The covers were cool. Without opening his eyes, Bai Congming reached over beside him and found nothing.
"Brother Ding?"
"Little Bai," Ding Ding's voice came through with an electronic buzz. "I'm here."
Liar. He clearly wasn't here!
Bai Congming clapped his hands, and the little bedside night-light came on, confirming that no one was in the room.
"Brother Ding!"
"Yes, yes, I'm here!" The tearoom was too far from the restroom, and Ding Ding was still on his way. "You're awake, Little Bai. Are you hungry?"
He couldn't see him, but he could hear his voice. Bai Congming found it fascinating and gave a little "wow" under the covers.
"Brother Ding turned into a god!"
"..."
That soft, drowsy voice and those childlike words melted his heart. Ding Ding unconsciously quickened his pace.
"That's right. I'm a god. I can grant your wishes, Little Bai."
"Wishes?"
Ding Ding hummed in agreement. "What do you want, Little Bai?"
"I want..."
He seemed to be thinking it over very carefully. Only after Ding Ding had shut himself inside a restroom stall did Little Bai's voice come through his earphones.
"I want Brother Ding to come home and hug me!"
Ding Ding grinned. "Found the phone?"
"I found it." Bai Congming pulled the covers over his head, as though he meant to shut Ding Ding on the other end of the phone inside. "Where did Brother Ding go?"
"I had something to do," Ding Ding said. "Are you hungry? There's porridge cooking on the stove. If the lid's hot, use that cloth to hold it. There are eggs beside it and pickled vegetables in the fridge. Have a little first. I'll be home soon."
"Brother Ding?"
Ding Ding answered, then heard Bai Congming tell him,
"You sound so tired."
"..."
"Brother Ding, come