Chapter 45 He's serious?
In late autumn, a new wave of activity begins in the coffee industry.
In the afternoon, Su Pu had just clocked in when the store manager called him into the office.
"We would like to invite you to represent the company in this year's Best Barista in Yuncheng competition."
Su Pu shook his head violently upon hearing this.
It wasn't that he lacked confidence in his skills, but rather that this competition also tested the baristas' presentation abilities.
As a mute child, Su Pu could never do that.
Forcing oneself to participate in the competition will only lead to humiliation and add burden to the staff.
"The prize for the winner is 50,000 yuan," the store manager added.
Su Pu gritted her teeth and shook the store manager's hand—
He'll go!
...
Su Pu is still fully engaged in the intense preparation phase for the competition.
Just then, the Li family's organizational structure was shaken up, ushering in a truly "turbulent time," and Li Jichuan was so busy that working overtime became the norm.
Sometimes when Li Jichuan returned home, he would see the kitchen lights on, and Su Pu would still be preparing her work and refining her skills.
Not wanting to disturb him, Li Jichuan finished washing up and lay in bed waiting for Su Pu.
Only when that small body fell asleep and slowly climbed onto him could Li Jichuan finally sleep peacefully.
He didn't know when, but Su Pu had become his magic weapon for falling asleep.
The official competition was held the day before the start of winter.
As the weather turns cooler, my breath used to create puffs of white smoke when I went out in the morning.
Su Pu finished the breakfast that Man Tian had prepared for him to cheer him on, took the career talisman that Uncle Wang had gotten for him from the temple, and left home triumphantly.
Li Jichuan left a little later, instructing Uncle Wang not to wait for him and Su Pu for dinner that night.
"Hmm?" Uncle Wang asked, puzzled. "Do you have an appointment with Su Pu?"
Li Jichuan winked.
"It wasn't there before, but it's coming soon."
Uncle Wang looked puzzled, while Li Jichuan remotely controlled his wheelchair and leisurely went out.
...
The National Barista Competition in Yuncheng is considered one of the most prestigious professional competitions in the industry.
Every year, numerous coffee lovers and artisans participate, all for the sake of their shared passion.
Su Pu was participating for the first time and was very nervous, so he huddled in the waiting area and prayed silently.
Ouyang stayed by his side.
"Hey, Su-ge," Ouyang said, glancing towards the entrance, "it looks like... President Li is here..."
Upon hearing this, Su Pu looked up sharply and indeed found Li Jichuan in a wheelchair at the entrance, along with Anderson who was accompanying him.
Why did they get here?
Su Pu jogged over, just as Li Jichuan finished signing in and received a "Sponsor" pass, which he then hung around his neck.
"Hi!" he chuckled and greeted Su Pu.
Su Pu looked around. "Why are you here?"
"Why can't I, a serious coffee lover, come?" Li Jichuan tilted his head and looked at him. "Are you participating in the competition today?"
Su Pu nodded, unable to hide his nervousness, yet still concerned about fairness.
You can't vote for me later!
Li Jichuan deliberately teased him, "Why not? The Li Group sponsored this competition. What's wrong with me coming here to vote for my partner?"
Su Pu's eyes widened.
No, that's unfair to the other contestants!
Li Jichuan looked at him; Su Pu's face had become much thinner, showing how hard he had worked to prepare for the competition.
What if I insist on doing it?
"Su Pu, with my favoritism, what are you afraid of?"
...
Upon receiving the notification from the organizer, Su Pu arrived at the preparation area in a daze and took out his competition materials from the insulated box.
My thoughts are still lingering somewhere.
With Li Jichuan's favoritism, what does he have to fear?
But does he deserve it?
Does he deserve Li Jichuan's favoritism?
He even gave me a fake bracelet.
Su Pu shook his head and began to focus on preparing the materials.
The whistle blew, and it was Su Pu's turn to be assessed.
Since he couldn't speak, Ouyang spoke on his behalf.
"We come from L Coffee."
"Today, the name of our featured coffee for the competition is Flower Soul."
Hidden among the crowd, the man in the wheelchair suddenly curled his lips into a smile.
"The inspiration for this coffee item came from an unexpected trip the barista took—it was more of an adventure than a trip. It was his first time on an airplane and his first time having the opportunity to visit a coffee plantation and witness the process of a coffee bean from its first sprout to being packaged."
With Ouyang's explanation, Su Pu had completed the initial weighing, grinding, and refining process of the coffee beans.
The judges standing around began to sniff carefully, trying to detect the faint scent of roses in the air.
Ouyang continued, "Some information can be conveyed even without language."
"For example, smells, sensory stimulation, love..."
"We chose sun-dried Geisha roses from southern Yunnan, paired with 30% sun-dried Bourbon roses, and wanted to share with everyone the touching experience of waking up to a room full of roses..."
As Ouyang's gentle voice accompanies him, the unique aroma of rosehip and sage from the coffee beans fully permeates the air.
Li Jichuan, who was in the crowd, naturally smelled it too.
To be honest, by the time he woke up that day, Su Pu seemed to have accepted the fact that the room was filled with roses.
She showed no joy whatsoever, but instead just stared intently at his hand.
Li Jichuan thought that Su Pu didn't like what he had prepared.
Unexpectedly, Su Pu's feelings were not officially intercepted by him until two weeks later.
"We named it Flower Soul not only because of the lingering rose aftertaste it leaves after you take a bite, but also because the memories of roses are so unforgettable."
Ouyang reached out and handed out uniquely shaped table cards.
"Now, let's let the aroma settle. Please savor the initial notes in front of you and remember the flavor that impressed you the most."
Several judges at the scene received table cards prepared in advance by Su Pu.
Made from the rose petals collected that night, Li Jichuan thought he was seeing things several times.
So Su Pu likes it this much...
So much love that I dried this memory into petals, and reused them to pave a path for myself paved with rose petals...
"This Su Pu seems to be serious..."
At some point, Anderson appeared, stopped beside him, and said something.
Li Jichuan's eyes darkened.
Some things have already been made clear.
"And what about you?"
Anderson asked Li Jichuan.
Are you serious?
Li Jichuan's gaze shifted, finally landing on Su Pu, who was participating in the competition.
The other party skillfully operated various machines, each movement exuding a fragrant aroma.
It seems that Su Pu never left him any room to refuse.
From the moment he started buying all the roses from every open flower shop late at night, a rose garden had already begun to take shape in his heart.
The Flower Soul also has another meaning.
Some people offered flowers, while others were completely captivated.
Some people received the flowers, while others never forgot them.
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