Chapter 13 Sleeping Together

Enveloped in a dreamlike mist, it is both real and illusory.

In the familiar teaching building, on the balcony of the rooftop storage room, Li Jichuan had just received a phone call.

The other party told him objectively and without room for argument: "Xiao Chuan, there's nothing I can do if the house wasn't photographed."

Li Jichuan's heart skipped a beat for a moment, then pounded violently with rage.

"But you promised me that as long as I choose the major you want me to study, you will keep the house for me..."

"Xiao Chuan, don't act rashly. It's just an external thing; you'll have much more than that in the future."

His whole body trembled violently, and he clenched his fists tightly. "But the memories inside are gone."

"Child, one must look forward."

Back then, Li Peirong's business was booming, and his voice was much stronger and more assertive than it is now, leaving no room for argument.

"You have an exam this weekend, go to tutoring tonight, don't be too playful."

As she spoke, Li Peirong suddenly thanked him softly, as if she were walking into another, more noisy space.

"In short, you are at a crucial stage now. Many people want to see just how capable our Li family's grandson really is. Don't let them down!"

Meanwhile, on the other end of the phone, Li Jichuan's gaze had already flown out the window and settled on the playground.

From his perspective, everyone on the playground looked like little dots, chatting and laughing.

They constantly converge and separate, as if following a set procedure.

Li Jichuan chuckled self-deprecatingly. Wasn't he also a product of a predetermined process?

Perhaps, he could also choose to escape—

He leaped into the air, completely freeing himself from his shackles...

As his thoughts deepened, his vision began to blur, and he felt as light as a feather, easily pierced by the wind.

That's true freedom, isn't it?

Bang----

The tightly closed door was suddenly pushed open from the outside, and the boy in school uniform hurriedly closed the door and rushed inside recklessly.

His movements were both overlapping and coherent, fanning up dust from the discarded tables and chairs in the room.

Li Jichuan was lost in thought, watching the dust motes dancing in the sunset.

It is also a kind of freedom.

The boy seemed unaware that there was another person in the classroom until he ran to a spot near the window, where the curtains were lifted by the wind, and he saw Li Jichuan standing at the window.

Fear instantly filled the pair of clear, doe-like eyes.

The boy opened his mouth, but couldn't make a sound for a long time.

Was she frightened by him? Li Jichuan wondered.

But clearly, he was the one who had presumptuously disturbed his peace and quiet.

Thump thump—thump—

"It's locked from the inside, damn it, it can really run away!"

"Wang Jian, Liu Jiahao, stop looking, they're right here!"

"This idiot locked the door. Give me a hand, let's kick the door open together."

The person outside the door turned the doorknob, speaking with a smug expression.

Li Jichuan saw the boy's face turn deathly pale, and he trembled as he hid under the dusty desk.

How clumsy, like an ostrich burying its head in the sand when faced with danger, deceiving itself.

Being found isn't something that can be done in a minute, is it?

The people outside gathered and started kicking the door while cursing.

The loud crash echoed throughout the entire floor, startling even Li Jichuan.

Unfortunately, everyone knows that the top floor has been abandoned and the school board is discussing renovation plans, so generally no one goes up there...

Inside the door, the boy was curled up in a small ball, his hands covering his head, his fear obvious.

Bang—the door panel slammed down.

Three or four boys in school uniforms ran in, making sarcastic remarks in a nauseating voice.

"Little prey, come out obediently, we've already seen you."

"Come out while we're saying nice things to you..."

Li Jichuan hid behind the white curtains, looking at the boy under the desk.

The boy's eyes were filled with urgency and despair, which pierced Li Jichuan's heart.

To everyone's surprise, the next second, the group of unruly boys suddenly produced several wooden sticks and walked towards Li Jichuan with a sly grin.

We've found them!

Li Jichuan suddenly realized that he was the "prey" of this group.

Thump, thump—

The wooden stick slammed down on his knees without warning, and his vision went black as he instinctively knelt on the ground...

...

Li Jichuan suddenly opened his eyes.

