Ding Shu finally came inside.
The house was packed with food, with barely anywhere left to put it, so Ding Ding decided to sort some out for Ding Shu to take away.
"You can cook now."
Ding Ding glanced at her. "You can't?"
"..."
She really couldn't.
Ding Shu didn't eat much. When she had no money, she could get by on one meal a day. As far as she was concerned, time should be spent on more important things.
The noise of packing was considerable. Bai Congming poked his head out from under the covers on the bed, his eyes barely open.
"Brother Ding?"
Ding Ding answered, then turned back and tucked him under the covers again.
"Sleep a little longer. I'll be quieter."
The mound beneath the covers shifted. Before long, he sat up again, rubbing his eyes. Once he saw there was someone else in the room, he politely greeted Ding Shu.
His green dinosaur pajamas made Bai Congming look fluffy. The sight softened Ding Shu's heart, and she took a red envelope from her bag and handed it over.
The envelope was thick, though how much it held was unclear. Bai Congming hunched his shoulders and looked at Ding Ding as though asking for help.
Ding Ding glanced at it and realized he really hadn't remembered to give out lucky money for the New Year.
"If she's giving it to you, take it," Ding Ding instructed him. "Wish her a happy New Year."
Only then did Bai Congming reach for it. He tucked the red envelope under his pillow, trotted outside to pick a sasanqua blossom, and brought it back to Ding Shu.
"Thank you, big sister. Happy New Year."
It had been a long time since Ding Shu had received a gift as simple as