Chương 73: All I Want For Christmas Is You
For the next few hours, they managed to get some Christmas cookies and candies. Feng Jiu also bought some mini Christmas gift bags so that she could pack candies into it and give them to her friends.
"Do I get one too?" Dong Hua asked Feng Jiu. She pouted and replied sarcastically, "You don't get any because you're mean to me!"
"Oh? Guess I'll have to steal all your candies when you come to work with me then." Dong Hua replied sarcastically.
"No! I request for a personal cabinet where I could lock my snacks in there." Feng Jiu folded her arms.
"Oh? I thought you said that we could share snacks? Guess you're a greedy glutton after all." Dong Hua looked at her with his side-eyes.
"Fine! You get one packet of my Christmas candies. No stealing of mine!" Feng Jiu pouted again.
"Okay. But can I also have the milk candy?" Dong Hua smiled.
"Hmm... I'd reward you with one whole packet of milk candy if I managed to get into the second round of the competition. But you can't cheat and play favouritism! I want to win it by my own accord."
"Deal." Dong Hua smiled warmly at Feng Jiu.
Feng Jiu and Dong Hua then went into a cake shop. "Which log cake do you want, Xiao Bai?" Dong Hua asked. Feng Jiu then looked through the catalogues and pointed out to the Chocolate Yule Log Cake, "This one."
The cashier then informed them that all the log cakes were sold out and they won't be able to make a new one as well.
Feng Jiu frowned and Dong Hua said to her, "It's okay, Xiao Bai. The central plaza is huge, and I'm sure we could find it somewhere else." Then they left the cake shop, and they tried finding another shop.
----------------------------------------
After searching through a few cake shops, they were still unable to get a Yule Log Cake. Feng Jiu looked on sadly while others came to collect their reserved Log cakes.
"I'll get one for you, Xiao Bai. Trust me." Dong Hua said. Then he stopped a couple from leaving the store. "I'll pay you three times of whatever amount you paid for this Log Cake." Dong Hua said to the guy.
The guy hesitated and replied, "But... We reserved this cake two weeks ago. I mean, it's not about the money... but..."
Dong Hua then turned over to see Feng Jiu frowning and staring at the Log Cakes that were displayed in the fridge.
Dong Hua then lied to the guy, "I understand. But my girlfriend comes from another city, and this is our first time spending Christmas together. She loves Log Cake, and she specially flew over here to surprise me tonight. I'll pay you any amount if you could let me have that log cake."
The girl then convinced her boyfriend to let Dong Hua have the cake. "Yes, let that guy have the cake. I'm not even a big fan of log cake. Just look at his girlfriend frowning and staring at the cake. It's their first time spending Christmas too."
Then the couple decided to sell the log cake to Dong Hua at the original price, but Dong Hua still paid them three times the amount. "Thank you. My girlfriend would be so happy." Dong Hua said calmly, and the couple left the store.
Dong Hua held on to the cake and walked towards Feng Jiu. "This is for you, Xiao Bai." Feng Jiu immediately had a huge smile on her face. "How did you get that?! We have a log cake now!"
"I have my ways." Dong Hua smiled, and they both left the cake shop together.
Feng Jiu then quickly glanced at the time, and it was 6.45 PM. "Come! The Light Show is starting!" Feng Jiu then grabbed Dong Hua's arm and dragged him towards the outdoor area.
They got there just before the Light Show started, and they even got a good viewing spot to watch it. Soon, all the surrounding lights shut off and the show began.
Feng Jiu gazed at the beautiful lights and smiled to herself. Dong Hua looked at the lights, but he also couldn't keep his eyes off Feng Jiu. He thought to himself, "These lights are beautiful but not as beautiful as her." Then he smiled to himself.
Feng Jiu turned to look at Dong Hua after the show ended and said excitedly, "Do you like it?! This year's Light Show is phenomenal! It's so beautiful, and it's a pity that the show was only for 10 minutes."
"Xiao Bai. The beauty of the lights lasted 10 minutes, but your beauty lasts forever." Dong Hua spoke without thinking because he was deeply in love with Feng Jiu. Then he quickly turned away and said, "Should we head over to the giant Christmas tree now?"