Before him was the familiar ceiling, and the comforting woody scent lingered around his nose.

It also has a hint of lemon flavor.

As his consciousness slowly returned, Li Jichuan belatedly realized that the dream he had just experienced had occurred during his senior year of high school, when he was still healthy.

Now, his legs have become crippled due to a car accident.

Moreover, not long ago, he took in a mute girl as his wife.

That lemon scent comes from this new "family member".

Fortunately, his biological clock is fairly accurate; even a nightmare wakes him up ten minutes before his alarm.

Li Jichuan struggled to get up, and as soon as he moved, the small stove beside him began to rustle.

Su Pu had been awake for a while, but she was afraid of waking Li Jichuan, so she stayed under the covers and waited.

Hearing the noise, he immediately got up, sat on the edge of the bed, and put his hands on Li Jichuan's shoulders.

"woke up?"

Li Jichuan's throat was slightly hoarse, but with Su Pu supporting him under his armpits, his morning ritual was not difficult.

The little mute nodded and gave him a warm smile.

How can someone be so cute as soon as they wake up? Li Jichuan rubbed his hair, afraid that this was another dream.

Unfortunately, no.

Su Pu jumped off the bed and went to Li Jichuan's side, helping him into a wheelchair.

There are two sinks in the master bedroom. Li Jichuan used the one with the handrail on the side, and Su Pu naturally went to the one next to him.

The two of them grabbed their toothbrushes together, squeezed out the toothpaste, and then put the toothbrushes into their mouths together.

They were so in sync, it was as if they had been living together for a long time.

Li Jichuan wasn't used to it and looked away.

"You don't need to get up early with me..."

Su Pu shook his head, spat out the foam in his mouth, and gestured wildly to indicate that he couldn't sleep either and had to get up.

Li Jichuan lowered his eyes, then suddenly smiled and nodded in agreement.

"That's true. You went to bed so early yesterday. When I got back at ten o'clock, you were already fast asleep."

He was snoring?

Su Pu stared wide-eyed, her face filled with disbelief...

Why is he snoring?

Did we disturb Mr. Li, which is why he couldn't sleep so soundly?

Suddenly, Li Jichuan's brows relaxed, and he smiled triumphantly.

"Look how scared you are! You were asleep, but you weren't snoring..."

Su Pu finally felt relieved, then pouted slightly, revealing a reproachful expression of being teased.

The maid at home was right, Mr. Li really does love to joke!

And how can someone have so much energy if they turn it on as soon as they wake up?

After Su Pu finished brushing her teeth, she angrily washed her face, splashing water onto Li Jichuan's side and wetting a small part of his sleeve.

Li Jichuan was so angry that he could only laugh silently.

That little mute is quite vengeful!

...

After washing up, Su Pu followed Li Jichuan to the rehabilitation room.

Two rehabilitation therapists were already waiting there.

They were specially hired from the nursing center, and today was the first time they had met Su Pu. Their eyes kept glancing in his direction.

I'm so curious.

What kind of partner will the arrogant Li Jichuan choose?

Looking at it now, there's nothing particularly special about it.

She is pretty, but not exceptionally beautiful; she always gives off a somewhat...

cowardice.

Yes, it's cowardice.

Despite being Mr. Li's fiancée whom he brought home, she stood anxiously by the equipment.

More like a loyal puppy than a partner.

Only occasionally, when Mr. Li couldn't hold on any longer and was covered in sweat, would he run over and grab a tissue to wipe his sweat.

Without saying a word, he shoved the straw into Mr. Li's mouth.

Regardless of whether he wanted to drink or not...

Li Jichuan was always the least patient when doing rehabilitation training.

He used to walk briskly and walk on colorful streets, but after the car accident, he even had to rely on a handrail to stand up straight.

The enormous contrast caused him to have a mental breakdown, and the rehabilitation process was always extremely difficult.

With international news broadcast in English playing from the speakers, Li Jichuan, supporting himself on the handrails on both sides, slowly walked from one end of the railing to the other.

After walking for a while, sweat started to bead on my forehead.

