Their lips and teeth met, sounds of delight echoing throughout the bathroom.
Li Jichuan’s legs had almost fully healed; he no longer needed aids to walk, yet the grab bars in the bathroom remained. They had other uses.
Su Pu was pressed against the wall, his suit soaked, heavy on Li Jichuan’s shoulders.
Tilting his head back, he accepted a torrent of kisses, all the while tugging at their clothing.
Li Jichuan’s breath grew heavy, primal… like a beast restraining itself.
The next second, he was ready to lift his “prey” and leave the shower for more serious matters.
“W-wait.”
Su Pu pushed him back a step, his back meeting the cool tiles, regaining a thread of composure.
“I’ll go first. You stay.”
He reopened the shower; the mist that had begun to dissipate thickened once more.
“Finish your wash, give me… five minutes.”
Li Jichuan laughed helplessly. “What’s the matter, don’t like me?”
He prided himself on cleanliness and personal care. Normally, even in a rush, he would first make himself presentable before touching Su Pu. Who else regularly visited dermatologists for hair management? All to make Su Pu’s experience more comfortable.
Sighing, Li Jichuan squirted a generous amount of body wash into his hand and began scrubbing, fully resigned.
After all, the moment he saw Su Pu tonight, he had already planned how he would peel away his clothes…
If glances had power, Su Pu would have been completely stripped already.
They would make love shamelessly in the center of the dance floor, amidst playful or gentle music.
The thought alone made Li Jichuan burn all over.
He disregarded the “five-minute” promise, boldly pushing open the door, stepping into the dimly lit bedroom.
By then, Su Pu was in the final stages of changing.
Facing the mirror, he carefully pinned a long veil into his short hair.
The veil was long and ethereal, stretching from the wardrobe to the door, reflected in the dressing mirror beside the double bed.
Li Jichuan felt the unfamiliar texture under his feet, looked down, then followed the white veil with his eyes… to a man in a white wedding dress.
His man. His partner. The love of his life.
“This…”
Even the most eloquent of men could find no words at this sight.
Li Jichuan felt a choke at his neck, breath catching, temples pounding.
Hearing the movement, Su Pu turned, not angry at his husband for breaking the promise.
His eyes were full of nervous anticipation, glancing down at the dress.
A garment meant for women, yet here it was on him.
Through work, Su Pu had encountered a wedding photographer who shared an overseas custom-made dress with minor flaws, sold cheaply because the bride was dissatisfied.
The price wasn’t exactly cheap, but Su Pu, resolute, had bought it.
He thought, after a successful proposal, the brave knight should do something to delight his little Princess Li—though unsure if the outfit would work. After all, he was a man, and the dress was designed for women.
Lost in thoughts, Li Jichuan stepped closer.
The anxious question that had haunted Su Pu found its answer with each step he took.
Li Jichuan wore nothing else, but that alone said it all.
…
What Su Pu had kept as a secret surprise—unbeknownst to him—wasn’t over. Months later, more surprises awaited.
By early April, the northern hemisphere embraced spring.
Li Jichuan walked freely; Su Pu still spoke with some difficulty.
Yet the two slightly awkward “bosses” had expanded their branch to southern Yunnan, securing a long-term partnership with a coffee plantation.
The new plantation integrated cultivation, harvesting, processing, roasting, and pre-treatment—forming a complete industry chain, boosting the local economy.
Staff recruitment still prioritized the disabled and marginalized groups, a shared principle of the two bosses.
The opening ceremony required at least one boss present. Pei Zhicheng’s latest work was in final production; only Su Pu could attend.
Unsure of his own courage, he eventually coaxed Li Jichuan to join him.
After landing, they went straight to the coffee plantation. Li Jichuan’s lips curved in a quiet smile, finally understanding why Su Pu had been so busy—it wasn’t all for the proposal.
Little mute boy… no, now a big-time entrepreneur.
Quiet in public, yet capable in investment negotiations. Impressive.
Li Jichuan felt a surge of pride as they entered Su Pu’s coffee estate.
The plantation manager welcomed them warmly, showing them around the fields and factory. He explained that he was the best speaker on the team, chosen as the manager.
To prevent corruption, the manager rotated annually, handing over all data from the previous year within fifteen working days.
Listening, Li Jichuan glanced at Su Pu, with a “this seems familiar” expression.
Su Pu had learned from their past mistakes, consciously avoiding pitfalls Li Jichuan once endured.
All the trees Li Jichuan had planted with heartbreak were now shaded by Su Pu!
Su Pu blushed, tugging Li Jichuan along to the next stop.
The manager led them along a rose-lined path.
“This is the workers’ rest area. Per Mr. Su’s request, a guesthouse is reserved for you, so you can visit anytime…”
Li Jichuan squeezed Su Pu’s hand, still savoring the joy of watching him learn and grow.
Honestly, he wasn’t angry at all—he felt admiration.
The longer they were together, the more Li Jichuan marveled at Su Pu’s vitality: no matter how harsh the environment, no matter the obstacles, he persevered.
Give him a breeze, a chance, and he would soar across the sky.
Su Pu truly lived up to his name, a free, resilient dandelion.
Li Jichuan always felt he was the ground beneath Su Pu—wherever he fell, he would catch him.
No matter how high Su Pu flew, he would always touch the ground—and Li Jichuan would be there with the warmest, firmest embrace…
Suddenly, Li Jichuan stopped, staring ahead, breath forgotten.
Before him lay the object of his deepest longing, the heartache he had never resolved.
“Shall we take a look?”
Su Pu shook their entwined hands, reminding him, “This is my betrothal gift to you. Do you like it?”
Tears blurred Li Jichuan’s vision, washing it in fleeting clarity before a new wave overtook him.
He stood rigid, sobbing twice, then broke into full-blown tears.
To make up for past regrets, he had created a game—a virtual dreamscape.
Now, before him stood the very house of his memories: the home he shared with his parents, later demolished into ruins.
Su Pu had rebuilt it with his own hands.
Same structure, same colors, same brick walls, same orientation—even the golden roses in the yard were identical.
Li Jichuan’s smile was salty with tears as he stepped forward.
Leaving his footprints in the soft soil.
Here, his grandfather met his grandmother, his father met his mother, and beside him stood the one who understood him best, loved him most.
The spring rain of southern Yunnan suddenly poured down, fine and dense, drumming on their heads.
Su Pu grabbed Li Jichuan’s hand, running toward their new home to take shelter.
By the time they reached the corridor, both were drenched, looking utterly bedraggled.
Yet Li Jichuan laughed, standing in place, enjoying the rain alongside Su Pu.
“Xiao Pu…”
He tilted his head, watching the falling droplets, and said softly,
“I feel like Mom and Dad have come to see us…
They asked me to tell you that they like you very much.
And I… I like you very much too.
I love you so much.”