Fortunately, Li Jichuan didn’t mind such things at all.
He found it amusing instead, teasing Su Pu a few more times until the little mute turned completely red and twisted away, finally stopping.
After making sure Su Pu’s stomach pain had eased, he turned off the bedside light, and the two of them fell asleep together.
Su Pu thought that marrying the person he loved most would improve his sleep.
That those disturbing nightmares would gradually fade away.
But no. The scars of past pain had become a mark on his soul. No matter how far he went, no matter the circumstances,
they would persist. Linger. Entangle him like a shadow.
In his dream, his mother sat on the sofa of the old house, arms crossed, smiling at him.
Her smile was full of mockery, as if to say: You can’t escape.
“Had fun these past few days?”
His mother hummed.
“Su Pu, how dare you be happy?”
“Dating, too? You’ve got some nerve.”
“What, can’t remember what you’ve done?”
“You think no one knows? Mommy knows everything~”
Her voice was languid, yet like several snakes, it slithered, coiling around his neck.
The pressure grew tighter and tighter…
“Su Pu, you don’t deserve happiness. You’re not meant for it!”
“Do you really think he’d like you? What are you dreaming? Right now, he’s just disabled. Someone that capable—could he stay stuck in that wheelchair forever?”
“When he recovers, people will be all over him immediately. Then he’ll be out every night, sowing his wild oats like your dad… maybe even kick you aside!”
“Why are you being so good to him now? You’re just a discarded soul! You and I may be connected by blood, but you’re wasting yourself on people who don’t even look at you…”
Su Pu shook his head violently.
No, no.
Li Jichuan was different. He was kind, gentle, and all of them were misreading him.
Even if he didn’t like me… even if he didn’t…
Thinking this, the poisonous snake coiled around his neck began to loosen its grip, easing the strangulation.
That’s right, why would Li Jichuan like him?
In this relationship, he was destined not to get what he wanted.
He had always known that.
So… why try?
His breath grew weaker, his vision blurred, even his mother became a horrifying red smear before his eyes.
Hot tears streamed down his cheeks, drip by drip.
Before the world fell into complete darkness, Su Pu remembered a moment—and suddenly began to struggle violently.
No… no!
Li Jichuan did care about him. He helped him out of tight spots, praised his coffee, cheered alongside him for Ouyang.
He even rubbed his stomach.
Li Jichuan was not heartless. No matter the passage of time or the changes in circumstance, he was still as gentle as before.
He hadn’t changed!
Su Pu’s struggles grew stronger. Finally, he tore the poisonous snake from his neck and hurled it far away.
A faint light appeared on the horizon. Su Pu turned and ran toward it.
He had to escape.
He had to get out of this nightmare!
He couldn’t be trapped in it forever!
As he neared the light, Su Pu opened his eyes.
The surroundings were dark; the sound of Li Jichuan’s even breathing filled his ears.
Su Pu steadied himself and reached for his phone.
It wasn’t even five o’clock—still before Li Jichuan’s usual wake-up time.
But Su Pu was already drenched in cold sweat, which continued to trickle down his forehead and spine even as he was fully awake.
He lay there a while longer, then decided to get up early and shower.
After all, he would still have to accompany Li Jichuan for rehabilitation later!
Su Pu hoped that every time Li Jichuan saw him, he would at least be clean and presentable.
So that even when they were apart, Li Jichuan would retain some good impression of him.
Soon, the sound of running water filled the bathroom.
Li Jichuan, still under the covers, slowly opened his eyes.
Su Pu had had a nightmare—a terrifying nightmare.
He had them almost every night, and Li Jichuan had long noticed.
But tonight, Su Pu cried, tears spilling like a broken string onto the pillow.
Li Jichuan couldn’t see them, but he could hear the muffled thuds of tears hitting the pillowcase.
It seemed that tonight, Su Pu’s nightmare was particularly severe…
What was he dreaming about?
Why did Su Pu’s smile always hide such sorrow that couldn’t be ignored?
Li Jichuan let out a long exhale.
Though he knew this little mute wasn’t welcomed by his family, that he endured everything without standing up for himself,
outside of that, how many unspoken pains and burdens did Su Pu carry?
Why were they so heavy—heavy enough that he struggled in nightmares, even climbing onto Li Jichuan while asleep?
At the same time, Li Jichuan realized a harsh truth—
Su Pu had only been living here for a few days, and he was already incapable of sleeping alone.
Li Jichuan lay there, speechless, listening to the persistent sound of water from the bathroom, letting out a helpless sigh.
By 2 p.m., Su Pu clocked in at the coffee shop.
Having slept poorly the night before, he felt slightly listless and foggy-headed.