Feng Jiu blushed hard and thought to herself, "Did Dong Hua just praised me...? I mean, he's so sweet. But... I have to remind myself again to not fall for it! He picked Ji Heng over me so I can't trust his words now. I don't even know why I forgave him so quickly! Hmph! But I already said I wouldn't be mad and Dong Hua said he would get me into the competition. Fine. I'll temporarily forgive him since it's Christmas too!" Then she brushed it off and followed after Dong Hua.
"Do you even know where you're going?" Feng Jiu asked. "Yes. I saw the signs while we were walking around. I'm good with directions." Dong Hua replied calmly.
----------------------------------------
After walking for 10 minutes to the other exit of the plaza, they arrived at the outdoor Giant Christmas Tree.
"Dong Hua, stand beside the tree! I'll take a picture of you." Feng Jiu nudged Dong Hua.
Then he slowly walked over to the Christmas tree, and Feng Jiu said, "You're not smiling! It's Christmas!"
Dong Hua then pulled Feng Jiu over, "It's awkward taking it alone. Let's try to take a selfie of us with the tree in the background."
Feng Jiu then took a few shots, but the tree was too tall, and they couldn't see any of it in the pictures. "What a shame." She frowned.
A staff working there noticed them trying to take a picture of themselves with the tree. Then he offered to take a photo for them. "Sure! Thanks!" Feng Jiu said, and she excitedly dragged Dong Hua to the tree.
She whispered, "Smile, Dong Hua." Then the staff encouraged them to stand closer to each other. "The beautiful couple should be standing closer. Be more loving too."
Feng Jiu wanted to explain their relationship. "No. We are not..." But before she could finish her sentence, Dong Hua pulled her closer and had his hands around her waist. Then he whispered to her, "Xiao Bai, people are waiting for us to take the picture."
Feng Jiu then smiled and quickly looked towards the 'cameraman'. Dong Hua also had a huge smile on his face this time. Then the staff passed Feng Jiu's phone back to her and went back to work.
"Send the photo to me. I need to add it to my collection." Dong Hua said calmly.
"Huh? What collection?" Feng Jiu asked curiously.
"Oh. Just a new photo album I created, called 'My First Time'. With you around, I experienced so many "firsts", and I want to keep a memory of that."
Feng Jiu smiled and replied happily, "Oh! There will be more "firsts" with me around! Anyway, should we buy a roasted turkey and some food before heading to your place? Luckily, the weather is chilly tonight, so our Log Cake wouldn't melt."
"Yeah. It looks like it might snow too." Dong Hua replied casually.
The moment he said that, a snowflake fell onto Feng Jiu's cheek, and then it started snowing. Feng Jiu exclaimed excitedly, "Oh my gosh, Dong Hua! I think you're a god in your past life! You just said that it was going to snow and it snowed instantly!"
Feng Jiu held out her hand to feel the snow, and she happily hopped around Dong Hua. "You know what's better than Christmas? It's a white Christmas!" She couldn't stop smiling, and Dong Hua also held out his hand to feel the snow.
"I never knew that snow could be this nice. Maybe it's because she's around me." Dong Hua thought to himself. Then he noticed Feng Jiu's hair was covered in snow as it begins to snow heavier.
"Don't move, Xiao Bai." Dong Hua then tried to brush the snow out of her hair. "You'll fall sick if your hair gets wet in the cold." He said worriedly.
"I hate getting sick! Okay, let's head in now, and we can quickly get some food!" Feng Jiu then dragged Dong Hua into the mall.
As expected, they weren't able to get roasted turkey, so they got the traditional Chinese Christmas food. Roast Pork, Jiao Zi (Chinese dumplings), Spring Rolls, and Huo Shao (baked roll with or without stuffing).
"Oh! We need to get apples and red paper lanterns as well." Feng Jiu said.
"Huh? Why apples and red paper lanterns?" Dong Hua asked curiously.
Feng Jiu smiled and replied, "It's my family's tradition that we would hang up red paper lanterns indoors on every festive season. The colour red (fire) traditionally symbolizes good fortune and luck. Then we would also write down our wishes on the lanterns. Another unique Chinese Christmas tradition is the giving of apples. 'Silent Night', translated to Chinese, is Ping An Ye (平安夜). This sounds a little like the Chinese word for apple, Ping Guo (苹果) – hence a very Chinese Christmas tradition. It's also a form of blessing for each other."
