Late autumn brought a new wave of activity to the coffee industry.
In the afternoon, Su Pu had just finished clocking out when the store manager called him into the office.
“We’d like you to represent the company in this year’s Yun City Top Barista Competition.”
Su Pu immediately shook his head.
It wasn’t that he lacked confidence in his skills—it was that this contest also assessed presentation skills.
As a little mute, Su Pu simply couldn’t compete in that area.
Forcing himself to participate would be nothing but self-humiliation and extra burden on the staff.
“The grand prize is fifty thousand,” the manager added.
Su Pu bit his lip, then firmly shook the manager’s hand—
He would go.
…
He threw himself into intense preparation for the competition.
Coincidentally, Li Group was experiencing organizational upheaval—truly a “troublesome autumn”—and Li Jichuan was busier than ever, with overtime becoming the norm.
Sometimes when Li Jichuan returned home, he’d find the kitchen lit, Su Pu still working on perfecting his creations.
Li Jichuan didn’t want to disturb him, so he would wash up and lie in bed, waiting.
Only when the small body finally entered sleep and crawled onto him could Li Jichuan find rest.
Somehow, Su Pu had become his personal sleep aid.
The official contest was the day before the start of winter.
The air had turned chilly, each breath exhaling clouds of white.
Su Pu ate every last bite of the supportive breakfast Man Tian had prepared, took the career talisman Wang Uncle had helped him obtain at the temple, and marched out confidently.
Li Jichuan left a bit later, instructing Wang Uncle not to wait for them to have dinner that evening.
“Huh?” Wang Uncle looked puzzled. “Do you have plans with Su Pu?”
Li Jichuan gave a knowing squint.
“Not yet—but soon.”
Wang Uncle gave a confused look as Li Jichuan wheeled himself out, leisurely.
…
The Yun City National Barista Competition was one of the most prestigious in the industry.
Every year, countless coffee enthusiasts and artisans competed, drawn by a shared passion.
It was Su Pu’s first time, and he was anxious, shrinking into the waiting area and quietly praying.
Ouyang stayed by his side.
“Hey, Su Ge,” Ouyang peeked toward the entrance. “Looks like… President Li is here…”
At the words, Su Pu lifted his head sharply, spotting Li Jichuan in his wheelchair at the entrance, with Anderson accompanying him.
They had come?
Su Pu jogged over just as Li Jichuan finished signing in, picking up a “sponsor” pass to wear around his neck.
“Hi!” He smiled lightly, greeting Su Pu.
Su Pu glanced around, [Why are you here?]
“I’m a heavy coffee enthusiast. Why shouldn’t I be here?” Li Jichuan tilted his head, looking at him. “You’re competing today?”
Su Pu nodded, his nerves still obvious, but he cared about fairness.
[You can’t vote for me!]
Li Jichuan teased, “Why not? Li Group sponsors this event. If I vote for my partner, what’s wrong with that?”
Su Pu’s eyes widened.
[No, it wouldn’t be fair to the other competitors!]
Li Jichuan studied him. Su Pu’s face had thinned—clear evidence of how hard he’d worked preparing for this.
“And if I insisted?”
“Su Pu, with my favor, what do you have to fear?”
…
Summoned to the prep area by the organizers, Su Pu dazedly began gathering his materials from the thermal boxes.
His thoughts still lingered elsewhere.
With Li Jichuan’s favor, what was there to fear?
But did he deserve it?
He had even given a fake bracelet.
Su Pu shook his head, forcing his focus back on his materials.
The whistle blew—Su Pu’s turn.
Since he couldn’t speak, Ouyang conveyed his words.
“We are from L Coffee.”
“Today, our featured coffee is called ‘Flower Soul.’”
The crowd hushed, and the man in the wheelchair suddenly curved his lips into a smile.
“This coffee’s inspiration comes from a barista’s accidental journey—though it was more of an adventure. It was his first time on a plane, his first chance to visit a coffee farm in person, witnessing the journey of a bean from sprout to packaging.”
As Ouyang explained, Su Pu had already completed the initial weighing, grinding, and refining of the coffee beans.
The judges around them began to keenly inhale, catching the faint rose fragrance lingering in the air.
Ouyang continued, “Some things can be conveyed without words.”
“Like scents, like sensory stimuli, like… love…”
“We chose sun-dried Geisha from Yunnan, blended with 30% sun-dried Red Bourbon, to share with you the feeling of waking up to a room full of roses…”
With Ouyang’s gentle narration, the beans’ rose-and-plant aroma fully enveloped the room.
Li Jichuan naturally noticed it.
To be honest, when he had woken that day, Su Pu had already come to terms with the room full of roses.
He hadn’t shown delight—he had simply stared at Li Jichuan’s hand.
Li Jichuan had assumed Su Pu disliked the gesture.
But Su Pu’s feelings weren’t fully revealed until two weeks later.
“We call it ‘Flower Soul,’ not only for the lasting rose notes on your palate, but also for the unforgettable memories associated with roses.”
Ouyang handed out intricately designed tasting cards.
The judges each received cards made from rose petals Su Pu had collected that night—Li Jichuan blinked in disbelief.
So this was how much Su Pu liked…
Liked it enough to preserve the memory in dried petals, reusing them to pave a path of roses for himself…
“This Su Pu… seems to be serious about this.”
At some point, Anderson had appeared beside him, commenting.
Li Jichuan’s gaze darkened.
Some things had already become clear.
“And you?”
Anderson asked Li Jichuan.
“Are you taking this seriously?”
Li Jichuan’s eyes drifted toward Su Pu, competing effortlessly.
Every motion aligned with the fragrance, controlling the machines with skill and grace.
It was as if Su Pu had never left Li Jichuan a choice in the matter.
From that late-night drive, when he had bought out every rose in the shop, Li Jichuan’s heart had already begun to cultivate a field of roses.
Flower Soul carried another meaning:
Some give flowers and get lost in them.
Some receive flowers and never forget.