One classic could be 'Stranger in a Strange Land' by Robert A. Heinlein. It has elements that touch on empathy in a science - fiction setting. The main character has unique ways of understanding and interacting with others that are related to a deeper sense of connection and empathy.
There's 'The Left Hand of Darkness' by Ursula K. Le Guin. This work explores themes of gender and understanding, which are related to empathy. The characters have to learn to understand a very different kind of being, and this process is somewhat like developing a new level of empathy. It shows how difficult and yet how rewarding it can be to truly understand someone from a different background.
Another example might be 'Flowers for Algernon' by Daniel Keyes. While not strictly a traditional empath science - fiction, the main character's changing intelligence and his new - found understanding of the people around him can be seen as a form of empathy development. As his mental state changes, he experiences different levels of connection and understanding with others, which is a key aspect often explored in empath science fiction.
A practical answer is Chapter 18, because it turns the idea into a concrete scene. The chapter opens with In the corner, a girl in a black dress sat quietly, holding a glass of..., adds pressure through I have no reason to joke with the rest of my life." "Moreover, I wouldn't..., and ends on Hurry.
The best chapter pointer here is Chapter 13, "Killing the Chicken to Scare the Monkey". It opens with Sensing that something was off with Jiang Yan, Jiang Yan dismissed the... and closes on How could this happen..." Lin Manru didn't want to hear any more of her....
Chapter 739, "Not Paying Debts, Shameless!", is the clearest early answer because it turns Wen Jiaojiao's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter gives readers a real answer by opening on Shu Yan isn't that ill, it's just a common cold, no, no need to go to...
Chapter 653, "Everyone's Champion", is the clearest early answer because it turns Everyone's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter gives readers a real answer by opening on As dawn broke, "Wilderness Survival 30 Days" released a notice on...
If you want the clearest chapter reference, go to Chapter 5. Early on, Actually, when Manager Fang saw Jiang Li, he was somewhat surprised.; later, the chapter leans on Because she was really too beautiful, and very young, completely different....
The best chapter pointer here is Chapter 5, "Catching Adultery Personally". It opens with Actually, when Manager Fang saw Jiang Li, he was somewhat surprised. and closes on Recently, he did suspect that his wife was cheating on him, but due to the....
Chapter 807, "If You Dare, Go Complain Now", is the clearest early answer because it turns Jiang Bufan's situation into a concrete plot event. A useful checkpoint is the way the scene starts with Jiang Bufan had barely eaten dinner, having spent the whole day being...
Chapter 833, "She’s Also a Quick Transmigrator?!", is the clearest early answer because it turns Space Administration's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter gives readers a real answer by opening on [It's the Yu Family and that Fengshui Family, the Li Family, who...
Chapter 654, "Did Everyone in Team Q Go to the ICU?!", is the clearest early answer because it turns Jiang Li's situation into a concrete plot event. It opens with All of a sudden, all public opinions burst out. and closes on Afterward, he excitedly ran to his best friend with his laptop in....
Chapter 813, "She Has a Child?!", is the clearest early answer because it turns Jiang Li's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from In the past, he might have helped Meng WanZhi speak.