Because of that date, Su Pu grew increasingly anxious.
He worried whether his outfit was too casual, then fretted that his hair had grown long and was falling into his eyes, making him look listless.
What did Li Jichuan see when he looked at him?
Su Pu pondered silently, completely ignoring the new customer who had just arrived.
Until the person impatiently tapped the counter, knuckles rattling against the surface with a loud thud-thud.
“Are you deaf?”
“Su Pu, I’m talking to you!”
Hearing his name, Su Pu looked up—and saw the person he disliked most in this world.
Su Hui lifted his chin, scrutinizing Su Pu. “Do you always daydream at work? Aren’t you afraid customers will complain?”
Su Pu snapped out of his daze, narrowing his gaze, but it was just Su Hui, tilting his head expectantly.
“Here, a hand-brewed coffee, to go.”
Su Hui handed him a thermos cup.
After ringing it up and seeing the customer pay, Su Pu grabbed the cup and went to the prep area, turning his back to Su Hui as he began making the coffee.
It was just before afternoon tea—relatively quiet. Ou Yang and another part-time barista had been sent to training, leaving Su Pu alone in the café’s production area.
He had just ground the beans when he heard Su Hui’s voice behind him:
“Oh wow, first day on the job and already going out on an errand with the boss…”
Su Pu froze mid-motion.
Su Hui was interning in the general office; his boss was only one person: Li Jichuan.
So… Su Hui was going to accompany Li Jichuan on an outing?
After a moment of hesitation, Su Pu resumed his work.
It didn’t matter—if it was for work, it was fine.
Besides, Li Jichuan had invited him out tonight, meaning he’d be back at the office before the end of the day.
…Just a work-related outing, nothing more.
He comforted himself. Su Hui was in the general office now—he couldn’t possibly mind every single interaction Li Jichuan had, could he?
He had no right to feel bothered—after all, it was just work.
While waiting, Su Hui fiddled with his phone.
Once Su Pu finished the coffee and poured it into the thermos to hand over, Su Hui was still furrowing his brow, absorbed in his game.
He stood by the counter for a while, holding the thermos in one hand, the phone in the other, before finally heading out, half-distracted.
Fortunately, he didn’t cause any trouble.
Su Pu quietly exhaled.
Su Hui’s arrival left a small shadow over Su Pu’s previously clear sky.
Throughout the rest of the afternoon, Su Pu couldn’t help but recall the hopeful tone in Su Hui’s voice when he mentioned accompanying Li Jichuan.
Awkward, uncomfortable, a warmth in his chest that burned like embers.
Not fatal, but unbearably frustrating.
Since when had he developed such possessiveness over Li Jichuan?
It was as if Li Jichuan belonged to him—and no one else could even think of touching him without permission…
Su Pu clearly felt jealousy.
He was jealous of Su Hui.
Jealous that the other could share time with Li Jichuan, even if only under the guise of work.
He took a deep breath, wondering if he should even share these feelings with Li Jichuan.
Would Li Jichuan think he was scary, clingy, and had no boundaries?
Su Pu didn’t dare dwell further.
“Su, go ahead. I’ll cover the rest of your shift!”
Thankfully, Ou Yang arrived on schedule, relieved him, and allowed him to head to his date.
Grateful, Su Pu quickly removed his apron and went to the staff room to change into his regular clothes.
Fully dressed, backpack on, ready to leave, he glanced at his phone.
A notification showed Li Jichuan had sent a message half an hour earlier.
He hurriedly opened it:
Li Jichuan: 【Sorry, something came up at work. Could you go home first after your shift tonight?】
Su Pu’s heart sank like a stone into the ocean.
Acidic bubbles floated to his eyes during the descent.
The world around him seemed to darken, inch by inch, submerged in water.
He felt the suffocating pressure of falling into the deep sea.
…Should he share this feeling, too?
Su Pu stood frozen for a long while.
Long enough that Ou Yang noticed something was wrong, came to check, and saw him huddled alone, shoulders tense, on the verge of tears.
