Jeff, who Ding Ding had said was out of M City, walked into his office that afternoon carrying a skewer of candied fruit.
"There were lots of kids lining up. I thought Bai would like it!"
They had known each other for years, but Ding Ding had never known Jeff was so warmhearted.
Bewildered by the feeling that everyone in the world wanted to steal his person, Ding Ding thanked him. He would not actually deprive Little Bai of a treat, but slipped in a pointed reminder as he handed it over.
"If it's too sour, don't eat it."
The green Shine Muscat grapes were threaded together, their syrup coating giving them an enticing gloss.
One look was enough to tell they would not be sour.
Bai Congming accepted them with a grin, then turned and brought Jeff two cups of coffee.
Other guests got one cup, but Jeff was nice. He should have more!
"..."
Jeff had come purely to kill time. Manager Liu from Zixin had been visiting his company every day, and Jeff did not want to see him. It would save him wasting his breath and the good tea in his office.
Helpless, Ding Ding told him Manager Liu had stopped by that morning and already knew everything he needed to know.
"It doesn't matter," Jeff said, utterly unconcerned. "As long as he isn't bothering me, he's only bothering himself!"
"...That's not quite how it works."
Business was business. With the order at this stage and the initial production funds in place, Zixin could only get involved through some other avenue.
Ding Ding had something in mind but could not gauge Jeff's thoughts, so he dropped a subtle hint.
"This order is CIF, with payment on collection, right?"
CIF was a common term in international trade,