Li Peirong’s survival instinct had been remarkably strong; even when situations turned dire, he had pulled through.
Outside the emergency room, the doctor spoke gently, summarizing the rescue.
“Currently, the patient’s vital signs have stabilized, but he is expected to remain unconscious for a while. Once he wakes, he may experience drowsiness in the near term. Family and caregivers will need to monitor him carefully, and report any changes immediately.”
The doctor paused, turning his gaze toward Li Jichuan.
“At the same time, the family should be prepared for the worst. Honestly, it hasn’t been easy for the patient to make it this far. Given his condition, he must have endured a great deal of pain. Sometimes, letting go can be a kind of relief for him…”
Li Jichuan understood this perfectly. His grandfather had long been willing to bear unimaginable suffering, simply because he couldn’t stop worrying about the younger generation and wanted to see them fulfilled.
This was precisely why Li Jichuan had worked relentlessly over the years, never allowing himself a moment’s slack—he wanted to achieve success quickly, to fulfill every wish of his grandfather, to let him leave this world with peace and a smile.
But even now, what else was his grandfather worrying about?
He was married, his company was stable—what else could be left for concern?
“Doctor,” Li Shuwen finally spoke up, unable to contain herself, “is my father no longer in life-threatening danger?”
The doctor looked at her with mild surprise.
“It’s hard to say; family must continue careful observation.”
“Ah, understood.”
Her tone carried unmasked regret, no pretense at all.
She soon made an excuse, whisking her entourage away, leaving her father unseen.
…
After nearly twenty hours of emergency treatment, Li Peirong seemed physically diminished.
Li Jichuan rubbed his temple, momentarily thinking fatigue was causing hallucinations. But no—time and illness had quietly gnawed at the old man, eroding him, inch by inch, like sand settling at the river’s bottom.
From then on, Li Peirong slept for long stretches, waking only for brief periods each day.
It was a cruel countdown to death. Li Jichuan merely wished to spend every possible moment with his grandfather, staying by his side whenever not at the office.
Su Pu silently filled in for Li Jichuan’s absence; when Li Jichuan was busy with work, Su Pu would sit at the bedside, holding the frail hand of the old man.
Fortunately, Li Peirong gradually regained partial wakefulness, his periods of lucidity extending bit by bit.
Speech was difficult, swallowing even more so.
Whenever awake, Su Pu would massage his hands, easing discomfort.
Li Jichuan would chatter about work progress, occasionally mentioning Su Pu, a subtle smile lifting his eyes.
One time, as Li Jichuan left after visiting, heading to the office, he closed the hospital room door and turned his wheelchair… only to see Su Pu, holding a thermos, dozing on the corridor bench.
The little mute, not wanting to disturb the grandfather-grandson moment, sat outside with headphones on, quietly waiting.
Li Jichuan’s lips curved into a smile. He wheeled closer, silently, taking in the scene.
Days passed; the dark circles under Su Pu’s eyes deepened, his lips paled, yet his eyes remained alert, still containing a shadow beneath long lashes.
Li Jichuan studied him, the dull ache in his head easing a bit at the sight.
How could someone be so extraordinary?
Suddenly, Su Pu’s body tilted, head leaning forward.
Li Jichuan reached out instinctively, palm supporting one side of his face, fingers spread to cover most of it.
Exhausted, Su Pu leaned completely against Li Jichuan’s hand, unaware, and immediately fell into a deeper sleep.
Li Jichuan: …Is this… deliberate?
Like encountering a brazen cat—one glance, and it collapsed at his feet, expecting a favor before rising.
Accepting it, he held Su Pu’s soft face, amusedly observing his “cat-like” behavior.
His tense brows relaxed in the quiet presence of someone beside him.
Su Pu exhaled softly in his sleep—a silent, contented sigh.
Li Jichuan couldn’t help but steal a smile, using his free hand to stroke Su Pu’s hair and gently pinch the back of his neck.
The little “cat” seemed to enjoy it, sleeping even more soundly.
Li Jichuan’s eyes curved, feeling each of Su Pu’s breaths, his mind wandering back to the previous night—their secret late-night meal.
In the darkness, Su Pu’s heartbeat had pounded alongside his own, their breathing intertwining.
The dark heightened every sensation; Li Jichuan realized that Su Pu’s warm breath had brushed his lips.
A kiss lingered, poised on the brink…
Yet, both were hesitant, each with unspoken thoughts, unwilling to cross the line, unwilling to separate—intimate in their shared breaths.
A tap on his wrist pulled Li Jichuan back—a pair of wired headphones had fallen.
So, someone still used wired headphones these days!
Li Jichuan chuckled, picking them up. After a pause, he placed them in his ears.
“Your gentleness… impossible to capture.”
“Growing ever closer, yet never touching.”
Li Jichuan froze—the song…
“Eyes unreadable in this ambiguous gaze.”
“Morning gray and blue, wishing to part, but it’s not too late.”
Why was Su Pu listening to the same song?
His palm shifted, covering Su Pu’s lips—an oddly familiar touch.
It was as if that fateful “first encounter” at the swimming pool’s changing room had returned.
Bang, bang—door panels kicked open.
He reached to cover Su Pu’s mouth, muffling any sound.
But wasn’t that person… Cong Shu?
Though, thinking back, in the entire senior year, he never once heard Cong Shu speak a word.
So… what was really happening?