But when he saw Ouyang, he finally understood what “truly exhausted” meant.
Ouyang, who had just publicly failed at a confession last night, dragged his shattered spirits to work today—like the world had ended!
Ouyang was still an inexperienced college student, unable to hide his feelings. It was the first time Su Pu clearly saw what “broken” looked like on someone’s face.
During a break, Su Pu patted his shoulder to comfort him.
“I know. She handled it gracefully. I was too reckless. Public confessions naturally burden the other person…”
“Don’t blame yourself so much,” Su Pu reassured him.
“Su Ge, I really feel useless…”
Ouyang’s eyes began to redden.
“My feelings caused her so much trouble. Not only am I embarrassed, but Qiu Qiu is too.”
“And then, when I got back to the dorm, I realized the friend you brought along was Li Jichuan, right? The heir of the Li family…”
Su Pu paused, surprised that Li Jichuan came up at such a critical moment.
“I’m always shouting about wanting to get into the Li Group, but when the heir himself sat right in front of me, I completely froze. I really feel so stupid…”
Su Pu didn’t quite know how to comfort him.
Taking a step back, it was already bizarre enough that the heir of the Li conglomerate would show up at A University’s summer football match.
So why did Li Jichuan suddenly agree to come and accompany him?
“Bro, I feel awful. Life just feels so bleak. Is this really how it’s going to be?”
Ouyang suddenly broke down, crouching on the floor, crying uncontrollably.
Su Pu gently patted his head.
Life has many crossroads. This is normal.
No one can stay in a good mood forever. Occasional emotional swings and confusion are understandable, Su Pu thought.
He let Ouyang cry for a while, and by the end of the break, Ouyang had composed himself.
After all, the work still had to get done.
“Bro, thank you,” Ouyang said, wiping his tears, his voice thick with nasal sound.
[Actually, I have something I want to ask for your help with…] Su Pu took the opportunity to suggest.
[If it goes smoothly, it might even help lift your mood a bit—but it will be a little tiring…]
Ouyang sniffled.
“Sure, Su Ge. Forget about whether it’s helping or not, let’s just do it. Your stuff is my stuff!”
Su Pu’s lips twitched.
This really wasn’t his business…
“But Su Ge, as a condition, can you promise me one thing?”
Su Pu looked up at him, puzzled.
Ouyang gave a guilty smile.
“I’m in a bad mood and want to vent. Can you keep me company? Just… watch over me, make sure I don’t drink too much or go bother some girl…”
Su Pu smiled sincerely.
[Of course. I’ll make sure to watch over you—and your phone.]
Another three-hour-long meeting passed.
By the end, Li Jichuan’s mind was still buzzing with data, and a dull headache had started.
Back at the office, his secretary had already prepared his coffee.
Just by looking at the cup, he could tell whose “masterpiece” it was.
Li Jichuan smiled faintly and took a sip of the now lukewarm coffee.
Delicious!
I wonder what Su Pu is doing right now?
Is he standing beneath the tall coffee machine, running around so fast his feet barely touch the floor?
Every time he thought about Su Pu’s workload, Li Jichuan couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity.
It was as if the person working fourteen-hour days wasn’t him at all.
Li Jichuan picked up his phone, wanting to send Su Pu a message, inviting him to ride home together.
But a few nights ago, he’d already told Su Pu that their marriage was just to placate his grandfather.
Would inviting him home now be a burden?
Would it make him think Li Jichuan was too easy to sway…?
Clearly, it was Su Pu who had been relentlessly teasing him first…
At this point, he couldn’t give the wrong signal. He wouldn’t let Su Pu think he’d fall so easily.
Li Jichuan reasoned that maybe the whole family party thing was just a ruse, a trick to lower his guard…
And he wouldn’t fall for it that easily!
He thought this way.
Soon, his phone slid in a call notification.
Li Jichuan answered, “Uncle Wang…”
“Xiaochuan, are you and Mr. Su going out tonight too?”
Li Jichuan’s breath caught. “No.”
“Oh, then Mr. Su probably has plans with someone else. He just sent a message saying he wouldn’t be home for dinner, so don’t prepare his meal…”
“Really,” Li Jichuan adjusted his tie. “Did he say where he was going?”
“Nope. That’s why I thought you two might be on a date, like yesterday.”
Wang’s words carried a subtle implication. Li Jichuan sat upright, a sudden memory flashing through his mind: last night, the room plunged into darkness, and Su Pu had suddenly leaned right in front of him.
Would Su Pu go on dates like that with anyone else?
At that moment, Wang added:
“You know, Mr. Su has been living there for several days, but it seems his family has never come to see him or check in… How is his relationship with them?”
That remark snapped Li Jichuan completely awake. His whole body tensed.
