Contentment was hard.
Whether people muddled through or strove to get ahead, all their busy striving was only for a better life.
When Ding Ding first met Bai Congming, he had nothing. Though his heart had been stirred, he truly hadn't dared promise him a future.
Now his business was thriving. Though he hadn't yet reached the top of the pyramid, he was several rungs above comfortably off.
With his pockets full, he started getting carried away. Little Bai stood on the ground holding the string, and a slight tug was enough to bring the airborne Ding Ding back down.
But there were exceptions.
"Brother Ding! We have to save!"
Watching Ding Ding buy bag after bag of things, Bai Congming grew so anxious that sweat covered his forehead.
"Earning money is hard! Don't waste it!"
"How is this wasting it!" Ding Ding protested, shaking the paper bags in his hands until they rustled loudly. "We need winter clothes, trousers, hats, and shoes! And this stuffed toy-isn't it your favorite!"
Bai Congming puffed out his cheeks. "Little Bai has lots of clothes!"
"All right, all right." Seeing that he really was unhappy, Ding Ding finally gave up and took Little Bai's hand, leading him out of the mall. "No more shopping. Let's get you something to eat!"
Passersby hurried along, but the intimacy of two men holding hands in the street still drew plenty of looks.
Ding Ding looked straight ahead, while Bai Congming remained oblivious. Neither paid any attention.
"Eat at home. Little Bai wants to eat at home!"
"Hmm?" Ding Ding was puzzled. "Didn't we agree to go to the Ocean Restaurant?"
Bai Congming refused, no matter what he said. Always frugal, he didn't have much grasp of money, but the way Ding Ding spent it like water