An enchanting night

The night was enchanting.

Bai Congming's tear-washed eyes softened the heart even more than the hazy glow beside the moon.

Ding Ding wondered whether he had failed to do enough, leaving Bai Congming so insecure.

Or perhaps, because Bai Congming was all alone, he had become so alarmed at the appearance of Ding Ding's family.

There was certainly no answer to be found, because Bai Congming refused to say a word before Ding Ding finished washing the dishes.

President Ding, who could dominate a negotiating table with ease, found himself at a complete loss before a fool.

"Still not talking to me?"

Bai Congming pressed his lips together and spoke pitifully. "Brother Ding..."

"I'm here." Ding Ding's heart was about to melt. "Right here in front of you, aren't I?"

Bai Congming nodded, copying Ding Ding's tone as he repeated, "Right in front of... you."

Ding Ding hummed, brought over what had just been bought, unwrapped it, and handed it to him.

"Do you know what this is?"

"...A phone."

Lots of people at the nursery had one, so of course Bai Congming recognized it. Ding Ding felt he was starting to turn foolish himself.

"It's a phone..." Ding Ding pursed his lips. "Do you know how to use it?"

Bai Congming nodded, imitated a ringing sound-"ding, ding, ding"-then held the phone to his ear. "Hello-"

Ding Ding burst out laughing and stroked his head. "Little Bai, you're so clever."

Ding Shu had bought the phone as a gift to make up for frightening the young man at their first meeting.

"This is my phone number." Ding Ding pointed to the only string of digits on the screen. "If you ever can't find me, call me."

Hearing that, Bai Congming began to panic and pushed the phone back into Ding Ding's hand.

"No! Don't want... can't find you."

Ding Ding wrinkled his nose, inwardly cursing himself for his poor choice of words.

"You won't lose me." Ding Ding pushed it back into his hands. "Then... when you miss me, or if someone bullies you, call me."

"Miss you..."

"Right." Ding Ding took out his own phone and called him. "Do you know how to answer?"

The sudden ringtone startled Bai Congming. He shifted the phone between his hands several times, staring at the incoming call on the screen, unsure where to start.

Ding Ding guided his finger across the screen and told him to hold the phone to his ear.

Bai Congming obeyed. The next second, Ding Ding's voice came from both the earpiece and right beside him.

Ding Ding told him to stay where he was, then went out into the courtyard and sat down, leaving only his back in view.

"Little Bai?"

Bai Congming first said "Hello," like an old official, before addressing him.

"Brother Ding."

Ding Ding leaned back against the chair with his head tilted up, a comfortable position that suited a chat.

"What did you do at the nursery today, Little Bai?"

Keeping his eyes fixed on Ding Ding, Bai Congming slowly began telling him about his work that day.

"And then?"

"..."

"What else?"

The topic Bai Congming had dodged over dinner came up again. This time he answered very seriously, just as he always had before.

Satisfied, Ding Ding got up, took a couple of steps, and hid somewhere Bai Congming couldn't see him.

"Brother Ding!"

"Here!" Ding Ding's voice was quiet but firm. "You can't see me, but you can still hear me, right?"

After all that talking, Bai Congming's dejection had long since disappeared. Hearing this, he giggled.

"Brother Ding, I know how... to make calls!"

Before his Nokia had died, he had used it to contact his mother too.

"..."

Ding Ding hung up.

Bai Congming ran outside to find him, only for Ding Ding to scoop him into his arms from behind the door.

A warm chest pressed against him, and before he could react, a disobedient paw found the ticklish spot on his belly.

"So you dare make fun of me now, huh!"

Bai Congming laughed and dodged. "Not laughing! Not laughing at you!"

"I'm not listening!" Ding Ding refused to let up. "I still need to teach you a lesson!"

"..."

They played around in the courtyard for a while, then collapsed onto the chair, panting with exhaustion.

To be precise, Ding Ding sat on the chair, and Bai Congming sat in his arms. It was hot and cramped, but neither suggested separating.

The night breeze brought the scent of flowers. Ding Ding also taught Bai Congming how to make video calls and call the police.

Bai Congming learned very attentively. Only when he grew so sleepy that his head kept nodding did Ding Ding let him go.

Before falling asleep, Bai Congming murmured something with his eyes closed.

Ding Ding leaned closer to listen and barely caught a "Brother Ding," filled with utter reliance.

"I'm here."

The person beside him fell still, his breathing growing even and deep as he slipped into sleep.

The lure of the phone was clearly much stronger than that of sleep. Ding Ding leaned back, downloaded the apps he used to use, and opened them one by one.

In his inbox, some overseas clients who were unaware of his company's situation were still sending sample images, asking him to help develop products.

Ding Ding replied to each one, apologizing and explaining that his company was moving to a new address, and that they would get back in touch once everything was settled.

Honestly, Ding Ding still hadn't decided what he would do next.

Although fabrics were his specialty, storefronts were now springing up everywhere, foreign trade companies were a dime a dozen, and contract manufacturers varied wildly in quality.

The market was less saturated than it had been a few years earlier, while suppliers were flourishing. There were too many mouths to feed, and no way to make the available business stretch far enough.

Jumping in rashly at a time like this would probably mean going under before long.

Li Hao was a living example.

On the phone screen was an email from Manager Liu at Zixin Textiles. Its wording was polite, but unmistakable anxiety seeped through every line.

[President Ding, we were deeply concerned to hear that your company has recently undergone some changes... As the shipping samples from Mingpin Textiles differ significantly from the bulk goods in specification, would it be possible to resubmit the batch of Roman fabric at the docks for customs clearance and shipment?]

At this, Ding Ding sneered and said he was unable to help.

When that shipment had been sent back by customs at the destination port, Ding Ding had already proposed resubmitting the customs declaration and had offered to cover the losses caused by the delay in delivery.

It had been this very Manager Liu who had put on airs, merely hoping to squeeze some more money out of it.

Ding Ding had been waiting for his reply when Li Hao's Mingpin Textiles submitted its shipping samples, quoting a price three percent below Ding Sheng Textiles'-with the goods already in stock.

The choice wasn't actually difficult, but after so many years of working together, their refusal to show the slightest consideration and their insistence on burning every bridge still disgusted Ding Ding.

Ding Ding sent a reply.

[That batch of Roman fabric was auctioned off as an asset during the bankruptcy liquidation, at inventory clearance prices... Wishing your company a pleasant partnership with Mingpin Textiles.]

Without Ding Ding's machinery, Li Hao's bulk goods could never meet the specifications, no matter how he produced them. He was probably at his wits' end now too.

He had tried to gain an advantage, only to suffer losses on every front.

Ding Ding muffled a couple of laughs under the covers, nearly waking Bai Congming, who was sleeping soundly beside him.

The person beside him said something in his sleep with his eyes closed. This time, Ding Ding heard it clearly.

"Little Bai... has a wife now... hehe... it's Brother Ding..."

"..."