"Oh. I didn't know that since I don't celebrate Christmas. For the past few years, I spent Christmas working alone in the office. Thank you for teaching me, Xiao Bai. Let's go get those things and head to my place before it snows even heavier." Dong Hua smiled.
----------------------------------------
"Can't wait to eat!" Feng Jiu said while she was getting onto Dong Hua's car. Dong Hua secured the shopping bags and food on the back seat. After that, he put on the seatbelt for Feng Jiu, and he drove off to his apartment.
As they were driving, they noticed the snow getting heavier. Dong Hua then said to Feng Jiu, "Xiao Bai, I'm glad that I'm spending my first Christmas with you." Feng Jiu then smiled and replied, "Maybe next year I could invite you to join my friends and me too?"
Dong Hua nodded his head and replied, "I want to be invited to all your parties and celebrations. I'm always alone on those days."
"Okay! I'll make sure to include you on every occasion so that you don't have to be alone anymore." Feng Jiu smiled warmly.
Then they arrived at Dong Hua's apartment building, and he drove down into the underground car park. Feng Jiu held the door open for Dong Hua while his hands were full from carrying the bags. Dong Hua also passed her his house keys so that she could open the doors for them.
"Ahhh! I miss your place!" Feng Jiu ran in excitedly. Dong Hua smiled upon hearing that, and he replied calmly, "Make yourself comfortable, Xiao Bai." Feng Jiu then ran back to him and helped him out with the shopping bags.
Feng Jiu took her own bags and ran towards the guest room. She even took off her coat and hung it up in the wardrobe there. Dong Hua smiled and thought to himself, "She's really making herself at home, huh? That room belongs to her now."
Dong Hua walked into the kitchen and took out some plates so that they could start eating. "Xiao Bai, come eat. It's ready now." He yelled out to her from the dining room.
"I'm coming!" Feng Jiu ran out excitedly and sat down at the dining area. "Wait! Before we start eating, should we play some Christmas songs? I think it would be nice." Feng Jiu said.
Dong Hua stood up and turned on the sound system. Then he told Feng Jiu to play the songs using her phone through Bluetooth. He also dimmed the lights and lit some candles. "Is this better?"
"Yes! Now this feels like Christmas!" Feng Jiu sat down, and Dong Hua took some food and placed it on her plate. "Eat more, Xiao Bai. You must be hungry."
They were feeling stuffed after eating so much food, and they even ate half of the yule log cake. "I can't eat anymore!" Feng Jiu said while rubbing her belly. Then she walked towards the sofa and made herself comfortable. Dong Hua then kept the leftovers in the fridge and also cleared the trash.
Dong Hua took out a bottle of red wine and two wine glasses. "I'm not sure if you want to drink, Xiao Bai. But I took two glasses in case you want some."
Feng Jiu nodded her head enthusiastically, "Of course I want one! It's Christmas!" Dong Hua then poured some red wine into the wine glasses. "Cheers!" Feng Jiu said.
"Don't drink too fast, Xiao Bai. We all know that you're not a good drinker." Dong Hua said worriedly. Feng Jiu pouted and replied, "Who says so?! I don't care! It's Christmas." Then she poured herself another glass of wine.
"Oh ya! I almost forgot." Feng Jiu stood up and ran towards her room. Then she brought out the red paper lanterns. "We need to write our wishes here! But no peeking! If not, it won't come true." Feng Jiu said to Dong Hua. Then she asked Dong Hua for two markers so they could start writing down their wishes.
Feng Jiu sat on the floor and placed the lanterns on the coffee table in the living room. Then she dragged Dong Hua down to sit beside her and told him to start writing too. "No peeking! Write your own wish. After we are done, we will hang it up somewhere."
Both of them started writing their wishes. They thought to themselves, "What should I write? All I want for Christmas is you, and you're already here with me."
Feng Jiu wrote on her lantern, "I wish all my loved ones would always stay happy and healthy. I hope the next year would treat me well too." Then she remembered that she left out the most important wish, "I won't ever go hungry and have loads of food."
Dong Hua peeked at her wishes, and he saw the last part. He chuckled and said sarcastically, "Once a glutton, forever a glutton."
