Chapter 4

After his mother’s passing, Su Pu’s entire life plunged into a never-ending nightmare.

Beyond the recurring bad dreams each night, even when awake and quiet, he suffered from auditory hallucinations.

Sometimes it was a woman’s piercing cries, sometimes harsh reprimands, sometimes the sound of water dripping from the roof onto the floor.

Tick-tock, tick-tock…

They stalked him relentlessly, shadowing him everywhere, leaving no escape.

Even on the rare occasion that Su Pu encountered something joyful, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, a voice would immediately scold him:

“Why are you smiling? What right do you have to be happy?”

The fleeting good mood vanished instantly.

So, if you knew Su Pu, you’d know he wasn’t just a mute boy—he was a persistently unhappy mute boy.

Years of sleep deprivation left faint shadows under his eyes; his thin frame and pale skin made him look like a lonely little ghost, wandering the world in solitude, never finding peace…

Yet, every story has a turning point—

On the first night married to Li Jichuan, Su Pu, who hadn’t slept well for over twenty years, actually slept through the night without a nightmare for the first time.

The sleep was long and soft. At several moments, he even dreamed of lying on a fluffy, fragrant cloud.

The cloud cradled him gently, floating him to a realm where no one knew him, no one judged him.

Su Pu was ecstatic, laughing all night without stopping.

The happiest part: this time, when he smiled, no reprimands sounded in his ears.

No one questioned why he still dared to live, why he hadn’t succeeded, why he hadn’t given his mother a good life.

Until he woke up, the corners of his mouth still curled in a grin.

He had been awakened by his own smile.

Upon waking, Su Pu didn’t get up immediately. The unfamiliar surroundings and his light, energized body made him feel as if he were in another world.

He lay for a while longer before remembering: oh, he had married Li Jichuan on behalf of his brother, had just moved into his house last night, and was now sleeping in his bed.

But—

As Su Pu sat up with a start, he realized he was occupying the very center of the double bed…

Where was Li Jichuan?

The night before, after finishing typing what he wanted to say, he’d set his phone aside and fallen into a deep, sweet sleep, completely unaware of when Li Jichuan had gotten up.

Su Pu scrambled under his pillow for his phone—only to see it was already past ten-thirty!

Oh my god!

The little mute boy rubbed his sleep‑tousled hair and glanced around the bedroom again…

Was this place enchanted or something?

Even his unshakeable internal clock had been defeated!

The whole room was quiet—too quiet. Su Pu couldn’t handle that kind of silence. His past had taught him that calm was only the prelude to another storm.

Before every hysterical episode, his mother would always act strangely normal and gentle. She’d even show concern, buy him new clothes, stroke his hair, and say things like, “It’s okay even if my son can’t speak.”

He’d heard it so many times, he stopped believing it.

It was his own incompetence that kept his mother from living the life she dreamed of. He had ruined the woman who brought him into this world.

Just as Su Pu was about to sink into another waking nightmare, the bedroom door quietly eased open from the outside.

Whoever came in seemed afraid to disturb him, moving slow and soft.

Su Pu first saw a head of graying hair, then a suit jacket, and recognized Uncle Wang, the house steward.

Even after entering, Uncle Wang stayed light on his feet, eyes straight ahead, tiptoeing toward the walk-in closet.

When Su Pu jumped out of bed, the sudden movement startled him. Only then did he dare look toward the bed. As soon as he saw Su Pu awake, a warm smile appeared on his face.

“Mr. Su, you’re up?”

His respect for Su Pu was obvious, and Su Pu treasured it. He nodded hard in response, even giving a shy little smile.

“I’m here to help Xiaochuan—cough, Mr. Li—pick out a tie. He’s meeting an important client later.”

Uncle Wang explained his purpose, then frowned apologetically. “Did I wake you? I’m so sorry…”

Su Pu waved both hands quickly, anxiously clarifying that he’d been awake long before Uncle Wang came in. His hands and feet worked together as he tried to explain.

Uncle Wang got the message and relaxed, smiling again. “Are you uncomfortable with anything here? Need anything? I can prepare it all for you this afternoon.”

Uncomfortable? Not at all!

If there ever came a day when he got kicked out and was allowed only one request, he’d absolutely ask where this bed was bought. How could a bed be this comfortable?

He’d spend everything he had just to buy the same one and finally get a night of real rest.

Utterly satisfied, Su Pu darted his eyes around, then rushed to the bed to grab his phone, fingers tapping rapidly.

【I slept really well. Super comfortable. Thank you, Uncle Wang!】

Uncle Wang squinted at the screen for a while—his presbyopia acting up—then gave a soothed smile.

“Why thank me? I wasn’t the one sleeping next to you…”

Sleeping next to you…

Heat crawled up Su Pu’s cheeks. Thinking of that person, he lowered his head to type again.

【Where’s Mr. Li?】

“He’s already gone to the office. Total workaholic—leaves at eight‑thirty sharp every day.”

Uncle Wang spoke with a familiarity that made it sound like Li Jichuan was a troublesome junior he had to deal with, not a master he served.

Su Pu remembered how Uncle Wang sometimes called him “Xiaochuan.”

Such an affectionate nickname.

Was Li Jichuan always this close with the household staff?

Thinking that he should learn more about his husband, he typed:

【What time did Mr. Li wake up today?】

Uncle Wang thought for a moment. “Hmm, a bit later than usual today. Around six, maybe six‑thirty…”

Su Pu’s eyes widened.

Uncle Wang chuckled at the round, deer‑like stare and added, “Normally he wakes even earlier—does his rehab exercises, eats breakfast, then heads out.”

So disciplined!

