Perhaps due to the mint in his drink, Su Pu’s lips felt soft and cool.
It gave the illusion of kissing through a dream.
A dream that split at a touch, yet lingered endlessly in memory.
Afterward, Li Jichuan, guilty of his own mischief, dared not look at the little mute.
Luckily, Su Pu’s drunkenness made him cooperative in his own way—his head nodded slowly onto Li Jichuan’s shoulder, finally settling in long-term reliance.
Li Jichuan’s breathing steadied, but his thoughts remained trapped in that kiss.
The feel of Su Pu’s lips was intoxicating, like a tempting, delicious poison.
Knowing he shouldn’t, yet secretly hoping for just one more touch…
After all, he was already a “bad guy,” taking advantage—what more harm could come?
Such thoughts slowly clouded Li Jichuan’s reason.
Perhaps any trace of morality vanished when facing Su Pu.
He could be a hypocritical villain in front of him.
With that in mind, Li Jichuan held Su Pu’s shoulders, bringing him to face him.
Dizzy, Su Pu opened his eyes—ahh, husband again!
Waking up to see Li Jichuan felt like heaven.
Li Jichuan had always been his guardian, long ago and still today.
Su Pu’s lips curled, welcoming his guardian home.
Looking at the one he loved, his deer-like eyes sparkled in the lamplight.
Those clear eyes disrupted Li Jichuan’s resolve.
He looked away briefly, reminding himself of his ultimate goal.
“Cough… um, Su Pu, another speed bump…”
“Mr. Li—”
A voice came from the front seat:
“We’ve arrived!”
The spellbinding tension of the back seat burst like a bubble.
Li Jichuan glanced up.
Yes, they were at the basement of his apartment.
Finally…
Damn, why wasn’t his home on Mount Everest?
The driver, with limited vision, couldn’t perceive the “speed bump,” but knew when to vanish.
He quickly opened the door, retrieved Li Jichuan’s wheelchair from the trunk, and stood aside, waiting.
Li Jichuan, restless, had no outlet for his emotions—so he angrily carried Su Pu onto his lap and headed inside.
The household staff, crowded together watching a drama, awaited the couple’s return.
Hearing the door, they came forward, finding the little mute flushed, draped over Li Jichuan, weak and unable even to change shoes.
Quickly, the nimble staff lifted Su Pu to help him change clothes.
Li Jichuan rubbed his forehead—tonight, as always, left him unsatisfied.
“Xiao Chuan, go shower first,” Uncle Wang guided his wheelchair inside. “Xiao Pu’s drunk antics will last a while…”
Su Pu, normally obedient, resisted when drunk. The last time they helped him change into pajamas, two staff were exhausted.
Indeed, as Li Jichuan entered the master bedroom, Su Pu had just “escaped,” half his pajama sleeve dangling as he sulked on the floor.
Li Jichuan gazed at the pale back, heat rising in his eyes.
Though sober, he felt intoxicated.
Grabbing the pajamas, entering the shower, the outside remained noisy.
Since Su Pu moved in, the house felt livelier, warmer.
Li Jichuan listened to the commotion and sighed silently.
For the first time, he locked his shower door—fearing the little mute might barge in like when they first met.
If he were to stumble across it, it wouldn’t be just his naked body on display.
There were also the secret, blazing desires he’d never admit.
Steam rose from the cascading hot water, blanketing the shower in a misty haze.
Li Jichuan stared at the contorted figure before him, finally closing his eyes with a deep exhale, using more effort than usual this time.
Outside, the noise completely masked the sounds of splashing water. By the time Li Jichuan sighed again, the hallway had returned to quiet.
After a long, thorough shower, Li Jichuan changed into pajamas and returned to the bedroom.
The little mute was already curled up, asleep.
By the faint light at his side of the bed, Li Jichuan noticed the creased brow of his companion.
Having a nightmare again?
In recent days, he had noticed Su Pu’s nightmares had become less frequent.
Li Jichuan, weary, lay down, turned off the light, and silently waited for the little mute to crawl onto him.
Yet, after a long wait, Su Pu didn’t move.
Just as Li Jichuan reached to turn on the light, the bedside lamp near Su Pu flicked on.
Awake?
Li Jichuan didn’t open his eyes, pretending to sleep.
He heard Su Pu leave the bed, footsteps tapping along the hallway.
Where was he going?
Not long after, the steps returned, stopping by his bed.
…What’s going on?
Li Jichuan finally opened his eyes slowly. His gaze fell on a flower sword, hovering just inches from his chest.
“What are you doing?”
He propped himself up with his arms, leaning against the headboard.
“Su Pu, attempting to murder your husband?”
Honestly, Li Jichuan never doubted Su Pu would harm him—he had seen the pure goodness in this person’s soul. He trusted him completely…
But this?
Su Pu held the sword weakly, swaying gently, ensuring it wouldn’t hurt him.
Seeing Li Jichuan awake, his frustration and anxiety spilled over. He tossed the sword aside, slumping to the carpet in defeat.
Didn’t you say moving forward was a way of protecting myself?
I actively shared my feelings with you, so why do I feel even more uneasy?
Why can Su Hui approach you? Why do so many people need your attention?
Why can’t I, naturally, claim your focus?
Why do I always feel unworthy, like I’m wasting your time, whenever I’m with you…
Su Pu exhaled, suddenly feeling a flush of heat.
Layers of sweat formed on his forehead. He wiped them away, only for more to appear moments later.
It was unbearably hot.
Dizzy, he fumbled with the buttons of his pajamas. His weakened hands made it difficult.
“Su Pu, what are you doing?” Li Jichuan noticed something was wrong, grabbing his hand.
Su Pu stubbornly pulled away, returning to the buttons.
“…Su Pu.”
Li Jichuan’s voice held a hint of helplessness. Then, suddenly, Su Pu felt his shoulders lighten.
Someone lifted him under the arms and placed him on the bed.
“Su Pu, I’m sorry… I didn’t realize standing you up would affect you so much…”
Li Jichuan felt a pang of guilt, concern threading through him.
“Let’s not take our clothes off, okay? It’s getting cold these days; sleeping without clothes might make you sick.”
Su Pu furrowed his brow, tears brimming.
Seeing him like this, Li Jichuan’s heart ached.
“Don’t like this pajamas? Tell me which one you want—I’ll get it for you, okay?”
After a pause, Su Pu slowly reached for Li Jichuan’s pajama sleeve.
“?”
Li Jichuan blinked in surprise. “You mean… you want to wear mine?”
Su Pu nodded heavily.
After a brief hesitation, Li Jichuan quickly removed his pajamas and helped Su Pu into them.
“All better now?”
Su Pu nodded, his head heavy, slowly sinking…
Finally resting against Li Jichuan’s chest.
The little mute fell asleep soundly.
Li Jichuan willingly became a human mattress.
After a long while, a quiet laugh echoed through the bedroom.
Li Jichuan… willingly letting the little mute steal his pajamas and acting as a mattress?
Since when did he become so easy to persuade?