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

She could not easily refuse Grandpa Zhao, and when she heard that her blind date was in the same field as her, she came over. Fortunately, he did not have that intention either.

Besides, although Senior Brother was very handsome, he was not Miko's type.

At that, Ivy's expression turned meaningful.

Xin Chun grew thirsty from all the talking. 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 bewildered.

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

"If you mind, I'll go borrow some from Li Ze..."

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

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

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

Xin Chun thanked him.

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

"Yes."

"That's good."

The bottle was empty by the end.

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

She had never feared anything else since childhood, only bugs. No matter their size, as long as one touched her, goosebumps would spread all over her body. Let alone now, when this bug had landed directly on her shoulder.

Miko immediately let out a scream, stepping back as she flailed her hands wildly.

But she was unsteady on her feet, and the ground was slippery and muddy. Just as she was about to fall, Xin Chun hurried over to catch her, only for his own foot to slip. He fell to the ground, and a dead branch scraped the skin off his palm.

"Senior Brother, are you okay?"

After Miko steadied herself, the bug had been slapped away. She immediately went to ask about Xin Chun, apologizing and thanking him with tears nearly in her eyes.

It was all her fault.

Miko looked full of self-blame.

Xin Chun said, "I'm fine. I just lost my footing afterward. It's not your fault."

"But it was because of me..." Miko wanted to crouch before 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 took a dark green checkered handkerchief from his pocket and gently cleaned Xin Chun's hand before wrapping the handkerchief around his palm.

"Come on." Owen moved to help Xin Chun up.

But Xin Chun frowned. He forced himself up with one leg, then 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 bag."

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

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

"And this handkerchief... I clearly remembered that I needed to return the previous one to you, but I always forget."

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

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

"Do you want me to put it away?" Xin Chun shifted, his lips seemingly grazing Owen's ear. Instantly, he could feel Owen's steps pause.

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

"Okay." There was a trace of laughter in Owen's voice.

After they left the forest, Owen drove Xin Chun straight to the clinic.

He had originally wanted to go to the hospital, but Xin Chun said it was unnecessary. He had often come to this clinic with his grandfather and was familiar with the doctor. It was only a sprained ankle, easy to treat.

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

When he returned, a patient happened to be due for cupping therapy, so Xin Chun said, "Please attend to them first. 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 remove the cups, while Owen lowered his head and treated the wound on Xin Chun's palm.

As he applied the medicine, Xin Chun made soft hissing sounds of pain. Owen's movements became gentler and gentler. When he finally finished bandaging it, he naturally lowered his head and pressed a kiss onto the gauze around Xin Chun's palm.

"May you recover soon."

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

"It depends on the person," Owen said.

"Oh."

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

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

The old doctor came over to Xin Chun. "Roll up your pant leg. Grandpa will take a look at that 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, apparently imagining something, then waved his hand. "The ankle sprain isn't serious either. Rest properly for a few days and you'll be fine. Remember not to get your hand wet."

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