So Li Jichuan knew from the start that it was Su Pu coming—and that he was mute. He had already prepared…
That meant last night, when Li Jichuan saw him, he wasn’t completely disappointed… right?
Su Pu blinked slowly, still in disbelief.
So… it didn’t matter that he was mute?
Could Li Jichuan really be willing to let their first marriage start this way?
“What’s wrong? Why did your little face go so stiff? Did we say something to upset you?” Man Tian, ever perceptive, noticed his change first.
Su Pu shook his head lightly.
Since Li Jichuan accepted him just as he was, he wanted to be even better for him—bringing him joy and convenience, so that years later, when Li Jichuan remembered their marriage, it wouldn’t feel bitter or worthless…
He sat back down, obediently scooping a spoonful of congee and popping it into his mouth, giving Man Tian and Changchang a thumbs-up.
Delicious!
The little mute boy expressed his praise with a sweet smile.
Man Tian immediately puffed out her chest. “I made that! Thank you for the compliment, madam!”
“Then try the buns I made—filled with fresh meat and chicken broth,” Changchang eagerly pushed a steaming bun toward him.
Su Pu was already full, but he bit into a bun anyway, smiling and giving another thumbs-up.
This one’s really good too!
Changchang felt vindicated, straightened the apron around his waist, and shot a teasing glance at Man Tian.
Uncle Wang snorted softly, then patted Su Pu’s head. “Eat up. Lunch will be here before you know it…”
Hearing that, Su Pu immediately rubbed his stomach, signaling that he was already full.
“But tonight, Mr. Li will ask you to go home with him to see his grandfather. The old man isn’t feeling well and probably won’t eat much. Your dinner might be delayed quite a bit…”
Uncle Wang looked a little troubled.
It was just being hungry—Su Pu didn’t mind at all. His attention was elsewhere.
【Tonight, I’m going to see Mr. Li’s grandfather? What time?】
Uncle Wang estimated, “After Mr. Li gets off work—probably after seven.”
Su Pu felt his anxieties settle into his stomach. He exhaled.
Good. After seven. He got off work at five, so he’d have time to go back to his rental, change clothes…
The first meeting with the in-laws—he should dress appropriately.
Su Pu started work at one in the afternoon. After breakfast, he tidied up the bedroom, slung his small bag over his shoulder, and headed to work.
The sun was bright, and the world seemed to shimmer. Standing at the bus stop, Su Pu secretly curled the corners of his mouth. Marrying Li Jichuan was truly wonderful!
Even better, the bus ride from Li Jichuan’s apartment to the café where he worked took only twenty minutes—more convenient than his old rental.
He tried not to show his excitement too openly, afraid that the nightmares might return, so he mentally rehearsed the evening’s plan.
After work, he would rush home, change into his newest, nicest clothes, polish his shoes, then splurge on a taxi back to Li Jichuan’s apartment to wait for him.
When meeting the grandfather, he wanted to act affectionate enough to reassure the old man that his grandson had truly found happiness.
Remembering something, Su Pu lowered his head and enlarged the text on his phone to the maximum.
Uncle Wang already struggled with his own vision; the grandfather’s must be even worse. He decided not to reduce the font size—he couldn’t let Uncle Wang squint every time they communicated.
When the bus stopped, Su Pu hopped off lightly.
He realized that from waking up this morning until now, he hadn’t recalled any unpleasant memories or heard a single scolding.
Mr. Li really did have some kind of magic, didn’t he?
The little mute boy held back a smile, gripped the straps of his bag tightly, and strode toward the café.
During lunch rush, the café’s back-of-house was in full swing.
After changing into his uniform, Su Pu got to work. In ninety minutes, he produced 107 drinks, leaving his neck stiff and calves swollen.
Once the rush ended, he rinsed the cleaning cloths in the utility area. Before afternoon tea, he still had time to clean equipment and restock the fridge.
“Hey, Su, busy, huh? Run a delivery for me?”
The assistant manager leaned in. “It’s close—just to the top floor. We’re about to do a collaboration, and headquarters is taking it seriously. I need to train everyone on the service protocol again.”
Delivery? Su Pu’s cloth-rinsing motion slowed.
Being a mute made employment difficult, so he cherished this job. Each month he earned the “Diligent Star” award.
He could make as many drinks as needed, clean the whole café, anything—but please, not deliveries…
Especially to the top floor.
Last week, he had delivered a specialty washed-coffee order there. The process was complicated.
He rushed to complete it, only to be berated by a man in a light-colored suit upon arrival, scolded for taking too long.