Even without seeing, Ou Yang could guess what had happened…
He clumsily comforted him:
“Li General’s so busy, it’s hard for him to leave on time… His daily life is way more complicated than ours. He didn’t mean to stand you up, he probably feels sorry too!”
Su Pu didn’t respond, simply nodding.
Ou Yang thought for a moment. “Hey, Su, why don’t we go to a bar tonight?”
“I… I have a friend, it’s his first time going to a bar. I thought if someone comes along, it might give him confidence. Is that okay?”
After a pause, Su Pu finally registered his words and looked at him in surprise.
Ou Yang’s eyes curved in a smile. “You know him too—Pei Zhicheng, the guy we saved at the bar entrance that day!”
“He’s my roommate now!”
At six o’clock in the evening, the three met at the bar entrance.
Pei Zhicheng was fully covered again, wearing warm clothes, a hat, and a mask—leaving only his eyes visible.
Seeing this, Ou Yang didn’t tease him; instead, he patted the top of his head.
“Good, no sunglasses this time.”
“Y-You hid my sunglasses…” Pei Zhicheng mumbled.
Ou Yang shrugged. “But your eyes are so beautiful, people should see them!”
Pei Zhicheng didn’t reply, burying his head deeper in his scarf.
Pei Zhicheng’s social anxiety was severe; he had come to the bar for research for his new work.
[What are you drawing?]
Half an hour inside, Su Pu gradually adjusted, curiosity growing about those around him.
Pei Zhicheng glanced fearfully at his phone, lowered his head, and shifted his iPad toward Su Pu.
The screen showed a crowd, each person with distinct expressions, gestures, and outfits—the variety of life in a bar.
Yet Pei Zhicheng’s skill captured every detail quickly; Su Pu only needed a moment to recognize the subjects.
[You draw so well!] he exclaimed.
Pei Zhicheng buried his face further, gesturing modestly.
“Not at all…”
After a long pause, he slowly said,
“Your coffee… it’s also really good…”
Su Pu took a few seconds, realizing this was a compliment for his drawing.
So cute!
They had come to a quiet bar tonight—no deafening music, just people enjoying a mix of alcohol and light background tunes.
Pei Zhicheng focused on drawing, while Ou Yang and Su Pu silently sipped their drinks.
Su Pu drank cocktails again. He knew they were intoxicating, but he wanted to get drunk…
He wanted alcohol to dull the unpleasant, confusing emotions in his heart.
Otherwise, he truly didn’t know how to process them.
After the third drink, Ou Yang stopped him.
Su Pu, frustrated, scanned the QR code and ordered a fourth…
By the fifth, he noticed the man across from him seemed… different.
Taller, more handsome, dressed in a suit, wearing glasses.
Ohhh, the refined rascal in glasses!
His “XP” spiked!
Su Pu smiled, feeling light, everything feeling weightless.
He wasn’t jealous, angry, or upset.
He was happy—he should be happy!
Yet the handsome man across from him slowly moved closer…
Sliding forward like a ghost.
A ghost…
Su Pu laughed silently, clutching his stomach.
Meanwhile, the young comic artist captured the scene quickly.
Brush strokes flew:
- The wheelchair-bound man glared at Ou Yang, scolding him for letting the little mute drink, leaving Ou Yang speechless.
- Ou Yang stammered an explanation. The wheelchair man grabbed Su Pu’s arm, lifting him onto his lap—effortless 1v2 even from a wheelchair!
- The little mute sat on the man’s lap, curling tightly into his embrace… just like last time.
A kind of “post-drinking exclusive” skin, perhaps?
- The wheelchair man held Su Pu, maneuvering his chair to lead him out of the bar.
Pei Zhicheng quickly finished the final frame, completing his night’s work.
Ou Yang, flustered, came over.
“How’s the drawing?”
Pei Zhicheng thought, then said, “Su Pu… very cute… I want to be friends with Su Pu.”
Ou Yang’s face went pale, hesitating before managing a single word.
“But he’s already married… you don’t stand a chance…”
Pei Zhicheng: ?