[曦澄 | XiCheng][MDZS Modern AU]: All The Things I Never Told You [~PART 2~]

〽️👁‍🗨 Chapter 263: Snakes And Ladders.

Note:

𝑅𝐸𝐷𝐴𝑀𝐴𝑁𝐶𝑌 :

[noun]: the act of loving someone who loves you back; a love returned in full.

****

Bobby Chang was nervously biting his lips when he dialed the number, and his hands were shaking, but once the boy answered, his voice sounded warm and reassuring, just like always.

- Hey, hey! A-Ning, what's up?  –  he cheered, probably a bit too enthusiastically.

Wen Ning rubbed his eyes; he had been getting into the habit of sleeping during some odd hours lately  –  it was his exam session, and working double shifts at the bar was actually a bit too much, even for an insomniac like him.

Now he was quite amazed to hear this sentence  –  wasn't Mister Bobby supposed to be at work right now? He took a quick look at his phone for the time. Yes, yes, he was.

- Ummm... It's all good, sir. I seem to have fallen asleep. But...

- Sorry to bother you, son! I know that the night shifts are a bitch!  –  he laughed heartily, just like he had laughed when he had said the exact some sentence to Jiang Cheng.  –  But it's an emergency.

Wen Ning was sudden alert, awake. Sitting up in the bed, he mumbled gravely:

- Is it Mister Jiang?

Bobby's breath hitched. 

How the fuck...

- Ah, no! No, sonny! A-Cheng is probably out there, on his honey-moon, sunbathing in the Caribbean!  –  he laughed a forced laugh now.  –  No, no. It's my wife, you see! She is a little ill, so... I need to take care of her... So... I was wondering... Would you be willing to swap shifts? Can you take tomorrow, the Friday, so that I can cover the Saturday? The boss is still outta town, so... no harm, no foul!   –   he lied smoothly, but, still nervous about it, he totally forgot about the newly installed CCTV all around the bar.

Wen Ning gaped a little.

- Well... it actually works great for me, sir! I have an exam on Saturday, so I would appreciate----

- Ah nice!!! So nice, A-Ning!  I am glad! It all works out just fine, then?  –  Bobby was sweating, but his honey voice was ringing, loud and clear.

- Sure... Sure... Thank you, sir!

- No, son! I should be the one thanking you! Me and my pretty wifey! The poor thing!  –  he wailed now melodramatically.

- May I ask... What's wrong with her, sir? Maybe I could help...?  –  the boy's instincts kicked in and he asked the question quite sincerely, fully awake now.

- Ehhh, just the flu, the flu!  But thanks! You are a sweetheart, A-Ning!  –  he chirped.

- I see.  –  he didn't push.  –  I was really hoping to see Mister Jiang once more, you know... He will be coming along on Saturday...

- Yea, he will be meeting up with the boss, I know. Some final payment, I think, or... some debt getting settled.  –  Bobby said grimly.  –  But hey! Mister Lan still works just across the street, you know! They sure will be visiting from time to time! Let's hope  -  often!!!  –  he laughed now.   –   It's Mister Lan's favorite bar still!

- I do hope so, sir...

- Ayyy, does this mean you will be staying with us a little longer, boy?  –  Bobby was impatient to change the topic, and urgently.

- Not sure yet. Thinking about it. Next year at university will be quite tough, but...  -  the deep voice grumbled over the phone.

- Your dad will be quite proud of you if you stay, you know!  –  Bobby grinned, in the know just who Wen Ning's father was.

- Hmmm.  –  the boy shuddered, now almost dissuaded.

There was an awkward silence now, and Bobby chanted hurriedly:

- Well, I'll be getting back to work! Today's kinda busy!

- Sure, sir. Have a nice shift.

- Thanks! Thank you again, boy!  –  Bobby smiled to no one in particular, his hands clammy and sweaty.

- Have a nice day, sir.

The phone call had been exhausting for some reason, and the middle-aged man finally unclenched his teeth.

This was going to be risky, but  –  if done properly, cleverly  –  he wouldn't care about money till the rest of his remaining days.

The dice were in the air; Saturday was going to be the day.