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—Taking photos with people in mascot costumes, taking photos while buying food, taking photos whenever they came across a pretty streetscape—even when they went cycling by the sea together, William insisted on taking a photo of the two of them from behind.

Afterward, Xin Chun took the camera and flipped through the album, nodding in satisfaction. "William, you're really good at taking pictures."

William immediately perked up at the praise and ruffled his hair. "Of course. You've got a good eye."

Xin Chun: Silly golden retriever.

Owen asked, "How many photos did you take altogether?"

"More than thirty, probably." Xin Chun had roughly counted them earlier. "Should we take pictures when we go skiing too?"

"Okay."

The two leaned against the railing and chatted, the atmosphere intimate.

William watched for a long while and felt like he was still the odd one out...

There were not many people going to the ski resort during this season. They had to change hotels and set off after meeting up with Ivy and Annie. By the time they arrived at the hotel, it was already late.

After spending the whole day outside, they were exhausted both physically and mentally and wanted to rest as soon as possible.

Since the hotel had been booked in advance by the other party's boss, Annie and Ivy were sharing a room and did not need to check in again.

As William checked in, he made one last desperate attempt. "Cousin, isn't it inappropriate for you to sleep with Xin Chun? Why not stay with me instead?"

Annie asked in confusion, "What's inappropriate about it?"

Weren't they both men? It should have been the same no matter who they stayed with.

Hearing this, Ivy whispered something into her girlfriend's ear. Annie suddenly understood, but the younger cousin of Ivy's boss did not approve of the two being together?

Xin Chun's face reddened. He turned to look at Owen and hesitated. "How about..."

"There's nothing inappropriate about it," Owen said. "We've stayed together plenty of times, haven't we? Even if we're in the same bed, I won't do anything without your consent. Trust me."

For the last few words, Owen leaned close and murmured into Xin Chun's ear, successfully making his cheeks flush even more.

Then Owen swept William with a glance. William swallowed and retreated in defeat.

Ivy said, "Then we'll head up first. See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow." Xin Chun waved.

Before long, William had finished checking in.

"Let's go up too," Xin Chun said to Owen.

The two walked ahead, while William followed behind with his head hanging low. When he happened to look up, he saw that Xin Chun had somehow fallen a step behind Owen and was turning back to look at him.

When Xin Chun met William's gaze, he curled his lips into a smile. Then he pressed his index and middle fingers together and drew them across his throat.

William: Was he threatening me?!

"You..."

Owen turned around at the sound.

Xin Chun looked confused and innocent. "What's wrong with me?"

William choked on his frustration.

"What is it?" Owen asked.

Xin Chun shook his head. "I don't know. I just turned around to see whether William was keeping up. He isn't staying with us, and it's cold here. William, make sure you keep the blankets over you when you sleep tonight. Don't catch a cold."

"..."

This hotel had more of a guesthouse style, with wooden courtyards and an R Country aesthetic. The painted decorations and plants were arranged just right.

Xin Chun and Owen's room was expensive and luxurious, with its own hot spring, so they did not need to go outside to soak. But today, Xin Chun had no energy left to enjoy a hot spring.

He was exhausted and only wanted to lie down and sleep.

After entering the room, Xin Chun took off his coat and collapsed onto the sofa, as though he were about to flatten himself into a pancake.

Owen briefly organized their luggage, then walked over to the sofa and bent down. "Go take a shower?"

Xin Chun opened his eyes and muttered, "I'm so tired."

Owen curled his lips. "Then shall I wash you?"

Xin Chun's ears reddened. Seemingly recalling some restricted images, he abruptly sat up and pushed Owen. "No need. I'll go shower right now."

Owen straightened with the force of the push and stepped aside. "All right. Go on, then."

Xin Chun shuffled into the bathroom in his slippers. When he took off his shirt, he suddenly realized that he had not brought in his pajamas or underwear.

He turned to open the door and go back out, but Xin Chun paused. Glancing at himself in the mirror, he saw fair skin, rounded shoulders, tempting collarbones, and an even more eye-catching chest and lower back.

Looking this good, why bother wearing pajamas for the time being? Xin Chun's eyes curved as he undid his pants button...

The sound of running water filled the room for a while before fading away. Xin Chun opened the bathroom door and walked out. He wore only a bath towel around his lower body; his upper body was bare, his skin faintly pink and gleaming with moisture.

Perhaps from being steamed by the heat, Xin Chun's cheeks were noticeably flushed. His expression was shy and embarrassed, his hand lifting and falling again as though he did not know what to do.

The moment he came out, Owen's gaze never left him again. His dark green eyes involuntarily deepened.

"I, I forgot to bring my pajamas in," Xin Chun said, lowering his lashes.

"I've already laid out your clothes," Owen said. "They're on the bed."

"Mm." Xin Chun walked over to the bed. His pajamas had been folded and placed neatly on the bedding, with his underwear laid on top.

Owen had noticed that Xin Chun had not taken any clothes into the bathroom, yet the clothes had still been placed on the bed...

The corner of Xin Chun's mouth lifted in an imperceptible curve. He reached out, picked up his underwear, and slipped both legs into it beneath the bath towel.

Just as he was about to put on his pajamas, Owen came up behind him. His palm settled on Xin Chun's waist, and with a light movement of his fingers, the bath towel was pulled away. It suddenly slid down Xin Chun's body and fell onto the carpet, covering the tops of his feet.

Xin Chun licked his lips, his throat bobbing.

Owen pressed close against his back. Xin Chun could feel the contact of their different temperatures, like pouring oil onto a blazing fire, so easily capable of spiraling out of control. Breath brushed past his ear as a deep voice slipped into it—

"I'll help you put them on."

Owen's palm slid up from his waist to his shoulders, his palm landing on one rounded shoulder like a hunter pinning down prey, his fingers tightening slightly.