The night before the wedding, Su Pu dreamed.
He dreamed of his childhood, of the time he and his mother lived alone.
They stayed in a rented apartment in a somewhat remote area. The old lady downstairs had a loud voice but a soft heart; whenever Su Pu went to watch TV, she would switch to the children’s channel with a stern face.
The old building always smelled faintly of mildew. In winter, snow hung on the walls, filling the room with its scent and an unrelenting chill no blanket could block.
When his mother felt well, she would hold him at the window, observing the leaves of the locust tree, guessing how many birds were in the nest.
The mother bird, sensing their gaze, would spread her wings, covering the nest completely.
Su Pu smiled silently. Zhao Qing mimicked the bird, hugging him tightly, sheltering him.
“No one can see my Xiao Pu…” she murmured.
When she was unwell, she would lie in bed for days, barely eating.
She stared at the bare branches outside. The birds had flown south for winter, leaving the nest empty.
She was angry—why did birds have wings and she didn’t?
Why could birds chirp and her child could not?
She hated the world, everything in it, completely.
Finally, her body gave her release.
It was unclear whether that was good or bad.
After learning of her terminal illness, Zhao Qing became more temperamental. Luckily, she was in the hospital and did not take out all her anger on her frail son.
She still hated the world, all injustices. She named her son “Pu,” wishing him to be free like a dandelion, flying with the wind.
But she, named “Qing,” could not always hold hope, could not always embrace youthful innocence.
Perhaps her name was prophetic—meant for her to die early, guarding the green life she nurtured.
Green… hope…
On her deathbed, Zhao Qing watched her busy child and realized he was still young.
He shouldn’t be here, burdened with such a heavy chain!
In her final moments, she beckoned her crying son:
“Xiao Pu, take good care of yourself.
Xiao Pu, I’m sorry.
Xiao Pu, I left something for you, it’s right…”
The dream was long. Su Pu woke to find he had slept thirteen hours straight.
Even a small wedding required tremendous preparation.
Though he slept so long, he didn’t feel refreshed, but lingered on the dream.
What did his mother’s last words mean?
Was he with her when she passed, or had Su Fengxian always been by her side?
Su Pu’s mind filled with conflicting fragments, impossible to untangle.
In the past, he might have let it go.
But this time, faintly, he felt as if he was deliberately ignoring something very important…
He jumped out of bed, took a deep breath, changed clothes, and rushed straight to the Li Corporation Chairman’s office.
There were some things he needed answers to!
An hour later, Li Jichuan, dressed sharply in a suit, appeared in front of an old building, looking every bit the part.
Su Pu was nervous, holding his hand tightly all the way until they knocked on the door downstairs.
Old Madam Chen’s voice rang out, “Coming!”—followed by the shuffle of footsteps and mumbling, before she finally opened the door.
“Oh, oh, don’t rush me, I’m already—”
Seeing who had come, she slowly lowered her hands, one ear still adorned with a half-worn earring.
“You’re… Xiao Pu?”
Old Madam Chen asked cautiously. “You can… speak now…”
In fact, Su Pu and Zhao Qing had once shared that upstairs apartment, while Old Madam Chen was teaching at the school—strict and formidable, the “Teacher Chen” of her grade.
Later, when Zhao Qing passed away, Su Pu had to pack his things and move to a welfare facility. Old Madam Chen was heartbroken, but too busy to care for a child herself.
Now, seeing again that timid little boy had grown into such a tall, handsome young man—and had someone who loved him deeply—Old Madam Chen choked up several times, clasping his hands and fondly rubbing them.
“Xiao Pu, have you been well all these years?”
Su Pu nodded firmly. “Yes!”
He told her, “I’m getting married!”
“I heard!” Old Madam Chen looked at Li Jichuan, tall and handsome, the chairman of a listed company—it was amazing.
“Oh my, the groom is so handsome too!”
Su Pu rubbed his eyes, his nasal tone thick as he invited her, “Grandma, tomorrow is our wedding, will you come?”
Old Madam Chen nodded repeatedly. “I’ll come, I will, I definitely will!”
“Thank you, Grandma,” Su Pu said, laughing through his tears.
