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"So that day, we only talked about matters related to our field."

She had found it hard to refuse Grandpa Zhao, and when she heard that her blind date was in the same field as her, she came after all. Fortunately, he had not been interested either.

Besides, although her senior was very handsome, he was not Miko's type.

Ivy's expression turned meaningful at that.

Xin Chun had talked until he was thirsty. He took out his water bottle and unscrewed it, but his hand suddenly slipped, and the entire bottle fell to the ground, spilling all the water.

"Ah..." Xin Chun froze, like a silly rabbit whose ears had perked up from surprise. He licked his lips, looking utterly lost.

Then he turned to Owen, his brows and eyes seeming to carry a trace of grievance. "My water is gone, Owen. I'm thirsty. Can I drink yours?"

"If you mind, I can ask Li Ze to lend me some..."

"I don't mind." Owen gazed at Xin Chun, his dark green eyes noticeably deeper than usual. He stood up, his long-fingered hand unable to resist ruffling Xin Chun's hair before he went to get water.

Xin Chun secretly rubbed his fingertips together and bent down to pick up the water bottle.

Before long, Owen returned with water and handed it to Xin Chun.

Xin Chun thanked him.

He gulped it down, clearly parched. Halfway through, he returned the bottle to Owen and smiled sheepishly. "Will you have enough to drink?"

"I will."

"That's good."

The bottle was empty by the end.

They had also gathered enough mushrooms and were preparing to head back the way they came when Miko was startled by an insect that suddenly fell from a tree.

Ever since she was little, she had feared nothing except bugs. No matter their size, as long as one touched her, goosebumps would rise all over her body. And now, this bug had actually landed directly on her shoulder.

Miko immediately let out a shriek, stumbling backward as her hands flailed wildly to swat it away.

But she was unsteady on her feet, and the ground was wet and muddy. Just as she was about to fall, Xin Chun hurried over to support her. Yet his own foot slipped too, and he fell to the ground, scraping the skin of his palm on a dead branch.

"Senior, are you okay?"

Once Miko had steadied herself and the insect had been swatted away, she immediately went to check on Xin Chun. On the verge of tears, she apologized and thanked him over and over.

It was all her fault.

Miko's face was full of guilt.

Xin Chun said, "It's fine. I lost my balance afterward. It wasn't your fault."

"But that was because of me..." Miko wanted to crouch in front of Xin Chun to check his hand, but someone else moved faster than she did.

Owen crouched down and took Xin Chun's hand to inspect it. It was bleeding, with mud and tiny pebbles stuck around the wound. He pulled a dark green checkered handkerchief from his pocket and gently cleaned Xin Chun's hand before wrapping the handkerchief around his palm.

"Come." Owen wanted to help Xin Chun up.

Xin Chun frowned, but when he put force into one leg, he fell back down. "I think I twisted my ankle. I can't get up."

Miko looked even more guilty.

Li Ze said, "What should we do, Mr. Xin? How about I carry you?"

"I'll carry him," Owen said. "Li Ze, take the bags."

"I'll carry the basket," Miko hurriedly said.

Owen turned his back to Xin Chun. With Ivy and Li Ze supporting him, Xin Chun successfully climbed onto Owen's back. He whispered, "Sorry for the trouble, Owen."

"And this handkerchief... I clearly meant to return the previous one to you, but I keep forgetting."

"No rush. You can keep them all," Owen said.

He tightened his arms, lifting Xin Chun higher on his back. If Xin Chun's lips moved just a little closer, they would brush against Owen's ear.

"You want me to keep it?" Xin Chun shifted, his lips seemingly brushing Owen's ear. In that instant, he could feel Owen's steps pause.

Xin Chun acted as though he had noticed nothing, his voice perfectly normal. "I'll wash this handkerchief clean. Next time, come to my place again. I'll make soup for you. How about mushroom soup?"

"Sure." There was a hint of amusement in Owen's voice.

After leaving the forest, Owen drove Xin Chun straight to a clinic.

He had originally wanted to go to the hospital, but Xin Chun said there was no need. He had often come to this clinic with his grandfather and was familiar with the doctor. It was only a sprained ankle, and it would be easy to treat.

"The injury on your hand isn't serious. Wait here. I'll get some medicine." After examining him, the old doctor got up to prepare an ointment.

When he returned, a patient happened to be due for cupping treatment. Xin Chun said, "Please go ahead and get busy. I'm not in a hurry."

"I know how to bandage wounds," Owen said. "Let me do it."

The old doctor glanced at Owen's mixed-race face. "Fine. Apply the ointment thickly, then wrap it with gauze. I'll come back to check his ankle in a while."

The old doctor went to perform the cupping treatment, while Owen lowered his head and treated the wound on Xin Chun's palm.

As he applied the medicine, Xin Chun quietly hissed in pain. Owen's movements became gentler and gentler. When the bandaging was finally done, he naturally lowered his head and kissed the gauze over Xin Chun's palm.

"May you recover soon."

Xin Chun curled his fingers, the tips of his ears turning red. He asked shyly, "Is that a custom in Y Country? I mean, kissing someone after they're injured..."

"It depends on the person," Owen said.

"Oh."

Before Xin Chun could ask more, the old doctor returned. Xin Chun looked up and said, "Owen, could I trouble you to buy me a bag of candy from the little shop next door? Peanut brittle."

"Sure." Owen did not ask why. He stood and left, passing the old doctor on his way.

The old doctor came over to Xin Chun. "Roll up your pant leg. Let Grandpa take a look at your sprained ankle."

"Grandpa, just wrap a layer of gauze around it for me. Please, please."

The old doctor said, "?"

By the time Owen returned with a bag of peanut brittle, Xin Chun's ankle had already been wrapped in gauze.

The old doctor gave Owen a strange look, clearly imagining who knew what, then waved his hand. "The ankle sprain isn't serious either. Rest properly for a few days and it'll be fine. Remember not to let your hand touch water."

"Mm, thank you, Grandpa." Xin Chun had known the old doctor since childhood and had always called him that.