Although Xie Sen suspected Maine's gesture was a polite way of saying thank you, his face couldn't help but flush, his heart beating uncontrollably. He turned and went back to the kitchen.
He was a man, and Maine was also a man, so the shameful thought of 'does he like me?' was absolutely impossible!
Xie Sen slapped his face, trying to clear his mind of all the chaotic thoughts. He also thought to himself, I absolutely can't let Maine know he'd even had such a thought. It would be too shameful.
By the time he carried the bowl of fries to the living room, his expression had returned to normal. He placed the fries in front of Maine, "Try it and see if it tastes good."
Maine took a piece and smiled faintly, "Delicious! These are made from potatoes?"
Xie Sen nodded, smiling, "There are two watermelons in the fridge. You can have them for lunch." They were a gift from the watermelon vine he'd exchanged for.
Maine looked at him with a gentle gaze, "Okay."
Xie Sen looked at the sign that indicated his energy had increased by 2 and couldn't help but think, Maine really does love watermelon!
He happily finished breakfast with Maine before heading to work at Gold Medal. It was Saturday, and he'd originally been scheduled to take a day off, but he wasn't sure how long he'd have to stay in the forest. Figuring the longer
he could get off, the better, he'd requested overtime. During his downtime, a colleague called for help. A giant beast had injured its hind leg, but it was being extremely uncooperative. Whenever a caregiver tried to approach it, it would aggressively kick and knock them over.
Xie Sen rushed over to help without hesitation, successfully calming the beast and allowing his colleague to clean and bandage its wound.
The beast's owner gratefully thanked him and left with the contracted beast.
The colleague rubbed his waist and said repeatedly, "Thank you so much. It's a good thing you helped me. Otherwise, even with my strong body, I wouldn't be able to withstand being thrown down all the time. I should have put a carpet on the ground."
Xie Sen smiled and shook his head to indicate that you're welcome. The scene of Maine's thanks in the morning suddenly appeared in his mind. He hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help asking, "Do you have any etiquette for thanking others?"
The colleague blinked: "You want me to give you a red envelope?"
Xie Sen quickly waved his hands: "No, no, don't misunderstand."
The colleague laughed: "Haha, I was just kidding, teasing you. You've helped me so many times, and I don't know you. But what did you mean by asking just now?"
Xie Sen's face became slightly uncomfortable, and he touched his forehead: "Is there any etiquette for kissing someone on the forehead to express gratitude?"
"Oh my god!" his colleague instantly understood what he meant, leaping to his feet and angrily barking, "What kind of etiquette is that? Who's taking advantage of you? Everyone in the department knows you have a boyfriend, and you're using such a lame excuse to take advantage of him? Tell me, and I'll beat him up for you! Yeah, and tell Manager Sun too. He'll fire him for harassing my colleagues!"
Xie Sen was at a loss for words, grabbing hold of his colleague as he was about to head to Sun Mao's office. "Don't be impulsive. No one's taking advantage of me," he lied. "I just saw two customers on the way here. One thanked the other and kissed them on the forehead, and I got curious."
The colleague laughed, "They must be either a couple or a couple." He patted Xie Sen on the shoulder. "Alas, you have a boyfriend, and you did something so bold. How can you still be so innocent? You're really young and inexperienced."
Xie Sen's mouth twitched. How could he not mention that 'bold thing'? Nothing happened at all!
But... he was lost in thought. If it wasn't a matter of thanking someone, why would Maine do that?
"Hey, what are you thinking about? You're blushing!" A colleague nudged him with his shoulder, his face chuckling teasingly.
Xie Sen snapped back to reality. "No, nothing. I'm going to work."
Before leaving work that evening, Xie Sen had taken a leave of absence. When he returned to the apartment, Maine was sitting on the sofa. As soon as Xie Sen saw him, his eyes couldn't help but gravitate to his lips.
So, what did that mean? He... likes me? Pah, what are you imagining!
