After Fang Qingqin left, Feng Dema moped for two days. He still got his work done; he just talked less and stopped humming while washing the birds.
Seeing him like that, Lu Ming refrained from ribbing him for once and took on all the heavy work.
On the third day, Feng Dema suddenly perked up again. He had probably worked things out.
That afternoon, after washing the last rabbit and wiping down the sink, he ran over to the counter.
"Boss, I'm heading out for a bit."
Wen Ning was checking the accounts and didn't look up.
"Where to?"
"The west side."
Wen Ning's pen paused. He raised his head and glanced at him. Standing in front of the counter, Feng Dema wiped his hands on his pants and gave a slightly sheepish smile.
"I'm going to see where that elementary school is."
Lu Ming poked his head out from behind a shelf. His mouth opened, but he swallowed whatever he had been about to say. In the end, he rolled his eyes and ducked back out of sight.
Wen Ning looked at Feng Dema for two seconds, then set down his pen.
"Go ahead. Come back early."
Feng Dema was so happy he nearly jumped. He turned and ran outside, only to double back at the door, grab a steamed bun from the paper bag on the counter, and stuff it into his pocket before running off again.
Only after his footsteps had faded did Lu Ming come around the shelf and lean against the counter.
"What's he up to?"
Wen Ning picked up his pen again and turned a page in the ledger.
"Whatever he wants."
Lu Ming snorted.
"With that brain of his, he'd better not get on the wrong bus."
"If he does, he can take