At the beginning, there’s a small note to check Nan Zhai Yan Yan, but it doesn’t affect the main plot.
Su Pu drifted in and out of sleep, repeatedly woken.
This continued until dawn.
Li Jichuan, all smiles, made the last decision before letting him sleep: canceling today’s afternoon flight.
Return date: undecided.
At least, he wouldn’t leave until Su Pu was fully satisfied…
When love runs deep, endless closeness feels nothing but precious.
Back in Yun City, stepping off the plane, they immediately felt the summer heat envelop them.
Li Jichuan was in the office, handling work. The lawsuit over property misappropriation with Li Shuwen had reached the evidence stage, requiring documentation stretching over twenty years. Three thick volumes had been compiled, leaving Li Jichuan overwhelmed.
At the same time, he was representing the group in suing Li Shuwen for embezzlement and reputational damage, while plotting to remove her allies from the company.
Once certain permissions were obtained, Li Jichuan had even more tasks.
Knock knock—
A head peeked through the door. Li Jichuan smiled without looking up.
“小Pu’s here?”
Su Pu walked in with a coffee for him, smiling, closing the door behind.
“Come here…”
Li Jichuan removed his glasses, rubbing his tense brow, speaking affectionately: “Not busy at your café today?”
Su Pu approached, just setting down the coffee, when Li Jichuan pulled him close, burying his head against his stomach.
“Ugh… I’m exhausted.”
Even the normally tireless work machine knew how to complain when seeing his beloved.
Su Pu smiled lightly, letting him lean, massaging his temples.
Hearing a satisfied sigh, Su Pu grinned, feeling accomplished.
The sensation was like petting a cat.
Once done, Li Jichuan lifted his head, gazing up at Su Pu.
From this angle, Su Pu didn’t appear broad or imposing; his skin was fair, neck slender.
The small Adam’s apple at the center of his neck looked like a candy.
Li Jichuan caressed it, then cupped the back of Su Pu’s neck, bringing his face close.
Su Pu smiled the entire time. Somewhere along the way, his smile had begun lasting from morning wake-up to a slow night sleep.
The kiss ignited, the air-conditioned room now warm.
After a long while, Su Pu stood up again, tidying his disheveled clothes.
His gaze was clearly playful, meeting Li Jichuan’s satisfied eyes. For a few seconds, they shared a knowing look, smiling together.
Seizing the mood, Su Pu began typing.
[I have an idea, but it doesn’t have to happen…]
Li Jichuan chuckled. “Tell me.”
[I want to study at a coffee studio in London for two months… I signed up while visiting last time, didn’t expect to be accepted. Their requirements are strict: barista experience and a Signature drink.]
Su Pu licked his lips, hesitant to push further.
But those doe-like eyes, silently pleading, begged him to say yes.
Any plans of teasing him for advantage evaporated; Li Jichuan’s little schemes collapsed completely.
He sighed and said helplessly, “Go ahead.”
Then he pulled the itinerary out of the drawer. “The flight’s already booked for you.”
Su Pu’s eyes lit up, and he began pacing excitedly around Li Jichuan’s wheelchair.
Why was he so happy?
Why was his husband so amazing?
After circling a couple more times, he suddenly realized something.
[How did you know I wanted to study there?]
Li Jichuan scoffed, chin raised, radiating youthful pride.
“Otherwise, who do you think answered the call for your interview?”
He had been holding it in, waiting for this moment—just to be the superhero in the eyes of the one he loved.
Su Pu’s eyes widened in shock, mouth opening in a silent “wow.”
[You’re amazing!]
[How are you so amazing?!]
The little mute typed rapidly, pouring out admiration and gratitude, of course, along with a flood of love.
[Oh my god, my husband is just too perfect!!!!]
The world’s greatest fan sat in the wheelchair, chest puffed with pride, basking in the cheer reserved for superheroes.
Li Jichuan had countless daily tasks, yet none gave him the sense of accomplishment or gratitude for life like this.
“Hello, I’m Pu’s husband. Apologies—he needs to be quieter than others.”
“He’s an exceptional barista. As his employer and a loyal patron of his work, I can say confidently that there isn’t a better barista in the city.”
“Perhaps it’s fair to say that his career has been his salvation during his lowest points. Even before we officially met, coffee had already saved him once. Later, through various events, coffee—or rather his passion for it—saved him again…”
“He’s an outstanding barista and is preparing to build his personal brand. I believe he can bring fresh ideas and creative sparks to your studio.”
“Also, as his husband, I sincerely want to help him seize this opportunity. I hope he can pursue what he loves with freedom and confidence… please give him this chance.”
“Please…”
The night before departing for London, Li Jichuan guided Su Pu from the head of the bed to the carpet, finally ending in the bathroom.
Su Pu’s knees were swollen.
Tears streaked his face as he drifted to sleep.
Even in his dreams, he sobbed softly.
His reluctance was so intense that he expected to spend the first few days in London suffering from longing.
Yet, as soon as the plane landed, his entire heart had already flown out the window, eager for new experiences.
Life as a coffee apprentice was tight and fulfilling. On the first day, Su Pu tasted over forty different coffee varieties.
That night, dizzy and exhausted, he lay in bed during a video call with Li Jichuan, who thought he’d been whisked off to a party on day one.
Su Pu collapsed into bed, too tired to type, only able to smile foolishly.
He discovered for the first time that drinking too much coffee could actually make one “drunk.”
In the following days, video calls revealed Su Pu looking pale as paper.
Under Li Jichuan’s coaxing, he admitted that excessive caffeine was upsetting his stomach.
After breakfast, he would vomit—everything he ate.
The next evening, Su Pu “found” Li Jichuan waiting at his apartment door, looking travel-worn.
He carried no luggage, only two thermos containers.
Shrugging, he stared straight at Su Pu. After just a week apart, he hadn’t realized how much he’d missed him.
“Man Tian asked me to bring this.”
“Uncle Wang and the others—they all miss you.”
A faint stubble appeared on Li Jichuan’s lips.
“I… missed you too…”
Su Pu’s lips curled into a smile, then tears fell.
Before this person appeared, he had felt neither fatigue nor grievance.
Now, the struggle with jet lag, intense study, language barriers, and general hardship all came flooding at once.
Su Pu cried, kissing Li Jichuan’s lips.
Still soft.
Still prickly.