The next morning, everything in the Li household was orderly and calm, as usual.
Li Jichuan had finished his morning rehabilitation exercises, taken a shower, changed into a suit, and sat at the dining table feeling refreshed.
Earlier, Man Tian had prepared a bowl of vegetable porridge for Su Pu and served him two freshly steamed buns filled with meat. She only felt at ease after he had eaten, smiling warmly as she sent him off.
Li Jichuan’s breakfast consisted of the leftover buns from the steamer. Seeing that Su Pu’s porridge still had some left, he had Man Tian pour it directly into his own bowl.
She served the porridge and waited, but Li Jichuan didn’t reach for it.
“…Do you want me to give you a new bowl?”
Man Tian hesitated slightly. Didn’t Li Jichuan usually take the bowl from her himself? Since when had he started being picky about Su Pu?
Li Jichuan cleared his throat, casually flicking his wrist.
“I’ve got something on my hand—just haven’t quite adjusted…”
Another nutritionist, who had just brought him a vegetable salad, glanced at him.
“Mr. Li, did you buy a new bracelet?”
“Looks quite suitable on you…”
Though bracelets might seem delicate on a man, Li Jichuan’s almond-shaped eyes, slightly oriental in style, carried a natural, icy elegance.
Wearing the jade bracelet didn’t clash at all; it softened his aura, making it appear warmer and gentler.
“Hmph, I’ve always thought it was special…”
Man Tian, an avid fan of crisp duck novels, immediately imagined a few unspeakable scenarios—
A powerful man wearing a bracelet, exuding dominance… who would he seduce first?
Truly, the first person to give Mr. Li a bracelet should be awarded!
Chang Chang asked, “But didn’t you already have one? And now you bought another?”
Li Jichuan’s eyes lit up. Finally, someone said it straight!
“Ah… Su Pu bought it for me…”
Man Tian and Chang Chang exchanged a meaningful look, both letting out an “Ohhh.”
Normally, if they teased him about Su Pu, Li Jichuan would ignore them or scoff at their silliness.
Now, he nodded solemnly.
“Su Pu won prize money in the competition yesterday… and he spent it all buying this bracelet for me!”
Man Tian finally understood, quickly calling the rest of the household to come admire it.
Everyone gathered around, admiring the bracelet on Li Jichuan’s wrist. He felt immensely proud, tail metaphorically wagging high.
I married the national coffee competition’s runner-up—did you?
My wife bought me a bracelet—do you have one?
Uncle Wang looked at the bracelet, noting its quality, and seemed to understand why the “little monkey” had given it.
He sat back, sipping tea, exchanging a glance with Li Jichuan.
Li Jichuan gave him a slight nod.
Uncle Wang understood. Having been by Li Jichuan’s side all his life, he smiled with satisfaction and nodded gravely.
So, Xiao Chuan, go for it! If you’ve found the person you want to spend your life with, don’t hold back—move forward bravely… Uncle’s got your back!
Man Tian, having indulged in her imagination, asked,
“Where did Su Pu go this morning? He’s not on the schedule until the afternoon.”
Li Jichuan clenched his fists, a little anxious for him.
“Su Pu… is going to see a psychologist for the first time today.”
The cheerful breakfast atmosphere instantly turned solemn. Everyone silently wished that Su Pu would receive professional guidance, find true happiness, and embrace genuine freedom.
…
At nine o’clock, Su Pu arrived at the consultation site.
He had expected a psychologist’s office to be as formal and austere as a hospital.
Unexpectedly, this one was set up inside a café.
Entering “Snail Coffee,” he explained his purpose to the staff. They smiled warmly and asked him to choose a cup of coffee first.
Su Pu selected an espresso. The staff nodded, prepared it at a leisurely pace, and then led him to a private booth named “Espresso.”
The consultant was already inside.
“Hello, Su Pu. My name is Qiu Yuan, but you can call me Amy.”
She extended her hand openly, seemingly having fully reviewed his background beforehand.
After a brief introduction, Qiu Yuan asked, “How would you like us to communicate? We can both type, or I speak and you type, or we can just sit quietly together for a while…”
Su Pu thought for a moment.
[I’ll type, you speak.]
Qiu Yuan nodded and continued naturally, “Why do you want me to speak?”
