In December, Austin doesn’t get blanketed in snow like Alaska, but the air already carries a touch of chill.
The shop windows lining the streets are already adorned with colorful lights, wreaths, and all sorts of exquisite Christmas decorations.
The radio plays cheerful Christmas songs on repeat, enveloping the entire city in a joyous festive atmosphere.
They went to the supermarket together, Aliya with her slightly rounded belly, holding onto Lin Yu’an’s arm, picking out various food items and decorations.
They brought ho a small plastic Christmas tree, which they placed in the corner of the living room.
Together, they hung up colorful balls, little snown, golden bells, and sparkling stars on the tree.
Aliya took charge of directing, while Lin Yu’an handled the decorations. Occasionally, Aliya would stand on tiptoe to hang her favorite ornant, turning around to flash a sweet smile at Lin Yu’an.
Finally, Lin Yu’an carefully placed the largest, brightest Star of Bethlehem atop the tree.
When they plugged in the lights, the whole tree was imdiately illuminated with countless warm, colorful lights, and Aliya leaned on his shoulder, a glow of happiness in her eyes.
On Christmas Eve.
Lin Yu’an personally cooked a sumptuous Christmas dinner, preparing a fusion dish of "Herbal Rosemary Steak."
On the table, the candlelight flickered, the roasted steak exuded a tantalizing aroma, accompanied by cheesy baked potatoes, a vegetable salad, and a specially prepared non-alcoholic warm fruit drink for Aliya.
"To us."
Lin Yu’an raised his glass, looking earnestly at Aliya across from him.
"To our past, to our present, and to our hopeful future that awaits us! rry Christmas, my dear Aliya."
"rry Christmas, my hero."
Aliya raised her glass to gently clink with his.
Under the cozy candlelight, they enjoyed this delicious dinner.
They chatted about funny college stories, imagined their future babies, and talked about the upcoming eting with the ’Life Below Zero’ producer after Christmas.
After dinner, Aliya snuggled up with him on the living room sofa, with the Christmas tree twinkling behind them.
In the apartnt, the atmosphere beca gradually more intimate and warm, stirred by the alcohol and festive spirit.
Lin Yu’an’s gaze moved from the flickering TV screen to the beautiful woman beside him, who looked like she stepped right out of a painting.
Aliya’s cheeks glowed with an enchanting blush in the warm yellow light, her light green eyes shimring with a watery glow.
He could no longer suppress his feelings, bowed his head, and gently kissed her lips.
This kiss was filled with the tenderness of the holiday and their cherished connection.
He could taste the fruity sweetness of the hot drink lingering on her lips.
Aliya sunk softly into the couch.
On the wide, soft sofa, at that mont, primal instincts began to unfurl!
Lin Yu’an could clearly feel her slight trembling from excitent.
He also felt her firm and powerful response.
Lin Yu’an once again covered the soft...
When the aerobic exercise ca to an end, Aliya whispered in his ear with a quivering and slightly tearful voice.
"Herman... I love you... my dear."
Outside, the midnight chi began to ring.
Inside the living room, order had been restored, with only the soft sofa voicing its complaint about everything.
When Christmas arrived, it was already the next day.
"Good morning~ my dear..."
Aliya’s voice was a lazy, cat-like whisper in his ear.
Lin Yu’an woke up first, looking at Aliya’s peaceful sleeping face in his arms, careful not to disturb her, just quietly watching.
After a long while, Aliya’s eyelashes fluttered lightly before she slowly opened her enchanting light green eyes.
"Good morning, dear. rry Christmas."
Lin Yu’an placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"rry Christmas."
Aliya’s voice carried the lazy tone of soone just awake, then suddenly she seed to rember sothing, her eyes imdiately sparkling with a childlike excitent!
"Gifts! Quickly! My dear! Our Christmas gifts!"
In the United States, the most important and eagerly anticipated ritual upon waking on Christmas morning is to go under the Christmas tree and unwrap the gifts prepared by family and friends.
Lin Yu’an smiled as she pulled him out of bed. The two of them put on comfortable loungewear, holding hands, and together they ca to the Christmas tree in the living room that was adorned with colorful lights and decorations.
Beneath the Christmas tree, there were several gift boxes carefully wrapped with beautiful wrapping paper and ribbons.
"Alright, you open mine first!"
Aliya picked up the largest box wrapped in red reindeer-patterned paper from under the tree and handed it to Lin Yu’an.
Lin Yu’an took the box, filled with anticipation.
He tore off the wrapping paper and opened the box, inside was a brand new, black, high-end Archaeopteryx outdoor jacket.
"Wow! My dear, you actually rembered this!"
Lin Yu’an joyfully took out the jacket, feeling the technology-infused Gore-Tex fabric, his face brimming with undisguised affection.
He put on the jacket directly, the size was just right, making him look even more upright.
"I knew you would like it." Aliya looked at him with a face full of happiness.
A warm feeling surged in Lin Yu’an’s heart, he didn’t say much more, only stepped forward and hugged Aliya tightly.
"Now, it’s your turn."
Lin Yu’an also took out a neatly wrapped gift from under the tree and handed it to Aliya.
Aliya curiously opened it, and a splash of fantastic light entered her eyes, making her let out a small gasp of surprise.
On the velvet cushion at the center of the box lay a simply yet elegantly designed opal pendant.
The opal stone was teardrop-shaped, with a warm milky white base color, but in the light it seed to harbor a tiny nebula, displaying a play of green, blue, pink, orange, and other colors, like the tears of an elf, mysterious and beautiful.
"Oh, my dear... it’s so beautiful! Is this... opal?"
Aliya exclaid with joy, covering her mouth, she loved this gift so much.
"Yes, it’s white opal from Australia."
Lin Yu’an took the necklace from her hand, went around to her back, and personally put it on for her.
The pendant hung steadily between her collarbones, matching her fair skin, and the flowing colors inside seed to have a life of their own, gently shimring with her every breath.
He whispered in her ear: "The first ti I saw it, I thought of your eyes."
"Your eyes are colored like the Northern Lights, and this opal, it shares the base color of your eyes, yet contains all the colors of a rainbow."
"You can carry it well because all its colors cannot compare to the gentle hues in your eyes!"
After unwrapping the gifts, the two snuggled on the sofa, sharing a cup of hot cocoa, watching the winter sun outside, enjoying the happiness of ordinary life.
The warm Christmas atmosphere hadn’t completely faded away, and in the last days of December, Lin Yu’an, as per the arrangent, went to a serene café in the city center.
Today, he was to have an official eting with Richard Prost, the producer of "Life Below Zero".
Lin Yu’an arrived ten minutes early, ordered himself a black coffee and a warm, non-caffeinated milk for his companion Aliya.
Soon, a well-dressed white man, looking about fifty, in a neat dark grey casual suit, his hair ticulously combed, entered the café accompanied by a female assistant.
He glanced around and quickly locked his gaze on the outstanding young couple by the window.
"Lin Yu’an, Aliya, I’m pleased to et you both."
Richard Prost extended his hand proactively, a warm and sincere smile on his face.
"Mr. Prost, hello. You can call by my English na, Herman."
Lin Yu’an stood up and shook his hand firmly.
After so brief pleasantries, both parties took their seats.
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