Xin Chun said, "...You're overthinking it."

After Ke Hang left, there was not actually much change in how Xin Chun and Owen got along. Work had simply been busy lately, and the cultivation of the medicinal herbs had reached its final stage.

Once that summer passed, it would be harvest season.

And that meant Owen would soon be returning to S City. Ivy and Li Ze would naturally go with him, since the headquarters was in S City; Jingu Town would only have a medicinal herb base.

Xin Chun had signed a short-term contract with Owen. Once this job was done, he could leave at any time.

One time, as if making casual conversation, Ivy said to Xin Chun, "At first, the boss had planned to personally come to Jingu Town to confirm whether cultivating the medicinal herbs was feasible."

"Once the work progressed steadily, he was supposed to return to S City. He never planned to stay here long."

"But plans often take unexpected turns. The boss actually stayed in Jingu Town until now, leaving the headquarters behind to remain here. Why do you think that is, sweetie?"

Ivy rested her head on one hand while curling a lock of hair around the fingers of her other, her posture lazy and relaxed.

She occasionally called Xin Chun "sweetie," saying his mouth was sweet, as though he had eaten marshmallows.

Xin Chun said, "I don't know. How could I possibly know what Owen is thinking...?"

He lowered his lashes, his fingers brushing over the page with a hint of fluster.

Ivy smiled. "All right, you don't know. But I think the boss doesn't want you to leave, in any sense of the word."

After saying that, Ivy got up and left.

Xin Chun tapped his fingers twice on the table. In his previous life, he had found a way to follow them to S City. This time...

Owen placed a revised long-term contract in front of Xin Chun.

"This project is meant to continue permanently. The medicinal herb cultivation has been so successful thanks to you, Xin Chun."

"So, are you willing to stay?"

"Yes."

As though he had not expected Xin Chun to agree so readily, Owen's face showed a rare moment of blankness. Though it lasted only an instant and vanished in a flash, Xin Chun still caught it.

He pressed his lips together and swallowed his smile.

Owen said, "You're willing?"

"Yes. I have to consider my future development too. Since this position is good and the benefits are generous, why would I give it up and leave? Besides..." Xin Chun deliberately paused here.

Only then did he continue beneath Owen's gaze. "Besides, I've grown used to working with everyone. If I went somewhere else, I might not adapt."

That was not what Owen wanted to hear.

Still, he had gotten the result he wanted. Xin Chun would go to S City with them.

But Xin Chun needed to find a place to live, somewhere large enough to accommodate an Alaskan Malamute.

Owen said, "You can stay at my place first, then move out after you find somewhere to live. Or... you don't have to move out."

Xin Chun said, "I don't want to take advantage of you, and I don't want to make things more complicated, Owen."

"It won't be complicated. I'm pursuing you, Xin Chun. I want to do whatever I can for you, within reasonable limits and with your permission. I'll respect your wishes, but please don't keep rejecting me, okay?"

Owen deliberately lowered his voice. His dark green eyes were earnest and sincere. Whenever he looked seriously at someone, there seemed to be an indescribable meaning in his gaze that made people sink into it unconsciously.

Xin Chun eventually agreed to his proposal, but if he moved in, he would also pay Owen rent.

Owen nodded.

After leaving Jingu Town and settling down in S City, someone else arrived as well. He was Owen's cousin, William Jensen, a classic handsome blond with blue eyes, dressed in cool, trendy clothes.

In the morning, after Xin Chun finished breakfast, he went out to walk the dog. Owen went with him, and it had become one of their daily routines since arriving in S City.

When they returned from walking the dog, Xin Chun saw a familiar blond, blue-eyed figure standing at the villa entrance.

He immediately raised his brows and slowed his pace. Just like in his previous life, William had come to S City, Hua Country. The difference was that this time, he was staying at Owen's house, and the way they met had changed.

"William." Owen frowned. "Why are you here?"

He had not expected William to appear, especially with luggage in tow. No one had told him in advance.

William turned at the sound. "Thank goodness. I thought you'd gone out, Owen. I couldn't get through on the phone. If I couldn't find you again, I'd have to wander the streets alone. You... who is he?"

Only then did William notice Xin Chun walking a little behind Owen, and the dog!