“If the beans weren’t out, would I have ordered from a fast-food brand? Fast food is supposed to be fast! My boss was already in the car when you arrived. Why are you dragging your feet?”
Su Pu, sweating profusely, typed shakily:
【I’m really sorry. The delay was on us. This order will be free, we truly apologize.】
But the man was relentless, folding his arms and slamming the coffee on the counter.
“Just waiving the charge? Our CEO is counting on this one cup to stay alert for a major meeting. If he loses focus and makes mistakes, are you going to take responsibility?”
Some of the employees present couldn’t watch in silence. They tugged on the man’s sleeve. “Frank, let it go. You placed your order fifteen minutes ago. The delivery wasn’t late.”
“Playing the good guy now? If this coffee came from a shop five kilometers away, it’d be fine. But it’s downstairs. Fifteen minutes—even up the stairs—you should’ve made it, right?”
Su Pu felt frustrated inside. Preparing specialty coffee took longer than usual, and the system already had alerts set up.
Frank’s glare at Su Pu only grew hotter. He jabbed a finger at Su Pu’s nose, scolding, “What’s your problem? Just because you’re a mute, you think the whole world has to bend for you? Am I your father or what?”
With that, he shoved Su Pu hard, making him stumble and nearly fall.
Su Pu’s eyes reddened, but he swallowed his pride and kept bowing repeatedly, trying to apologize.
“Don’t think we have to tolerate you unconditionally just because you claim to be part of a disadvantaged group. Who isn’t working hard? And honestly, those disability subsidies you get—aren’t they funded by our taxes? Parasites, the lot of you. I can’t stand people like you…”
“Frank, what are you saying?!” A girl stepped in, hands on her hips, blocking Su Pu. “It’s just a cup of coffee. Even if he doesn’t get it, he won’t die from it. Why bully someone who’s just doing their job?”
“Hiss, who made you the boss, an intern, telling me what to do?”
Seeing someone defend Su Pu, Frank flew into a rage, threatening to summon the café manager.
“I want to see this—a lousy delivery kid thinking they can lecture me. Did they send a mute on purpose just because the order was delayed? Trying to guilt-trip me, huh?”
The chaos ended only when the manager arrived, making Su Pu bow and apologize alongside him.
Later, the manager reassured him. Service jobs exposed you to all kinds of people. Don’t be fooled by the polished office workers—bad tempers and poor character often meant they’d lash out at anyone.
“Probably just thought you were easy to pick on. So next time they order coffee, we won’t deliver it!”
Easy to say, but the manager, being an employee too, had no authority to refuse business for the brand.
Sure enough, another order came from the top floor. Su Pu had no choice but to deliver again.
Returning to the prep area, he picked up the order.
As expected, it was Frank again, ordering the specialty washed coffee. Any careless handling would ruin the beans’ unique flavor and damage the café’s reputation.
Su Pu sighed, tied his apron tightly, washed his hands, and got to work.
Ten minutes later, Su Pu had packed the coffee and dashed toward the top floor.
Access to the rooftop was complicated—security required a full form, then a keycard for the elevator.
This time, Su Pu was smarter. He didn’t go to fill out the form. Instead, he sprinted up the fire escape, climbing straight to the top floor.
Uncle Wang wasn’t exaggerating—Su Pu really was a “little monkey.”
Though small and thin, he had been agile since childhood, probably from running and jumping to escape bigger kids. Practice made perfect.
He climbed thirty flights in one go, then counted—still twenty-one to go.
Catching his breath, he gripped the delivery bag tightly and pushed onward.
Being two minutes faster than last time might reduce the risk of being scolded. The thought made him happy.
Finally, he had climbed fifty floors—just one more to go.
Even Su Pu’s stamina had limits. Sweat soaked the back of his uniform, but he dared not pause.
Turning a corner, he looked up—and froze. A pair of men’s leather shoes appeared in the otherwise empty stairwell, making the little mute jump.
Mouth open, he let out a quiet gasp, losing balance and tipping backward.
Oh no!
It wasn’t the fall that worried him—it was the coffee. Another complaint would be inevitable…
Su Pu’s mind went haywire, but he still clutched the bag to his chest, holding onto a sliver of hope.
And then, the expected tumble never happened.
The next second, a large hand gripped his forearm, pulling him back.
He flew forward like a puppet…
And his nose hit something warm and firm.
When his vision cleared, Su Pu realized he had somehow landed—safely—on the lap of his rescuer.
And, incredibly, his rescuer was none other than his husband.
Li Jichuan.