Feng Jiu immediately covered her lantern using her both hands. "Hey! I said no peeking! Since you saw mine, I need to see yours too." Then she tried to peek at Dong Hua's wishes. It turns out that he wrote, "I wish I could spend all my Christmas with Xiao Bai from now onwards."
Feng Jiu then laughed out loud and said, "Your wish is so silly! You should write something for Tai Chen Group too." Dong Hua then shook his head and replied, "Don't laugh at my wishes. Look at yours. You wished for more food."
"Hmph! That's different!" Feng Jiu pouted. Dong Hua then patted her head and replied, "Fine, fine. May your wishes come true. Let's hang the lanterns up now?"
"Yes! Let's find a nice spot to hang it up!" Feng Jiu held out her arm and Dong Hua pulled her up to her feet.
----------------------------------------
Then they decided to hang it near to the windows, on the artificial plants.
Dong Hua effortlessly hung up his lanterns at the top branch since he was very tall. "Pass me your lantern, Xiao Bai. I'll hang it up for you."
Feng Jiu shook her head and replied, "No. I have to hang it up by myself if not it won't come true. The higher, the better." Then she tip-toed and tried to tie the string onto the top branch.
Dong Hua stood beside her and looked at her struggling. "Are you sure you don't need my help?" He asked.
"No! I need to do it myself." She continued tip-toeing and all of a sudden, she experienced a cramp on her right calf. Dong Hua then caught her before she fell. Then he made her sit down and started massaging her calf. "Ouch! It's painful!" Feng Jiu almost had tears in her eyes.
"Is it better now?" Dong Hua asked, and he continued to massage her right calf gently. After a while, the cramp went away. "Yes, it's not painful anymore. Now I'm afraid that I would get another cramp if I tip-toe for so long." Feng Jiu pouted.
"I have an idea, Xiao Bai." Dong Hua then pulled Feng Jiu up to her feet. Then he patted his back and gestured for her to get on his back. "Hop on my back, and I'll piggyback you so that you could reach it."
Feng Jiu blushed and thought to herself, "Dong Hua piggybacking me? Will it be awkward?" Dong Hua then nudged her again, "What are you waiting for? Quickly hop on, unless you want another leg cramp."
Feng Jiu then shyly climbed up his back, and Dong Hua pushed her higher so that she could reach the top branch. Dong Hua thought to himself, "My back hurts a little from getting hit by the beer bottle, but Xiao Bai's body is sticking so close to mine. I hope I can control myself." Then he tried to distract himself from thinking about it. "No dirty thoughts, no nose bleeding."
After struggling for a while, Feng Jiu managed to hang her lantern on the top branch. Then she lightly tapped Dong Hua's shoulder and told him to let her down now. "Thank you, Dong Hua. Now both of our wishes will come true!" She smiled sweetly.
Then they sat back down on the sofa, and Feng Jiu reached out for a Christmas cookie. She took one big bite of it and said, "This cookie tastes bad!" Dong Hua then took a bite from her half-eaten cookie and replied, "Don't eat this. I'll buy more for you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? Who says I'm staying overnight?" Feng Jiu asked.
Dong Hua then pointed out of the window and said, "The weather says so. It's snowing heavily, and I think it would be hard for me to drive you back home tonight."
Feng Jiu then ran to the window, and she noticed that it was snowing heavily. "First the rain, now the snow. The weather really wants me to stay here."
Dong Hua turned over and said to Feng Jiu, "You have your own room now, so make yourself at home. I bought a new pink bedsheet the other day since you said that you loved pink."
Feng Jiu then walked back to the sofa and replied, "Oh? You bought it for me?"
"Yes, Xiao Bai. That room belongs to you now, and I won't let anyone else sleep there. I'll be mentoring you for the upcoming competition, and maybe you'll need to stay some nights here too. I mean, sometimes I'll be busy working until late into the night, so I would only be able to teach you after that." Dong Hua smiled.
"Oh! That's true. Then I could make some home-cooked meals while waiting for you to finish up with your work too!" Feng Jiu smiled sweetly. Then she ran back to her room again.
"What are you doing, Xiao Bai?" Dong Hua followed after her. Feng Jiu then rushed out of the room with the shopping bags. "Oh! I was thinking of packing candies for my friends. Do you want to help me with it?" She said.