Right, after all, Su Pu had taken the Su family cards and promised to bring him to their family party to help fill the scene.
In the end, all he’d done was take him to a football game.
How had the little mute explained it to his family?
The Su family’s arrogance and domineering reputation were well-known throughout Yun City—wouldn’t they just drag the little mute away to settle scores?
That meant… Su Pu might be in danger right now.
Li Jichuan muttered a few perfunctory words and quickly hung up.
The next second, he immediately dialed Su Pu’s number.
Worrying too much, he wanted to make sure the little mute was safe even though he couldn’t hear his voice.
But after several attempts, no one answered.
Li Jichuan, anxious, maneuvered the wheelchair outside. As the elevator descended, the little mute finally responded.
It was a call.
The moment it connected, the speaker was filled with Ouyang’s heart-wrenching singing.
“The one I love… isn’t my lover…”
Li Jichuan: “…”
“Su Pu, are you listening?”
“If you are, tap the microphone twice.”
His heart pounded violently, but Li Jichuan forced himself to stay calm.
After a moment…
Beep—beep—
Two solid taps came through the receiver, right into Li Jichuan’s chest.
Finally, he relaxed.
His little mute had not been taken by the Su family.
“Why didn’t you answer your phone for so long?!”
Li Jichuan felt a wave of relief, though his tone still carried a hint of reproach.
Su Pu sent a message explaining.
[Ouyang’s in a bad mood. I came with him to the KTV. It was too noisy to hear my phone.]
Li Jichuan finally felt reassured, talking on the phone with a mute.
“Is it because of a breakup that he’s in a bad mood?”
“If yes, tap once. If no, tap twice.”
Tap—
Tap—
Su Pu tapped three times.
Yes and no.
Ouyang wasn’t just upset over a breakup—he was frustrated with himself for not recognizing Li Jichuan, feeling blind to greatness and missing the opportunity right in front of him.
Youth is like that—every little thing feels momentous.
If something goes wrong, it feels like the end of the world.
With more maturity, one realizes it’s not such a big deal. Life is made up of many pieces; a temporary setback doesn’t define the whole.
Both Su Pu and Li Jichuan understood this; Ouyang just needed a little more time…
Li Jichuan smirked on the other end and got into the car.
“Sounds like Ouyang’s having a rough time.”
“Send me the address. I’ll go talk to him…”
Hmm?
Li Jichuan was actually this attentive?
Su Pu murmured to himself, but didn’t doubt it.
If his husband said it, there must be a reason!
He obediently sent the location.
After hanging up, Li Jichuan’s lips curved into a smile.
His driver, who’d been with him for three years, noticed Li Jichuan was smiling far more than usual.
He even fell asleep in the car.
Something he had never seen before!
This marriage really wasn’t so bad.
The driver didn’t comment, just noted the new address and pressed the accelerator…
As they neared the KTV, Su Pu suddenly sent a message.
[Mr. Li, Ouyang dragged me somewhere else again.]
Li Jichuan’s brow arched sharply.
[Where?]
Su Pu sent a new location—not far from the KTV—a bar.
[He insists on making me drink…]
Li Jichuan quickly forwarded the new address to the driver while keeping Su Pu calm.
[I’m on my way. Don’t get drunk.]
The little mute replied, sounding rather proud.
[Don’t worry, I’m pretty good with my drinks!]
Sure enough, when Li Jichuan wheeled the chair into the bar, he saw Ouyang swaying foolishly on the dance floor.
Across from him, Su Pu’s face was flushed, clutching a bottle of alcohol with a silly grin.
Li Jichuan: “…”
This counts as being good with alcohol?
He hadn’t even made it there before they were already tipsy…
Seeing Li Jichuan arrive, Ouyang stopped dancing and wobbled back to their booth.
“Li… Mr. Li…”
“Yesterday… it was, hic, me, failing to recognize greatness…”
Li Jichuan gave him a sidelong glance and let out a cold hum, his gaze inevitably landing on the silly, smiling Su Pu.
How could someone be so cute even when drunk?!
“Mr. Li, why do you keep staring at my Su Ge? I—I’m talking to you…”
Ouyang slouched into the booth, mumbling with slurred words.
“Do you… think I’m capable?”
“Do I… hic… have potential?”
Li Jichuan didn’t even bother looking at him, lazily nodding.
“Yes.”
It’s best not to argue with the drunk if you’re sober.
But Ouyang’s antics weren’t entirely unimpressive either.
Singing with a mute, dancing with a disabled person—he had imagination, that’s for sure.
Li Jichuan looked at the dazed Su Pu and couldn’t help but laugh genuinely.
Life, at times, was absurd, and yet strangely delightful.