Bai Congming was very easy to coax.
Holding hands, kissing, hugging-whenever Ding Ding asked, he would never refuse.
Going further seemed possible too, but looking at the man before him, offering himself up like a sacrifice, Ding Ding simply couldn't bring himself to do it.
It was too fast, and not solemn enough. Ding Ding felt that perhaps he should wait a little longer, until their hearts were closer and things fell naturally into place.
Even this indirect relief was enough. Thoroughly satisfied, Ding Ding rinsed Bai Congming's flushed palms with cold water.
"Tired?"
Bai Congming shook his head, his eyes full of curiosity. On closer inspection, there might have been some shyness, but not much.
"Hot!"
"Hot? This is cold water. How..."
Ding Ding caught on. Pinching his nose, he laughed and called him a mischievous little rascal.
When he was good, he could melt anyone's heart, but when he grew stubborn, not even eight hundred oxen could drag him back. Like now: just when they should have been enjoying some tenderness, Bai Congming insisted on going to bed early.
Puzzled, Ding Ding asked him why.
A pair of moist eyes peeked out from the quilt. "Little Bai has work!"
One stood while the other lay down, the atmosphere tense.
The excuses Ding Ding had used yesterday to coax him into taking leave no longer worked. Bai Congming had made up his mind to go to work, and nothing the man at the door said could change it.
When he kept talking, Bai Congming even grew annoyed, pulling the quilt over his head and sticking out one hand to wave him away.
"Brother Ding, go! Little Bai's sleeping!"
"..."
Gritting his teeth, Ding Ding went back to his room for a shower. Amid the sound of running water, he