"Sure. Just tell me what to do." Dong Hua replied. Feng Jiu then dragged him back to the living room. Then she taught him to pack some chocolate and candies into different bags. Dong Hua opened one chocolate egg and fed it to Feng Jiu. "Is it good?" He asked.
Feng Jiu then opened another one and fed it to Dong Hua, "Try it, and you'll know if it's good or not." Dong Hua then smiled and replied, "It's nice. Put more into my bag of candies."
"Okay! Just for you, I'll put a few more into yours." Feng Jiu smiled, and she put a lot of candies into his gift bag.
After they were done, Dong Hua asked Feng Jiu if she wanted to take a shower first. Dong Hua then passed his clothes to her again so that she has something to wear for the night. Feng Jiu smiled and replied, "Thank you! I'll need to bring some of my own clothes here next time."
Dong Hua smiled and replied, "Okay, Xiao Bai. You can treat this place as your second home now. Let me know if you need anything else." Then they both went into their rooms and started taking a shower.
While they were in the shower, they thought to themselves, "Spending another night together, and it's Christmas too. I'm so happy."
----------------------------------------
After taking a shower, Dong Hua sat on the sofa waiting for Feng Jiu. Then he remembered that he has a bruise on his back and he walked into the kitchen to get the medicated oil. When he walked out of the kitchen, Feng Jiu came walking out of her room too.
"Why are you taking the medicated oil?" She asked curiously. Dong Hua replied casually, "Oh, I need to apply it to the bruise on my back."
"A bruise on your back?! Wait, is it from the beer bottle attack by Zhi He? Why didn't you tell me? You even piggyback me just now." Feng Jiu said worriedly.
Then she stood in front of Dong Hua and said, "Take off your shirt now! Let me see it!" Then Dong Hua teased her. "Taking advantage of me as usual." Then he shook his head and took off his shirt.
"Hmph!" Feng Jiu pouted. Then her pouty face turned into a frown when she noticed another big bruise on his back. She said softly, "I'm sorry, Dong Hua. First, you got injured on your shoulder, and now it's your back. I said that I would protect you, but you ended up protecting me again."
"I'll do anything for you, Xiao Bai. This bruise is nothing." Dong Hua smiled. Feng Jiu then told him to turn around, and she sat down behind him. "Tell me if it hurts." Feng Jiu then started rubbing on his bruise gently.
Dong Hua thought to himself, "Nothing would be more painful than losing Xiao Bai." Feng Jiu continued rubbing for a while, and she kept asking Dong Hua if it was painful.
"Not too painful." He smiled and reassured her. Feng Jiu then replied worriedly, "If it's painful, you don't need to act strong. I won't judge you."
"Oh? It's painful." Dong Hua said sarcastically. Then he held onto Feng Jiu's hand, "But it would be more painful if you ignored me someday."
"If I ignore you someday, you probably deserve it! Since I'm such a forgiving person, it would take a lot for me not to forgive someone." Feng Jiu replied proudly.
"Xiao Bai, I know I'm not good with words, and I do stupid things at times too. But I promise you that I'll try my best not to hurt you again." Dong Hua frowned.
"You said that my cooking is the best and you picked Ji Heng's dish over mine. This time, I'll forgive you, but next time I won't forgive you! At least not so easily!" Feng Jiu glowered at Dong Hua.
Dong Hua then held out his pinky and said, "I will make you a pinky promise then. Ji Heng's fish was horrible, even more so than my Sweet and Sour Fish."
Feng Jiu then laughed out loud, "Nobody will beat you in making Sweet and Sour Fish!" Dong Hua smiled and replied, "Oh? But you said that I would be a master chef after you taught me how to cook it. I have been practising it too, and I didn't get sick after tasting it. I think I'm at 9/10 for my fish now."
"Oh? I guess I have to try your fish next time then."
"Okay, Xiao Bai. You can be the judge of my cooking." Dong Hua smiled, but he thought to himself, "Hopefully, Xiao Bai won't scold me again like the last time. She is such a scary teacher."
Dong Hua then poured for wine for himself, and Feng Jiu also asked for another glass. "You sure you want more? You'll get drunk, Xiao Bai." Dong Hua said worriedly.