The muscles in his arms quickly became engorged with blood and trembled slightly.

Li Jichuan groaned, his breathing gradually becoming heavy—

To recover as quickly as possible, he walks back and forth like this fifty times every morning, not to mention other rehabilitation exercises.

Su Pu watched from the side, feeling truly distressed.

Even a healthy person would be tired after going through this every morning.

But Li Jichuan persevered through gritted teeth.

Because he couldn't feel his calf muscles, two therapists had to massage him every day while stimulating the deeper muscles.

The cervical scalpel scraped across his skin again and again, leaving that patch of skin unrecognizable from the torture.

Li Jichuan's lips turned white from the pain, but he still stubbornly persisted and never asked to stop.

Su Pu's eyes were hot, and she leaned over to wipe Li Jichuan's sweat.

She also held one of his hands.

Su Pu's palms were damp, a sensation that Li Jichuan hated most.

But this time, he found that he couldn't get rid of it at all.

Perhaps, they don't want to get rid of it either.

...

Another week has passed by in a blur, and it's Saturday again.

The Li Group's employee benefits are quite comprehensive, including basic benefits and a two-day weekend.

The busiest person in the entire group is the president; he even has to work overtime on his days off.

After breakfast, Li Jichuan dressed neatly and used a remote-controlled wheelchair to walk outside.

Su Pu was already standing at the door, with her little schoolbag on her back.

He was surprised when he saw Li Jichuan.

Her eyes were misty, as if asking: You don't even rest on weekends?

How can I make him sense even a hint of schadenfreude?

Li Jichuan arrived at the door, deliberately ignoring Su Pu's scrutinizing gaze.

"Uncle Wang, has the car arrived?"

Uncle Wang replied, "We've arrived. I'll be waiting for you downstairs."

Li Jichuan hummed in agreement, hesitating whether or not to give Su Pu a ride.

As far as he was concerned, their marriage was a done deal. Even if Su Pu wanted to go somewhere else, as her husband, he had to show some magnanimity and send her there.

However, logically speaking, this kid's motives are impure, and he's good at taking advantage of others.

If Su Pu moved into her apartment, Su Pu would promise to seduce him to support her business; if Su Pu shared a bed with her, Su Pu would shamelessly insist on accompanying him during his rehabilitation...

If he agrees to give him a ride, wouldn't Su Pu become even more overbearing?

No, no...

While Li Jichuan was struggling with this internal conflict, Su Pu had already put on his shoes and a wide-brimmed orange hat, and waved to Uncle Wang.

Uncle Wang smiled and said goodbye, "Goodbye, little monkey, take care on your journey!"

Su Pu nodded, dressed exceptionally well, like a primary school student going on a spring outing.

He took two steps and came to Li Jichuan's wheelchair, then snuggled up to him.

Li Jichuan's lips were about to curl upwards. How could someone be so silly even when they were flattering and fawning?

He squinted, just about to condescend to agree to give him a ride, when he saw Su Pu wave him off without any hesitation.

Then he pushed open the door and left.

...Gone?

Li Jichuan was dumbfounded. Why leave? They lingered at the door for so long, weren't they just waiting for him?

So, he just left?

Uncle Wang explained with a smile, "Xiao Pu said it's his day at the shop, so he needs to leave early."

Li Jichuan tried to hold back, but he couldn't.

"How does he get there? Did you provide him with a car?"

Uncle Wang shook his head. "No, he probably took the bus. He said it goes directly there."

“I offered him a car, but he absolutely refused.”

Accompanied by Uncle Wang, Li Jichuan arrived at the underground parking garage and got into his car.

As he leaned back against the pillow, he suddenly thought of yesterday.

She woke up groggily to find her hand being held in Su Pu's small, tender hand, which was massaging her gently.

Thanks to that massage, he didn't have insomnia last night. Although he had nightmares, he managed to get a full night's sleep, which was rare for him.

Most strangely, when the little mute boy fell asleep and lay on him, he only felt warm and comforted.

Life is long, and it wouldn't be bad to spend every night like this.