"What's wrong?" Maine raised an eyebrow when he saw him staring at him in silence.
"Nothing." Xie Sen quickly averted his gaze and headed for the kitchen. "I'm going to make dinner."
"I'm ready and keeping it warm. It's still early, so we can eat later," Maine said.
Xie Sen sat down on the sofa. "What time do we leave tomorrow morning?"
"Meet here at 6:30 and leave at 7:30. The aircraft is fast, so we'll arrive around 9 o'clock."
Xie Sen silently calculated in his mind that the aircraft traveled at about 12 kilometers per minute, about the same speed as a modern airplane.
He thought about what he should bring and suddenly remembered that he didn't have a space backpack!
Stays in the forest were unpredictable, and the climate was unpredictable, so he had to at least bring some clothes. Carrying a backpack wasn't as convenient as wearing small jewelry.
"I forgot to buy a space backpack," he said, unwrapping his bracelet. "Thank goodness the shipping is fast now. I'll buy one now."
"No need," Maine grasped his wrist with his right hand, his left palm flat. "This is for you."
Xie Sen was stunned when he saw the silver ring on his palm. "Why did you give me this?"
"I missed your birthday, so I'm giving you a make-up birthday present," Maine said, pausing. "I love the present you gave me today."
Xie Sen looked at him. "A gift from me?"
"Potato pancakes and potato chips, both." Maine said seriously.
Xie Sen was stunned. These weren't gifts at all; they were just breakfast he'd made for Maine's birthday.
He had never imagined Maine would consider them gifts.
Was it because he'd personally handed them to him and wished him a happy birthday?
Seeing Maine so attentive in giving him a make-up gift touched him deeply. He didn't try to explain that they weren't gifts, but simply decided to give Maine a proper present for her birthday next year.
He smiled. "We didn't know each other on my birthday, so there's no need to make up for the gift. If you're calculating, wouldn't that mean I'd have to make up for it by seventeen?"
Maine pondered for a moment, then said seriously
, "I'll make up for it when we get back from the forest." "No," Xie Sen waved his hand, that shameful thought coming to his mind again. Was he really just treating him like a brother by being so nice? "I was just kidding. Don't make up for it, or I'll have to make up for it."
"You don't have to," Maine said, sliding the ring onto his left pinky. "I'll just give it to you."
Xie Sen's fingers subconsciously curled up, and he felt Maine was even more strange.
He studied Maine's expression and smiled, "How can that be? We're brothers. How can I take advantage of you?" Maine's expression shifted slightly, and their gazes met. Xie Sen's heart skipped a beat. Why did Maine's look make him so uneasy?
He quickly looked away, changing the subject: "Have you informed Long Teng and Bai Jiao of tomorrow's arrangements?"
"I have," Maine gave him a deep look, then stood up. "I'll go get dinner."
Throughout dinner, Xie Sen said little, intentionally or unintentionally avoiding Maine's sight. When Tuantuan returned, he offered it a small piece of watermelon rind, which Tuantuan happily devoured in a corner, not bothering to cling.
Xie Sen felt a headache. There were things he couldn't help but think about, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt that Maine seemed interested in him.
He'd heard someone say before that when a person gets caught up in a thought, even if the thoughts they're imagining are completely false, the subconscious will subconsciously believe them to be true, like self-hypnosis.
He felt sorry for his brother. He'd hypnotized himself into thinking Maine had feelings for him, insulting Maine's genuine brotherly love for him!
"Are you avoiding me?" Xie Sen was washing dishes with a troubled expression when Maine put his arm around his shoulders from behind, gazing at him with a deep gaze.
Xie Sen's face flushed, his eyes evasive. "I'm sorry, I... I'm such a jerk!"
Maine's deep expression froze, completely unprepared for such a question. "Why are you avoiding me?"
"I, I, I..." Xie Sen gritted his teeth, figuring this was even worse. He might as well explain it clearly, then laugh it off and say Maine was pretty and kind to him, which was why he couldn't help but think about it.
