By nightfall, Li Jichuan finally ran a high fever.
His consciousness was hazy, yet his forehead felt strangely cool.
Someone held his hand, massaging it gently.
Someone kept testing his temperature, taking his ear readings again and again.
Someone wiped him down with a damp towel, letting him feel refreshing even at the worst moments of illness…
Gradually, his consciousness sank deeper.
It felt like falling endlessly from a great height, the wind whistling past his ears. Li Jichuan shivered…
When he opened his eyes again, he was at Yun City Airport, collecting his luggage, a driver waiting at the B2 parking lot.
He dragged his bags into the car, reclining in the seat and dozing lightly.
It was a red-eye flight, arriving at midnight. The driver suggested a shortcut to save time.
Li Jichuan closed his eyes and agreed; all he wanted was to get home and sleep.
The trip had originally been routine—his destination, Yunnan. He had discovered some data discrepancies and applied to review materials at headquarters the next day…
But that smooth, controlled life seemed to end that night.
His healthy legs were broken in that moment.
Late at night, the driver, fatigued, collided with an oncoming car. The vehicle rolled several times before landing in the roadside greenery.
Li Jichuan hung head-down in the deformed cabin, the stench of blood filling his nostrils.
Time passed—minutes, hours, he couldn’t tell.
Someone opened the car door. Blood speckled his eyelashes, and he couldn’t make out if it was a human or a ghost.
It was human.
The person struggled to pull the door open, rescued him, and carried him on their back…
Later, the rescue team found him two kilometers from the accident site.
When he regained consciousness, he couldn’t remember the details—only the shock and grief of losing his ability to walk consumed him, leaving him listless.
But that night’s dream made him think of someone—the young man who had awkwardly rushed into the factory office earlier that day.
Li Jichuan recalled that this person had appeared as a “witness” during the court trial.
He had provided the dashcam footage, showing that the driver, fatigued, collided with the oncoming vehicle. In trying to evade, the car rolled over, causing secondary injuries.
The car had suddenly exploded, taking the driver’s life, while Li Jichuan survived thanks to this “anonymous helper.”
…
Li Jichuan awoke to the scent of food, utterly appetizing.
Seeing him open his eyes, Su Pu dashed over, concern written all over his face.
“I feel much better…”
Li Jichuan moved his shoulders—it really did feel lighter.
Su Pu beamed, pressing his fingers to Li Jichuan’s forehead.
The fever had indeed broken.
“It smells amazing… what is it?” Li Jichuan asked.
Su Pu’s eyes lit up. He dashed out of the bedroom, carrying a plate, and returned.
Dumplings! Dumplings for the sick!
He smiled proudly, presenting them.
Li Jichuan’s mood lifted. “You even made dumplings?”
“Did you eat some earlier this morning?” he asked.
Su Pu just gestured for him to start first, retreating to the living room to handle something else.
Li Jichuan ate two more—so delicious.
With Su Pu here, his appetite had returned!
His phone buzzed on the nightstand. He turned slightly—it was a message from his own phone.
Anderson had sent texts.
“What’s wrong with Su Pu? Early morning, telling me to make dumplings, insisting I borrow the hotel kitchen…”
“Is it a family tradition? Who are the dumplings for? Did you eat them?”
“Aiya, worried him so much, didn’t know if someone broke into his house or what!”
“…You two really do suit each other.”
“Alright, I won’t be able to sleep back in my room either…”
“Honestly, never seen such a noisy mute. Early morning, clanging around like this!”
Li Jichuan laughed hoarsely.
Eat dumplings, get better fast.
The little mute—he had truly taken away Li Jichuan’s illness and brought him back to life.