Su Pu took a deep breath and replied: [I like having someone to talk to.]
Qiu Yuan didn’t press further and nodded in agreement.
There was no need to overanalyze—it wasn’t unusual. Everyone had their own preferences.
Qiu Yuan asked him to share something casually.
Su Pu thought carefully and chose the one thing he most wanted to share.
[I married the person I’ve liked since high school!]
Qiu Yuan blinked and smiled.
“Really? Congratulations!”
[But… he doesn’t remember me.]
[I mean, he doesn’t remember high school me.]
“Then… how does that make you feel?” Qiu Yuan asked.
Su Pu shook his head with a smile.
[Not much. He’s an outstanding, dazzling person. It’s normal that he doesn’t remember me.]
Qiu Yuan shook her head.
“No, being forgotten always feels bad to some extent. Especially by someone you care about.”
“Su Pu, do you want him to remember you?”
Su Pu pondered for a moment and nodded.
He still hoped, after all. That experience remained a shining memory in his mind, giving him the courage to reach where he was today.
Li Jichuan had left such a deep imprint on his life—if he remembered, he would surely feel proud.
“Have you told him?” Qiu Yuan sipped her coffee.
Su Pu also took a sip of his coffee, which tasted good—well-chosen beans, slightly under-roasted, leaving a faint sour note.
He shook his head: [No.]
“Why not?”
[Because I felt it wasn’t important.]
Qiu Yuan smiled and explained:
“What you think and feel is important—not just to your partner, but to yourself as well.”
Su Pu thought for a moment.
[But what if he doesn’t care?]
He had long been used to being transparent.
His family didn’t notice him. His classmates didn’t care.
From a young age, he believed no one paid attention, and his feelings were insignificant.
“Then, tell yourself.”
Qiu Yuan advised him.
“If you worry no one cares, try recording your feelings—say them to yourself.”
“You have to acknowledge yourself first, then others can acknowledge you.”
“If one day you find someone you trust, you can share them. If they don’t accept, so be it. At least you accept them!”
Su Pu was silent for a moment.
It seemed he had already been doing this. His phone’s notes were full of his emotions, mostly negative.
Whenever he suffered or felt wronged, he’d write a few lines.
Perhaps, since long ago, he had been trying to save himself, to give his emotions an outlet.
Qiu Yuan nodded in understanding.
“That shows your heart still longs to be heard, to be seen!”
“Actually, everyone desires to be understood. The key is to first open your own heart…”
Su Pu listened thoughtfully.
Qiu Yuan suggested:
“Think about when you started feeling that your opinions didn’t matter… your feelings weren’t important.
You can even try sharing your feelings with the person you like, even the smallest details. Maybe he really wants to know you too.”
The first session lasted only an hour, just enough to get acquainted—a light exploration.
But Su Pu felt comfortable. Having someone he could safely confide in was already healing.
And Li Jichuan—did he have someone like that in his life?
Su Pu wondered if he could become that person for Li Jichuan.
…
After the consultation, Su Pu took the bus, resuming his routine.
He clocked in at the café, about to change into his uniform when the store manager suddenly appeared, blocking his way.
“Congratulations! You’re the hero of our store!”
Su Pu smiled, shyly scratching his head.
It was only a runner-up prize, hardly worth boasting about.
The manager patted his shoulder and handed him a red envelope.
“It’s a bonus from headquarters!”
Su Pu was surprised. A bonus too?
The envelope was quite thick. He hadn’t expected headquarters to be so generous.
Grandma Ou Yang could enjoy a few more milk teas!
Su Pu smiled warmly.
The manager left after giving him the envelope. Su Pu changed into his uniform, hesitated for a few seconds, and replayed the consultant’s advice in his mind.
“Why not share your feelings with the person you like? Maybe he cares too.”
Li Jichuan—would he care?
This bonus was something Li Jichuan could earn with a single breath, right?
But this bonus also represented Su Pu and Ou Yang’s efforts.
Su Pu thought for a moment, took a photo holding the envelope, and sent it to Li Jichuan.
[We won a prize yesterday, and the store gave a bonus! [happy][happy]]
Li Jichuan was busy and probably wouldn’t reply quickly. Su Pu pocketed his phone, about to head out.
Buzz—
His phone vibrated.
It was a single message from Li Jichuan:
[Come up.]