Li Jichuan took a phone call and stepped into the hallway to handle work, leaving Su Pu seated on the sofa, pulled there by Old Madam Chen.
While peeling an apple, she asked,
“Xiao Pu, how come you can speak now? Did you have surgery, or take some medicine?”
She couldn’t hide her curiosity. “These years, how have you been?”
Su Pu thought for a moment, realizing his mind was filled only with happy memories.
A small smile curved his lips as he asked, “Grandma, do you remember the cartoons I watched as a child? Doraemon…”
Old Madam Chen tried to recall, but her memory was faint.
“There was a robot cat in that cartoon, blue, with a round head, a pocket on its belly… it could pull out all sorts of gadgets…”
Old Madam Chen fell silent, waiting for him to continue.
“My past… was like a time machine,” Su Pu said. “I rode that time machine, traversing only the memories that made me happy.”
He continued, “All these years, I haven’t suffered. I met my partner, a wonderful person. We slowly drew close, learning about and loving each other.”
“Oh, and his family loves me too, the household staff love me, my friends love me. Everyone around me has shown me love.”
Su Pu smiled at Old Madam Chen. “Grandma, I’ve been surrounded by love all this way. It was love that brought me here, back to you.”
Rarely sentimental, Old Madam Chen felt tears welling up at his words.
Yes, one must remember happiness to move forward, taking every step steadily!
She patted his hand. “Good child, you’ve done well!”
“From now on, it’ll all be good days, all good days…”
After chatting, Li Jichuan finished his call and rejoined them.
Su Pu formally handed Old Madam Chen an invitation, asking her to attend tomorrow. She accepted wholeheartedly.
As they said goodbye and headed downstairs to the car, Old Madam Chen’s strong voice called out, following them down the hallway:
“Xiao Pu, wait, don’t go yet!”
The elderly woman ran down the stairs, grabbed Su Pu’s wrist, and pressed something into his hand.
It was slightly heavy, wrapped in a soft handkerchief.
He opened it to find a jade bracelet.
“This… your mother left for you. It was in the drawer—you forgot to take it. I only found it while tidying the house. I couldn’t find you all these years!”
Old Madam Chen sniffled. “I thought I’d never have the chance to give it to you.”
Su Pu was stunned, staring at the jade bracelet in his palm.
So his mother really had left him a bracelet. A real jade bracelet. Did she hide it in the nightstand to prevent his father from taking it?
Old Madam Chen nudged him. “Get in the car. Tomorrow is your wedding. Rest early today so you’re full of energy!”
Still puzzled, Su Pu got in the car.
Old Madam Chen looked up at Li Jichuan and nodded vigorously.
Li Jichuan returned the nod. “Thank you, Grandma…”
The next day, the sun shone brightly, the sky clear.
It was as if the gods themselves were blessing the couple.
Su Pu and Li Jichuan’s wedding was held on a lawn, simple yet warm.
The violin played sweetly, and every guest held a single rose, quietly watching Su Pu walk along a petal-strewn path toward his happiness.
Li Jichuan stood at the other end, gazing at his beloved, eyes full of love.
Uncle Wang was their officiant, and even before the ceremony, he was so overcome with emotion he felt dizzy.
Seeing this, the old man grew even more sentimental. He thought, if Old Master Li were here, he’d probably cry even harder.
Finally, the lovers stood facing each other, their hearts full of nothing but each other.
Amid Uncle Wang’s sobs, they exchanged rings, repeated their vows, and smiled throughout.
Their future life would be full of laughter.
Even tears would be tears of happiness.
Today, and every day after.
White doves soared, music played, balloons floated, cheers erupted.
They kissed, professed their love, embraced intimately—just as before and as it would be, in all ordinary days.
This hasty engagement culminated in a love-filled ending, in broad daylight, witnessed by all.
The ceremony concluded—
“Xiao Pu, baby…”
Li Jichuan called from the living room. “Hurry up, we need to catch the plane!”
Su Pu replied, “Mm,” and before their honeymoon, he wanted to do a final check.
Suitcase—ready!
Carry-on bag—ready!
ID… hmm, is it still valid abroad?
A passport might be more useful…
Su Pu opened a drawer to pack his driver’s license just in case.