"Who cares? You said that you're a gentleman, so I know you won't take advantage of me when I'm drunk. Right?" Feng Jiu replied. Dong Hua thought to himself, "I wish to, but I won't." Then he replied calmly, "Of course, I'm a gentleman. Maybe you'll take advantage of me instead."
"I won't! I'm a "gentle lady" too, and I won't get so drunk easily!" Feng Jiu replied proudly.
----------------------------------------
After saying that, Feng Jiu became drunk within 30 minutes. Dong Hua shook his head and replied, "So much for not getting drunk easily." Then he looked at Feng Jiu's flushed face, and he said softly, "Xiao Bai? Are you already asleep?"
Feng Jiu slowly lifted her head and replied, "You think I'm drunk? I'm not!" Then she dragged herself up and sat still. Then she pointed at Dong Hua and said in an accusatory tone, "Dong Hua is a bad guy! He always picks Ji Heng over me! He sides her even when she's wrong, and he doesn't believe me!"
Dong Hua helped Feng Jiu sit straight, and he replied softly, "Xiao Bai, I know that you're still mad at me. But I'll make it up to you slowly."
Feng Jiu then replied, "No! I hate Ji Heng! Even Su Moye agrees with me, but Dong Hua only sides Ji Heng."
"Su Moye?" Dong Hua replied coldly. Then he thought to himself, "Why is she mentioning Su Moye?"
Feng Jiu pushed Dong Hua away and replied, "Yes! Su Moye! He's a nice guy, and he's my friend. He said that he would help me get into the competition too. Hopefully, I can prove to the whole world that my designs are good. This time, I won't let others steal my credit!"
"Steal your credit? What do you mean by that, Xiao Bai?" Dong Hua asked.
"Her! She stole my credit for my work! I was the one who helped Tai Chen Group, not her!" She mumbled and sat down.
"What are you talking about, Xiao Bai?" Dong Hua tried to look at Feng Jiu's face while she bowed her head.
"I won't tell you! You're a bad guy! You would only pick Ji Heng over me!" Feng Jiu said in an annoyed tone. Then she looked up and cupped Dong Hua's face with her both hands.
Dong Hua frowned and replied, "I'm sorry, Xiao Bai. It's all my fault, and I shouldn't have picked Ji Heng's cooking over yours. I'll make it up to you, I promise."
"How?!" Feng Jiu stared deeply into Dong Hua's eyes.
"Tell me what you want me to do, and I'll do it. I don't know how else to make it up to you." Dong Hua stared back into her eyes.
"I know how!" Feng Jiu exclaimed.
She immediately leaned in and kissed Dong Hua on his lips. Dong Hua froze when he realized Feng Jiu was kissing him. "Xiao Bai kissed me?! I can't breathe. Do I kiss her back? She's drunk, so she won't remember it, right?"
Then Dong Hua closed his eyes, hugged her waist and kissed her back. Feng Jiu immediately struggled and pushed him away. "This would teach you a lesson! I took advantage of you, and you can't ask me for any repayment!"
"Xiao Bai... I..." Dong Hua didn't know how to react. Feng Jiu then fell onto him and instantly passed out.
Dong Hua helped her up and noticed that she fell asleep. Then he gently carried her up in his arms and brought her back to her room. Dong Hua laid her down slowly on the bed and covered her with the blanket. He touched his lips and thought to himself, "Xiao Bai kissed me. Does she have feelings for me or is she just drunk?"
Dong Hua stared at her sleeping face, and he leaned in to kiss her forehead. "I don't know if the kiss was intentional, but I'm glad that it happened. Maybe you won't even remember it tomorrow, but I would forever remember this. You took all my first, Xiao Bai. You even took my first kiss. I love you so much, Xiao Bai. Maybe someday I'll have the courage to confess to you."
Dong Hua then swept her fringe off her face. "Sleep well, Xiao Bai. Merry Christmas." Then he turned off the lights and left the room. Dong Hua also continued drinking to clear his thoughts and tried to calm himself down after what just happened. At the same time, he thought about what Feng Jiu said to him, "Ji Heng stole her credit? I need to get to the bottom of this."
"Our first kiss on Christmas, what more could I ask for?"- Dong Hua
Tình trạng nguồn điện hàng tuần
-- Xếp hạng
Quyền lực 
-- Đá
Quyền lực