Chapter 19

Before long, Jiao Yang met up with Xin Chun and Owen. He was a somewhat skinny young man with delicate features, dressed in a hoodie and pants, with a backpack slung over his shoulders.

"Brother Xin Chun." The moment he saw Xin Chun, Jiao Yang gave him a hug.

Xin Chun hugged him back and patted him. "Long time no see."

Jiao Yang let go. "Long time no see, Brother Xin Chun. How have you been lately?"

"I've been well." Xin Chun then introduced Owen to him.

Xin Chun had told Jiao Yang in advance by message that Owen would be coming too, so Jiao Yang was not surprised to see him. He simply did not understand why the owner of Brother Xin Chun's company had come along.

After getting acquainted, they headed outside the school.

Xin Chun said, "We'll be staying in Y City for two days. After visiting Grandpa's grave, we plan to visit the orphanage."

The Y City Orphanage was where Jiao Yang had grown up. He had chosen to attend university here partly because it was convenient for him to look after the children who had been adopted by the orphanage.

Naturally, Xin Chun would not go to the orphanage empty-handed.

"Thank you, Brother Xin Chun," Jiao Yang said.

He also thanked Xin Chun's boss.

That afternoon, they bought bouquets and went to visit the grave. The sky was slightly overcast. Standing before his grandfather's grave, Xin Chun looked at the kindly smiling old man in the photograph, lowered his eyes, and placed the bouquet down.

Then, bouquets were placed on both sides as well.

Jiao Yang reported his academic results, how he had gotten into his ideal university, and his future goals in life. Once he had finished, he bowed to the tombstone and intended to step aside, leaving Brother Xin Chun some time alone.

But Jiao Yang glanced at Owen and wondered, Why isn't this boss leaving with me?

Xin Chun spoke then. "Owen will stay here with me. Jiao Yang, wait for us a while."

"Okay, Brother Xin Chun." Jiao Yang froze for a moment before leaving first.

Only Xin Chun and Owen remained standing before the grave.

Owen looked at Xin Chun. "I thought you would ask me to leave, like Jiao Yang."

Xin Chun turned his head. "No. You're different, Owen. I need you to stay here."

He reached out and clasped Owen's broad hand, their fingers interlacing.

Owen's eyes widened slightly.

Xin Chun turned back and said softly, "Grandpa, I'm doing very well now."

Heaven had given him another chance, allowing him to hold tightly onto the hands of those by his side and leave no regrets behind.

This time, he saw reality clearly. Only the people by his side mattered most to him. Grandpa, were you protecting me from somewhere beyond? In the life ahead, I would surely be happy.

Xin Chun said only that one sentence and spoke no more.

Owen stood quietly where he was, letting Xin Chun hold his hand tightly, until Xin Chun released him and smiled. "All right, let's go."

They stayed in Y City for one night. The next day, Xin Chun, Owen, and Jiao Yang went to the orphanage.

There were many children at the orphanage, as well as disabled residents. Xin Chun and Owen bought an entire carload of things, all basic daily necessities, along with stationery, books, and more.

After staying for a meal, Xin Chun said goodbye to Jiao Yang. They were going back to S City.

Y City was not too far from S City, and they could easily drive back.

"See you next time, Brother Xin Chun."

"Goodbye."

There was a stretch of mountain road between Y City and S City. By the time they reached it, night had already fallen.

Owen did not drive fast, putting safety first.

Xin Chun checked the time on his phone. It was 8:45. They would reach S City in just over twenty minutes. For some reason, he suddenly recalled that the plane crash in his previous life had happened at around this time too.

He checked the date. It was actually the same day.

What a coincidence.

Xin Chun frowned. A wave of unease suddenly surged up within him, and he turned his head. "Ow—"

Just then, a beam of yellow light shone toward them, flashing into Xin Chun's eyes. He narrowed them for an instant. Then the car suddenly spun, and the sounds around him became chaotic and deafening.

—The screech of brakes, tires scraping against the ground, the oppressive force of a truck barreling toward them...

"Xin Chun!"

The last thing Xin Chun felt was Owen throwing himself over him, shielding him tightly.

Chapter 19

When Xin Chun regained consciousness, he woke up in a hospital. Opening his eyes, he saw Li Ze's face before him.

Li Ze said in delighted surprise, "Mr. Xin, you're awake!"

Xin Chun was dazed for a while before gradually becoming alert, his thoughts beginning to respond. He suddenly tried to sit up, only to accidentally pull at his wound.

"Ah."

Xin Chun looked down at himself. His arm was immobilized and wrapped in bandages. His leg ached faintly, and his arm bore scratches and bruises. They were not serious, but the medicine covering them made them look somewhat frightening.

Li Ze hurriedly supported him. "Mr. Xin, fortunately, your injuries aren't serious. Your arm is fractured, and aside from that, you only have minor scrapes. You'll be fine after a few days of rest..."

"Where's Owen?" Xin Chun grabbed Li Ze with his uninjured arm and asked, "How is he?"

He remembered Owen shielding him tightly before he lost consciousness.

He had only suffered minor injuries, so what about Owen?

Xin Chun did not dare think about it. His lips pressed tightly together, his face pale, his fingertips trembling uncontrollably as they nearly lost their grip on Li Ze's clothes.

Li Ze said, "The boss is still unconscious and hasn't woken up yet, but don't worry, Mr. Xin. His life isn't in danger. He's in another ward."

"I want to see him." Xin Chun would not be at ease until he saw Owen with his own eyes.

"I'll take you there."

"Mm."

Supported by Li Ze, Xin Chun arrived at Owen's ward. William was watching over him inside. When he saw Xin Chun arrive, he stood and gave up his seat.

Seeing Xin Chun's pale face, William said, "The truck driver who hit you was driving while fatigued, but fortunately, he came to his senses at the last moment and turned the steering wheel toward the mountain wall."

"Although the car was damaged, it wasn't too serious. That's why you two were all right."