As he closed it, he noticed a corner of an old phone.
It was one he had used before, then lost sight of after falling ill…
He picked it up curiously. Unexpectedly, the screen lit up—
The phone still had power!
He unlocked it and opened the notes app.
But the contents looked strangely unfamiliar…
His mind stirred as his fingers instinctively scrolled to last year’s New Year:
【Today is New Year’s Day. Xiao Pu has been hospitalized for over half a month, still doesn’t remember who I am…】
【Jan 3: Xiao Pu refused all food from others, only ate what I brought. Likes sweeter dishes, prefers salty for noodles, likes soup noodles over dry noodles.】
【Jan 6: Xiao Pu smiled at me today. When I arrived, he started eating—he seems a little dependent on me.】
【Jan 20: Late from a meeting. Xiao Pu wasn’t happy. Sorry, I’ll come back earlier next time.】
【Feb 2: Talked with the doctor. Doctor advised me to give up. What nonsense—I won’t give up on myself, let alone him. I’ll take him home! Even if untreatable, Xiao Pu will be fine for life!】
【He isn’t sick. He’s not a patient. He’s just too tired!!!!】
【Damn it, leave, all of you leave, Xiao Pu stays】
【It’s New Year. Fireworks. Xiao Pu likes me, kissed my cheek. All worth it】
【Happy New Year to everyone!!!】
【Xiao Pu, take your time. You don’t need to be ‘normal,’ just happy】
【Xiao Pu, aunt was too much, but we ignore her. Don’t be softhearted. You’re on my side, right?】
【Xiao Pu, did you remember something? Your expression this morning seemed different, familiar… Am I imagining it?】
【Don’t rush. Don’t pressure Xiao Pu…】
【Xiao Pu, I love you, love you, love you, love you, love you, love you, love you, love you】
【Was Xiao Pu happy today? I’m happy. Xiao Pu is finally opening his own café!】
【Xiao Pu is a little busy, messages slow, but that’s okay. I have plenty of ways to ‘punish’ you [smirk][bomb]】
【Xiao Pu, I’m so happy today!】
【Xiao Pu, happy today? Your eyes curved when you smiled, I love you so much】
【Café opened, Xiao Pu happy, me happy. Parents happy? Grandpa happy?】
【Su Pu, how cute you are!!!】
【Su Pu, my wife!!!!】
【Xiao Pu, love you, love you, love you, love you】
【Xiao Pu, tomorrow is the wedding. Ready? I’m so nervous…】
【Time machine? Didn’t expect you’d interpret it that way—so cute. I also feel like the past was a time machine. Luckily, we met.】
Su Pu kept scrolling through the notes until he reached the latest entry.
【The wedding went perfectly, and I’m so happy. Xiao Pu, I love you!】
“Xiao Pu… hurry up…”
Outside, Li Jichuan called again, urging him along.
“I’m coming!”
Su Pu closed the phone and dashed out of the room.
The plane took off and landed, the world spinning its cycles, life moving through countless ordinary moments. Yet some people, holding steadfast to their love and convictions, could transform the mundane into something rich, chiseling out endless opportunities.
As the plane lifted from the runway, the push against his back reminded Su Pu that they had left familiar ground behind. But who cared? The greatest treasure life had given him sat beside him, sharing in the anticipation of a new adventure.
Su Pu felt he could now soar and land freely. He could finally be proud of every version of himself from the past. He began to accept himself, to understand himself. He was grateful for all of it—the good, the bad, the smooth paths, the scars, the setbacks.
“Want some champagne?”
Li Jichuan held his glass to Su Pu’s lips. “Just a little, it’ll help you sleep later… Don’t worry, I’ll call you when we land.”
Su Pu smiled. He had no worries, no regrets. Maybe those old scars, the fragmented memories, the irreparable losses—they would always leave marks in his heart. But the person before him was the cure for all that pain.
Su Pu took a sip, interlaced his fingers with Li Jichuan’s, and rested his head on his shoulder, drifting into a deep, peaceful sleep.
May everyone rest well.
May all wishes come true.
May every cherished memory find its echo.
May we land in fertile dreams, in the embrace of love!
—The End of the Main Story. Thank you all!—