Ding Ding's worries never came to pass. Bai Congming slept soundly and woke close to nine.
Seeing the time, Bai Congming's first thought was that he would be late for work, but the thick mattress beneath him refused to let him go. Only then did he remember where he was.
He had never expected getting a wife to be so easy. Bai Congming rolled around under the covers several times before getting out of bed to look for him.
Just then, the Nokia in his backpack rang.
"Why did you take time off?"
Auntie Zhou sounded anxious on the other end. "And why is your place empty? Where have you gone?"
Bai Congming slapped his forehead. Everything yesterday had happened so suddenly that he hadn't had time to share the good news with Auntie Zhou.
"Auntie, Little Bai's home!"
As soon as Auntie Zhou learned that Bai Congming wasn't at the water delivery station, she had gone to his rented room. No one was there.
"Don't lie," Auntie Zhou said, sounding a little fierce. "Where are you?"
Scolded, Bai Congming pouted and answered in a tiny voice.
"Little Bai isn't lying."
"..."
Compared with all the possibilities that had flashed through her mind when she first discovered Bai Congming missing, the fact that he could still answer his phone meant he was safe. Auntie Zhou let out a reluctant breath of relief and softened her voice.
"All right, you're not lying. Then where is Little Bai?"
"At home!" Bai Congming told her. "My home with Brother Ding!"
When Ding Ding heard those words from the master bedroom, he felt good all over. His last trace of displeasure vanished, and he finally deigned to show himself and deal with the person on the phone.
He also tapped Bai Congming between the