He turned around, stiffened his neck, and spoke quickly, "I'm sorry I insulted your brotherly love for me, thinking you had feelings for me, haha..."
He was about to laugh it off to explain himself, saying that speaking out would stop his thoughts, when Maine interrupted him.
"No insult," Maine looked down at him, his eyes deep and focused. "I have feelings for you."
"Huh?" Xie Sen was stunned.
Maine lifted his chin. "I was going to take it slow, but it's just right that you're feeling it. I like you, and I want you to be my partner."
Xie Sen took a sudden step back, bumping into the sink, his expression instantly twisted.
Maine grabbed his waist and pulled him forward. "Be careful," he said, turning him around in that position, switching places. Maine said, "I'll wash it."
He cleaned the dishes with a deft movement, then wiped them clean one by one.
Xie Sen stared at his back, his mind shrieking like a wild woodchuck. He must have just been hallucinating, right? Otherwise, who would react so calmly after confessing their love?
Shouldn't one wait nervously for the other person's response, or at least ask what they think?
Wait! Xie Sen came to his senses. This 'other person' was him!
He had been confessed to by a man, and this man was his good brother! He was still thinking about his best friend's reaction. Wasn't he the one who was truly wrong?
Xie Sen covered his face, forgetting for a moment that he hadn't rinsed off the foam from washing the dishes. It instantly smeared on his face. He quickly blew away the foam with a "Puh" sound.
Maine turned to see him like this and chuckled. Xie Sen blushed and washed his hands and face, muttering to himself, "What are you laughing at? It's all because of you!"
After washing the dishes, they left the kitchen. Maine looked at Xie Sen deeply and said, "I'm not pushing you. Don't hide from me." Then he sat on the sofa to sort out the measuring instruments.
Xie Sen watched for a moment, seeing Maine calmly going about his business. He slapped his head and thought, "What are you being so pretentious about? Just let it be!"
He glanced at Maine. Although he had never considered being in a relationship with a boy, it wasn't a problem for him since it was Maine.
He stopped thinking and went into the bedroom to train the plants.
The next day, Xie Sen was up before six o'clock. He made a large pot of watermelon rind and meat. Just as it was done, Bai Jiao and Long Teng arrived.
Both were dressed in camouflage combat gear and black leather combat boots, matching Xie Sen and Maine's outfits, purchased from the outdoor store Maine had recommended.
Xie Sen treated them to breakfast. Bai Jiao took one bite and found it much better than usual: "What did you add?"
"Watermelon rind," Xie Sen asked.
Long Teng ate his meat, blowing away the hot air, explaining to Bai Jiao, "The rind itself is also incredibly delicious! Crispy and fragrant!"
Xie Sen smiled. Yesterday, he and Maine had only eaten one watermelon; he had put the other in his backpack without telling them, intending to give them a surprise.
After breakfast, the four of them sat around on the sofa. Maine handed each of them a bracelet: "This is a communicator. There is a high probability that there will be no signal in the deep forest. Signals will be ignored within one kilometer. Just in case, there is a strong signal ray on it."
He pressed the button on the communicator as he spoke: "This is a red light, representing a distress signal, and this is a green light, representing a safety signal." He looked at Long Teng with a warning, "Don't press it randomly."
Long Teng glared at him: "I won't press it randomly!" As he spoke, his bracelet suddenly lit up with a beam of extremely penetrating red light. He laughed and said, "Look, this is a red light, I remember it." He quickly turned it off.
Xie Sen and Bai Jiao looked at him helplessly. He repeatedly assured him that there would be no mistakes.
Several people put on the bracelets, and Bai Jiao handed each of them a box of ointment: "I have improved it. The effect is better than before, and the medicinal properties are longer-lasting. You can apply it now."
The four made a series of preparations in Maine's apartment. Not long after, the aircraft that Maine had reserved arrived.