Extra 2: Past Life

Xin Chun's eyes darkened. It was only natural for Owen to be angry after he had said something like that.

He just... vaguely felt that perhaps he truly could not bear to break up.

After that day, neither of them ever brought up Duan Wei again.

After work, the company went out for dinner and drinks as part of a team-building event. Xin Chun drank quite a lot, and his cheeks turned bright red. Seeing this, Ivy announced that the gathering was over and everyone could head home.

Xin Chun and Owen's relationship was not exactly common knowledge at the company, but quite a few people had noticed. After all, neither of them had deliberately hidden it, and gradually, it stopped being a secret.

So when they walked outside and saw Owen waiting beside the car, no one was particularly surprised.

They exchanged glances. Li Ze and another male colleague, who had been supporting Xin Chun, promptly let go when they saw him. "B-Boss."

They had not done anything. They had merely been helping a friend.

Xin Chun staggered forward two steps and landed right in Owen's arms.

"Go on home. I'll take him back," Owen said, holding Xin Chun tightly.

Xin Chun made a soft sound, lifted his head, blinked as though confused, and mumbled, "Why are you here?"

Ivy said, "All right, Boss. We'll head out first."

Owen's attention was entirely on Xin Chun. He did not know when Ivy, Li Ze, and the others had left. Half dragging and half carrying Xin Chun, he got him into the car.

After fastening his seat belt, he drove away.

Since the dog was at home, Owen drove directly to Xin Chun's place. He took out the key and went inside.

The big Alaskan barked twice. Owen carried Xin Chun into the bedroom and set him on the bed, with the dog following closely behind.

Owen bent down and rubbed the dog's head, then gave it some kibble.

Once the big dog was quietly eating, Owen poured a glass of water and returned to the bedroom.

"Be good. Get up and drink some water." Owen set down the glass and helped Xin Chun sit up.

Xin Chun frowned impatiently and turned his head away, unwilling to drink.

He did not even open his eyes. He lifted a hand to push Owen away, only to be immediately restrained.

Owen held him in one arm, locking him against his chest. Then he picked up the glass with his other hand, tilted his head back and took two mouthfuls, before lowering his head and kissing Xin Chun without hesitation.

Xin Chun's eyes flew open, his lashes trembling.

Water spilled from his mouth and slid down his neck, soaking his collar.

Perhaps the alcohol had gone to his head. After Owen pulled away, Xin Chun wrapped his arms around him and said softly, "I'm still thirsty."

In the darkness, Owen's deep green eyes seemed to conceal two dim flames.

He did not answer, merely picked up the glass again.

Until every drop of water was gone.

Outside the bedroom, Handsome Star finished eating, licked his lips, and glanced toward the bedroom before running to the dog water fountain for a drink.

Full and satisfied, he went to sleep.

But the sounds from the bedroom made the dog's ears twitch from time to time.

By the third stage of the project, a problem had arisen with the medicinal herbs, and Xin Chun needed to return to Jingu Town.

Naturally, Owen had to go with him.

They had not returned for a long time, and a thin layer of dust covered the furniture. They had to clean the place first.

By the time they had finally finished tidying up, it was already noon.

"I'll go out and buy some food. We can eat when I get back," Xin Chun said.

Ivy had called earlier to say that there were documents Owen needed to deal with as soon as possible. There was a computer in the study, so Owen needed to handle work first.

Xin Chun, meanwhile, went out to buy food and pick up some vegetables for dinner.

They might have to stay in Jingu Town for a few days, depending on the project's requirements.

"Okay. I'll wait for you to come back," Owen said.

"Mm." Xin Chun nodded.

After Xin Chun left, Owen went to the study. His fountain pen suddenly ran out of ink, and he could not find any ink on the desk, so he called Xin Chun to ask.

Xin Chun was picking out vegetables while an older woman chattered away beside him. When he heard that Owen was looking for ink, he said, "It might be in the drawer. Look around."

After saying that, he hung up and continued buying vegetables.

Owen searched through the desk drawers first, but there was nothing. Then he stood and walked toward the bookcase...

When Xin Chun returned carrying food and vegetables, he opened the door and saw no one in the living room. Owen was probably still working, so he put everything away and went to the study.

The study door was half-open. When Xin Chun pushed it open, he saw Owen sitting in a chair with his head lowered, his hair slightly disheveled and his expression obscured. His elbows rested on his knees, and he held two photographs in his hands.

They were photographs. Xin Chun knew it in an instant. He abruptly turned to look at the bookcase drawer, which stood open.

Countless images and thoughts flashed through Xin Chun's mind—the drawer held a tin box for storing photographs, which he had taken out before. There were two pictures inside. One was a family photo that included his grandfather, taken when he had still been a child.

The other was taken when he had gone to Y Country: Marcus and Duan Wei—Owen's father and... his mother.

He had not put those two photographs into the tin box. He had left them outside before closing the drawer. Now, Owen had seen them.

"You... saw them." Xin Chun opened his mouth and spoke, but his throat felt unbearably dry.

Owen looked up. "Duan Wei is your mother?"

Xin Chun's heart sank, but his expression remained faint. "Yes. She is."

Those words seemed to unleash Owen's suppressed emotions. His eyes darkened. He stood up and swept the loose strands of hair from his forehead with one hand, his chest visibly rising and falling once.

Then, holding the photographs, Owen slowly walked over to Xin Chun. His voice was low. "You already knew that Duan Wei married my father. You went to Y Country and took this photograph... When did you recognize me?"

"At first, you resembled Marcus. I went back and looked at this photograph, and together with your surname, it wasn't difficult to confirm your identity," Xin Chun said.

Owen stared at him. "Other than that, is there anything else you want to say?"

"As long as you say it, Xin Chun—explain it to me, and I'm willing to believe you."

Owen's meaning could not have been clearer.