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Catherine and William won the match in the end.

The two of them were puzzled. "Why did you catch so little prey?"

Xin Chun said, "They probably all ran over to your side."

After Catherine left the estate, William also said goodbye. There were things he needed to fight for himself; no matter the outcome, at least he would have no regrets.

Xin Chun and Owen then set a date to return home.

Marcus had no objection to this. Duan Wei, however, sought Xin Chun out for another talk.

"What do you want?" Xin Chun frowned.

Duan Wei said, "Do you really intend to keep going on like this?"

Xin Chun raised a brow. "What else should I do? Stop hiding our relationship and explain everything clearly to Marcus?"

"If you want to tell him, go ahead. I won't stop you."

Duan Wei said, "You know I won't tell him."

Since she had not told Marcus from the beginning that she had once had a child, how could she possibly tell him now?

What was more, Duan Wei did not dare gamble on whether, once Marcus learned that Xin Chun was her son, he would divorce her for Owen's sake and for the family's reputation.

Marcus no longer had any feelings for her. Duan Wei knew that much.

Xin Chun said, "So what exactly did you stop me to talk about?"

Duan Wei said, "I want you to promise me that even if Owen learns about this, he won't tell Marcus."

"Sorry, I can't promise that." Xin Chun did not hesitate.

She was still as selfish as ever, thinking only of herself.

Fortunately, Xin Chun no longer had any expectations to be disappointed by. Duan Wei truly felt like a stranger to him now.

He turned to leave.

Duan Wei grabbed his arm. "Xin Chun..."

Before he could say the words "Let go," Owen happened to appear nearby. Seeing their posture, he frowned and walked over.

"What's going on?"

Duan Wei released him. "Nothing. I was just thinking that Xin Chun is returning to Hua Country, so I wanted to talk with him for a while. You know, I haven't gone back in a long time."

Xin Chun neither confirmed nor denied it, saying nothing.

He went to Owen's side and clasped his hand tightly. "Let's go back."

Owen nodded and glanced at Duan Wei.

Back in their room, Xin Chun began packing. "Aren't you going to ask what your stepmother and I were talking about just now?"

Owen's tone was calm. "Weren't you talking about your hometown?"

"No." Xin Chun looked up. "How many years has she been here? How many times has she mentioned wanting to return home? If she really missed it, would talking to me for a little while be enough?"

Though Owen and Duan Wei had lived together for quite some time, they were not close, like strangers who were somewhat familiar with each other.

But Duan Wei and Xin Chun...

Owen walked over to Xin Chun, who stood up.

"Do you want to tell me?"

Xin Chun blinked. "If I don't want to, can I choose not to?"

Owen said, "You can. That's your freedom. I won't force you to mention it, but there's one thing..."

"What?" Xin Chun asked.

Owen's dark green eyes fixed on Xin Chun. "You will belong to me forever."

Xin Chun felt as if he were about to be drawn in. His voice was soft but solemn. "Yes, I will, Owen."

In the end, Xin Chun did not tell him. He thought it was not the right time to bring it up, and Owen did not ask again.

Not long afterward, the two flew back home.

Holding Handsome Star's leash, they returned to their home in S City. Xin Chun found time to have all the photos taken in Y Country developed.

After putting them into an album, he said, "When we have time, let's go back to Jingu Town together."

"I'll move some things back. I want to settle down in S City. Owen, let's buy another house together and live there from now on, okay?"

Owen was adding dog food to Handsome Star's bowl at the time. His hand paused at those words, and he spilled far too much food at once.

The dog immediately lowered his head and started eating.

What Xin Chun meant was no different from saying they would live together until they grew old.

Owen stood up. "Okay."

After deciding, they found time to return to Jingu Town.

No one had returned to the house in a long time. Dust had settled over the furniture, making the place seem deserted. Xin Chun planned to stay the night and leave the next day, so he wanted to do a bit of cleaning.

There were things in the study that held memories of him and his grandfather. He wanted to pack all of them and take them away.

There were photographs stored in the drawers.

Xin Chun withdrew his gaze from the study and said to Owen, "I'm going out to buy a few things. Could you help me pack up the study first?"

Owen naturally agreed.

Xin Chun smiled, kissed Owen on the lips, and said, "I'll be back soon."

Then he went out.

He had nothing to buy. After wandering around outside for a while, Xin Chun headed back home.

When he opened the door, the living room looked exactly as it had when he left. The lights were on, but Owen was nowhere to be seen.

Xin Chun was not surprised. After changing his shoes, he entered the study.

Owen was indeed there. Under the dim yellow light, he sat alone in a chair, clutching two photographs in his hand. No one knew how long he had been looking at them.

Hearing the door open, Owen looked up.

Xin Chun stopped in the doorway.

Owen said, "Duan Wei... is your mother?"

"Yes." Xin Chun heard himself answer in a dry voice.

"You knew about me long ago. You went to Y Country. When did you take this photograph?" Owen asked, raising the photograph in his hand. His face showed no emotion.

Xin Chun said, "I went to Y Country during university."

"When we first met, I recognized you immediately. Owen Williams, you resemble Marcus somewhat, and you share the same surname."

Owen stood and walked toward Xin Chun. "You deliberately wanted me to learn all this and see these two photographs, didn't you?"

"Duan Wei abandoned you and married my father. Do you hate her?"