He’d assumed people as privileged as Li Jichuan must live more leisurely.

“But he didn’t sleep too well last night,” Uncle Wang went on. “Said he felt tired this morning. Barely touched his breakfast before rushing off…”

His eyes twinkled with amusement. “Even tied his tie wrong. Pretty rare!”

Su Pu’s face instantly flushed deeper. He scratched the back of his neck and smiled sheepishly.

“All right, little beanpole. Finish washing up and come eat breakfast. We didn’t know what you like, so we prepared a lot…”

Uncle Wang ushered him into the bathroom, then went back to look for a tie.

…

Since he worked the afternoon shift today, Su Pu had plenty of time.

After washing up, he changed clothes and went to the dining room, cheerful steps and all.

Turned out Uncle Wang wasn’t exaggerating—there was a lot. The entire table was covered with breakfast dishes of every kind. Su Pu froze.

…How many people was this meant to feed?

The two nutritionists—one man from the north, one woman from the south—stood awkwardly at the table.

“We didn’t know your eating habits,” the woman, Man Tian, explained timidly. “So we made a little of everything…”

“If there’s anything else you want, you can tell us anytime!” she added warmly.

Su Pu had never seen anything like this. His whole life, he was the one serving others. Obeying others.

He hovered beside the table, too nervous to sit. He typed on his phone:

【I really like everything. All of it!】
【I’m not picky, and I don’t avoid anything.】
【You don’t have to make anything special for me. Sorry for causing trouble…】

The male nutritionist, Changchang, waved him off. “Trouble? Not at all. Northern and southern tastes are totally different. Try everything first—tell us what you prefer. Then we’ll know what to prepare for you.”

Su Pu opened his mouth, lowered his head, and typed again.

【Have you eaten yet? Do you want to eat with me?】
【You made too much—I can’t finish it all. It’ll go to waste. Let’s all just eat together…】

Man Tian turned to Changchang. “Is that allowed?”

“No way,” he said firmly. “You’re the young master’s spouse. You don’t need to worry about us.”

Su Pu continued typing:

【I’m not some ‘spouse’… Don’t treat me differently.】
【I really like Mr. Li. I’d love to be like him—getting along well with everyone~】

 

Actually, Su Pu was taking a gamble.

He was betting that Li Jichuan wasn’t as distant and unpredictable as the rumors suggested—instead, he might be a genuinely approachable, easy-to-get-along-with person.

At least, from what Su Pu knew, Li Jichuan possessed a subtle kindness and warmth that most people couldn’t even notice. He was truly an exceptional person.

Sure enough, Changchang and Man Tian studied the messages for a few seconds, their polite expressions gradually softening.

The two of them whispered to each other for a moment, then looked back at Su Pu. “Did… Mr. Li say anything to you?”

Su Pu blinked, smiling innocently.

【I just want to get along with him the way he usually interacts with you. I’m like everyone else—I like Mr. Li.】

It seemed that simple declaration—“I like Mr. Li”—was enough to reassure them. Man Tian plopped down on the chair across from Su Pu, while Changchang ran off to gather all the household staff to come and greet their “madam.”

That’s how Su Pu met Aunt Zhang from housekeeping, Uncle Chang, Little Qin, and the security team—Brother Li and Brother Qian.

Everyone gathered around the table for breakfast.

There was no pressure at all. Su Pu tasted every dish, then realized his preferences leaned toward the sweeter flavors of southern cuisine—even his tomato-and-egg dish had to be sweet.

“That’s right! Tomato-and-egg has to be sweet!” Changchang immediately protested.

Aunt Zhang scowled. “Chang, I’ve tolerated you long enough. Try putting even more sugar in the eggs and see what happens!”

“What’s wrong with sugar? Sweet all the way—I’ve got the madam backing me up!” Brother Qian said.

“Wow, and you have the nerve to let the madam back you up with all those muscles? Weakling!” Man Tian shot back, her face bright red.

Su Pu laughed so hard he could barely stay seated, clutching his stomach, wobbling on the chair.

Seeing this, Changchang quietly pulled a chair under him. “The madam is laughing at you all!”

“Wow, how can the madam do this? Picking on us servants!” Little Qin, who rarely spoke, said.

Su Pu immediately became cautious. He wasn’t laughing at them—he just found their interactions so warm, so funny…

What right did he have to mock anyone?

After a brief tense moment, Man Tian was the first to break the ice, giving Little Qin a hearty punch.

“Stop scaring him! You’re unbelievable!”

Everyone burst into laughter. Uncle Wang gave Su Pu a reassuring glance, telling him to relax.

Su Pu stood there dazed, a question mark plastered across his mind.

Little Qin bowed. “Sorry, madam. We’re used to joking around and didn’t give you time to adjust…”

A few seconds later, Su Pu collected himself and typed:

【Does Mr. Li joke like this too?】

Little Qin looked at his companions, smirked, and said, “Wow, looks like you haven’t fully figured him out yet. Mr. Li is the master of jokes—he often gets us all!”

Su Pu’s eyes were wide with confusion. Li Jichuan and jokes didn’t seem like they belonged in the same sentence. He should be like some transcendent immortal, untouchable by worldly affairs…

He thought for a moment, then typed again, holding his phone up for everyone to see.

【So Mr. Li knew I’d be coming—not Su Hui, but Su Pu… He knew it would be Su Pu marrying him, and he still agreed, right?】

Everyone went silent after reading it.

After a long pause, the usually quiet Uncle Chang finally nodded slowly.

“Well… all we knew was that the person moving in would be you, Su Pu…”

He recalled, “Mr. Li said someone little and mute would be coming into the house, and we should take good care of you.”